Shrouded in Blackness

by Karlsson, Norma Jeanne

  I wiggle down her body and pull her dress up until her flat belly is exposed. I press soft, feathery kisses to the place that will soon swell with the life I’ve planted inside her. I now feel the ultimate caveman within me surging to the surface. Kellerman wasn’t joking about this shit.

  Quickly, I remove her thong and press long wet kisses down her pussy causing her to shudder and groan. She immediately pulls her legs back like I want them, opening herself to me. I love that she knows how I like it and gives it to me without thought. It’s not submissive, it’s giving. She’s letting me have her the way that I want.

  I lap at her slowly, working her into a frenzy. With her clit between my lips I finger her until a quaking orgasm wracks her petite frame. Once she’s calmed down she sits up and directs me back to the mattress. She removes my jeans and underwear before circling her tongue around my head.

  I’m completely still. This is the first time she’s put my dick in her mouth since I face fucked her before the fight. I’m nervous. Her warm mouth pulls my dick into her mouth and I groan in appreciation. Her small hand wraps around the base, stroking me as her mouth pulls me deeper and deeper into her throat. I’m not going to last long if she keeps that up.

  She looks up at me through her lashes, pumping me into her mouth. Quinn moans with the eye contact and it breaks my resolve.

  “I’m gonna come,” I warn her.

  She watches me intently and works me harder with her hand, bouncing my cock off the back of her throat. I gaze at her as my come pumps into her mouth and she swallows feverishly, attempting not to spill a drop. Once she’s licked me clean she sits up on her knees, staring at my dick triumphantly.

  I sit up and yank her dress over her head before removing my shirt. I spread her out beneath me and feast on her body like it’s my last meal. When my fingers and face are drenched with her come after her fourth orgasm, I slide my dick in her tight wet pussy.

  Up on my knees, I pull her into my lap and work her up and down my dick as we rest our foreheads against one another. Her breath hitches as another orgasm builds so I lay her down to pound into her the way she likes it. With our mouths devouring each other’s a moan of ecstasy bursts from her chest.

  The taste of my come in her mouth would usually be an issue for me, but it only makes my dick harder knowing she just gave me the last thing she was holding back from me. I have her now, completely. With our third child growing inside her, my life is as full as I ever dreamed it could be.

  I growl with passion as I fill her with my come. I know it’s a wasted effort, but I keep my dick planted, trapping myself inside her. I continue to lick and kiss her, waiting to get hard again and start all over. She can go back to walking normally next month. I’m not done with her yet, I never will be.

  “Jesus Christ, Kellerman, that’s a fuckin’ statement,” I say shocked, holding Shannon’s newly adorned left hand.

  “That was the intended goal,” he states proudly.

  I have no idea what kind of diamond it is other than to say it’s the size of a planet. Every man that comes anywhere within a five mile radius will know she’s taken. Good man.

  “It’s the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen,” Shannon complains through a smile. Kellerman could have tied a piece of string around her finger and she would have been happy. Things like this don’t matter to her. She’ll wear it, though, because he wants her good and marked.

  “It’s pretty awful,” I agree with a smile. “So when’s the wedding?”

  “No fuckin’ clue. Kinda have my hands and uterus full right now.”

  “Let’s hop a plane to Vegas and get it done,” I suggest.

  “Oh no, you don’t,” Karl elbows the in the ribs. “I get to see her in a dress once in my life.”

  Shannon rolls her eyes at her friend. Shannon’s not one for dresses or girly shit. She’d be happy to get married in her backyard in jeans and a T-shirt.

  “I wanna help plan it,” Quinn chimes in with a smile.

  “Good because I have no idea what I’m doin’,” Shannon says, relieved by Quinn’s suggestion.

  Karl, Quinn and Shannon dive into baby and wedding talk while I slowly shift away. That conversation was making my balls retreat into my stomach. I smile at Jack who’s playing with his sister on the floor surrounded by the grandparent types of Shannon’s family. We told Jack that Quinn’s pregnant this morning and he leaped with excitement, deciding immediately he was getting a brother. I’m hoping for the same thing.

  Kellerman, all three of my O’Sullivan cousins and I congregate around the breakfast area of Shannon’s massive house. It’s like a fortress and a mansion wrapped into one. I’m going to have to buy a new house now that I’ve knocked Quinn up. I know she loves our home, but we need more space.

  “I hear congratulations are in order, cousin,” Hugh says as he slaps my back.

  I offer him a cocky grin.

  “The two of you are seriously ruining our fun,” Collin complains. “All domesticated and shit.”

  “It’s not so bad,” Brian chimes in. He lives with Shannon and Kellerman so he’s been domesticated a bit himself.

  “You two should try it,” Kellerman jokes.

  “Fuck that. You two can carry the diaper bags for the family. I’m good playin’ the field three times a week,” Hugh says through a snort.

  “I think Brian’s next. He’s all gooey when he’s holdin’ Johnny. He’s been bitten by the baby bug. Another one bites the dust,” Collin teases his older brother.

  “I think I’d have to find a chick that I could fuck exclusively for more than a week for that to work,” Brian responds.

  “Your bed hasn’t been as busy as it once was,” Kellerman points out.

  “Your kid cramps my style,” Brian scoffs.

  “You’re so full of shit,” Kellerman says through a booming laugh.

  “Whatever. I’ve been busy,” he lies. Brian O’Sullivan is settling down. Never thought I’d see the day.

  “Busy thinkin’ about a blonde,” Kellerman murmurs, confirming my suspicions.

  “No fuckin’ way. You met someone?!” Hugh shouts.

  “I didn’t meet someone. It’s just…oh fuck, I don’t know.”

  “Sucks doesn’t it?” I ask.

  “What sucks?” Collin asks confused at our conversation.

  “When you meet the girl, but you’re still a piece of shit so you don’t know what the fuck to do about it,” I explain. Hugh and Collin look at me like I’m speaking a foreign language while Kellerman points at me and nods in agreement. Brian’s so pale he looks like he might puke.

  “If she’s worth it, you’ll figure out a way to quit bein’ a dick so you can just give her your dick.”

  “That was fuckin’ poetic, Kieran,” Kellerman says, wiping fake tears from his cheeks as we all burst into chuckles.

  “I have a way with words,” I admit.

  “Since you’re all gung-ho on settling down, when are you gonna put a ring on it? You’ve got two kids and another on the way. You’re slackin’,” Collin chides.

  “I was gonna do it this weekend, but Kellerman stole the glory and set the bar too fuckin’ high with that rock,” I huff.

  “You were gonna propose this weekend?” Kellerman whispers to not alert the room.

  “Yeah,” I say with a shrug.

  “Bullshit,” Hugh says, disbelieving.

  “Got the ring in my pocket right now.”

  “Holy Fuck! Do it. Do it right now!” Collin orders excitedly.

  “Right now?”

  “Yeah, do it now,” Brian pushes.

  I look at Kellerman for some guidance.

  “Dude, I did it while she was half naked in the middle of sex. There’s no right time,” he informs me with an encouraging smile.

  “That’s a romantic story you have to tell your children one day,” I tease. He offers me a cocky grin and directs a chin lift toward our women, daring me to do it.

  I shrug and walk off.
I can do this.

  I grab Jack and Ash from the O’Sullivan parents who are in kid heaven here. I walk over to Quinn, rudely interrupting the wedding and baby conversation and pull her into the middle of the room. All my cousins have their phones pointed at me, recording this moment.

  This room is full of people. Shannon’s nine brothers, three fathers, two mothers, her bodyguard, her long-lost best friend from childhood—Nick, Karl and of course Shannon’s new little family. It’s a room filled with acceptance and unconventional, unconditional love. I wish our family and friends could be here for this, but they’ll understand I couldn’t go another day without doing this.

  Once I have Quinn at the center of the room, her face flushes with embarrassment, I drop to my knee, holding both kids on either side of my body. Her eyes go wide and her hands begin to shake.

  “Quinn, I’ve been informed there’s never a right time to do this so I’m doin’ it now because I can’t wait another second. I wanna make the mother of my children my wife. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side. I wanna grow old with you and watch our children become everything good in you and everything strong in me. I wanna give you the world. Will you let me?”

  Tears stream from her beautiful eyes as she ponders my question.

  “Okay,” she responds sweetly.

  “Yes?” I confirm.

  “Yes!” she squeals, dropping to her knees in front of me as the room erupts in applause and shouts of congratulations. I pull her into my chest, smashing my family against me. I hand Ashling to her mother and pull the black velvet box from my pocket. I crack it open and watch her eyes double in size.

  I may not have gone as big as Kellerman, but I went as big as I thought her finger could hold, a five carat round stone with a band made of a never-ending Celtic knot in white gold. It’s perfect for my Irish princess.

  “Jack, you wanna help me out?”

  “Cool.”

  Jack holds his mother’s finger for me as I slip the ring on her delicate hand.

  “Kieran, it’s perfect,” she whispers.

  “Dílseacht is engraved on the inside,” I explain and she smashes her lips against mine.

  “Gross,” Jack groans at our side, causing us both to laugh into each other’s mouths.

  I climb to my feet, helping her up as the room converges on Quinn, staring at her ring and hugging her in congratulations. Shannon and Karl hang back so I approach them.

  “Pretty good,” Karl says kindly. “I never drew up those custody papers. I knew this day was waiting for you. You just needed to find it.”

  I wrap my arms around him in a rough hug. He laughs at me, pushing against my chest to be let free when I hold him too long.

  “Stop hittin’ on me. You’re engaged now,” he snarks. “I’m gonna check out your handy work with the ring.”

  “Happy?” Shannon asks, folding under my arm. I pull her tightly to my side and kiss her hair.

  “Like I never thought existed. This is because of you, Shannon. Almost fourteen years ago you gave me a little light. Havin’ that in me when I met Quinn allowed me to let her set that light afire. Thank you for that,” I murmur into her hair.

  “You had that light all along. It has nothing to do with me. You deserve the love and happiness you have. Treasure it always,” she says sweetly, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

  We stand there in each other’s arms as Quinn and Kellerman talk, holding the babies. The smiles on both their faces are intoxicating. Two good souls have found their way into two troubled hearts, making Shannon and me the best versions of ourselves we can be.

  I lived a life shrouded in blackness until a cold February night when a girl stabbed me and showed me the light. A light I can’t live without now. With Quinn and my kids, life is full and bright. The veil has been lifted. The blackness is now a distant, faded memory chased away by icy blue eyes filled with love. My soul is at peace.

  I hope you enjoyed Kieran and Quinn's story.

  Keep reading for a peek at the fourth chronicle in the series...

  The journey of The Blackness Series began as a solo mission with a few people at my back for support and encouragement. It has now grown in such a way I’m a bit blown away when I sit down to think about it, much less write about it.

  As always the beginning of my thanks starts with my husband. You’ve given me this gift without question. When I had a story rolling around in my head you’re the one that said write it. You gave me the final push to do something that has fulfilled me in a way I don’t think either of us believed it would. I can write about love and connections built in unconventional ways because you taught me that. You showed me how to love when it was the last thing I wanted to do. I’m not lucky…I’m honored that I get to share my life with a man like you. Thank you for everything you give me, teach me, unveil to me, experience with me…and for loving me like I deserve to be loved.

  My children are too young to know what they give me in life, but it makes it no less important. Unconditional love was a new thing to me when I became a mother. I can’t imagine going a day without it now. You give me strength through your hugs, smiles, kisses and love. You are my highest priority in life, my greatest achievements and my best rewards. It’s your laughter that brings me through the tough moments in life. It’s your tears that rip at my soul when you’re sad. It’s your smiles after I’ve wiped away those tears that cement my assertion that being a mother is what I was meant to be in life. It’s your love that inspires me to make every day a little better for you than it ever was for me. I love you, boys.

  My mother is forever the person that can make me laugh until I have tears streaming down my face, cramps in my cheeks, pain in my stomach and love in my bones. You give me reprieve whenever it’s necessary in my life. I can always count on you to weather the storm right along with me, cursing the waves as we struggle through. I can write about tears being shed in laughter and love because you’ve shown what that is and how good it can feel. You give me every bit of everything that you can without question or hesitation when needed and for that I am forever grateful. You love me with pride and admiration that warms my soul at every turn. Thank you for fighting to become the woman you are today and allowing me to blossom into the woman I’ve strived to be. I love you so very much.

  As best friends go I’ve got the kind that everyone should wish for and I hope someday are able to find. As two teenagers we formed a bond through tragedy and survival, fun and recklessness, love and loss…and bathtubs. Chris, you’ve always been right where I need you. Whether it was by my side at my wedding or bursting into a room you weren’t allowed in while I was giving birth…you’ve been there. You’re the person I call when I want to share my highs and lows because I know they matter to you as much as they matter to me. You’ve made me feel worthy and important in life when I didn’t feel those things much less believe them when you fought to convince me. You’re that piece of good in me like the piece of good Shannon offers the people in her fictional world. You’re my light. Love you…and then some.

  When you move to a new country where you know absolutely no one you hope you’ll find at least one person that can offer you friendship. I’ve found an outstanding woman who’s given me that and so much more. Thank you Ruth, for being a support and an ear for me share with. Your concern and genuine intrigue with my life and my family has given me so much comfort I can’t begin to describe it for you. Your words of support combined with some great afternoons filled with laughter and joy have filled me when I was otherwise empty. You’ve made this homesick girl feel at home. I love you dearly.

  An editor is what you began as, but you’re my friend now. Friend isn’t the right word…Amanda, you’re my everything as I write. You’re my sounding board, my cheerleader, my critic, my inspiration and my escape. SIB would not have been written if it weren’t for you, truly. This was your wish. This is the story you wanted. Kieran was the man you wanted to learn about. So this is for you my dear. Thank you
for the support you offer. At any moment I begin to question or hesitate you’re the first person to have my back, pumping me back up and surging me beyond where I began. I love you, lady. I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

  Ellie, Ellie, Ellie! Sometimes you just click with someone in the world and that’s what we’ve done. Your art speaks for me in ways we both know I can’t even begin to articulate. You’re patient and considerate with me and for that I’m beyond grateful. Your art is such a small part of what you mean to me though. What an outstanding friend you’ve become. Fridays are my new favorite because I’m so damn excited to chat with you. I haven’t dated in a while, but friendship dating you has been a blast! This relationship goes beyond Photoshop and stock photos. It’s about sharing, laughing, storytelling and love. Thank you for being just the amazing person you are. Loves and hugs.

  To the bloggers and reviewers I don’t really have the words to articulate how much you all mean to me. It’s your words of praise that have reached readers and encouraged them to enter the world I’ve created. Kel at Literary Nook, Pam at Racing to Read and Michele at Insane About Books you ladies have a special place in my heart. You have given me such kind words and support since BTO. I take the things you write to heart and weigh your criticism as I move through The Blackness Series. Thank you for your support and interest. I hope you’ll continue on this journey with me.

  Finally, you dedicated readers. What do I say? Thank you seems too small to encapsulate my gratitude. Whether this is the first book of mine that you’ve read or you’ve been with me since the beginning, I’m greatly appreciative of you. I think the thing that knocks me back the most are the emails I receive. I started writing with the hope that my words would touch at least one person and I’m beyond amazed I’ve done that. Reading your stories of pain, struggle, survival and perseverance make me humble and honored. I hope more of you continue to find a little light in my stories and even more in life. Please continue to share with me as we move forward on this journey together. Happy Reading!