by LeAnn Ashers
“Ethan, is that how you’re supposed to talk to your father? Speaking of children, where’s that blond bitch that took you guys away from me? She was the whole reason for you leaving.”
My heart is breaking instantly at hearing him say he’s Ethan’s father and at how he’s talking about Sydney. My sweet man shouldn’t have to feel an ounce of hurt.
“Get off my property now! I give you one fucking minute before I kill you myself. You kidnapped me and I finally got away.” Evelyn’s voice hitches at the end.
My heart stops and I realize how dangerous this man is. Scared, I bury my head in Ethan’s back. His arm comes around me, hugging me to him. His body is shaking from his emotions. He wants to hurt this man at the thought of what his mom had to go through at the hands of his father.
“Ethan, I’ve got you,” I whisper against his back and clutch his shirt tighter, trying to hold in my own emotions.
Then a body hits the ground hard. Looking over, I see Kane has knocked him out. Ethan goes to his mom hesitantly, not knowing what to do or how to help her.
“Mom,” he starts and lifts his hand toward her but drops it, not knowing what to say.
“FUCK!” he roars and walks off the porch and to his truck. He rears his hand back and punches the side it. I climb down the steps and run to him. I don’t want him to hurt himself.
“Ethan,” I call, and he immediately stops the hitting. His chest is moving raggedly. He doesn’t turn and look at me.
My heart is breaking, seeing him like this. This is not my Ethan, who has done everything in his power to make sure I always feel safe. He has become so much more to me than a friend. I realize in this moment that I have feelings for him. I hurt when he hurts.
“Baby.” I touch his arm to get his attention. He jerks slightly when I say baby and turns to me. He opens his truck door and sets me up on the seat with a bounce. He lays his head in my lap. Biting my lip, I try to keep my tears at bay.
I lean down to kiss the top of his head and just hold on to him until his body stops shaking. His big hands are holding my hips.
He gets up, and I let go. My hands go to his forearms. A siren in the background blaring gets my attention, but I keep my focus on him. His eyes are searching my face and stop on my lips. Then he closes the distance between us.
This kiss is soft, sweet, loving, telling me what I feel for him is returned. I almost turn into a sobbing mess right there from the overpowering emotions I feel right now for this man.
He pulls away and kisses the top of my head before stepping away from me. “Go on home, baby. I have to take care of him.”
I start to resist because I don’t want to leave him. He shakes his head no. “I will feel better if you are at home with me.”
Sighing, I rest my head against his chest for a second before he lifts me down out of the truck. I take my keys out of my pocket and start to look for Jessica, until I see her walking toward my car and immediately get in.
I get in with her and start the car. We ride in silence to her house, where she gets out without a word. She’s affected by what happened like the rest of us. I make sure she’s inside her apartment before pulling out.
A few minutes later, I pull up at Ethan’s, unlock the door, and set the new alarm. Honestly, I’m surprised he let me come home alone. He must have been really torn up about his mom.
I turn on the TV, but I really don’t watch as my mind is going a millions miles an hour worrying about Ethan and Sydney.
Hours later, I hear him pull up in the drive. I run to the door, disarm the alarm, and open the door.
He comes up the steps and swoops me up in his arms. Closing my eyes, I inhale his woodsy scent.
He carries me to the couch and sits down with me on his lap, his head in the crook of my neck. I wrap my arms around him to hold on as tight as I can, wishing I could take away his pain.
“My mom was kidnapped,” he says numbly.
“I know, baby.” I stroke his hair soothingly.
“How do I deal with this? My father kidnapped her and did horrible things to her.” His voice cracks. My heart is ripped out of my chest hearing this.
“She will be okay, Ethan. If she has even an ounce of the strength you have, then she will be more than fine,” I reassure him, putting as much conviction behind my words as I can.
He doesn’t say anything as we sit like this for a long while, finding comfort with each other.
Chapter Twelve
Braelyn
Waking up the next morning, I’m lying on his chest with his hand under my shirt, stroking my back. I shiver and bury my head deeper into his chest, trying to ignore the big erection right in front of me, which I see every morning, but it seems like I get more hyper aware each day.
His free hand goes to my jaw and lifts my head. Then he kisses me and fire spreads through my body. His tongue pops out and licks the seam of my lips, then he nips my bottom lip between his teeth.
Unable to help myself, I groan out loudly before I pull away from him, embarrassed. My panties are soaked and uncomfortable, but I’m also shocked. I thought that part of me was broken.
He rolls us over and kisses me harder this time, more demanding, which leaves me no choice but to hold on for the ride. My shirt rides up, and I can feel the cold air on the bottom of my breasts. His hands are really close.
My body reacts, and I arch my back so his hands touch my breasts. He takes my cue and cups them, but then stops. I want nothing more than for him to touch me. To make those bad memories go away and be replaced by Ethan.
I pull away to look him straight in the eye and say, “Please.”
His expression turns to fire, and it’s like the dam breaks. His mouth comes back to mine full force. His hand slides up my shirt. His thumb glides around my nipple, teasing. I moan against his mouth as I arch deeper into his hand.
His fingers roll my nipple, making me hiss out at the pleasure flowing through me.
His mouth leaves mine when he starts kissing his way down my neck. I turn my head to the side to give him better access.
“Raise your arms,” he says huskily. I raise them without hesitation.
Without warning, his mouth clamps around one of my nipples. I cry out. My back flies off the bed. My hands go to his head, sinking into his hair. His sucking and licking are driving me wild. Then he moves to the other one, torturing it while his hand continues with the one his mouth just left.
My breath comes out in shallow bursts, and my legs are trembling. His mouth moves to my belly and my legs fall down to the bed. Looking down, I see him getting closer to down there. Oh God. My head falls back onto the bed.
“Baby, let me see you.”
Raising my head, I look at him. His thumb and forefinger are touching the edge of my panties, waiting for my permission. Without hesitation, I nod. This is Ethan. He won’t hurt me.
He rips my panties off my body. I squeal but stop when I feel the cold air and see him looking down at me. I feel too exposed. I start to cover myself up, but his hands stop me and he looks at me, angry.
“Never hide yourself from me, ever. There is nothing more beautiful than you, Braelyn. Never doubt that. You understand?” His voice is stern.
“Yes, Ethan,” I whisper, and for the first time in my life, I do feel beautiful. He gets on his knees at the foot of the bed and grabs my feet, pulling me down toward him. My butt is resting on the edge, and my toes are touching the ground. He sets my legs on his shoulders, and I feel his breath there and clench my legs.
“Wait, Ethan. What are you doing?”
“Eyes on me, baby.”
Then he ducks his head. My breath stills. His tongue shoots out and licks my clit from top to bottom. That’s all it takes. I fall over the edge, my body quivering, jerking, trembling from the orgasm.
He doesn’t stop his assault but continues until my body is taut and ready to go again. His hand comes up and he adds a finger. My body feels like it’s being burned alive. My toes curl unde
r and my legs clench again. He adds a second finger, and that’s all it takes.
I scream, “Ethan!” when my body arches off the bed while I pull his hair, trying to hold on to something to keep me grounded.
I open my eyes. Ethan is still in the same place, smirking at me. He stands up. My eyes go to his dick that’s trying to bust through his boxers.
Most people in my place would be scared, but I’m not. I feel safe and completely at ease with him. He’s never given me any reason to fear him at all. He’s been a huge part of my life, made me feel again, made me love. I love him. It may seem too soon to most, but I do. I love him with every bit of my soul.
“Ethan... I’m ready,” I whisper. He stops in his tracks.
“Braelyn, you don’t have to...” He trails off and searches my face for any sign of resistance. “Angel...” I can see his internal battle.
“Please,” I beg.
“Don’t ever beg me for anything. I just want you to be one hundred percent sure.” His eyes are pleading.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything else.”
He drops his boxers, and my eyes widen involuntarily at the sight of how big he is. He reaches into the bedside table and pulls out a condom with a slightly shaking hand.
I reach my hand out to stop him. “I’m clean and on the shot. I got tested at the center. I want to feel all of you.” My voice cracks at the end.
“Baby,” his voice is full of emotion. He moves between my legs, his body on top of mine.
His hand is on my cheek. “Baby, I need to tell you something before we do this.”
“What is it?” I automatically think something is wrong.
“I love you.”
“Oh my God.” My hand goes to my mouth as I ugly sob. He wraps his arms around me. My fractured soul is healing from his words.
“Oh, Ethan.” I press a teary kiss to his lips and rest my forehead against his. “I love you too,” I say through another sob.
No other words are needed. He gently lays me back onto the bed. Our bodies are shaking from those three little words that change everything between us.
He reaches between us and presses his thumb onto my clit while he leans down and kisses me. I lift my legs onto his back. He leans down onto his elbows. We stare deep into each other’s eyes, showing more than words can explain.
He pushes into me an inch. I nod that I’m okay, and he sinks all the way in. I feel deliciously full and can’t help but moan, even though there is a slight burn. I arch my neck. Ethan leans down and kisses the exposed skin.
He moves slowly, making love to me, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart is healing with every thrust, every kiss, every swirl of his hips. Our moans and gasps are mixing together, while our bodies tremble with desire for each other and my nails skate down his back.
We come together yelling each other names. Ethan rolls over onto his back while we try to catch our breaths. Our bodies are slick with sweat. He pulls me over onto his chest, his hand resting on my hip.
I stare at the wall in front of me. Did this really happen? I feel like I should be overwhelmed with emotions or freaking, but I feel like I never expected. I feel whole. My soul doesn’t feel tattered anymore. Ethan healed every single part of me.
Unable to stop the tears, I start sobbing into his chest. They aren’t sad tears, but tears of joy. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel whole. Whole.
“Angel, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have,” he starts. I put my finger over his mouth. Looking up at him through tears, I explain.
“No, Ethan, for the first time in my life I feel whole, healed, and so much more. You made me realize that he may have taken a part of me, but he didn’t take all of me.”
He doesn’t say anything as he tucks my head under his neck and holds me tightly against him. “I love you, Angel.”
“I love you too.”
I kiss his neck. The deep ache at my core is pounding with need again already. Ethan follows my lead and lays me down onto my back then sinks back into my body. I moan as he makes love to me over and over again.
~*~
I am cooking dinner in nothing but Ethan’s T-shirt. My hair is a mess and I’m listening to music. I swing my hips slightly to the song, singing along under my breath, feeling weightless, like the world has been lifted from my shoulders.
When I hear him come up behind me, I smile to myself and look over my shoulder. His arms come around me from behind. He rests his chin on my right shoulder. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back, taking in his presence, never wanting to forget the feel of his arms around me.
“Smells good, baby.” He turns his nose up toward my throat and jaw line.
I lean my head to the side to give him better access. His teeth wrap around my earlobe and he nips. I drop the spoon into the spaghetti sauce.
“Later, baby,” he says huskily. My panties are soaked by this point. He pulls away and turns me around so I’m facing him. That sexy smirk is on his face. I bite my lip to keep from smiling like a loon. He’s so freaking gorgeous my heart pounds in my chest.
“You need your strength for what I’m going to do to you later.” He winks and reaches around to smack my butt, then walks back into the living room.
Oh dear Lord, what did I get myself into? I grin, because I know I’m gonna like it.
Chapter Thirteen
Braelyn
Waking up with the stomach flu is the worst feeling in the world. It’s just two days after Ethan and I became official. Ethan is currently holding my hair back as I vomit all my food up from the day before.
When I feel a little better, I shakily stand up and grab my toothbrush to brush my teeth.
“Come on, baby, lie down.” He pats his hand. I set my toothbrush on the sink, and he leads me back to bed. I tried to be quiet and not wake him, but I stumbled going into the bathroom, which led to me falling.
I crawl under the covers and turn onto my side, my back facing him. Ethan starts to pull me into his arms, but I squirm away. The movement makes another wave of nausea hit me.
“You’ll get sick,” I groan out.
“I’ll be fine. Try to rest.” He kisses the top of my head and smoothens my hair back.
Thirty minutes later, I’m flying back into the bathroom. The cramps in my stomach are getting worse.
Every thirty minutes, I’m back at the toilet. There’s nothing left to throw up, so I get the dry heaves. Ethan starts trying to get me to drink Gatorade, but I throw it back up a few minutes later. I’m miserable, freezing and shaking.
“Baby, I hate seeing you like this. There is nothing to do but ride it out,” he says and strokes my hair.
“It’s okay. I will get better soon,” I say through clenched teeth as I feel like I’m freezing to death. I take his arm and wrap it around my front. His body feels like a furnace.
Then I’m hit with the need to throw up again. Ethan picks me up this time and sets me down in front of the toilet. He steps out of the room to get more Gatorade, I assume.
When I stand up, black spots cloud my vision, and the back of my neck is hot, burning. I’m trying to hold on to the door, but it bangs against the wall and I feel myself fall.
“Braelyn,” I hear someone yell, but I can’t move my body. It feels like lead.
“Baby, talk to me.” I can hear the panic in his voice.
My body is lifted off the ground when I fall into a dark oblivion.
Ethan
I double-time it up to our room when I hear a loud noise. I turn the corner and stop in my tracks.
“Braelyn!” I yell.
She is lying on the ground.
Lifeless.
“Baby, talk to me!”
Fear shoots through me so strong it takes everything in me to move to her. I pick her up off the floor, grab her throw blanket off the bed, wrap her in it, and carry her downstairs. I grab my truck keys and am out the door.
I carefully lay her down in the seat and rush over to the dr
iver’s side. She still hasn’t woken up.
I rush out of my driveway. It’s the longest ten minutes of my life as I hurry to the hospital. People may think I’m overreacting, but when you love someone as much as I love her, then you'll understand. It kills me to see her sick or in pain. Watching her getting sick repeatedly was torture. My girl shouldn’t feel this. Ever.
The past two days have been the best days of my life. Braelyn showed me her. Every single day the real her comes out more, and I love her more every day because of it. Call me a pussy, but I’m a pussy in love with his woman.
It fucking kills me knowing the man who hurt her is still out there. He will pay for it with his life. I will make sure of it. Little does Braelyn know that I’ve got people on the lookout for him while I’m trying to find him myself.
I may be a cop, but my woman being safe is my first priority, and that man deserves to pay for what he has done to her. A sick fuck like that doesn’t deserve to breathe the same oxygen as anyone else.
I take her lifeless hand and raise it to my mouth to kiss the back of it. The hospital is looming up in front of me. Noticing a parking spot right by the front doors, I pull in and slam on the breaks, then pull her into my lap and step out the driver’s side.
I run through the emergency unit door. A nurse looks up at us, then back down at the papers, automatically pissing me the fuck off.
“Hey! She passed out,” I growl at her and walk up to the desk with Braelyn in my arms. The nurse looks up at us and rolls her eyes.
“Fill out these forms.” She sets a clipboard with papers up on the counter.
“Listen, lady, she is sick and hasn't woken up. You get a fucking doctor in here.” My voice sounds menacing to my own ears. I’m not someone to talk like this to a lady, but I’m on edge.
“Janice, listen to the man.”