It feels freeing to finally say what I’m feeling out loud to my sister.
Looking up, Bella’s face mirrors my own with shed tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I’m so sorry I made you feel that way. It was never my intention. You should have said something sooner. I don’t ever want you to feel like you need to live life for anyone but yourself, and you could never disappoint me, Alba. If not going to college is what you want then I will support you" she says with sincerity.
Bella comes to sit in front of me on the floor. I look down at her as she looks up. Continuing she says, "I have sat around for months knowing something was wrong. Knowing for some reason you were not happy. I heard it in your voice every time we talked and every time you made up some excuse as to why you couldn’t come home to visit. I wanted you to talk to me so badly, but I wanted you to be ready and willing to open up to me on your own and tell me what you were keeping bottled up inside. I’m your sister. I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to cheer you on. I’m so very proud of everything you do, have done and will do in the future."
We hold hands and take a moment to collect ourselves.
We look at each other as sisters that have grown together and shared so much in life but it’s also a moment that we both are finally looking at each other as two separate women who have come so far and are both coming into their own.
Finding our own paths.
The moment is interrupted with commotion coming from downstairs.
"I’m pretty sure that’s all Gabriel right now," Bella lets out with a heavy sigh and gets to her feet.
"What are you talking about?" I raise my eyebrow and ask her.
Standing a little taller, she gives me a deadpan look, "Before I brought Leah up here, I pulled Logan to the side and gave him a quick rundown of what you told me. So, I’m guessing the noises we are now hearing is the reaction from your man being told that someone has threatened you and his child," she affirms.
I stand abruptly, causing myself to get a bit light headed, but quickly steady myself. I can only imagine his reaction. Hell, he just found out that he’s going to be a father.
A light knock on the door catches all three of our attentions before hearing a soft voice from the other side, "Bella, may I come in?"
I look to my sister wondering who the voice belongs to. She gives me a reassuring look before walking to the door and opening it. A beautiful, young woman with long, black hair and stunning green eyes steps in, shutting the door behind her.
"Alba, this is Gabriel’s sister Leyna. Remember me telling you about her a few weeks ago? She’s been staying here at the clubhouse."
Of course. How could I have completely forgotten about that conversation? Looking to her I say, "Leyna, I wish we could have met under better circumstances."
"Me too. And from what I overheard, it seems my hermano brother is going to be a papi daddy," she gestures to my protruding belly. "I told him he was foolish to do what he did months ago. I promise you Gabe is a good man. We are familia now, so can I hug you?" She asks with her arms stretched out in a warm welcome and a smile.
Accepting, I hug her in return.
Our introduction is cut short as the bedroom door bursts open, splintering at its hinges, causing all four us to jump back and Leah to shriek.
Looming in the doorway is Gabriel, all six feet four inches of him.
Silence fills the room. Like the calm before a storm.
The stillness of the moment is defining as his intense stare carefully appraises me. His movement is so swift I don’t even have time to react. Falling to his knees in front of me, Gabriel places his large hands on my belly before he hoarsely whispers, "Alba."
Overcome with emotions, I quietly sob. When he stood in the doorway I didn’t know what to expect. For a split second I found myself afraid. Not afraid of Gabriel harming me—not physically.
Fear of rejection again.
Fear of him rejecting our baby.
I look upon his face in wonderment. A sea of pride, joy, and love for his unborn child swells in the depths of his deep, brown eyes. The heat from his touch penetrates through my shirt, causing goosebumps to cover the surface of my skin.
A lifetime, that’s how long it has felt since the last time he’s touched me. Somehow, this moment feels so much more earth shattering. A sense of calm settles through my soul.
His rough, raw voice breaks through the stillness as his softly spoken words to our unborn child leave his lips.
"Your mother is my sky, and you… you are my star. I didn’t know just how much my heart needed you," Gabriel’s eyes lift to mine, "needs both of you. You both give me strength. You give me purpose."
Hearing sobs other than my own, I turn my head noticing my sister, Leah and even Leyna watching intently and quietly sharing the moment with me.
I quickly return my attention back to Gabriel. His handsome face becomes a blur as I study him. No longer able to ignore my heart I completely lose myself to him and my knees go weak, then I’m lifted off my feet. Nestling my face into the crook of his neck I breathe him deep into my lungs as he carries me out the door.
Chapter Sixteen
Gabriel
You ever have those moments in life where you say fuck it and give into the forces of nature? When you finally stop fighting what is obviously meant to be? When you realize your destiny has been right under nose?
I’ve purposely done shit, stupid shit to fuck things up with Alba because I thought I was doing the right thing. But then again us men are always fuckin’ shit up, so that’s nothing new. I’m pretty sure women expect nothing less. Which is why they’re the stronger of the species. They take on all the bullshit we dish out, then quietly dust themselves off, hold their heads high and keep on pushing. And that is exactly what my Cariño Sweetheart has been doing for months.
Alba is so brave, so strong. I felt all that change though, the moment I scooped her up into my arms. Her walls come crashing down and her fight was gone. Her bravery had run out and her strength vanished. Did this mean I was off the hook? Hell fucking no.
My woman has fire, and I know she will be handing me my ass soon enough. I will be taking whatever she dishes out too, because I sure as fuck deserve it. I can take whatever Alba gives and it still would not equal to the amount of hurt I have caused her.
Walking into her room moments ago, seeing the array of emotions play out on my woman’s face literally brought me to my knees. First there was shock, then longing, but it was the look of fear that broke me. Alba’s big, beautiful blue eyes were full of fear. Like she was expecting me to lash out. To be angry at the fact she was pregnant with my baby.
She fully expected me to reject our child the same way I had rejected her. I did that to her. My brash stupidity was the reason my woman stayed away from her home, kept secrets from her sister and was going through what should be the happiest time in her life alone.
With Alba’s arms tight around my neck, and her breath fanning my face, I stride down the hall towards my room. Walking in, I kick the door shut behind me with my booted foot before sitting down on the edge of my bed with her still in my arms. She’s holding on so tight, as if she’s afraid to let go. There’s no fuckin’ chance of that happening. I’ll never be able to let her go again and I’ll die before I let her be taken from me.
I need to find who the hell thought they could fuck with my woman and continue breathin’. But that shit’s for another time. Right now, I need to focus on Alba and get things straightened out between us. And there IS going to be an us.
"Cariño Sweetheart," I choke out past my own emotion as I place my finger under her chin, guiding her to look at me. When Alba raises her face away from the crook of my neck and her gorgeous tear-filled eyes meet my dark ones, I can no longer hold back and I crash my mouth down on hers. I should be taking things slower, but all logic is thrown out the window when Alba tugs on the front of my shirt pulling me closer. I don’t know how long we go on like this. Seconds?
Minutes?
All I know is we are lost in each other. For us, time has stopped. I will never get enough of her taste, her smell or the feel of her soft skin underneath my rough hands. I feel at peace when she is near. Alba is the light to my dark. The mother of my child that’s growing inside her. She is my home.
Breaking our kiss, I pull back an inch, keeping her face between the palms of my hands. I watch as she slowly opens her lust filled eyes and brings her hands up the back of my neck and through my hair. No words are spoken, when I stand with her still in my arms. Words will come later. I know it and she knows it. But right now, the only thing we both need is each other.
I turn, placing Alba gently on my bed. Going down to my knees in front of her, I peer into her eyes as I clutch the front of her sweater. I make no other move until Alba gives me the signal. Lifting her arms, she gives me what I ask for and I waste no time before bringing her top up and off over her head, where it’s tossed to the floor beside me. Dropping her arms, she wraps them around her swollen belly like she’s trying to hide from me. No way in hell am I having any of that. Grabbing her arms, I pull them away from where my son or daughter is growing.
"No. Don’t hide your body from me. Ever." I demand, and Alba let’s out a shuddered breath.
"My body has changed, and…and."
Placing my finger to her mouth, I refused to let her finish her sentence. No way will I allow my woman to be ashamed at the changes to her body.
"You are beautiful, Cariño Sweetheart. You have our baby growing inside of you. You and your body are providing for him, making him strong. I welcome any changes that come."
Hearing the sincerity in my voice, Alba’s body relaxes into my touch as I reach behind her and unclasp her bra. Slowly, I drag the straps down over her shoulders, letting it fall and exposing her breasts. My touch causes her to shiver and her pink nipples beg for attention. Grabbing both of her hips, I pull her closer to the edge of the bed before leaning forward and covering her breast with my mouth and I feel her nipple harden against my tongue.
Arching her back and fisting my hair, Alba groans, "Oh god, Gabriel."
Releasing her breast, I gently push her backwards, encouraging her to lie down as I kiss my way down her stomach until I’m met with blue lace panties soaked with her arousal. Not being able to resist, I tug them aside and swipe my tongue through her wet pussy, making Alba gasp and buck further into my mouth. I always regretted not tasting my woman’s sweet pussy the first time we made love. Now that I know what she tastes like, I’m fuckin’ addicted. I will never get enough.
Withering, Alba fists the sheets, "Please, Gabriel, I need more." At her plea, I growl and drive my tongue inside her pussy, making her scream vibrate off the walls of the room as her orgasm rips through her.
Not being anywhere near done with her, I stand, kick off my boots and strip off my clothes. Kneeling on the bed, I wrap my arm around Alba’s sated body and pull her up further into the middle of my bed before reaching down and pulling her panties from her off. Dipping my face down I kiss her. Our tongues tangle together in sync as I hold myself above her, making sure to be mindful of her belly.
I lean back, "No puedo respirar sin ti. Eres mi todo. I can’t breathe without you. You are my everything," I confess right before I thrust forward, burying myself inside her.
Fuck she feels like heaven.
And in this moment, everything feels right. Alba has managed to take over every part of me, making me feel things I’ve never experienced before. I knew the first time I laid eyes on her that day I picked her up outside of her house, that she would forever own me. Placing kisses on her shoulder and up the side of her neck, I rest my forehead on hers and then begin to slowly move in and out of her tight heat. With our mouths breaths away, "Who do you belong to?" I ask not taking my eyes off hers. Alba answers without hesitation.
"You. I belong to you, Gabriel." And the tears begin to flow once again. "You destroyed me." She confesses.
"Sí Yes, I did, and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you, mi amor my love." At my declaration, I feel Alba’s body tremble as she sobs. "I love you so much, Cariño Sweetheart." She doesn’t say it back. I know she’s not ready to give me that part of her, and that’s okay. This is not about me. This is about her. So, with those last words, I take Alba’s mouth with mine and start showing her how much I love her.
I keep my pace slow and even because I want to savor every moment I’m inside of her. My cock throbs when I feel the walls of her pussy flutter around it. I’m not ready to come yet, and will myself to make this moment last. Every nerve in my body catches on fire when Alba runs her soft, delicate hands up the sides of my ribs and to my shoulders where she digs her fingers into my flesh. She gasps when I pull out slowly then roll my hips burying myself deep inside her.
"I want you to ride me," I declare, changing positions and turning to lay on my back and guiding Alba to straddle me.
"Gabriel, I’m not sure… I mean, I don’t…"
"Give me your mouth, mi amor my love," I gently demand. Once her mouth is on mine, I grab her hips and glide her wet pussy back and forth along my shaft. With her body knowing what it craves, Alba raises her hips as I grab the base of my cock and lines the tip up at her entrance. She then sinks down on me all the way to the hilt.
"You feel so fuckin’ good," I grit out and wait a few moments, letting her adjust to the new position. Looking up at Alba I take in all her beauty. I love the look of her round with my baby. As soon as she has this one I won’t be wasting any time before putting another one in there.
I never gave much thought to having kids—to having a family. But now a family with Alba is all I want. Reaching up, I trail my hands up and over the swell of her belly and then up to her full breasts. Bracing the palms of her hands on my chest, she begins to move. It doesn’t take long for her to find her rhythm. With her back arched and her head thrown back, I know she is close when her pussy begins to squeeze the hell out of me.
Taking my eyes off her face, I look down to where we’re connected. I love seeing myself disappear inside of her. The sight has my cock throbbing. Using my thumb, I begin to rub her swollen clit, feeling her tight walls clamp down on my cock. I pull her forward and let my mouth swallow her orgasm. Grabbing Alba’s hips, I thrust up two more times before I hold her down on top of me as we crash over the edge together.
Several moments later, after we both have recovered and I feel Alba’s body go slack, I wrap my arm around her back and shift our bodies sideways so we are lying face to face. I watch as her eyes flutter a few times before they close and her body relaxes completely.
I begin to rub lazy circles along her hip and up her ribs until her breaths even out and sleep takes her. After a few minutes of watching her sleep, our bodies fused together and Alba’s belly pressed against my stomach, I feel a nudge.
Seconds later, I feel it again. I suddenly realize what the feeling is...my baby. Keeping my body very still, I continue to feel as my baby decides to make himself known. And I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. I’m a little amazed Alba is able to sleep through all the movement. A few minutes later my baby settles. And even though I’m tired as fuck, I can’t sleep.
I finally have my woman in my arms and I don’t want to take my eyes off of her. I’ve wanted this for so long. It’s like I’m afraid this is all a dream. Like I’ll wake up and none of this will be real. We came real close to this moment never being a reality. Dread fills my stomach when I think about how close Alba has been to danger. So close, the son of a bitch was in her apartment. If I know Reid, he’s already at work trying to figure out what the hell is going on and who the sick fuck is who dares to threaten my woman and the life of my baby.
Realizing my body is shaking from the rage building inside of me, I shut my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I need to keep my head on straight. I can’t lose control. I have more than just myself to think about now. With Alba sleeping soundly, I
slip out of bed, careful not to wake her. Picking my jeans up off the floor, I dig my cell out of my pocket firing off a quick text to Reid.
Me: I want the motherfucker who’s after my girl found
Reid: Already on it brother.
I knew my brother would be on top of shit.
Hearing a rustling behind me, I look over my shoulder and see Alba sitting up in bed with the sheet wrapped around her and her eyes scanning the floor. Probably looking for her clothes. If she thinks she’s about to make a quick retreat, she’s got another thing coming.
"You’re not going anywhere." Alba whips her head in my direction. Yep. It’s time. I knew this moment was coming.
"You can’t tell me what to do, Gabriel." she says glaring at me. There’s the fire I love so much.
"Sí Yes, I can and I will. We have shit to work through, Alba. And we’re going to do it now."
She glares, "Look, if this is about the baby, I was going to tell you. I wasn’t going to keep him or her from you. I wouldn’t let my personal feeling towards you affect the relationship our child deserves to have with his father. I know we’ll have to figure out how to co-parent and the shared custody stuff. I just wasn’t ready to deal with all that yet—”
I cut her off, "There will be no shared custody bullshit. We will raise our child together. You as my wife, and me as your husband."
"I don’t know if you realize this or not, Gabriel, but this is not the 1950’s. We don’t have to get married just because I’m knocked up," Alba remarks dryly, "and what happened with us earlier doesn’t change anything. My pregnancy hormones kinda took over my body and clouded my judgment. It was just sex, nothing more. I mean those are the words you used to describe us, right?"
Standing up from the bed with determination to put me in my place, Alba cocks her head putting a finger on her chin, "Come to think of it, those were not the only words you used to describe me. Just a few hours ago, you also called me a whore. Someone who spread her legs for ’some ballplayer’. Isn’t that right, Gabriel? For all you know this baby is not even yours." Alba finishes, her chest heaving.
The Darkest Of Light (The Kings Of Retribution MC Book 2) Page 13