Ask Me Why

by Rae, Harloe

  He chuckles. “Sharing with you. Remember that it’s always polite to share, Braelyn.”

  I wag a finger at him. “This is all mine.”

  “You’re gonna eat that entire mound?” His scoff says it all.

  My competitive side stretches her lazy muscles. They’re a tad underused as of late. But the need to prove him wrong barrels into me. “Yep, absolutely.”

  Brance shakes his head. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  “What’re the stakes.”

  I think long and hard. Am I ready? The idea doesn’t trap my brain into a state of panic. There’s no sign of the once familiar flashbacks. I swallow any sliver of doubt.

  “If I win, you drive me home.” I keep my steady gaze locked on his.

  Brance is the one who looks shell-shocked. His eyes blow open wide, those pouty lips parting. “W-what?”

  I prepare my first bite of dessert nachos. “Stunned silent?”

  “Something like that.”

  I wink. “You’re welcome.”

  “Are you sure about this? I won’t hold you to it.” And I know he won’t.

  I sweep a hand down my form. “I’m good. Calm as a chilled cucumber. I trust you, Brance.”

  He links our fingers together and gives me a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for that.”

  Brance doesn’t make a move to steal more ice cream. He orders his own. We eat and chat and plan for me living with them.

  Once I’ve finished every last morsel, he tucks me into the passenger side with a tense smile. Those dimples get me every time.

  Not a single drop of fear freezes my veins when he shifts the car into drive. I relax into the plush leather with a sigh. Brance smiles at me, waiting for the word. I reach for his free hand and nod.

  “Let’s go home.”

  Braelyn

  Thicket

  I pull into the gravel lot and find a spot in the back row. For whatever reason, Sadie asked me to meet her at Cliffton Heights. Her car isn’t one of the few parked alongside mine. I check the time, finding that I’m a few minutes early. It’s too beautiful to stay locked inside. I step out of my car and stretch. It’s a glorious afternoon, the temperature mild for late summer. The midday sun kisses my cheeks. A light breeze whips through the tall grass, calling me to the meadow.

  I’m sure Sadie will know where to find me.

  After slipping on a pair of shades, I set off along the gravel ground. My sandals find the worn grooves in the pebbled path. I’ve walked this trail countless times. It’d be a safe bet that I could find my way blindfolded and spun around. The pendant from my necklace glints in the sunlight. The rectangular prism casts brilliant rainbows in front of me. The vibrant array of scattering colors infuses this moment with a new type of significance. I clutch the gift from Brance in my palm and smile.

  That man knows me well.

  There’s a new sweetness in the air. Fresh blossoms and pollen accompany my hike. Flocks of birds chirp a welcoming tune. Goosebumps rise on my skin under the high noon’s direct rays. The familiar comfort envelopes me in a soft gust of wind. I almost skip across the remaining distance.

  When I near the ridge with my flat plot of turf, it’s not Sadie waiting for me. Brance and Ollie stand there wearing matching smiles. My pulse does a little dance. They’re so handsome. The lake sparkles behind them, adding to their already undeniable appeal. I remove my sunglasses to get a better view.

  “Well, hello. I didn’t expect to see my boys up here. This is a surprise.” I give them a little wave while erasing the space between us.

  “Hey, babe.” Brance’s smirk is etched with promises for later.

  Ollie is practically vibrating beside him. He probably had extra sugar at lunch. “Hi, Miss Braelyn.”

  He gets a bop on the nose for that. I add in a cheesy grin for special effects. I’ve been living with them for almost two months. I feel the formality can be dropped from my name. But it’s a tough habit to break.

  I pop up on my toes to give Brance a kiss. Ollie gets a high-five and a hug. “I thought you were going out for quality guy time? What’re you two doing here?”

  Brance makes a show of looking across the field. “What do you call this? No better way to spend an afternoon. We wanted to see what all the fuss was about.”

  I laugh. “You could’ve told me. I would have gladly brought you out here.”

  “We figured this would work out better.” Brance lifts a lazy shoulder.

  Ollie nudges his leg. “Daddy?”

  He shakes his head at him. “Not yet.”

  Ollie’s hands are hidden out of sight behind his back. “But when?”

  Brance puts a finger to his lips. “Really soon.”

  I watch their exchange. “What’s going on?”

  “So, this area is really beautiful.” Brance’s deflection is clear as the blue sky, but I let it slide.

  I still quirk a skeptical brow at him. “It sure is.”

  “How’d you discover this spot?”

  I stare off toward the ledge. “Three years ago, after the accident, I wasn’t in a great place. I’d been wandering around, searching for something of meaning. Anything at all. I came across this park with these amazing cliffs. It clicked for me.” I motion around us. “This is the original thicket. Did you know that?”

  Brance nods. “That makes sense. “A place to get lost for a while.”

  “Find purpose. Center yourself.”

  “Find true happiness,” he murmurs.

  “Exactly,” I whisper.

  “C’mere, babe.” He tugs me closer by my belt loop.

  I fold into his chest without effort. “This is nice.”

  Brance kisses my forehead. His heart is racing a thousand miles a second. I’m about to question his rapid pulse when he takes a step back. Brance reaches for my hand, the touch gentle and delicate. A quiver trembles my muscles. There’s a subtle shift weaving within the air.

  “Brae, I love you.”

  That alone has tears pricking my eyes. The combination of everything plows into me. Being at this sacred space with my favorite people hits me deep in the feels. Brance smirks and wipes the streaks off my face.

  “Keep it together, babe. I have an entire speech planned.”

  “Don’t forget me. I have stuff to say,” Ollie chimes in.

  His father winks at him. “Yeah, buddy. Hold on for one more minute.”

  Brance lowers to one knee. With a shaking palm, I cover my gasp. I lose the fight against my tears. The rivulets are rolling down my cheeks in earnest. He tugs me closer by the arm, still holding my left hand in his. A gentle kiss is placed on my ring finger.

  He clears his throat. For the first time, this man looks nervous. I’m too spellbound to focus on his shaking grip or bobbing throat. All I see is the love shining in his baby blues.

  “I have a limited vocabulary when it comes to sweet stuff. I’ll apologize in advance.”

  I laugh, but the sound is broken. I jerk my chin up and down instead of bothering with garbled words.

  Brance takes a small velvet box out of his pocket. He snaps open the lid and my knees threaten to buckle. The ring has a center diamond haloed by blue and green alternating stones. It’s stunning, but I can barely take my gaze off the man proposing. My vision is crazy blurry, but that doesn’t matter. I’ve never witnessed anything clearer than this moment.

  “I wanna marry you. See you wear white while walking down the aisle toward me. You’ll be glowing. Taking my last name. Being mine, ours.” He nods at Ollie, and I sob harder. “Say you’ll marry me, Braelyn Miller. Agree to be with us forever. Will you be ours, babe?”

  I’m accepting before he finishes the first sentence. I repeat the word silently after each point he makes. When he’s done, I leap at him. Brance is a solid wall and catches me easily.

  “Y-yes. A million yeses,” I whimper in his ear.

  He stands, lifting me with zero effort. Brance slips the ring on my fin
ger. The platinum band is a perfect fit. He pulls me near, and I collapse into his waiting embrace. I’m a weeping mess and have never been happier.

  Brance’s strong arm cinches around my back, his fingers clutching my hip. His other arm hauls Ollie into our sides. Two little arms weaves around our legs. I reach over and draw Ollie closer. Brance and I link our fingers together against Ollie’s back. The three of us are a complicated twist of limbs. Where one ends, another begins.

  We fit, all swaddled together in a love huddle that can’t be broken. This is the greatest moment of my life. I’m crying openly at this point. I don’t bother trying to stop the outpouring of emotion. A tug at my shirt draws my attention down.

  “Miss Braelyn?”

  I give him a watery smile. The need to correct him feels more important now. “Sweet Ollie, you can drop the Miss. Just call me Braelyn.”

  He picks something up from the ground, cradling it in his little palm. “What about Mom?”

  Fresh tears pool in my stinging eyes. “W-what?”

  He opens his hand, revealing a silver bracelet. He lifts the piece up within reach. “Can I call you that?”

  A large heart charm stands out against the chain. Engraved in the center is one word. Beyond meaningful. Extremely special. Irreplaceable. And granted to me as the greatest gift.

  Mommy.

  My gaze shifts between Brance and Ollie. I’m checking for confirmation or reassurance or something that hasn’t quite sunk in. They’re both smiling wide. My heart hiccups.

  “R-really? Are you sure?” Again, I’m not sure who to address. My insides are a jumble of too many feelings.

  “Uh-huh. Super-positive.” Ollie passes the jewelry to Brance. He opens the clasp and loops it around my wrist.

  “He picked this out all by himself.” Brance spins the links until the charm is facing us.

  “I love you both so much. My f-fiancé and my… my son.”

  Brance wraps me in a hug with Ollie in the middle. “You belong in our little family.”

  “I love you, Mommy and Daddy.” The soft murmur soothes the few broken pieces still part of me.

  My boys hold me tight while I whisper, “I love you, too.”

  Not that long ago, I contemplated something inconceivable on this cliff. And now, because of these two wrapped around me, I’m healed.

  Braelyn

  Next

  I wake on the brink of orgasm, certain it was a dream. But Brance’s face is buried between my thighs. The sun is rising over the ocean behind him. A salty breeze tickles my cheeks. I could definitely get used to this.

  “Good morning.” His greeting puffs against the overly sensitive nerves twitching along my slit.

  “Indeed.” I arch and stretch wider. My muscles sing with glorious warmth.

  Brance takes a languid lick. That tongue doesn’t miss a spot, swiping across every private piece of me.

  “W-why’d you slow down?” I wiggle in his hold, seeking more of what he’s giving.

  One massive palm cups my ass, lifting me to the optimal angle for his feast. I spread further until my hips threaten to snap. He has full access, permission granted to everything.

  “Patience,” Brance murmurs.

  The sheets are fisted in my grip. “I’m s-so close. Please.”

  His lips brush along my throbbing core, a filthy kiss meant to keep me hovering over the brink. Brance tongues my clit, swirling faster the louder I moan. My lungs are already burning. A finger nudges my entrance. The teasing makes me whimper.

  I try to press closer, but his grip is unrelenting. “More, Bran. Please. Please make me break.”

  “You always beg so pretty, babe. Love hearing you plead for me. I wanna shatter the windows with your screams.”

  While he talks, his finger is pumping into me with lazy strokes. A slow rhythm meant to drive me wild with lust.

  “You’re torturing me.” My whine is aimed at the ceiling.

  The man sprawled between my legs laughs. “My wife is so spoiled. Maybe you need to wait longer.”

  I clench my teeth and hiss. “No, please. I need you.”

  That single digit keeps sliding in and out of my clenching core. I want more—him—and he knows it.

  “Bran.” I drag the syllable out on an extended groan. “Make love to me. It’s our honeymoon. You have to do what I say.”

  Brance inserts another finger, doubling his efforts. “My wife shall want for nothing. Relax and accept the orgasm I’m about to give you.”

  “But—”

  My words are cut off with a silent scream as he pounces and attacks with vigor. He dives in, eating me as though this is his last meal. The tip of his tongue is flicking my clit with rapid bursts.

  I thrash my head on the pillow. “Y-yes, oh my sh-sh-sha-gahhhh. There, so much there.”

  Brance snakes a hand up my torso, landing on a peaked nipple. The pinch is a bite on the right side of pain. My husband plays my body like the finest tuned instrument. I bow toward his touch, stumbling over the ledge. My knees lock around his ears as I buck into him. I’m cracking, splitting apart until endless desire floods in. Liquid nirvana blooms through my center, spreading beyond reach. He doesn’t let up. Brance forces me higher until I’m left in a boneless heap.

  I feel my chest rise and fall as the splinters gather into some semblance of sense. I’m dizzy after that, and my blink is heavy. “Wow.”

  “You taste sweeter in Tahiti.” Brance’s smirking lips are coated in me. I shiver regardless of the tropical humidity already bearing down on us. He licks the evidence away. Damn, he’s sexy. And all mine. An electric aftershock ripples through my core, contemplating another round.

  I skip my toes down his calf. “You’re more spontaneous.”

  Brance nibbles a path across my inner thighs. “Have to keep our marriage spicy and exciting.”

  I tip my head back, a throaty laugh escaping me. “It’s been two days, Bran.”

  “Best of my life.”

  I reach for him, scratching along his scruffy jaw. “So romantic. Careful or you’ll make me swoon.”

  He nuzzles against me. “That’s the idea.”

  The calm tide calls to us through the open bungalow doors. Coconut and pineapple linger in the air. I could lie naked in this bed for hours on end without complaint. I mean, a private exotic beach is tough to beat. Especially when it’s our honeymoon.

  Chilly rain showers break up the sticky heat. Rainbows frequently streak the sky. I could easily be convinced to move here. At the very least own a vacation home in this place.

  “What’re you thinking, Missus Stone?”

  I comb through Brance’s sleep tousled hair. “How much I love my husband.”

  “Lucky man,” he purrs against my lower belly.

  “And what’s on your mind, Mister Stone?”

  He kisses a trail between my hips. “I’ve determined it’s too quiet.”

  I sway to follow his movements. “Okay? Want me to turn on some music?”

  Brance nips along the tan skin of my stomach. “At home, dirty girl.”

  “Why are we talking about this now?” I grind into him for encouragement. “Get up here. Give me what I want.”

  “How about what I want?”

  I scoff. “We aren’t doing anal. At least not yet.”

  He chuckles. “Good to know it’s on the list of possibilities. But I’m not talking about fucking your ass. You’re ruining my plan, babe.”

  “Me?” I gasp.

  He hums. “I was going to get you all agreeable and drowsy. Then spring this on you.”

  “Spit it out, husband.”

  A grin to rival the sun splits his handsome face. “Ollie needs a sibling. A little sister to be exact.”

  The air I was inhaling turns to concrete in my windpipe. I choke on a gulp of the sweet, tropical air. “W-what?”

  Brance’s chin is resting between my breasts. “Life is short, babe. I want more babies with you.”

  Emotio
n pricks my eyes. I’m nodding against the blur in my vision. I’m smiling so wide there’s an ache in my cheeks. But nothing else reaches me while I’m drowning in pure bliss. “Okay.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Let’s make a baby.”

  His sky-blues sparkle. “No more rubbers.”

  “Or pulling out.” I bite my bottom lip.

  That’s all it takes. When he slides into me, there’s nothing between us. That barrier—thin as it was—had been the last sliver of separation keeping us apart. I’m finally getting all of him. And I want every last bit. Really bad.

  I cross my ankles over his lower back. We rock together in a smooth wave. I press my mouth to his temple. “I have a feeling I’ll be pregnant by next week.”

  A rumble rises off his chest. “Tomorrow would be better.”

  “Overachiever.”

  “Damn fucking straight, Missus Stone.”

  “Love you, husband.”

  “And I love you, wife.”

  That’s technically the end, but are you curious about Jordan and Sadie? Well, I wrote a little bonus story for them. Brance, Braelyn, and Ollie make plenty of appearances.

  Click here to grab your FREE copy of Say You’ll Be!

  GENT Sneak Peek

  CHAPTER ONE

  MA’AM

  Trey

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  At her question, my gaze shifts to connect with the woman’s stare. She’s an unfamiliar face, probably lured into town by the specialty shops off Main Street. Sitting closer than socially acceptable, she’s almost stuck on me. The bar is crowded tonight, though. I let the proximity slide, but her attempt at conversation is pushing it too far.

  I came to Dagos for a few beers after work, not to engage in chit-chat. Usually I won’t hesitate sampling fresh meat, gladly gobble up what’s being offered, but not today. Try as she might, this chick is striking out with me. I have zero intentions of giving her the quick fuck she’s been practically begging for since sitting down.

  I clear my throat. “Ma’am, I’m not interested.”