by Kate Stacy
I’ll deal with the fallout, because keeping my babies safe is more important than anything else. I know, without a doubt, my family will have my back. That knowledge is the only thing keeping me rooted in place while my family and friends watch me, waiting to find out the reason I’ve asked them here.
I look around the room once more, meeting the eyes of every person I love.
Blowing out a heavy breath, I swallow the reluctance lodged in my throat.
“For fuck’s sake, Cami. Tell us why we’re here.”
“Presley!” Holden admonishes.
I’m not surprised it’s him that warns her. Our parents are great, but they’ve always taken a more hands-off approach. They’re always, always there when we need them, but they let us live our lives, make our mistakes, and figure out our own shit. Holden...not so much. He makes it a point to be as involved in our lives as possible. Always looking out for us, ensuring we’re safe and happy.
All the more reason why I’m going to have a hard time getting this out.
“I have a stalker.”
So, maybe the band-aid approach wasn’t the best choice in this situation, but I don’t think I could have said it any other way.
Holden’s eyes darken and lock on mine.
“Explain. Preferably from the beginning.”
So I do.
I tell them about the first text. Every text after. The phone calls. The feeling of being watched. The roses and notes. I explain how both Ryan and his partner are aware of the situation and are doing everything they possibly can. I even tell them how we know exactly who it is but can’t do anything about it unless we can prove it’s him.
“Your high school boyfriend?” Holden asks in disbelief. “And you’re sure?”
“I am. It couldn’t be anyone else, not with the things he’s said,” I confirm. “Even if it doesn’t make any sense.” I mutter that part to myself, but it must not have been quiet enough.
“Why doesn’t it make sense?” Madalyn asks.
I freeze at her question.
I guess part of me was still holding out a little hope that I could get through this conversation without telling them everything.
Ryan, who’s been standing behind me this whole time, gently rubs my shoulders, silently encouraging me to open up and be honest.
“When we broke up...it wasn’t on good terms.”
“I thought you said you broke up because he was leaving for school and neither of you wanted to do the long-distance thing,” Presley says.
“That is what I said, but I lied. I never wanted any of you to know the truth.”
Before anyone can ask me for the truth, I give it to them.
The words pour from my lips like hot lava from an active volcano.
Swift. Unexpected. Unrepentant.
The room is silent when I finish. No one utters a word.
I don’t realize the damage my delivery has caused until my brother pushes from the table and storms from the room without so much as a look in my direction. Then, and only then, do I look up to see the devastation. Ashen faces. Watery eyes. Clenched jaws and shattered expressions.
As I watch tears roll down my mother’s cheeks and disappear behind the hands covering her mouth, a sob breaks the silence. It takes Ryan pulling me into his arms to realize it came from me.
I bury my face in his chest, unable to take the weight of everyone’s stares.
I ignore everyone around me and release my anguish, taking comfort in Ryan’s calm, steady presence. He murmurs to me softly, but I can’t hear a word over the sound of my heart breaking. The world around me fades as I come to terms with the consequences of my reveal.
My family is never going to be able to look at me the same again.
Them knowing what happened to me. It changes everything.
But no matter what...I still need to face them. I need to look them in the eyes and show them that I’m stronger than this. Show them that I’m not broken, only a little bent.
I focus on Ryan’s quiet voice and the steady pulse of his heartbeat as I try to calm myself. Just as everything around me starts to come back into focus, Ryan stiffens, his entire body becoming taut and tense. With blurry eyes, I look up to find his furious gaze on something over my shoulder. Before I can move to see where his glare is aimed, he nods tightly.
“Cami.”
The sound of my brother’s voice, hoarse and ragged, has me turning in my seat.
Several gasps fill the air, but no one is more surprised than me when Holden drops to his knees in front of me and throws his arms around my waist.
“I’m so fuckin’ sorry, baby girl.”
I can hear the tears choking his voice and it makes mine flow freely again.
Seeing my big, strong, protective brother break down while kneeling at my feet, it breaks open something inside of me.
“Holden. It’s okay. I’m okay.”
The words are whispered, but he hears me. He lifts his head, his eyes flitting back and forth between mine. I don’t know what he’s searching for, but whatever he sees...he reaches up, framing my face with his hands and smiles.
“Damn right you are, and we’re gonna make sure you stay that way.”
I nod, giving him a watery smile.
“I shouldn’t have walked out like that, but I needed a minute. I fuckin’ hate what happened to you, but I really wish you would have told me. I hate that you kept this from everyone...from me. You know I’d do anything for you, but I can’t protect you if you don’t come to me.”
“I know. I’m sorry, too.”
Still on his knees, he stretches up to press a kiss against my forehead. It’s a much different gesture coming from my brother, but still one full of love.
With our moment over, my father makes his presence known.
“What do you need from us? What can we do to help?”
The question is directed at Ryan.
Holden releases me and I sit back in my seat, content to let Ryan take it from here.
While he explains things from a police perspective, I relax a little. There’s absolutely no place safer than where I am right now, tucked between two of the most important men in my life.
My family and friends listen intently as Ryan tells them that I shouldn’t be alone. He tells them what to look out for, what to do if they notice anything that seems off, how imperative it is that they stay alert and attentive. He ensures everyone has his cell number and a direct number for his partner, Morris. He can’t give them full details on an open investigation, but he makes it known that they’re doing everything they possibly can to find some kind of proof that can be used to prove Chad’s guilt.
The tension in the room is palpable by the time he’s done talking and answering everyone’s questions.
“How long is this gonna go on? I mean...what happens if you never get any proof? Is Camille supposed to spend the foreseeable future afraid and on edge?”
It’s Madalyn who asks, and her voice is hesitant. I know she doesn’t want to upset anyone with her questions, but I understand why she asked. I’ve wondered the same thing. How long will I have to deal with this?
Ryan opens his mouth to answer, but a loud slam on the table steals everyone’s attention.
“What the fuck, Grams?! Is that a fuckin’ Glock?”
Holden’s outburst turns every head in the room to Grams, who sits with her arms across her chest and a “no fucks given” expression on her face.
Despite the severity of my situation, the fact that my grandmother just slapped a handgun on the table causes a giggle to sneak out. It’s the worst possible time, but I can’t stop it.
Grams looks in my direction with a smirk and gives me a sly wink.
I press my hand to my mouth, trying to stem the laughter wanting to bubble out. Her smirk morphs to a smile and she tips her head.
“I’ve got your back, Camille. If they can’t find proof, I’ll take care o
f your problem for you.”
“Grams! You can’t threaten to shoot someone. Ryan’s a cop for fuck’s sake!”
Grams doesn’t respond to Holden’s outburst, instead looking at Ryan, almost daring him to say something. His eyes widen, but he doesn’t say a word.
“I have a permit, Officer. You don’t need to worry.”
He nods, though I’m sure he’s at least a little worried.
With the initial tension dissolved, the room turns into a flurry of activity and conversation, everyone surprised by Grams and her little friend. I don’t join in because Grams isn’t really going to shoot anyone. I don’t think.
Ryan nudges me, leaning to whisper in my ear, “Did you know your grandmother carries?”
“Nope, but I’m not surprised.” I shrug my shoulders. “Grams has always been a badass.”
Holden stands and clears his throat.
“Anyone else have any secrets they wanna get out? Any guy troubles? Crazy exes we should know about?” He looks pointedly at Presley, who scoffs. He shrugs. “It’s a fair question.”
“I don’t date.”
That simple statement gets attention from everyone at the table, but it’s Adam’s reaction I notice most. His stare is pinned on Presley, something indiscernible in his dark eyes. Presley doesn’t react. She doesn’t even look at him. It’s like in her world, he doesn’t exist.
Makes me wonder.
THIRTY
Ryan
“How are you feeling now that everything’s out in the open?” I call out to Camille.
Leaning back against the headboard, I link my fingers behind my head, waiting for her to finish up in the bathroom and join me in bed.
Our bed.
I didn’t waste a single second after she finally gave herself to me again. Moved all her shit into my room the very next day. She didn’t argue, didn’t protest. She didn’t put up any kind of fight, a fact that made my chest swell. She’s finally all in.
I’ve got my girl under my roof, in my bed, and I’m one happy motherfucker. I know how to count my blessings and mine are plenty.
“Better. Surprisingly.”
I turn my attention to the sound of her voice and almost swallow my tongue.
My gaze darts to her face, my stare starting at her full lips and lowering slowly. I languidly make my way down her body, appreciating every dip and curve, as well as the fabric covering them.
Thin, flowy top. Tiny little shorts. Those sexy motherfucking socks.
Somehow oblivious to my blatant eye-fucking and the way my rock-hard cock is straining against my boxer briefs, Camille keeps talking. It takes every bit of willpower I possess to focus on her words instead of all the dirty things I want to do to her.
“I hate being weak. I never wanted to be seen as a victim,” she admits. “That’s why I didn’t want them to know.”
I love how she has no problems opening up to me like this. Maybe it makes me an asshole, but the fact that she opens right up to me when she tends to keep shit from her family makes me want to beat on my chest.
“I don’t think your family would ever think of you as weak. Hell, you’re anything but. It took a lot of guts to share the truth with them today.”
Moving the short distance across the room, she sits next to me on the bed.
“You’re right. I just...I don’t want them to think I’m some broken girl because of what happened to me. I’m not unaffected by it. Not at all. He took something from me that wasn’t his to take. My confidence took a hit. Lord knows he left me with a plethora of insecurities and trust issues, but he did not break me.”
“You’re one of the strongest women I know. He’s the one who’s weak. Never you. Only a weak man would prey on a woman.”
She nods, giving me a soft smile. “As hard as it was to tell my family...I’m glad they know. I feel better knowing they have my back. That more people are looking out for me. I feel like there’s less of a chance he’ll get to me now.”
“I’m proud of you, Gorgeous.”
I mean it. With everything that I am.
She suddenly looks at me and her eyes widen a fraction, as if she’s just now realizing I’ve been almost naked this entire time. Her entire demeanor shifts as her eyes slowly drift down my body.
“I don’t wanna talk about him anymore,” she murmurs.
Chuckling, I move a hand to her thigh, slowly tracing a path up her leg.
“Oh yeah? What is it you wanna talk about?” I tease, knowing exactly where her mind is focused.
Pregnancy hormones do incredible fucking things to my woman’s sex drive. I’m not ashamed to admit I enjoy taking full advantage of that fact. She has needs. I’m perfect for filling them. It’s absolutely no hardship to me. When it comes to this, she can have whatever the hell she wants.
“We don’t need to talk.”
“No?”
Biting her bottom lip, she shakes her head.
I move my hands to her hips and pull her forward, easily moving her to straddle my lap.
We’ve had to get creative with positions, but you’ll hear no complaints from me. My girl straddling me, hard nipples poking against the thin material of her shirt...it’s one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen. We won’t even talk about the caveman tendencies that happen when I think about her belly round with my children.
Her cunt presses against my cock and I can fucking feel how hot and wet she is already. I haven’t even touched her yet.
Sliding my hands up from her hips, I trace over every inch of soft, smooth skin. Her shirt bunches up as my arms get higher and when I get to the sides of her supple breasts, I grip the fabric, pull it over her head and deposit it somewhere on the floor.
Reaching up, I work the band from the messy knot of hair on top of her head, watching with desire as the long tendrils spill down her back and over her shoulder.
My girl is a fucking goddess.
Framing her face with my hands, I pull her closer, watching the lust swirl in her vibrant green eyes as I bring her mouth to mine.
I kiss her slowly, savoring every press of our lips, every tangle of our tongues. Breaking away, my mouth inches down the column of her throat, my teeth grazing the spot at the base of her neck. When she shivers, I do it again.
Camille’s position gives me perfect access to her full, plump breasts, so I lick each one in turn.
Her little mewls of pleasure send my pulse racing. A low growl works its way up my chest and into my throat.
“So fucking responsive.”
Sucking one of her pert, pink nipples into my mouth, I bite down gently. Camille whimpers, grinding herself down on my lap, rolling her hips in a way that drives me fucking wild. Her response spurs me on, so I increase the pressure until she cries out.
Her heavy-lidded eyes meet mine, pupils blown wide.
“More,” she demands breathlessly.
Releasing her nipple with a loud pop, I take the other one between my teeth and give it the same attention as the first.
Camille moans, the sound so fucking sexy my cock twitches between us, leaking more fluid from the tip. I can feel the slickness in my boxer briefs, while she remains unaware of just how much she’s driving me to my limits. Fire simmers in my blood and my dick reacts painfully. Between her sexy little noises and the way she’s rolling her hips, I’m struggling not to come before we’ve had the chance to really get started.
Ignoring her whine of protest, I pull back and lift her from my lap. I lay her down on the bed next to me, propping her back up against the pillows. It’s my turn to straddle her legs.
Once I’ve got her properly pinned down, I turn my attention back to her tender, perfect breasts. Cupping one in each hand, I bring my mouth back down to kiss and caress the tender flesh.
Lick. Swirl. Suck. Bite.
Again, and again.
Back and forth between both breasts, my mouth covers every inch, ensuring they receive
equal attention. Sucking and nipping, making her breath unsteady with every press of my lips.
“Ryyyyy,” she whines.
I know what she wants, but I’m not ready to give it to her just yet.
Camille’s body is my temple and I’ve never taken the time to properly worship.
Tonight, I’m taking my time. I plan to worship her fully.
“Oh my God, Ryan. What are you doing to me?”
Rather than give her words, I show her with every action.
Hands. Lips. Tongue. Teeth.
I tease and taste until she’s a writhing mess. Beneath me, I feel her legs pressing together, squirming against my weight, attempting to get relief from my pleasing torture. Her breathing grows ragged, her constant stream of moans and whimpers leave her breathless.
I roll both nipples between my fingers lightly before pinching hard. Leaning back, I look at her face. It’s a mask of pure bliss, and I revel in the knowledge that I’m the one giving her such pleasure.
My mouth comes down hard, devouring her lips in a kiss that can’t be described as anything other than raw. She gives as good as she gets, our tongues intertwining in a deliciously dirty dance. I slow the kiss, kissing her top lip, then her bottom, pulling it between my teeth. I give it a tug, mimicking the movement with my fingers on her nipples.
Camille’s eyes widen as her body tightens. Her lips part with a gasp and she cries out, body bucking against the weight holding her down. My eyes take in every bit of her ecstasy, watching as her body succumbs to the pleasure I’ve given her.
“Holy fuck,” I rasp.
I keep watching as her muscles loosen, her body starting to relax.
“I was wrong,” I mutter under my breath.
That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my goddamned life.
Watching Camille come is something miraculous, like a religious experience. If this is the reward for my worship, I’ll happily drop to my knees at her temple anytime.
“That was…” she trails off, still trying to catch her breath.
“Only the beginning,” I answer.
A wave of dread washes over me the next day when I hear the gruff voice of my former chief.