by J. E. Parker
I was regressing, sliding back into the hell from which I’d escaped.
I’d come so far, had fought so hard.
Yet, I slid backward with such ease.
“Tell me,” Brantley hissed through gritted teeth. “Tell me you don’t believe that.”
The logical part of me didn’t.
However, the dark, self-loathing part of me did.
I should’ve run earlier…
… I should’ve protected them better.
When I didn’t reply, Brantley removed his hands from my hips and cupped my face. “I will never hurt you, Clara, but you will listen when I say this”—he paused—“you did not deserve to die.”
The damaged part of me wanted to latch onto his words with both hands and hold on tight until every fear, every doubt, every damn ounce of self-hatred that consumed me disappeared.
But it wasn’t that easy.
“As far as the boys, Bella, and I are concerned—you deserve all four of us, because without you, none of us would be the same. Do you understand me?”
“Brantley, you can’t—”
“No,” he snapped. “You do not get to do this to me, to us.”
Confusion set in.
“You do not get to hide, and you do not get to pull away from this family before we even get started because of fears he planted inside you.”
“You don’t—”
“Stop,” he demanded, cutting me off again. “You don’t get to argue with me. You don’t get to let self-doubt creep in.” His hands slid from my cheeks and into my hair. His touch was gentle. Soothing. “Firecracker, you are beautiful, strong as hell, and smart enough to make your own decisions. I will not hold you back, and I will not run roughshod over you, but the moment you start to let that dead son of a bitch extinguish the light from your eyes, I’m sure as fuck going to step in. Do you hear me?” When I didn’t reply, his tone became more forceful. “Answer. Me.”
“Yes.”
“Good girl,” he replied, his face softening.
I lifted my shaky hands and rested them on his shoulders.
The heat from his skin bled into my palms, obliterating the iciness that consumed every inch of me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my guilt eating me alive for a different reason than before. “I try to be strong, but I always seem to fall apart in front of you.”
A small smile played on Brantley’s lips. “It’s because you know you’re safe with me.”
It was the truth, and I knew it.
“Having someone love you, and loving them in return is a powerful force, bella dama.”
My entire body froze. “You love me?”
He didn’t hesitate. “More than you’ll ever know. You, Bella, Liam, Declan… Never thought I could love anyone as much as I love the four of you.”
Tears filled my eyes, but for the first time all night, they weren’t laced with pain.
“You love my boys?”
“Our boys,” he corrected. “You may not be my wife yet, but one day you will be. And when that day comes, I plan on changing the boys last name as well, because like you, they are mine.”
My lower lip trembled. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You can start by telling me you love me.”
It was my turn not to hesitate. “I love you.”
Brantley’s hands went back to my face, his palms cupped my jaw. “That’s my girl,” he whispered, dipping his face closer to mine. “My beautiful, brave, strong girl.”
My eyes slid closed as his lips grazed my cheek.
“Say it again,” I begged. “Brantley, please.”
I felt him smile against me. “I love you, Clara Rose. Always.”
That was the moment that my tattered heart began to heal.
Stitch by stitch.
Piece by piece.
Brantley
I woke to Clara’s lips ghosting along my ribs.
With my eyes popping open, I slid my hands into her red hair, anchoring my fingers in the messy waves. “What are you doing, bella dama?” I asked, my voice thick with sleep.
A wicked smile tipped her lips up as she slipped free of my hold, climbed to her knees and straddled my hips. Leaning forward she rested one hand on my chest while she used the other to trail her fingertips down the deep ridges of my abs in light, feathery strokes. “I haven’t gotten my turn yet,” she whispered, peeking down at me with heated eyes. “And that won’t do, Pretty Boy.”
I grunted when her blunt nails dug into my skin. The small bite of pain went straight to my cock, making it harder than it already was. “Your turn to what?”
“To touch you,” she replied, sliding down my body. Resting her butt on my thighs, she trailed her hands further south until they rested against my Adonis belt. Her breath hitched as she traced the prominent ridge visible above the top of my black briefs. “Both times we’ve been intimate, you’ve taken control.” She dragged her gaze from my hard body and met my eyes. “Not once have I gotten to explore you the way you’ve explored me.”
“You want to touch me, Clara?”
Pretty green eyes filled with a mixture of lust and curiosity, she nodded.
Heart pounding in anticipation, I slid my hands behind my head, lacing my fingers together. “Then touch me, beautiful.”
Raising back up, she sunk her straight white teeth into her bottom lip and leaned forward, bracing her hands on my chest. Gaze locked on my mouth, she dipped her face, touching her lips to mine. My fingers trembled with the need to touch her, but knowing what she wanted, what she needed, I refrained, remaining still.
Give her space, I told myself. Let her explore.
She moaned against my mouth as her heavy tits pressed into my chest. Unable to hold myself back, I swiped at the seam of her lips with my tongue in a silent plea for more.
Clara smiled against my mouth before giving me what I wanted. Her lips parted, our tongues touched, and my biceps flexed.
Sliding her hands into my hair, she anchored herself as she dropped, blanketing my body with hers. Her nails dug into my scalp as she ground her wet pussy against my fabric covered cock, soaking the material.
My control almost snapped.
“Clara,” I hissed, ripping my mouth from hers. “Baby, I need to move my hands.” Needing to feel her bare skin against mine, I wanted the cotton separating her from me gone. “Gotta get rid of—”
Before I could finish my sentence, she rose and scooted down my body once more. Hooking her fingers into the side of my briefs, she pulled them down my thighs just enough to expose my cock and balls.
She gave my dick an appreciative look before wrapping her hand around the base and squeezing.
My eyes slammed shut at the feel of her fingers encircling me. “Fuck,” I cursed, my neck corded as she pumped her fisted hand up and down my length in a slow, steady rhythm.
“Have you thought about this?” She asked, her speed increasing. “About me touching you like this?”
“Yes.” My voice was raw, agonized as I opened my eyes and watched her work me over. “All the fucking time.”
Her tongue slid across her bottom lip, leaving a streak of wetness in its wake. “Did you think about more than my hand wrapped around you?”
My cock twitched at her question. “Yes.”
“Did you think about my mouth?”
I jerked my chin down once in affirmation.
A small smile graced her lips. “Is that what you want right now?”
“Hell yes.”
Pressure built in my chest as I waited to see what she would do.
Thank Christ I didn’t have to wait long.
Positioning herself between my legs, she looked up, meeting my gaze. “Ask me, Brantley,” she whispered, her eyes glazing over. “Ask me to give you what you want.”
“Suck my cock, Clara,” I replied, my voice guttural. “Please.”
“That sounded more like a demand,” she teased. “It’s a good thing I like it when you’re bossy.
”
I didn’t have time to reply before she lowered her head, spread her lips, and took my cock deep into her throat on the first stroke. My shoulders flew off the bed as I sat halfway up in one quick move. Bracing myself on one elbow, I fisted a handful of her hair, careful not to tug.
“Fuck!”
I rolled my hips, shoving myself deeper. For a second, I expected my girl to gag, but she didn’t. Instead, she wrapped one hand around the base of my cock while cupping my balls with the other.
Then she sucked. Hard.
Every muscle in my body tensed.
Liquid fire licked at the base of my spine.
“Clara,” I grunted, fisting my free hand. “Baby, you’ve gotta…”
My voice trailed off when her tongue traced the thick vein along my shaft before curling her lips over the head, paying special attention to the most sensitive parts of me. My balls drew tight as the fire burning at the base of my spine was replaced with a tingling sensation that made the vein in the side of my forehead bulge.
I wouldn‘t last. Not like this. Not with the woman I loved kneeling next between my legs, my cock shoved deep down her throat. “Bella dama, I’m about to”—I sucked in a ragged breath—“come!”
Instead of releasing me, Clara applied more pressure, sucking harder.
Oh fuck this, I thought.
Slipping my hands under her arms, I lifted her, pulling myself from her mouth.
In one quick move, I rolled us, flipping Clara to her back.
“What in the heck are you—”
I silenced her by taking her mouth with my own.
The taste of me lingered on her lips, driving me crazier.
Gasping for breath and nearing the point of losing control, I broke our kiss and ripped my briefs from my thighs. After tossing them toward the end of the bed, I covered Clara’s body with my own. Spreading her legs, I made room for my hips between her thighs as my hard-as-hell cock jutted forward, reaching for my girl’s perfect pussy.
Lacing our fingers together, I slammed her hands down onto the mattress by her head. “I need”—fighting for control, I took a breath—“do you want me to wrap up?”
Clara’s unsure eyes searched my own. “You really wouldn’t mind having a baby with me?” Her voice was small. Meek. It gutted me. “Even after last night?”
My jaw clenched as her words from hours earlier flooded my mind.
I don’t deserve my boys.
I don’t deserve Bella.
I don’t deserve you.
I should’ve died in that basement.
Every word she’d spoken was complete bullshit.
Unwinding my fingers from hers, I cupped her cheeks. “Clara, far as I’m concerned, you and I already have three kids together.” Tears filled her eyes. “Liam and Declan are mine and Bella is yours. And yes, I want at least one more.”
“Brantley—” she started.
“You’re going to marry me, Firecracker,” I interrupted. “Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day, you, along with the boys, will take my last name.” I meant every word. “If you want to wait until we’re married to get pregnant, though after last night it may be too late, then I’ll respect that. But I’m telling you—you and me? We’re a done deal, beautiful girl.” Moving one hand to her chest, I laid it over the place where her heart beat a steady rhythm. “You gave me this,” I continued, “and I’m not giving it back.”
Clara placed her hands on my shoulders and nudged me. Understanding her unspoken request, I rolled onto my back. Determination lined her features as she straddled me, took my cock in her hand, and guided it toward her entrance.
When my tip kissed her wetness, I bit back a groan.
Clara looked up, her gaze met mine.
My lungs froze.
“Tell me you love me,” she whispered.
I sat up, bringing us chest to chest. My hands went to her cheeks. “I love you.” I brushed my lips across her jaw. “Always, Firecracker.”
“I love you too,” she replied, resting her forehead against mine. “Always.”
Without saying another word, she sunk down, taking me inside her. Bodies connected, gazes locked, we both took a breath.
Then, with our hearts beating in sync, my girl began to move.
Brantley
It was half-past six when the ringing of my cell woke me for the second time.
Lying on my side in bed, my arms were wrapped around Clara, holding her close. Her back was pressed to my bare chest, my face was buried in her hair, and one of my legs was thrown over hers. Fingers intertwined, she gripped my hands tight as her small, warm puffs of breath ghosted across my knuckles.
“Brantley,” Clara whined, her eyes still closed. “Answer it before I break it.”
I smiled against her hair. “If you want me to answer it you need to let go of my hands.”
She groaned before unlacing her fingers from mine.
I unwound my arms from her body, pushed onto my left elbow and reached over her, grabbing the phone from the nightstand. Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Go back to sleep, bella dama.”
Within seconds her breathing evened out as she drifted off.
Climbing out of bed, I grabbed a pair of basketball shorts from my dresser, put them on, and made my way into the hall. After shutting the door behind me, I glanced down at the number flashing across the screen of my phone. I didn’t recognize it, but that meant nothing. Clients called me from different numbers all the time. Assuming that’s who it was, I answered.
“This is Morgan,” I said, yawning.
There was a brief pause.
Then, “I want to see my daughter.”
My blood pressure skyrocketed upon hearing Chastity’s slurred voice. She was drunk, maybe even high, and in an instant I knew this phone call would turn my day to shit before it even got started.
Scowling, I moved away from the door, descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen. “What did I tell you about calling me, Chastity? Christ, it’s been less than twenty-four fucking hours.” I glanced over my shoulder to make sure Clara hadn’t woken up and followed me. She hadn’t. “You want your damn money, I’ll give it to you. But you will never see my daughter again.”
“You can’t stop me,” she snarled.
Recognizing the call for what it was, I leaned back against the counter and pinched the bridge of my nose between two fingers. “Just say it, you crazy bitch. I know you want something. Tell me what the hell it is so we can hash this out. I told you I wasn’t playing these games with you anymore, and I meant it.”
Like the last time we’d spoken, Chastity didn’t hesitate. “I want more money.”
I ground my back teeth together in frustration. “You,” I hissed, “are not getting a dime more than we discussed. I’ll give you the one-hundred thousand to sign over your rights, and I’ll pay all the legal bills, but if you think I’ll stand here and let you shake me down for more cash, then you’re crazier than I thought.”
“If you don’t want us to end back up in court you will,” she threatened, her voice climbing several decibels. “I’ll file to get my visitation rights back”—she paused—“maybe I’ll even ask for joint custody. I’m sure Bella would love spending half her time with me instead of with you and that whore you’re playing house with.”
My head is going to explode in 3… 2… 1…
A humorless chuckle spilled from my lips. “Go ahead, Chastity. If you want to piss all your money down the drain on a custody battle you won’t win then have at it. You won’t hurt me and you sure as hell won’t win joint custody of Bella.”
I purposely said nothing about her visitation rights, because the truth was, if Chastity petitioned the courts, and could pass a drug test, she’d likely gain some, if not all, of those back. Though she’d never taken advantage of them in the past, she would now just to spite me.
“Double the money, Brantley. You do that and I’ll sign the papers. With your connection
s you can have us in front of a judge within a month. I’ll relinquish my rights, and you’ll never hear from me again. All I want is two hundred thousand. Cash.”
My nostrils flared. “Chasity,” I said, seething with anger. “I gave you my answer. Accept it and move on or take me to court. Those are your only two options here.”
An unnatural silence ensued as I waited for her to respond. Swear to Christ, I could feel her anger slithering through the phone.
“You’ll regret this,” she whispered, her voice calm. “I gave you the chance to play fair, but now you’re forcing my hand.”
“Play fair?” I asked, exasperated. “You don’t know the meaning of the word fair.”
“You’ll see,” she continued on as if I hadn’t spoken. “When the house of cards you’ve built comes tumbling down don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Unease snaked through me. “What are you talking about?”
“What I’m talking about is destroying your perfect little life!” Her words sounded scripted as if she’d rehearsed them a hundred times. “Don’t push me, Brantley, or else I swear I’ll make you regret trying to close me out.”
I had no words. None.
Chastity was mental. Unstable.
Drunk, high, whatever—she’d lost her damn mind.
“Yeah?” I asked, my teeth clenched. “And how are you going to do that?”
“You’ll see,” she whispered, repeating herself, a hint of amusement lining her voice, “you’ll see.”
I didn’t have time to respond before she ended the call. Brows furrowed, I looked down at the blank screen.
“Fuck,” I whisper-hissed to the empty kitchen, knowing damn well that trouble brewed on the horizon.
I could feel it deep in my gut.
Just when everything was going perfect…
Scrolling through my contacts, I tapped on my brother’s name and lifted the phone to my ear. He answered on the third ring. “Do you have any idea what time it is, ass clown? The sun is barely up.”
“Evan,” I replied, my voice guttural. “Man, it’s Chastity. She—”