Shadows: A Love Ever After Series

by Amber Lacie

  “Whatever he does, we will just have to deal with it. Legally, he doesn’t have a hold anymore, right?” I run my fingers along the top of my cup of tea. So far, between the soup and rosemary tea, I am feeling great. I just wish the business with Thomas would be over and done with.

  “He still has a small hold, but I control the majority. I want to buy him out as well. He doesn’t always do things legally either. Thomas is a crook. He’s a villain of a businessman; think Lex Luther meets the Joker. Nothing is ever what it seems with him.”

  “Just be careful. I need you. We need you.” Looking down, I glance at my stomach. I try to picture what I am going to look like soon with my belly swollen and huge, but it still doesn’t seem real.

  The front door opens and Evan walks in carrying two huge boxes, as if they weigh nothing. I swear I can feel him looking at me, but I avoid his gaze.

  “I assume you are feeling better, Miss Evelyn.”

  “I am.”

  “Good.”

  “Yep.”

  Theron is going to get whiplash if he doesn’t quit whipping his head back and forth between us.

  Evan sets the boxes down on the floor before walking back outside.

  “What was that?”

  “What?”

  “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “That. It’s so fucking frustrating. You try to avoid giving a real answer, so you answer me with a question.”

  I try to play it off by being cute. “Can you give me an example?”

  “Not cute, Eve. What is going on?” Obviously, that just backfired. “I swear if you don’t tell me what’s going on; I’m going to lose my fucking mind.”

  The door opens again and Evan drops another box to the floor. “I can tell you what’s going on.”

  Fuck. I haven’t told Theron about the notes, and Evan knows it.

  “Evan. Stop.”

  Theron silences me with a hard stare. “No, Evan, don’t stop. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “I’m sorry, Eve, but secrets shouldn’t be kept.”

  “Wait. You knew? Eve, how the fuck did Evan know before I did.”

  Now, I am completely caught off guard. Perhaps, this was the exploding in my face part that my mom warned me about. They both know I am holding secrets, but they each only know of one.

  “Um…I didn’t. He doesn’t really know.” My response is half-assed. What the hell am I supposed to say?

  Theron spins around and points his finger directly at Evan. “You knew she was pregnant?”

  Evan’s eyes are huge. Surprise! I guess he didn’t know my secret after all. His shock turns into anger and his face darkens. I swallow trying to keep my composure. Theron can’t see me with his back to me, so I plead with my eyes for Evan to go along with this.

  “I didn’t know exactly. I mean, I guess I just, kind of guessed. I asked her about it, but she wouldn’t give me an answer. She was sick one minute, but fine the next. Then she seemed to be sneaking around behind your back with her friend, so I figured she was hiding something from you. I made a point of letting her know that if she didn’t tell you what was going on, I would soon. Very. Soon.” Evan glares at me, but to my relief he doesn’t mention the notes.

  If looks could kill, I would probably be six feet under. Shit. I know I should tell him, but I don’t want too. I am going to add to his stress over nothing.

  Theron spins back around and stares right at me. I don’t want to lie to him, so I just opt to leave out a couple of small details. “I didn’t tell Evan, babe. The only ones that knew were my mom and Kayla. They only knew because I took the tests at my parents.”

  “Evan, was this why she yelled at you in the hallway?”

  “She yelled at me because I told her not to keep secrets from you. It wasn’t my place, Sir.”

  Theron stands and walks into the living room. He leans against the fireplace, running his hands over his face. I glance away to see guilt staring at me from the corner of the room again. Tomorrow. I’ll tell him tomorrow.

  Theron sighs and my gaze meets his eyes again. “I feel like I’m missing something here, but I’m going to drop it for now. Also, Evan knock off the ‘Miss’ and ‘Sir’ shit. You are family, and I expect you to act like it.”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  “It is. Go set your boxes down. I have Rebecca and some of the other staff coming over tomorrow to gather our things and move them over to the other house. Are you okay with everything here?”

  “I wish you’d let me pay you.”

  “Yeah, well, I wish you and Eve would tell me what’s going on, but it’s clear none of that is going to happen. I’m going to go hit the gym, I need a break.” He slowly walks back to the island where I am still sitting.

  Lifting my chin with his fingers, he looks deep into my eyes.

  “No secrets. If that’s what’s going on here, I need it to stop. I’ll give you a couple of days, but that’s it. Now get some rest. I don’t know how long I’ll be. I love you.” His lips softly brush mine, and I pull him in closer. I lightly nip at his lip, as his tongue invades my mouth. Goosebumps spread across my flesh. Fisting his shirt in my hand, I moan into his mouth. My nerves are lit up, and I could use some release. His hands grasp my neck, as mine move under his shirt, my fingers tracing his abs. He pulls back from the kiss, and I’m left on the brink of something, but I’m not sure what.

  “Baby, please.”

  Placing a kiss on my cheek, he whispers into my ear, “I bet if I checked you would be wet right now. Wouldn’t you?”

  “Yes.” My voice is husky and full of need.

  “Good. You are mine. I’m keeping you, and right now I rather like the idea of keeping you like this. I want you waiting for me like this. I want to come home later, and know this is the reason you can’t keep your hands off me.” With those last words, he turns and walks away from me. He is so incredibly sexy.

  I stare at the door, as it closes behind him. Damn that was hot. My cheeks flush, when I notice Evan is still in the room. Standing, I grab my tea, taking it with me, as I head to the bedroom.

  “Goodnight, Evan.”

  “Goodnight, Eve. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that you need to speak to him about the notes.”

  I stop and look over my shoulder. “No, you don’t, but it seems you did anyway.”

  “Just covering my bases. Eve?”

  “Yes.” My tone is curt and flat. I am not in the mood for his guilt trips right now.

  “Congratulations on the baby.”

  I don’t say anything. I just continue walking into my bedroom. I am sure he probably thinks I did this on purpose.

  I slip off my jeans and long sleeve shirt. Digging through Theron’s drawers, I find an old college t-shirt. University of Chicago is printed proudly across the chest of the shirt. What are the odds of us going to the same college? Of course, with it being Theron, I am sure he knew that I was going there. How long has he looked for me? He couldn’t have been looking for the past fourteen years. At some point, he must have given up on me. After all, he was engaged to Bridgette for some time.

  Bridgette. Her name alone makes me want to spit nails. I should have laid her out on her ass when I saw her earlier. Who knows when I am going to have an opportunity like that again?

  I am not sure if it was Thomas that sent the text, but I know Bridgette is most likely the reason he found out. How the hell did she find out my test results? Someone who works for Helen is a snitch.

  You know you are tired, when you dream of sleeping in your dream. I dreamt that I was sleeping and woke up to the bed being wet. It was so odd. I roll over to try to shake off the feeling and the dampness on my pillow brings me out of my dream.

  I’m hot and sweaty. I try to fix my pillows, but I notice it is damp from my sweat. Why am I so hot? I try to sit up, and that is when I notice the leg wrapped around me. That man is like a furnace. I push his leg off me, and glance at my phone. It is f
our fifteen in the morning. I didn’t even notice him come to bed. As I head to the bathroom to splash some cold water over my face, my stomach lurches.

  I wake up lying on the cool tile. My back is screaming at me for my obviously idiotic choice for a bed, but my face and nausea are thanking me. I try to move, but my body is so stiff. Closing my eyes, I take a couple of deep breaths. When I open them, I am greeted by a very handsome man staring at me, while I lay on the floor.

  “That looks painful. Let me help you up.” He holds out his hands and I gratefully take them. “I woke up, and you weren’t in the bed with me. I came in here to see if you were okay, and I find you laying on the bathroom floor.”

  “I’m okay. My back doesn’t like me right now, but it will get over it. I woke up around four and I was so hot, I was sweating. I came in here to wash my face, and my soup decided it didn’t want to stay down anymore.”

  He pulls me to him, wrapping me in his arms. I sigh, as my body melts to him. I never feel as good as I do when I am in his hold. He kisses the top of my head. I look up and take in his handsome features. My heart quickens at the thought of the things he could do to me before he leaves. He gives me a dazzling smile, as if he knows where my thoughts are starting to stray.

  “Will you be okay if I leave you today?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll call Kayla. Maybe we can go shopping or get some lunch. I could use some fresh air.”

  “Okay. I’m going to hop in the shower. Go lay down, babe. I’ll bring you some toast in a little bit.”

  I am sitting on our bed while a thousand thoughts are running through my mind. I can hear the shower turn on, and my mind drifts to thoughts of Theron naked, water running over him, as he takes me up against the wall. It only takes me a second to decide that I need to make this a reality, not a daydream.

  Opening the door, steam escapes, as I step into the room. Theron is standing under the shower with his head tilted back. The water runs down his chest and over his stomach. I am practically panting in heat, as I watch him wash his body.

  “Are you coming in, or are you just going to keep watching me?”

  “Coming in.” I pull my t-shirt over my head and drop it to the floor. I wiggle out of my panties, as I walk towards the shower. I barely open the door before Theron grabs me by my waist, pulling me into the shower with him.

  “I need to feel you.” He looks at me, waiting for permission.

  “Do it.” His hands slide up my waist, as his mouth finds my nipple, swirling it with his tongue. I moan, thrusting my breasts up towards him. His hands roam my body; every touch is like lightening to my core.

  “I need to be in you. I can’t wait.” His hands grip my hips, lifting me by my waist. I wrap my legs around him, as I slide down onto his hard cock. He pushes my back against the wall and rocks into me.

  “Ahh. Theron!” My pussy is so tight around him. He feels so incredible.

  “This is going to be fast, baby. You ready?”

  “Yes!” His mouth finds my neck, nipping at my skin, as he slams into me. I have nowhere to move or go. He has me pinned.

  His teeth graze my ear, and move down along my jaw, seeking my mouth. Our tongues crash together, wrestling and fighting for control. I suck on his bottom lip. He moans and it sounds so incredibly sexy. I love making him lose control. His mouth moves lower to find my nipple, dragging it between his teeth before flicking it with his tongue. I let loose a moan, but it is more of a demand for more. “Yes!”

  “Beg.”

  Beg? For what? He picks up his pace, thrusting in and out of me. My hands claw his shoulders, as my head falls back hitting the shower wall. I can’t hold onto him. I am so close, but he pulls back.

  “Beg.”

  I need to come so bad. “Please, Theron. Please.”

  “You want to come, baby?”

  “Oh, God, please!” His body braces me against the wall, as he continues his relentless movement. He holds onto me with one hand, while the other slides between us finding my clit, pinching and rolling it between his fingers. “Oh, God. Right there. I’m, I’m…Ahh, Theron!” My orgasm rips through me, shredding me with waves of pure bliss.

  “Fuck. Eve!” My name leaves Theron’s lips, as he loses himself in me. I can feel his cock throb inside of me, filling me. My head lulls forward, resting against his shoulder. I can’t stand, I can’t move, and I can’t speak.

  Theron turns off the water and carefully holds me, as he steps out of the shower. He wraps a towel around us, and carries me to bed. Lowering me to the mattress, he starts to dry me with a towel. I feel a sheet cover me and I drift to sleep.

  “Beautiful, open your eyes for a second.”

  “Hmmm.”

  Laughing, he places a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry for breaking you again, but I have to go to work. Text me if you go anywhere with Kayla. Okay?”

  “Okay. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” He places another kiss on my forehead and I close my eyes once again.

  When I wake, I find a cup of tea and some toast waiting for me with a little note tucked between them.

  Most people send text messages or leave voicemails, but not him. I like my little notes, well most of them anyway.

  After finishing my little breakfast, I send Kayla a text to see if she wants to go shopping or get some lunch. Opening Pandora on my phone, I hook it to my Bluetooth speakers, and jump into the shower. I am rinsing conditioner out of my hair, when my phone rings over the speakers. I figure its Kayla, so I take my time and finish up with my shower.

  That’s odd. I check my missed calls and the last number who called me came up Unknown. Thinking it must have been some kind of sales call, I push it out of my mind.

  I slip on a pair of jeans, a lavender blouse, and my black chucks. As I am combing out the knots in my hair, there’s a knock on the bedroom door. I open it to find two men with tape and boxes in their hands.

  “Can I help you?”

  “We are here to box everything up, per our instructions, Miss.”

  Just great. I haven’t even finished getting ready. “Start in here. I’ll finish up in the bathroom.” Quickly pulling my hair into a braid, I grab my phone.

  I don’t like being here with these people packing up and moving things around, so I send Kayla another text letting her know that I’m coming over. I am almost out the door when Evan catches me.

  “Where are you off to?”

  “Just Kayla’s. Don’t worry. Theron knows.”

  “Have you told him?”

  “You know what, Evan? I haven’t. I’ll make sure to let you know when I do.”

  Fuck him. I am not in the mood for the reprimand. My phone beeps, as I slide into my seat.

  Tossing my phone into my purse, I make a mental note to have a talk with Evan. He is not my babysitter.

  Eve

  I pick up Kayla and we head out to lunch. We are sitting at the Fifth Street Bistro. I am moving the lettuce around on my plate, doing my best to look interested in whatever Kayla is saying. The truth is; I feel like absolute crap. I just want to lie down, but I can’t. There are people moving stuff around at the house, and I feel weird there by myself. I haven’t addressed that yet with Theron, but I’m going to have to soon.

  “And then I stabbed him. I’ll tell you where I hid the body if you promise to keep it a secret.”

  “What?” Did she just say that?

  “I knew you weren’t listening. I was telling you about the new furniture Paul and I ordered, but you weren’t listening. So, I started telling you a story about how he lied to me, and I stabbed him. Apparently, murder gets your attention.”

  “Sorry. I’m being such a horrible friend. I was trying, but I feel like crap. I just want to go to bed, and I can’t because we are switching houses.”

  “Switching? Does he have more than one house?”

  “Not really. Isa left everything to Theron and he didn’t want Evan to be alone. So, Theron gave Evan the guesthouse
because the main house reminded him too much of Isa. Now we are switching houses. Theron has people moving everything for him, and I just felt like I was in the way. You know?”

  “Kind of. I’ve never had people move things for me. Also, doesn’t the main house have a library?”

  A huge grin spreads across my face. “Yes, and it’s all mine.”

  “He’s never going to get you out of there.”

  “I already warned him.”

  My phone starts buzzing in my purse. It’s another call from Unknown, so I ignore it. “New furniture, huh?” Kayla opens her mouth to answer me, but my phone buzzes again.

  “Maybe you should get that. It might be the movers.” She has a point, I never thought of that.

  “Hello?”

  “Eve? Thank God, I got a hold of you. Do you know how hard you are to track down?” Red. All I see is fucking red.

  “Bridgette?” Kayla spits her drink across the table. At least I’m not the only one in shock.

  “Eve. I know after what happened between us I shouldn’t be calling you, but I don’t know who else to call.”

  “You intentionally lied to me, befriended me, and then used your past relationship with Theron to tear me and him apart. Why should I care even the slightest about you?”

  “I’m pregnant. That’s why I was at the office. Thomas is the father.”

  Attention daytime Emmy winners, you now have competition for this year’s award. “And you’re telling me this because?”

  “I don’t know whom else to talk to. My family will disown me. Thomas doesn’t want the baby. He wants me to have an abortion. He’s offered to pay for it and pay me to keep quiet.”

  “Again. Why are you telling me?”

  “I thought you could talk to Theron. After all, it is his sibling and he doesn’t have any family left now.”

  Is she serious right now? If I could reach through my phone, I would strangle her until her face turned blue. She didn’t succeed the last time when she tried to get back in his life, so now she’s going to use his family as an angle. She has another thing coming if she thinks I am going to let her within one hundred feet of Theron.