Stripped

by Harms, C. A.

  “Evan, why do you love me? How could you love me?”

  I smiled down at her, “Baby, how could I not fall in love with you? You are absolutely amazing. You are kind, giving, and nurturing. I don’t think you have an ounce of meanness in you. You make me want to experience everything with you. I have turned into this sappy love sick man. Baby, you have me planning my future all out my head with you in it and it’s amazing. I feel so safe with you.” I watched her eyes soften and I held her close. “I want to give you everything Kylie…everything. I want to take your worries away. I want you to feel safe with me. I know you’ve been hurt. I know that you find it challenging to believe me because of everything you’ve been through. I also know that I’ll spend every day convincing you until you understand that I adore you and Emma. I love you both…very much.”

  She caved to me as our lips meshed together. I took everything she gave and let her take over. As our lips hovered over each other’s she whispered, “I love you too, Evan.”

  I heard sniffling and looked over toward the bedroom to find Sarah holding Emma. She had tears in her eyes and Kylie lightly laughed in her direction. “That was so sweet. I feel like I just watch a love scene in a movie unfold. I want an Evan too…” Sarah puckered out her lower lip in an attempt to pout. “What an amazing thing to hear from someone on your birthday Kylie. You’ll never forget this one.”

  I was slightly floored. Birthday…I had no idea. She never told me what day it was. I smiled and Emma reached out for her momma. I released my hold on Kylie even though I just wanted to squeeze her tighter. I watched her take Emma into her arms and snuggle her close. Our eyes connected once again and I winked at the beautiful girl before me. The girl I wanted to build a future with.

  ~Twenty Seven~

  (Kylie)

  “Birthday? Why didn’t you tell me beautiful?”

  I could tell he felt like such an ass for not knowing. “It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it.”

  He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and hugged me tightly to him. “Happy Birthday baby and yes, it is a big deal.” He kissed my neck just behind my ear before whispering, “I love you Kylie.”

  Evan convinced me to pack a bag and go home with him for a couple days. I had never been to his condo but when I walked through the doors I knew why he hadn’t brought me here. It was so cold and distant. Everything was black or white…literally. He had no pictures on the walls. It was plain without color or warm accents. I took it all in slowly as he walked up behind me holding Emma close. He leaned in kissing my temple, “It’s not a home baby. It never has been, but it will be now. It just needed you and Emma.” He walked passed me and I felt my heart race with his declaration.

  I watched him place Emma on the rug in the center of the room near the couch. He slowly sifted through her bag taking out toys and books and placing them all around her. After she was thoroughly entertained, he walked to the slider in the attached dining area and checked the locks. It warmed me that he considered Emma’s safety.

  When he turned back to me and found me still frozen in the entry way he smiled. He approached me slowly, never taking his eyes away from mine. Once he reached me he placed his hands onto my hips. The silence was broken by a knock on the front door. I turned to look behind me and could tell by the shadow through the blinds it was his mother. My heart sank as I turned back to face him.

  Evan sensed my panic state, “Hey, don’t worry about it. This is my place…you’re welcome here.”

  I nodded my head, “I’m just going to grab Emma and her things. I’ll take her in the other room so you two can talk.”

  He agreed and placed a soft kiss to my lips. “I won’t be long okay.”

  I quickly gathered Emma’s toys and turned toward the hallway. I heard Evan announce from behind me, “I love you, baby.”

  I turned to look over my shoulder in his direction. I smiled even though my nerves were on high alert. “I love you.” I entered the first room on the left and it appeared to be a spare bedroom that substituted as an office. The only pieces of furniture found were a large desk and chair near the window. There were files and papers piled over the top of the desk, but in the center of the mess was the photo of Emma and me blowing a kiss to Evan. He had printed out a copy and framed it. I stared at it for a moment before clearing my throat and blinking away my unshed tears.

  I placed Emma onto the floor and I walked to the closed door attempting to listen to the conversation on the other side. I felt a small amount of guilt for eavesdropping but I couldn’t stop my need to know. I heard his mother’s voice, she sounded pained and shaky. “I only want you to be happy, Evan. I just don’t see you and her having a future. How could you have a future together? She has so much baggage and a child.” Her words once again cut through me like a hot knife. I leaned closer listening to his response.

  “Let me tell you something, mother, that girl is amazing; she’s loving and caring. She loves me like I deserve to be loved. Kylie doesn’t expect me to be perfect; she loves me even though I’m not. I love her unconditionally and she gives me the same.” My heart swelled within my chest as I listened to him attempt to explain his desires to his mother. “If you can’t accept her and respect her, then you can walk away from my life without looking back. Kylie and Emma are in my life, mother and neither of them will be going anywhere.”

  I heard him lightly laugh, “What amazes me is that you pushed for Alex and me to be together. When I told you the truth about what she did to your unborn grandchild you still have this illusion that she’s perfect. Alex and I will never be…mother. Never!” He let out a deep breath, “I have never felt love like I feel for Kylie. I’m so in love with her and that’s not going to disappear. I’ll spend the rest of my life worshiping her. I’m so sorry that you’ve never experienced a love like this.” Millie began to argue but he stopped her, “I know you have never felt what I feel for Kylie mother, I know you haven’t. If you had, you wouldn’t be questioning me. You’d know the intensity of the feeling and that you can’t walk away from it. I will not walk away from it.” The silence gave me an uneasy feeling as I tried to imagine the look on Millie’s face. “Mother, I will not walk away from Kylie and Emma. If you and father want to make me choose fine; then I choose them. I’ve never felt happier in my life than I do when I’m with them. I’m sorry but that’s what I choose…my girls.”

  My heart swelled, “his girls.” I couldn’t help the smile forming on my face. I didn’t wait for her response because at that moment I didn’t want her to taint what Evan had said. I made my way to Emma and joined her on the floor. She climbed into my lap holding her favorite book. We began flipping the pages as I read the story to her. I looked up a few minutes later to find Evan slowly opening the door. He smiled when he found us on the floor and walked toward us tentatively as I watched him. He took his place behind me placing one leg on each side of mine. He draped his arms securely around Emma and me as I allowed myself to sink into his embrace. Evan rested his cheek against the side of my head and I continued to read to Emma.

  When she was finished listening to her book Emma stood and walked toward her pile of toys, picking up a small pink bunny. She turned back to face us while I continued to lie back against Evan’s chest watching her. She giggled and passed her stuffed bunny to Evan. “Is this your bunny?” Emma smiled and pulled it back from his hands. It just felt natural to be with him at this moment. It was as if I was meant to be in Evan’s arms.

  Evan had dinner brought in to us from a local restaurant and had flowers delivered for my birthday along with a small package. When he handed me the box I looked up at him in confusion “What’s this?”

  He kissed me softly and whispered against my lips, “Happy birthday, Kylie.” Evan kissed me once more before pulling away. I opened it slowly and found a pair of diamond stud earrings. They were gorgeous and when I started to tell him it was too much, he shushed me quickly. His lips crushed against mine and I felt breathless whe
n he finally pulled away.

  “I apologize for not knowing today was your birthday. I know you’re thinking that it’s too much. Baby, nothing is too much for you, honestly these aren’t enough. I am going to spoil you…so you better get used to accepting gifts. I called the jeweler and told them what I was looking for and then I had Draya pick them up.” He kissed me softly once again, “I love you so much Kylie. You and Emma are the best part of my life.”

  I stood in his living room looking into his eyes and I felt such emotion. I felt such a need for him; it scared me just how much. “They’re beautiful, thank you. I love you too.”

  ~Twenty Eight~

  (Evan)

  It has been two days since I brought Kylie and Emma home with me. We’ve spent every hour here…together; it’s been amazing having them here. It actually feels like a home with them in it.

  Kylie has tried to call Brad but he refuses to answer his phone and he won’t return her messages. The fact that we could have gone somewhere pisses me off. It isn’t as if he was beating down the door to see his daughter or anything.

  It was time for Emma’s nap, and Kylie was putting her to bed. I decided to wait for my beautiful girl by the pool. When I looked up to find her walking out in a pink bikini I nearly fainted. Holy hell, was I one lucky ass man. Kylie is numbingly beautiful. When our eyes connected she bit her lower lip between her teeth to hold back her smile. I caught site of the beer she held in her hand and this only caused me to smile more. What guy wouldn’t want a Beautiful girl in a bikini serving him a beer by the pool on a warm afternoon? The best part was, I hadn’t even asked for it or expected it. I stood up to meet her as she came closer, “Hey Baby.”

  Kylie licked her lower lip before she rose up onto the tip of her toes to kiss me sweetly. I smiled against her lips and she laughed. “What?” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

  “Nothing…seriously I promise. You just make me happy Kylie, really fucking happy.”

  Once we were in the pool I couldn’t keep my hands off of her wet body. She attempted to squirm away, but when I pinned her against the wall, she gave in and stopped wiggling to wrap her legs around my hips tightly. I spent the next ten minutes kissing her sweet mouth slowly. I loved to hear Kylie moan into my mouth when I would suck on her lower lip. When I felt her hands slide down my chest between us and reach into the waist band of my trunks, I realized she needed more. I watched as she took me into her hands and began stroking me slowly. When I looked into her eyes they were full of lust and hunger. “I want you so bad, Evan. Please make love to me.”

  I nearly combusted at that moment, hearing the need in here voice. “It would be my pleasure, baby.” As I untied the strings of her bikini at her hips, the bottoms fell away. I slowly lifted her up once again placing her legs around my hips and guided myself into her. She gasped as I filled her and I felt her tense around me. Every time I entered her I would find myself taking deep breaths to calm myself. Kylie was so small and she was so tight. I had to practice control or I knew I wouldn’t last.

  After a moment of taking in the feel of her wrapped around me I began to move. I loved to watch her face as I thrust into her deeply. She would take her lower lip between her teeth biting down as she allowed her head to fall back exposing her gorgeous neck. I traced my tongue from her collarbone, up her neck and to her ear. I sucked the lobe into my mouth as I rotated my hips. I could feel the small pulsating squeezes from her body. She was building as her slick walls began twitching tighter around my cock.

  I whispered into her ear, because I knew it would throw her over the edge. She loved when I whispered sexy words to her. “Baby, you feel so good. So tight, I could spend forever inside you, and it still wouldn’t be enough. Come for me. Kylie let go, let me feel you come baby.” That was all it took. She moaned my name and squeezed her thighs tighter around my waist. I began driving into her harder and deeper as I gripped her hips. It only took seconds before I felt myself letting go deep within her and my knees felt weak.

  I held her close for a few moments because I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. “I love you Kylie…I love you so much.” I kissed her as she let her legs fall away and I lowered her down into the pool.

  After I helped her tie her suit we swam until we heard Emma waking up through the monitor on the deck.

  We decided to cook on the grill, so I ran into town to grab some things from the store. I checked my messages on the way back home finding a couple from my mother and one from Alexis. She was still attempting to convince me that we are meant for one another. I deleted the message before listening fully. When I returned back home, I found Kylie in the pool with Emma. I stood in the doorway, watching as she floated around in the little duck floatable securely wrapped around her. Kylie was pretending to be a fish nibbling on Emma’s dangling toes.

  Over the last couple days I’d found myself watching them interact and I loved the feeling that came over me. I wanted this feeling every day. I hated that she planned on going back to her place tomorrow. It would feel empty here again once they left.

  She had taken a couple days off work and I knew I had things I needed to handle with my father. I just hated our special time together had to end. If I could just convince Kylie to move in with me, I’d try, but I knew it was too soon; for her not me. I would love having them here permanently.

  I quickly got the steaks seasoned and made my way to the grill on the deck. “Hey you…do you need my help?”

  I smiled down at her, “I got it. You girls stay in the pool.” Emma squealed and I laughed, “See…listen to her, she likes my idea.”

  I made my way to the edge and sat down to let my legs dangle into the water. She pulled Emma closer and I felt her hand rub my foot as she traced her fingertips along my leg. “You two being here feels right Kylie. I love seeing your beautiful faces.” I knew I said it was too soon but the words just fell from my mouth before I could stop them. “Kylie, I don’t want you to go back to your apartment tomorrow. I told you that it wasn’t a home here, but over the last couple days that has changed. I love seeing Emma’s toys scattered across my floor and your shirt slung over the post on my bed. I know once you leave it’s going to be so empty again. I don’t want you to leave.”

  I could see her swallow hard as my words sunk in. “Evan, I can’t—.”

  I leaned forward and kissed her. “I know…too soon. I had to say it though. I wanted you to hear it.”

  ~Twenty Nine~

  (Kylie)

  I was still floored by Evan’s attempt to convince me I should move in with him. Things were still so new. Things with his parents were raw, not to mention Brad would flip out. I just think we needed to wait until our lives were a little less complicated. I knew I was meeting with the attorney next week to sign divorce papers. When that was finalized, maybe we could talk more about moving in together.

  Dinner started out on quiet side. At first, I thought he was upset with me. He must’ve sensed my nervousness, because he changed that quickly by making Emma giggle and me smile like a fool. I snuck in to take a shower after I put Emma to bed. I stood under the warm water and let myself imagine for a moment what it would be like to live here. I imagined Emma’s things filling the spare bedroom and pictures decorating the walls. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, remembering that too many things were still unresolved.

  After my shower, I dried off and I quickly got dressed. I checked in on Emma making sure she was fast asleep on Evan’s bed with pillows tucked all around her. I made my way into the living room toward the flickering light.

  I stood in the doorway for a moment, silently watching as the fire reflected onto Evan bare chest. He was so beautiful; his chest rose slightly with each breath. He had his arms stretched upward with his hands tucked securely behind his head. His biceps were so well defined and sculpted.

  He lay with his eyes closed and the soft music flowed from the stereo in the corner. The only thing he was wearing was pajama pants which hung low on his h
ips. I watched from the shadows taking him in fully. I couldn’t believe such a beautiful creature could be mine. The love I felt for him was so scary. To lose him would cripple me. I would be hollow; I knew that now, because I had let myself fall for him…deeply. He turned his head toward me and found me watching him. The smile that pulled at his lips made me feel like I was floating. His beauty overtook me immensely as he winked at me and my knees became weak. I slowly walked toward him as he watched me closely. “Hey baby, I was getting lonely out here. Why did you keep me waiting so long?”

  He reached out to him, taking his hand into mine. I knelt next to him and watched his eyes glimmer in the fireplace light. “Sorry handsome, I was here admiring you from afar.” I couldn’t help but smile as he grinned at me.

  “I’d prefer you admire me right here.” He tapped the empty space beside him. I slowly lowered myself onto the floor next to him curling into his side. Evan rolled toward me and brought his body over mine. He watched my eyes closely and brushed my hair away from my face. “You are unbelievably beautiful. You really have no idea how much I love you. I adore you baby. You complete me; I’m undeniably in love with every single ounce of your being. Kylie…I had no idea loving someone the way I love you was even possible. If I have to let go of everything and at the end of day I have you and Emma, you need to know that I’m completely happy with that outcome. You two are my world.”