Shadows: A Love Ever After Series

by Amber Lacie

I run my palm over the side of his face, my thumb brushing his lips. "I love you. I need you. I need to feel you." He smiles again and shakes his head. Laughing, I push my favorite lock of hair back into place.

  "Beautiful, I need to feel you really bad. I might die if I'm not in you soon, but I want to take this slow. I want to savor every inch of your delicious body."

  A soft smile forms on my lips and I blush. I love him. The way he talks to me makes me feel as though I'm the only person in the world.

  Placing his hands on my hips, he lifts me over him. I position myself and slowly slide down his cock. He slowly raises me and lowers me back down on him again. He keeps this speed, and I know he's using immense restraint. I can see his jaw locked tight and the muscles straining in his neck. He might want to savor me, but I need him rough and hard. I force myself back down on him, grinding on him as he hits my wall.

  "Oh, Theron."

  "No, slow baby." I shake my head at him. I can’t do slow, not now and not with him looking so good under me.

  Pushing his hands to his sides, I press them into the mattress as I raise and lower myself slamming back down onto him. I do it again, and I hear him hiss. I know he's close, and it only brings me closer to hitting my second climax.

  "Beautiful, you are going to be the death of me. You want me deeper? You want it rough?"

  I grind back down on him. "Yes! Please, yes!"

  Moving my hands, he grips onto my waist. He raises me in the air and pounds back into me as he slams me back down onto him.

  "Fuck! Again!" He does. I can feel the warm tingling sensation spreading up my spine. All I need is just a little more.

  "I can feel you. You are so close." He thrusts up into me, holding my hips firmly in place. I let out a loud moan. Letting go of one hip, he slides his hand between us. He pinches my clit between his fingers and forcefully thrusts back up into me.

  "Ah! Theron!" It's my undoing. My walls clench around him. He releases my clit, and I come spiraling down, my orgasm racing through my entire body.

  "Hold on baby, one more time." Lifting me again, he slams me hard back onto him. I crumble onto his chest as I feel his release fill me. He strokes my back and smooths my hair. I can’t move, and I don't try to. I need to catch my breath.

  Placing a kiss on my temple, he softly whispers in my ear, "I love you, beautiful. I am keeping you." My breathing slows and I fall asleep right there on his chest, my body rising and lowering with his breaths. An immense feeling of love and comfort encompasses me. I never thought this feeling could be real.

  Waking up, I stretch my arms, finding Theron lying peacefully beside me. He's still sleeping. His long eyelashes softly brush his cheeks. He has one arm bent back behind his head and one underneath me. Wrapping my leg over his waist, I lay my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It must be the most comforting sound I've ever heard. I lightly brush my hand across his jaw. He's so incredibly perfect and I'm perfectly in love with him.

  I decide to surprise him with breakfast in bed and make my way to the bathroom to freshen up. I put on my bra and throw my hair up in a ponytail. Grabbing one of his t-shirts and a pair of his boxers, I quickly get dressed. I walk into the kitchen and start digging through the cabinets. I decide to go with pancakes and bacon because who doesn't love bacon?

  I have a huge smile on my face as I make his breakfast. I’m making him a cup of coffee when I hear a cough behind me. I turn around, expecting to find Theron, but to my surprise and dismay it's his father. My smile instantly falls from my face.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't get to make a formal introduction the other day. I'm Thomas Rowe." He extends his hand to me, but I don't except it. Theron hates him, and I'm not going to justify his presence in this house.

  "I know exactly who you are. What I don't know, is how you got in here. I was under the impression you weren't welcome." Crossing my arms over my chest, I mentally thank myself for putting my bra on before coming into the kitchen. So much for surprising Theron in bed. He’s standing in the hallway, looking extremely pissed off.

  "What the fuck do you think you are doing here?" He stares right at his dad, hate emanating from his eyes. Theron quickly approaches me and looks me over as if I might be injured. "Eve, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" I softly shake my head no. Theron looks frightened. What exactly would his dad do to hurt me?

  "Theron, we were just making introductions. I'm shocked and hurt that you think I would do anything to hurt your little leech."

  "Get the fuck out! Now!" Theron's voice booms through the room. Grabbing my body, he wraps me in his arms. I press my face to his chest as I wrap my arms around him. "Get Out!"

  "What are you playing at, son? Do not think you have one over on me, or the strength to out maneuver me. I will leave when I am damn well ready. Why is it I had to hear from the doctor your grandmother fell? Why wasn’t I called immediately? The reason you are here is to look after her well-being. I come here to question you and I find this slut in your kitchen."

  I have never seen a person move so fast in my life. Moving out from my hold, Theron lunges at his dad, knocking him square in the jaw with a fierce punch. Thomas didn't even have a chance to block it. He falls straight to the floor.

  Theron is leaning over his dad. His voice drips with venom, "You are not in any position to question me. You are not allowed on this property. You will respect what is mine. You will not degrade my girlfriend in front of me and expect to walk away. She has more class and respect than you will ever have. You will not speak to her. Ever. I did not call you, because I answer to Gram. I haven't answered to you in years, and I will not start now. Get your fucking ass out of my house, now!" Theron stands and kicks him in the side. He may hate his father, but I can't watch Theron lose it like this.

  "Theron, please, stop. Just let him leave." Grabbing his arm, I look him in the eyes pleading with him. I know his dad has hurt him in the past, and I want to prevent him from hurting him again. If that means making Theron let him go, then that's what I will do. "Please, babe. I just want it to be us here. Let me feel you."

  The fog of hatred clears from his eyes and he looks back down at his dad clenching his jaw. He takes my hand in his, softly kissing my knuckles. "I don’t deserve you."

  "Yes, you do. I need you." I place a soft kiss on his cheek. The last trace of anger vanishes from his face, leaving the gorgeous man I have fallen in love with.

  Thomas stands, gripping his face. He sends me a look of disgust and spits onto the floor. “That's the last mistake you will ever make, Theron. I am done with you. I should have washed my hands of you long ago. I'll make sure when your grandmother goes, that you will get none of this. You will get nothing! You'll be out on your ass, living in the dirt with her!" He points at me and Theron takes a step towards him, but I grab Theron's arm. Turning back, he stops and gives me a reassuring look.

  "Thomas, you need to leave. The only reason you are walking out of here is because this beautiful woman is pleading for me to let you go. I suggest you leave now and don't come back. As for your threats, I suggest you speak with Gram's attorneys. The last time we met, I believe you were written out."

  The look of shock on Thomas' face turns quickly to anger. "I will ruin each and every one of you. Including my whore of a mother." This time, it's me who reacts. Ripping my arm from Theron's grasp, I pull it back with everything I have and my fist rockets towards his face, connecting with his cheekbone. He doesn't fall like he did after Theron's attack, but he stumbles back. My hand is screaming in pain. He raises his hand as if he's going to strike me, but Theron is quick. He's at my back and wraps his arm around my waist, lifting me and moving me to his side.

  "I said, fucking leave!" Theron's voice booms and the sound hurts my ears. I bury my face into him as tears stream down my cheeks. My hand is throbbing. I have never broken a bone before, but I don't doubt one is broken now. I don't watch Thomas leave. I don't need to. The door slamming shut is confirmation enough.

  I feel
myself being lifted and carried. He sets me down softly on the counter by the sink. Lifting my chin up with his fingers, he looks me over. Gently placing a kiss on my forehead, he wipes my tears away with his thumbs. He lifts my right hand to inspect it and I gasp in pain. The side of my hand is swollen and is already turning blue. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes. His father being here was bad, and now I've only made it worse.

  "Beautiful, what have you done?"

  "He called your Gram a whore." Not thinking clearly, I try to bury my face in my hands. I scream out in pain and start sobbing.

  "Oh, baby, we need to get you to the hospital. I'm going to give Gram a call and then get you dressed, okay? I'll ask if her driver can take us, I'm not in the right mindset to drive." I nod my head and try to calm my breathing.

  Lifting me off the counter he gently places me on the couch. "Stay right here, beautiful. I'll grab you some clothes." I nod my head, tears still falling down my cheeks as he walks away. I hear a knock at the door, but I ignore it. I'm not sure who would knock and I don't want anyone to see me like this.

  "That must be Evan. He'll be outside waiting for us." I look up to see Theron setting clothes down beside me.

  I wipe my nose with my good hand. "Evan?"

  "Gram's driver. Can you stand, babe?" I nod my head yes and stand on my feet. Theron helps me step out of his boxers and into a pair of my panties, followed by my jeans. He even buttons and zips them for me. "This is going to suck. I'm so very sorry."

  I take a deep breath as he helps me take off the t-shirt I'm wearing. I slide my good hand out first, then my head, and lastly, we slowly slide my, most likely broken, hand out of it. The shirt barely skims my hand, but it feels like daggers. He helps me into my plaid blue shirt with buttons down the front.

  "I'm hoping this will help so you won't have to lift your arm." He smiles softly at me, and I can see pity written all over his face.

  I slip my feet into a pair of flats as Theron drapes a jacket over my shoulders. I follow him outside to his Gram’s BMW. Evan is waiting next to the sleek black car. He's wearing a black suit without a tie. He's broad chested and very tall. His lips are in a hard line as he walks around the car to help me, but Theron stops him.

  "It’s fine, Evan. I'll help her in. We really need to get to the hospital."

  "Sir." Evan slips into the driver’s seat and shuts his door. Theron sits in the back with me and we take off towards the hospital. Laying my head on his shoulder, I close my eyes. We make it to the hospital in record time.

  Evan pulls up in front of the emergency exit and Theron helps me out of the car.

  "Evan, this may be a while. Please, park and make yourself comfortable in the waiting room."

  "As you wish, sir." Evan nods his head towards us and pulls away.

  I follow Theron to the registration desk. The lady behind the desk asks me for my identification and insurance card, but I have neither. I didn't think to grab my purse. "Um, I don't have any of that stuff with me. I forgot my purse." I look at the registrant and she just raises an eyebrow at me, so I look over to Theron.

  "Is there any way we can begin the registration process? Her hand is obviously broken. I can send my driver for her purse. It shouldn't take long."

  "Driver?" She looks at Theron like he has a third eye growing in the middle of his forehead.

  "Yes, I'll go ahead and take all the information I can. As soon as your driver returns with your identification I'll make a copy of it."

  She rolls her eyes and uses air quotes when she says driver. This does not look like a promising day. I'm only in the waiting area for about fifteen minutes before a nurse comes to get me. Theron has stepped outside to call my parents and let them know what happened.

  "Um, my boyfriend stepped outside."

  "That's alright. They will send him back when he comes inside." Leading me to a private room, she pulls the curtain around me as I sit down on the bed. "I need you to undress and put on a gown."

  "Um, I'm right handed." I nod to my hand.

  She stands holding a clipboard. "Of course, you are. Would you like me to help you, or would you like for your boyfriend to help you? Either way, the doctor won't be in here for about five to ten minutes."

  "My boyfriend."

  "That's fine. Let's go ahead and get your blood pressure out of the way while we wait for him." Wrapping my arm in a cuff, she presses start on the machine next to me. She pops a thermometer in my mouth and records both readings. As she's taking off the cuff, Theron walks into the room.

  "That was quick. I came back and you were already back here. Did you see the doctor yet?" I shake my head no.

  "Excuse me, but I will need you to help her into this gown. She wanted to wait for you." The nurse hands him a hospital gown and pulls the curtain completely closed as she leaves the room.

  "Well, I guess there was no point to getting you dressed earlier then.” I try my best to smile at him, but fail miserably. Taking a deep breath, I try to hold back my tears. I hate hospitals and I'm only reminded of the last time I was here, which was only ten days ago, when Matt died. Has it only been ten days? It seems like so long ago. Just the thought of Matt, pushes the tears I was holding back, streaming down my face.

  "I'm sorry beautiful, I know this hurts. I'll help you as best as I can." He unbuttons my jeans and pulls them down my legs. I step out of them as he helps me with my shirt. He was right, this shirt was a lot easier to take off. He just finishes tying the back of my gown, when there's a knock on the door.

  "Come in." My voice is a hoarse whisper, but they hear me.

  "Hello, Evelyn. I'm Doctor Michaels. I'll be your doctor for today. It says on your chart that you injured your right hand. May I see it?" Looking up at the doctor, I instantly relax. He's older with gray hair and a mustache. He reminds me of my grandfather. I hold up my hand and he grimaces.

  "We will definitely need an x-ray, but I would bet my license it’s broken. How did you do this?"

  "I punched someone."

  He looks a little shocked, but nods his head. "Well, that would do it. Did they deserve it?"

  I nod my head. "They insulted my boyfriend's grandmother. They deserved it."

  He laughs. "I should hope so. It's such a shame your hand took most of the beating. Perhaps you should have your boyfriend over there teach you a better technique if you are going to go around defending people. The radiology tech should be here in a minute to collect you. We will get an x-ray and see how bad that break is." He shakes Theron's hand before he leaves the room.

  The tech comes to collect me and I leave with her to get my hand x-rayed. It only takes a few minutes. Theron is waiting for me when I get back to the room. I’m a wreck and the pain in my hand is so intense. He runs his hands up and down my back, trying to soothe me as we wait for the results.

  Tapping softly on the door, the doctor enters the room. “Well, Evelyn, it seems you have a Boxer's fracture. Your fourth and fifth metacarpal bones have a break in them. These are very common breaks associated with fighters or, in your case, those defending grandmothers. Since the breaks are clean, I have decided to splint your ring and little finger together instead of casting it. I will be sending you home with a sling."

  Releasing a soft sigh he looks me squarely in the eyes, “Please try and avoid using your arm. You need to keep it elevated and ice will help with the swelling. I'm also going to send you home with a prescription for some anti-inflammatories and pain medicine. I'll have the nurse bring you some pain medicine before you’re discharged, this way, it will take effect before you can fill the script. Make a follow up appointment with your regular doctor in two to three days. I don't see there being any complications, but they should be able to help you with the rest of your care." He very carefully splints my two fingers and wraps a bandage around my hand. He helps me with the sling, making sure to adjust the shoulder strap to the correct height.

  "Thank you."

  "No problem, my dear. Please try not to p
unch anyone else." Smiling, he shakes my good hand. He turns to shake Theron's hand as well. "Please be sure to take good care of her."

  "I will. Thank you again." The doctor nods his head before leaving the room. Theron helps me out of my gown and back into my clothes. A nurse comes in with a plastic cup and a clipboard.

  "Oh, I see you've changed already, it should definitely help speed things along. Here are the pain pills he wanted you to take before you leave." Placing two white pills into my hand, she waits for me to put them in my mouth before handing me a small cup of water to help me swallow them.

  "Do you need a copy of my ID's?"

  "Nope, a gentleman dropped them off at the desk about an hour ago for us to copy. We have everything we need. I just need you to sign here saying we went over all of your medications, discharge instructions, and to schedule an appointment with your regular physician in two to three days." She holds out the clipboard for me, so I can sign it. She hands me a copy of my instructions and two prescriptions. Theron helps me down from the bed and kisses my forehead when the nurse leaves.

  "Let's get you home. I'll have Evan fill these after we get you comfortable. Okay?" Nodding my head in agreement, I lay it on his shoulder as we walk out of the hospital, back to the car.

  On the car ride home, I fall asleep with my head resting against the window. I feel myself being lifted and I open my eyes to find Theron carrying me to our bedroom. He gently lays me on our bed.

  "I can walk, you know. I didn't break my legs."

  "I would be a horrible carriage if I didn't carry you."

  "You're not my carriage, you're my person." My voice is soft and my words slur as I fall back to sleep. I swear I hear Theron gasp, but I'm not sure at what. I close my eyes and welcome the darkness.

  I slowly start to wake up and I roll over. "Fuck!" It was not a good idea. I rolled onto my injured hand. Sitting up, I place my now throbbing hand in my lap. I swing my legs off the bed, placing my feet on the floor. I make my way to the bathroom. I'm stepping through the doorway when Theron comes rushing in the room.