Forgiven (Touched Series #2)

by Vicki Green

  “Why all the questions, Peaches? What’s going on in the beautiful head of yours?” I look down at my plate and take another bite then a drink of my juice. “Hey, what’s up?”

  His eyes are searching mine and my brows crease with my thoughts. “I dunno. I guess I’m just wondering, that’s all. You know Pearl really likes him, not just as an employee and well, I don’t want her to get hurt. But it just seems odd that being so quiet, keeping to himself and then he was all over you, trying to stop you from making a big mistake, one that would have been horrible to our lives. I guess when I looked at him, he acted like he cared. Maybe a little?”

  He picks up his fork and takes another bite and then looks at me again. “Stormy, you and your imagination. All I know is he helped us both last night and for that I’m thankful but I still don’t trust him. It’s hard to trust someone that won’t let you in, won’t tell you anything about them to make them trustworthy and all I can tell you is…. If he hurts Pearl, in any way, I won’t hesitate to beat his ass. Make no mistake about that. Now, eat. You’ve hardly touched your food.”

  Nodding, I sigh and start to eat again but all thoughts about Harley keep filling my head. There’s just something about him, something I can’t put my finger on. What if we’re wrong about him? What if underneath, he’s a good guy? Everyone has secrets, maybe his are so horrible he can’t tell people. What could they be? What could be so bad that made him the way he is? I shiver with ugly thoughts and Bo stops eating. “Are you cold?” Shaking my head, I manage to put a smile on my face and start eating more in earnest. I need to talk to Pearl. Maybe I’ll call her later and see if she has time to meet later.

  “Where’s Bo?” Pearl walks in and looks around then back at me. “I love him but I’d rather he not hear our conversation, ya know?”

  Nodding, I smile and walk to the couch and sit down. She follows, still leery but sits down next to me. “He went to the house and went jogging on the beach. He’s determined to keep his figure since he thinks he’s gonna get fat along with me,” I admit rolling my eyes. She laughs and seems to relax. “Okay, now. I just wanted to ask you about what you thought with Harley’s behavior last night. Seems like he acted rather quickly to the situation, don’t you think?”

  She bites her lower lip and sighs. “I don’t know what to think. Once everyone left, I ran into him in the hallway by the office and almost fell. He grabbed my arms and steadied me and the look he gave me was like he was looking into my soul. Ugh! Maybe it’s just me and what I hope. I don’t know anymore. Sometimes he looks at me while we’re working and I swear he has feelings for me and then the next minute he’s stand-offish, totally pissy towards me. He’s more hormonal than a woman!” A laugh bursts from my mouth, and my hand covers it quickly. She smiles, but it turns into a frown just as quickly, her face then forms into a serious look. “Stormy. There’s something in his past that he’s afraid of. Something that happened that I think makes him afraid to get close to anyone or let anyone get close to him, I just know it.”

  Reaching out I take her hand, and my face scrunches up in worry. “Honey, you can’t help everyone. Sometimes people don’t want to be helped. Sometimes they like where they are and want to stay that way and sometimes they do it to protect those that try to help them.” She looks as if in deep thought and then smiles.

  “Well, too bad for him. I have to try, even more now. He really saved Bo last night and you. I know he’s a good guy underneath that rough exterior. I just know it.”

  “Oh, honey. I just don’t want you to get hurt. You’re too sweet and loving for that. I know I can’t stop you but you know I’ll always be here for you.”

  Our heads turn when the door opens, and Bo walks in. His skin is sweaty and a little pink from the sun, and I swear the feelings that flow through my body is telling me Pearl needs to leave fairly quickly or I won’t be held accountable for my actions. He looks at me and smiles then at Pearl and his face changes into seriousness. “Pearl.” He walks over to me, leans down and kisses my mouth and then stands back up and starts walking towards the kitchen. His head turns and he looks right at Pearl. “Don’t get involved with Harley, sis. He’s not good enough for you.” He disappears, and I look at Pearl.

  “Whelp. I’d better get back over to the bar.” She kisses my cheek then stands and walks to the door. She stops, holding on to the open door and looks at me from over her shoulder. “I know he means well but I’m not going to give up on Harley.” I sit there and just stare at the now closed door and sigh. God, I hope she knows what’s she’s getting herself into.

  I think about Harley and what the demons are that could be causing his mysteriousness. All of a sudden I feel like even though my life wasn’t all full of happiness, except for Mom, I think about how life can pass you by so quickly. I reach down, grab my phone, hit a button and hold it up to my ear.

  “Stormy? Is everything okay?”

  James’ voice sounds so good. “Everything great, James. I just wanted to tell you…. Well, you’re gonna be a grandpa.” I laugh and smile from his excitement and I feel relief, instantly. Everything’s going to be great now. I have Bo’s family, James, a baby on the way, and most importantly, I have Bo. My life is complete.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It’s been three weeks since the brawl at the bar and things have returned to normal. The bar is busting with crowds every night and so is our restaurant. The bars records have been improving, no stealing since Pete hired the other employees and only the occasional drunken brawls but nothing like the night we were there. Stormy is working and I’m at my family’s house sitting on the back deck with Mom, Dad, Pearl and James and making arrangements for my big secret. Stormy will be so excited when she finds out, I can’t wait to see her face when it all happens. “Okay, so you want me to have the big tent over there and then the smaller tent there? What about all the lights over there? Do you want multi-colored or just one color?” Dad points around the backyard and everyone’s eyes follow.

  “I want all white lights, little ones and I think the big tent would be better over there,” I point over to the right and then over to the left. “I think the smaller tent for the food and tables would be good there. Then I believe tiki poles with small flames would line the path to each and make sure you put the plants everywhere around the yard. I want the peach aroma to fill up the area. With any luck there will be enough of a breeze to help.”

  “That’s lovely, just perfect. She’ll be so surprised and what a great idea to have small peach trees!” Mom says excitedly. She looks at Pearl and smiles.

  “Are you sure she’ll want me to walk her down the aisle?” James asks nervously, his face showing his apprehension. “I mean, we’ve been getting along great but not sure how she’ll feel about it since we haven’t really known each other that long. I don’t want to add any stress for her and this is her big day.”

  I turn to my left and place my hand on his arm. “She talks about you all the time, James. I think she’ll love it that you want to be the one to give her away. She needed you a long time ago and knows the time to show her you are there for her. Trust me.” I give him a wink and see him physically relax. He gives me a grin and nods.

  Pearl hands me a refill on my tea and laughs. “I picked up her dress yesterday. She had no idea when we were looking through bridal magazines the other day that I’d get what she had picked out as her perfect dress and I have to say, it is perfect for her.” I give her a smirk and take a drink.

  “I still don’t understand why I can’t see it. It’s not like we haven’t lived together for a few months now and not like she’s not pregnant with our child.” Pearl rolls her eyes and smacks my leg. “What?”

  “Ugh! You’re such a guy. It’s the rules and not lucky for the groom to see the bride or her dress before the wedding. Shit, sometimes I wonder about you.” I play smack her leg back and she gives me a
playful scowl in return. She looks up at the sky and sighs. “She’s gonna be so surprised and I know she’ll love this! What better place to have your wedding then where you all basically grew up together and then your surprise honeymoon? Damn, I hope someday I’m as lucky as she is.”

  “Psh! The rate you’re going, in your old age, you’ll be lucky to meet a guy, more or less get married, before you’re old and gray,” I chuckle. Her lips form a pout, and I groan. “Okay, we’re only two and a half years apart and I know you’d make anyone a great catch but being your brother, I have to say things like that. It’s like a rule.” Her brows raise as she gets my point and smirks.

  “Stupid rule if you ask me,” she says in a huff.

  “Agreed. Just like the rule about the dress.” She rolls her eyes again, stands up and walks inside. I sit there and watch Mom and Dad pointing around the backyard and talking and I’m getting so excited to spring this on her tomorrow that I can barely be still. Mom’s going over to the restaurant tonight around nine telling Stormy that she needs her rest. I’m hoping she’ll fall for it so that I can get her to get to sleep early and sleep in late tomorrow so she’ll be rested for the afternoon and evening. I hope she doesn’t fight me on it or figure out something’s going on. My girl is pretty fucking smart and stubborn. God, I love her.

  Later that evening, I’ve finished up all the updates to the records for the bar and restaurant in hopes any more updates can wait a few days until after our honeymoon. I make my way upstairs to our bathroom and draw a bath for Stormy, light candles all around on the counters and tub and sprinkle some of her peach scented salts into the water. Looking at my watch, I see it’s almost time for Mom to shove Stormy out of the restaurant, so I quickly walk into our room, light more candles I have placed everywhere and walk downstairs, sit down on the couch and turn on the TV. Like clockwork, Stormy walks into the apartment, her face showing her anger. I open my mouth to begin my plan, but she storms passed the couch and into the kitchen, noises of the refrigerator door opening, things clanging around and then the door slamming shut. Shit! Do I go in there or wait? I don’t want the candles to catch everything on fire if I wait too long. That would not start off my plan very well. I turn my head and watch her storm back into the room and jump up when she starts heading for the stairs, jogging until I’m in front of her, which stops her quickly. “What’s wrong, Peaches? Are you ok?”

  She takes a drink of her bottled water and sighs. “Jade came over and told me to come up and get some rest. Why would she do that? She wouldn’t take no for an answer.” She looks down at the bottle in her hand and shakes her head. “I don’t get it. I’m stronger than I’ve been in a long time. I don’t need to be treated like a child.”

  I lift her chin with my curled fingers and her eyes meet mine. “Maybe she’s just concerned for you. Maybe she thinks you’re doing too much. A little rest every now and then shouldn’t make you this upset, love.” Her lips turn into the cutest pout and I swear my cock just perked up.

  “But I’m not tired,” she whines.

  I put my arm around her, starting to guide her to the stairs and look down at her beautiful face. “How about we go upstairs and I help get you tired.” Her lips turn from her cute pout and into a sexy smile.

  “Oh, kay!” She ducks under my arm and starts running up the stairs. “Race ya!” I laugh as I watch her take off and then realize she’ll get there first so I quickly take off in a dead run, climbing the stairs two at a time and then manage to make it in front of the door, turning around to face her, right before she opens it. We’re both breathing heavy but she’s laughing as she tries to catch her breath. “Hey, I got here first! No fair!”

  I cup the back of her neck with my hand. My mouth covering hers fast, and she leans into me as we take in each other’s air while I turn the door knob behind me with my other hand and lead her into the room, kicking the door shut with my foot. I make sure that she’s facing the room as I release her mouth, her eyes still closed as I step around her and then wrap my arms around her waist from behind. I hear her gasp and know that her eyes have opened. Her hands lay on my arms as her head moves back and forth looking at all the candles.

  “Oh, my God! Bo! It’s beautiful!” She turns in my arms, her hands sliding over my shoulders and the smile on her face is worth everything! “When did you get so romantic?” I lean down, kiss the tip of her nose and then grab one of her hands, leading her towards the bathroom.

  “Oh! You haven’t seen anything yet, Peaches.” My arm is pulled when she stops abruptly. When I turn to her, I can see the tears in her eyes and the surprise on her face. “Time for me to make you tired, love.” Releasing her hand, I begin pulling her shirt from the waistband of her dress pants, staring into her eyes as I unbutton each button and then slide the top over each of her shoulders, one at a time. Her arms move out so I can pull it off, then I reach around her to unclasp her bra, feeling puffs of her sweet breath on my face as I remove it. When I begin to kneel, I notice her chest moving up and down, and I know how she is being affected by my moves. I undo the button on her pants and slowly pull down on the zipper and grasp the waistband, pulling them down along with her panties until she holds onto my shoulders while she steps out of them. I stand and her mouth is on mine as she frantically tries to remove my shirt, breaking free only while I quickly pull it off and then her fingers fumble with my button and zipper as our tongues become entangled. I help her with my jeans and boxers and then lift her, her legs clamping around my waist. Our mouths never disconnecting as I carry her over to the tub and step into the warm water. Finally, I have to release her mouth and set her down on her feet in fear I might drop her as I sit. Once I’m fully in the water, I take her hands as she sits down in front of me. Her head turns up to me and our mouths resume their dance.

  “God! I love you so much, Bo!” She moans against my mouth but I’m shocked when she leaves me, turns around and moves her leg over my waist until she slowly glides down onto my fuck hard cock. “I think this is my favorite position now. You’re so deep inside me and I can feel everything, almost like I can feel the beating of your heart and definitely the pulsing of your cock. God! That feels amazing!”

  My hands instinctively grab ahold of her hips, helping to guide her up and down, and I’m afraid I won’t last long. “Fuck! You’re so tight that every time you move up and down I can feel all of your insides gripping me. Damn, you’re so fucking sexy! My Peaches.” My moan is so loud it seems to vibrate against the walls as her muscles grip me making me come so hard and so fast.

  “Bo!” she screams and collapses on top of me. My hips buck and I move inside her a few more times as I expel all my liquid inside of her. I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer as her body shudders with her release.

  I kiss the top of her damp forehead and brush some of her hair away from her face. “You ok in there?” I smile, and her eyes move up to mine. Such love sparkling in them making me feel her love throughout. She nods and I help her as she lifts off my cock that’s already started to harden again, and she rolls to my side, her head back against my chest. I start to lather up the soap in my hand and begin rubbing it over her arms, and she sighs.

  “Best night of my life. Well, there’s one thing. You sure did make me tired,” she giggles, and I continue to wash her. “Did you and Jade plan this?” Her head turns and she looks up at me, no anger in her eyes.

  I laugh. “I may have enlisted her help. You’re not mad are you?” She shakes her head quickly and turns her head back to the front.

  “Oh, my God, no!” She gasps and looks at me again. “Shit! She doesn’t know why she helped, does she? I mean…. How embarrassing!”

  “Ha! No! I hadn’t thought of that but no. I would never tell my mother that I needed her to get you to come home so I could fuck you, seriously? What kind of son do you take me for?” She laughs and then giggles.

  We take
our time relaxing and washing each other until the water grows cold. After drying each other and blowing out the candles, I lift her into my arms and carry her to our bed and make slow, passionate love to her. We were both extremely tired by the time we were done.

  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  “But I don’t understand why I have to take my makeup and shower things over to your Mom and Dad’s house,” I question for the hundredth time as I pack my makeup bag. He’s leaning against the counter watching me and I stop, grabbing my long hair and pulling it up into a ponytail then continue to shove things in my bag.

  He crosses his arms, showing his broad chest and I lick my lips. “I don’t know, Mom said something about you and Pearl, and girl time… Hell, I’m not a girl, I don’t know what you all do when you’re together.” He leans down and kisses me, his face staying very close to mine. “Stop looking at me like that or we won’t make it over there.” His mouth presses against mine again and shows me just what he means. I pull back and search his eyes, which are gleaming.

  “Okay, now who’s making this rough?” I giggle and return to gathering my things.

  We reach the house, and I’m finding it more odd that as soon as we walk in Pearl and Jade grab me and take me upstairs to Pearl’s old room. We all sit on the floor, and Ralph walks in with a tray full of finger sandwiches, fruit and bottled water, setting it on the hope chest next to us. Once he’s gone, I look at them simultaneously and cross my arms. “What’s going on? Why all the rushing around and secrecy?” They look at each other and burst out laughing. Really?

  Jade leans over and touches my hand. “Oh, honey! Pearl and I used to do this all the time and it’s been so long. We just wanted to include you in our girl time. We do makeovers on each other, eat, gossip and just have a lot of fun. Sorry we were so secretive. We didn’t mean to be.” I stare as Jade’s eyes shift to Pearl and then back to me.