Together Forever

by Vicki Green

  Steven walks into the kitchen during our little make out session, clearing his throat, his head down slightly, smiling. I try pushing Shane away, but he won’t budge. “Shane,” I giggle. “Your dad!”

  He holds me tighter and kisses me again quickly. “Fuck him. He can get his own girl,” he laughs.

  Shane makes us a yummy breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and bacon as his dad and I sit at the table. I’m enjoying my latte while Steven enjoys a cup of coffee. Steven stops eating and looks at Shane, like he wants to tell him something but isn’t sure. Shane looks up his fork raised full of eggs and stares at him. “What dad? What is it? Is something wrong?” He asks as he sets his full fork on his plate.

  Steven clears his throat and wipes his mouth with his napkin. “No, no. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just—”

  Shane looks at me and shrugs, then back at his dad. “Come on, dad. You can tell me. What is it?”

  Steven takes a big drink of his coffee and wipes his mouth again. “Ok, well. You see. I’ve been seeing this woman.” He shrugs. Shane looks at me, eyes raised and shock on his face. “Her name is Emily Banks. She doesn’t live far from me and owns a little coffee shop that has so much business I decided to work there. I’m having the time of my life!”

  My hand reaches over and lays on his. “That’s awesome, Steven! I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to meet her.” My smile is huge. How wonderful for him, he must have been lonely. No one should be alone. I know that all too well.

  I look at Shane who is sitting there with his mouth open, eyes bulging. I lightly kick him under the table. Closing his mouth, he slowly turns his head my way, blinks, and then turns back to his dad. “Ahem, dad. That’s great! Wow. Just wow.” Well, that was articulate.

  “I really can’t wait for you to meet her, son.” He looks at me, smiles and back at Shane. “Hey, why don’t you and Allie come to visit? I am sure with everything going on that you both could use some time away.” Shane and I look at each other. “It might be just what the doctor ordered,” he winks.

  Shane puts his hand on my knee and squeezes. I smile and wink. “Might be just what the doctor ordered, huh?” He asks. “Maybe it would be a good idea to get away. I think I can get some time off, haven’t had any in a really in a long time. Had no reason to.” He leans in and kisses me, my face heating up as I blush.

  I look at his dad, who seems to be blushing as well. “I think that’s a great idea. I miss the ocean and could use some relaxation.” I look at my man. “I can take my laptop to keep up on my book and start writing the next one I have in mind.”

  The plans started me on the phone with Lana and Jesse, Shane on the phone with work. Paxton comes sauntering into my office and overhears our plans. She sits in my reading chair and crosses her arms. I hang up just in time to hear her big huff. “Pax, you’re getting ready to go back to L.A. in the morning, what are you so huffy about?” I ask as she pouts.

  “Oh, nothing. I love Florida. I just wish I was going too. But, you’re right, as usual. I have a modeling gig in two days that I must get ready for. I’m gonna miss you. And—” She stops abruptly and bites her fingernail.

  I get up and sit on the arm of the chair. Putting my arm around her, and rub her shoulder. “What sweetie? What’s wrong? And you know I will miss the hell out of you too.”

  I catch a tear as it falls from her eye. “I just—” She shakes her head and sniffs. “I’m so glad for you and Shane, going off together, having a nice relaxing time and for Shane to get to spend some time with his dad. But, shit! I’m gonna, I’m gonna miss, Tuck!” Her head goes down and is covered by her hands.

  I get down and kneel in front of her, removing her hands, holding on to them. “No, Shit? Wow! Does he know? What the hell happened on New Year’s Eve?” I ask eagerly.

  She straightened up in the chair. “Nothing! Fuck, I’m not that easy. Yes, I am so attracted to him, how can I not be? But, he’s so— He’s just so messed up, in a Greek God, absolutely fucking gorgeous, hot body, bad boy way. UGH!”

  I’m laughing so hard! Ok, it’s not really funny like that, but funny that they both really like each other and they both have such hang up’s. They really are made for each other, but don’t realize it. Damnit, I wish they would open their eyes.

  I sit down on the floor, crossing my legs. “Pax, he’s a rocker, tattoo artist and yeah, he came from a messed up life, but he’s one of the sweetest people I know. I wish you would give him the chance to prove it. A good friend of mine once told me, if you don’t take a chance, you’ll never know what you might miss out on.” I smile as she slides out of the chair and sits in front of me. She puts her arms around me. I have no idea how long we sit there, just holding each other. I’m gonna miss my bestie.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Come on girls, get the lead out or she’ll miss her flight!” I scream from the bottom of the stairs. Fuck, women are slower than shit! Damn, we have to get her there, come back and pack and then leave again in a few hours to catch our flight to Florida. Man, I’m so looking forward to having some time with my girl at the beach. I’m gonna romance the shit outta her. Oh! Beach sex, yeah! I can rent a boat, we can go skinny dipping and— My thoughts are interrupted by the clomping of shoes down the stairs. Fuck!

  “Come on, darling,” Allie says putting her arm through mine and winking at me. “There is plenty of time for your wicked thoughts when we get on our plane.” How the hell does she do that?

  It seems to take forever to get Pax on the plane. Maybe that’s because I’m so fucking horny now, and my cock is fighting to get out of my jeans. Shit! We drive back to our house to pack. Dad had gone out to get a few things, so we make a detour on the floor in the living room. What can I say? My cock won.

  Shit, we pack quickly, now we’re running really late. By the time I park the truck, we are all running to get to the gate. Hey, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. We get seated, dad in the seat in front of us, Allie in the window seat next to me. She lays her head on my shoulder and falls asleep almost instantly. I think I wore her out but what a way to get worn out.

  I sit there with my thoughts wandering to the conversation I had with Stiles earlier. He was very worried about us leaving and not being able to protect us, especially Allie. So he called a few of his buddies in Florida and they will be at the airport to meet us. He also told me that a court date has not been set yet for the asshole that took her, but would let us know as soon as he hears. I really need to do something really great for him.

  We are coming out of the gate and are road blocked by three very muscular men, standing with their arms crossed, all dressed in black with dark sunglasses on. Shit, don’t even think I can take one of them, well, not in the condition I’m in now anyway.

  “Sargent Murray, Detective Connors and Detective Stoddard, at your service,” the largest of the three says in a deep voice. We shake hands and Allie smiles at them.

  “So kind of you all to help us. We really appreciate it,” she tells them.

  “Think nothing of it, miss. We are doing this on our off duty times and will be alternating. We owe Stiles this and more for what he has done for us over the years and are happy to help. If we can get this slime bucket put away, all the better.” Detective Connors answers.

  They follow us to the luggage area. Allie stays close to me, her arm around me, and my hand in her back pocket. Detective Connors drives us to dad’s house while the other two gives us their goodbyes, telling us they will see us when it’s their turn. Once we are out of the car with all of our luggage, he drives down the street, makes a U turn and shuts the car off. I’m feeling better about my girl’s safety than I did before.

  After a tour of dad’s house, I immediately take Allie out to the back deck. I stand behind her as she leans forward on the railing, my arms around her. We look out at the ocean and enjoy a few moments of silence, listening to the waves of the ocean. She lays her head back on my chest, and I kiss her neck. We are exhausted from the
long and fast paced day so we head up to my room. Dad had given me the big attic dorm room, when he moved here. It’s as big as the entire house. I have a drawing table area where I can work on tattoo sketches. There is a small living room with a big screen T.V., a huge bathroom and my king size bed that is close to the French doors that lead to the deck. I also have a deck off the back where I can sit and veg when I want to. Dad did a fucking awesome job refinishing this house after he bought it. I don’t get to come here nearly enough.

  I watch my girl walk around the room, her mouth open. “Shit! This is awesome! I could live in this room!” She walks over and opens the French doors and walks out to the deck. Holding the railing, she turns to face me. “I love this, darling.”

  I am quickly holding her. “And, I love you.” I capture her mouth and seek entrance with my tongue. Her mouth instantly opens, her tongue finding mine. We are in a zone when I hear coughing from behind me. I turn and smile at my dad, still holding my girl tightly.

  “Ahem, sorry for the um, interruption, but here’s some clean towels. Emily wanted to make sure everything was just right when you got here. I’ll just—” He sets them down on the bed, right inside the open doors. He smiles and winks at us. “Goodnight, love birds.” He walks backwards a ways, turns and leaves the room.

  I laugh, turning back to my love. “Emily cleaned? Wow, she must really like dad,” I smirk. I get a smack on my arm for that comment.

  She giggles, “Darling, we woman do tons of things we don’t like to do for our men.” She giggles into a full laugh. “Listen to me. Like I know.” She kisses me again and we stay like that for a few minutes. “Darling, take me to bed. Make me yours again.”

  Well, shit! She doesn’t have to ask me more than once. I lift her in my arms, grimacing a little and laid her on the bed. I sweep the towels off in one stroke of my arm, which makes her giggle again. I stand there looking at my girl, her hair splayed out across the pillow, the look of love and desire in her eyes. Fuck, I can’t believe she’s mine.

  I quickly remove her clothes, then mine and settle between her legs. I push back the hair from her forehead and play with a soft strand with my fingers. I can’t stop looking into her eyes, it’s like she has me memorized. “I love you so much that sometimes I can barely breathe. I would do anything for you, protect you in any way.” I see the tears forming, her bottom lip quivering. Placing my hand on her face I kiss the shit out of her mouth. We made hot, passionate love and fell into a blissful and sated sleep.

  The morning seems to come quickly. I stretch my aching bones and let out a huge yawn. My hand instinctively moves to my girl, but her side of the bed is cold. I turn and see her side already made up. Hmmm, where did my girl go and why the fuck did I not get to wake up in my favorite position. My hand flexes, missing her breast.

  I hobble into the bathroom, splash some water on my face, brush my teeth and throw on jeans and a t-shirt. It’s a little chilly in the morning here in January. I limp down the stairs, my leg hurting this morning and creep down the hall to ease drop on the conversation I hear.

  “Shane is amazing! He protects me and loves me so much. I couldn’t ask for a better man. So, you must have done something right in raising him,” Allie laughs. I hear the clanging of dishes and move closer against the wall by the kitchen.

  Dad chuckles, “Well, I think his mom did most of the raising. I was busy with the bar, so much that I’m afraid I wasn’t home as much as I should have been. Bars are a tough business. But, yeah, he did turn out to be a son that I am very proud of. Couldn’t ask for a better one.”

  Silence follows, and I try to even my breathing as the feeling of pride and love shoots through me. “Darling? You can come in now, if you can fit your big head through the doorway.” Fuck, caught! I laugh as I walk into the kitchen and go straight to my girl. She yells in surprise when I pick her light body up and sit in her chair, placing her down on my lap. I give her a hell of a good morning kiss, making my dad cough again. Get used to it ole man! I love kissing on my girl.

  We start to get into our kiss a little too much until she finally pulls back and looks at me. Her smile is huge as she gives me a peck and then smacks my chest, lightly. “Shane, you embarrass me so, in front of your dad.” Her giggling starts and she leans into me, her mouth nibbling my ear. “Don’t ever stop,” she whispers. Fuck, I love my girl!

  Dad brings over a cup of coffee for me and sits down. “Hey, ole man. I don’t wanna ever hear you say you didn’t have a hand in raising me. It may not have been as much, when I was young, but you did it all after mom died. I think you did a damn fine job.” I smirk.

  He sets his cup down, tears in his eyes. He sniffs and wipes his eyes quickly. “Thanks, son.” He gets up and walks over to the counter and brings the coffee pot back over to refill my cup. “I have to go to work in about 30 minutes and was hoping you all would come over to check out the coffee shop, later?”

  I can’t help but laugh. He’s like a fucking teenager again, but I’m so happy for him. He needs someone to share his life with. I look down on the table to see a glass of almost empty orange juice and turn to my girl. “Speaking of coffee?” I raise my eyebrows.

  She looks down at her stomach, then back to me and smiles. “Well, I figure I’d better start taking care of myself and our baby, so I’m quitting the caffeine and coffee, for now.” I kiss her for that! “But, I may get even crankier than I am now so if I bite your head off and kick it to the ground, stomping all over it, just please forgive me.” We both laugh.

  “Love, if I ever give you a reason to do that, feel free to bite my head off and stomp the hell out of it.” I kiss her, hard, my arms bring her as close as our bodies will allow.

  Dad starts coughing again. “Ole Man? You have a coughing issue or something? You need to see a doctor?”

  He laughs and starts placing dirty dishes in the sink. “Funny, son. No, just making sure you all remember I’m here in the same room.” He winks at Allie. “But, speaking of doctor’s, you have an appointment with mine tomorrow. You need to have those stitches looked at as well as your leg you keep limping on.” I open my mouth, but he doesn’t let me speak. He raises his hand, “Nope, you’re going and that’s final.” Well, fuck me.

  Allie puts some of my hair behind my ear and gives me her famous serious look. “Darling, he’s right. Your leg doesn’t seem to be getting better, not that you rest it or anything. And, your stitches might be ready to come out, so I’m glad he made you an appointment.” She kisses the side of my face and whispers, “I’ll hold your hand so you don’t get scared.” My mouth moves to hers and captures it and there goes the coughing again. We both laugh into each other’s mouths.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I’m already getting cranky without my caffeine and am missing my mocha latte, terribly. I hope I don’t actually bite off Shane’s head, by accident. Shit! How am I going to make it with nine months of this? How do women stand it?

  Apparently, Shane’s dad loves motorcycles as well and tells us to take his to the Coffee Shop. I have my laptop in a bag thrown over my back. I love riding behind my man, smelling his hot scent in the breeze and feeling his hard thighs with my legs smashed up against them.

  Shane parks and kicks the stand down with his foot. His leg moves around the bike, plants his foot on the ground and holds his hand out to me. As he helps me off the bike, he pulls my body into his, taking my face in his hands and kisses me with determination. God, I love my sexy man!

  We walk, hand in hand, into the shop. His dad sees us and points to a table back in the corner, with a reserved sign on it and winks. We sit, Shane across from me, and I set up my laptop. A beautiful older woman comes over and stands beside the table with a big smile. “Hello! My name is Emily and you must be Shane and Allie?”

  Shane smiles up at her, as he stretches out on his seat, crossing his bad leg over the other. “Emily, nice to meet you. I hear you have my ole man under control. Thanks for that,” he says winking at her. “G
od knows someone needed to do that and you must be a good woman to be able to,” he smirks.

  Emily laughs, “Well, it wasn’t hard to do.” She looks over her shoulder at Steven, then back again. “He’s a good man. Hard to find that these days.” She winks at me. I like her, she seems very down to earth and I think she’s so great for Steven. My heart fills with love for my new family here.

  Shane reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I was lucky to find the best girl in the world so I know what you mean.” Swoon!

  “I can see that. But, I think you’re both lucky.” She smiles again and pulls out a pad to take our order. “How about I just surprise you? I feel as if I know you both already as much as Steven talks about you.” We both laugh and nod as she walks away.

  I start hooking up to their wireless service and begin typing away on the keyboard, catching up on all things of my book. I am amazed at how well it’s doing. It’s now 48th on Amazon’s Romance chart and my fan page has gone nuts since I was last on it. I now have over 14,000 likes. Shit, when did that happen? I am reading posts that Lana has been posting, on my behalf, when a large glass of orange juice is set on the table next to my laptop. I look up to see Steven smiling at me. He then sets down a plate filled with muffins and different kinds of bread’s. “Need to feed that baby,” he says with a wink. “And yourself too.” He walks away with a look of pride on his face.

  I look up at Shane, watching his dad walk away. “I love your dad, darling. He’s so sweet and kind. No wonder you turned out that way.” His head turns to me quickly and gives me that gorgeous smile, his dimple showing.