“Olivia?” he prompts, “I’m going to ask you again, and I want the truth. Are you sure the baby was O’Connell’s?”
She swallows hard and wills away the tears. Only one approach will erase any doubts in his mind. Without breaking her gaze, she answers him clearly, confidently. “Yes, Carter. I’m absolutely sure.”
A loud crash and the sound of shattering glass startles her, making her turn in the direction of the noise. Without hesitation she jumps out of the car and runs toward the house.
“Olivia! Wait!” Carter hollers. Cursing, he takes off after her, catching up to her at the front porch. She stands perfectly still, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath. Yellow caution tape bars the entrance.
“Just slow down, until I know it’s safe.”
Olivia looks at him defiantly. Raising her trembling hand, she grabs hold of the tape, tugging it firmly and breaking it.
Carter grabs at her arm, stopping her in her tracks. “I said slow down. If you insist on going in there, you’re gonna let me go in first and make sure it’s safe.” Carter takes a few steps, nudging her behind him as he makes his way inside.
Inside, a crew of tradesmen tries to remove the remnants of the smashed windows. Scott looks up from a conversation with one of them.
“Carter.” He nods. “I thought you were picking up Olivia from the airport?”
Olivia steps out from behind the massive Australian wall and flashes Scott an awkward smile. Scott raises an eyebrow.
“Ah, well, I’m glad you can smile. You’ve upset a lot of people.”
“I’m sorry, Scott.”
“Oh, just wait until Rachel gets her hands on you.”
“What is it with you people?” Olivia asks frustrated. “Do none of you understand the concept of privacy?”
Scott signs some papers handed to him by a tradesman. “Oh, you gave up your rights to privacy the moment you fell in love with O’Connell.”
Olivia grumbles. “Carter, can you get my bag out of the car?”
“Not a chance.”
Carter and Scott both laugh.
“You’re going to stay with Rachel and I,” Scott advises.
Olivia looks over at Carter, distraught. “I want to stay here. Can’t you just stay here with me?”
“NO!” Both men answer in unison.
“You’ll stay with us until O’Connell gets here.”
Olivia frowns in Carter’s direction, hoping he’ll give in. “Wait…” she says suddenly. “Ethan’s coming?”
Both men laugh again, agitating her.
“Of course he is. The minute he found out you were on your way here, he and John got on the company jet. They’ll be here in the morning.
Olivia’s brow creases. “Oh, just great.”
“What exactly did you think was going to happen?” Scott asks curiously.
“Gah! Why is everything always so messed up?”
Carter focuses all his attention on his phone. “She’s all yours now,” he says to Scott. “I have to go.”
“Will you be here when Ethan arrives?” She looks at him conflicted. It may ease things a little to have one of the boys around when she explains her decision to Ethan, but considering the circumstances, it probably shouldn’t be Carter.
“Not if I can help it.” Carter tucks his phone back in his pocket. “You’re on your own. I’ll put your bag in Scott’s car.” Carter turns to give her one last look. The long silence between them becomes awkward. “Don’t give Scott a hard time and do what you’re told. The police will be by at some point, please cooperate with them and answer all their questions.”
“Geesh, who died and made you O’Connell?”
Carter glares at her, his eyes sending a silent message that she won’t ignore. It’s her downfall: the authoritative look of a dominant man.
“I will,” she sighs.
“Don’t be going anywhere without one of us.”
“Yes, Sir.” Olivia salutes, trying to lighten the mood.
Carter flashes her an unimpressed look. “If you were my girl, I’d have you over my knee so fast.”
Scott laughs once. “Me too.”
Olivia gasps. Her shocked expression makes him grin. “I’ve got this,” he assures Carter. “Go, get back to her.”
Carter nods and closes the door behind him.
“Her?” Olivia inquires.
“Some girl that he met when he was here last time. It must be serious if he’s come all the way to see her again.”
“Oh.” Olivia tries to hide the hint of jealousy.
“Are you okay?”
“What?” Scott’s inquiry snaps her out of it. Good thing, since there’s no reason for those thoughts to be in her head. She’s in love with Ethan. “Yes, of course. That’s so awesome. I hope it works out for him.”
Scott looks at her suspiciously. “Maybe you should sit down.”
“I’m fine. I want to see the rest of the house.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a great idea.” Scott becomes distracted as the new windows are being set in place.
Olivia starts up the stairs. “Seriously, Scott. This is my house.”
“Olivia! Wait!” Alarmed, Scott takes off up the stairs. “Wait!” he shouts, as he rushes past her and stands in front of her bedroom door. “You don’t want to go in there.”
“Yes, I do,” she insists.
“No, Olivia. You don’t.
She ducks under his arm and pushes open the door. All the air leaves her chest as horror stops her in her tracks.
“Would you sit down and stop bothering the pilot? It’s not going to get us there any faster,” John insists.
Ethan flashes him an annoyed look. The incoming call interrupts his acerbic response. “Are you okay?”
Emotion delays her response. The sound of her sniffling as she tries to control her tears makes his chest tight. “Baby, talk to me.”
“It’s awful.”
“I know,” he says regretfully. “I’ve seen the pictures. I wish you had waited for me to get there.”
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
“You should have told me you were going,” he says sternly.
“Please don’t lecture me right now.”
Ethan stops himself and takes a breath. “Okay, I’m sorry. Promise me you won’t stay in that house tonight. I need to know you’re safe.”
“I’m probably safer here then I will be with Rachel.”
“Likely, but I don’t want you in that house.”
“Can I stay at your house?”
“You’re not staying at my place unless you let me organize very tight security detail. You’re not staying there alone.”
Feeling angry eyes burning into her from across the room, Olivia looks up to find Rachel standing in the hallway, arms crossed in a combative stance.
“Um, okay. It’s a deal,” she answers
Ethan holds the phone away from his ear and looks at the screen curiously. “You’re going to let me assign Travis and his team to the house? No objections? No tricks? No disappearing act?” Shaking his head in disbelief, he sends a signal to John who immediately sets that plan in action.
“Errr, yeah. I promise.” She flashes an awkward smile at Rachel, hoping to erode her glower. “Just let the Australian watchdog know you approved, so he doesn’t harass me.”
“Carter?”
“Yes, and you’d be proud; he lectured me when he picked me up at the airport.”
“I didn’t know he was in town.” He looks to John for answers but receives a shrug.
“Travis will have a team on the house, and he’ll stay with her himself,” John advises, looking up from his phone.
Ethan nods. “Olivia, Travis and his team are going to watch the house. Let the man do his job, okay?”
“Okay.”
This was not her usual okay; the one he gets when she’s just trying to shut him up but fully intends to do what she wants. This is an okay from a fright
ened woman. He can hear it in her voice. He can feel it from thousands of miles away. If he’s being completely honest with himself, he’s terrified for her. At some point, he’ll have to explain why he’s taken off in the company jet. He’ll have to school the young maverick gunning for his job. And he’ll have to come to terms with the fact that the wrong woman is pregnant with his child. Keeping Olivia safe is the only thing he can think about right now. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Hurry,” she sniffles.
His shoulders stiffen as he begins to pace. If she’s asking him to get there, she’s more than frightened; she’s terrified. “Hey, remember that night at the hotel?”
“In Toronto? Yes. It’s kind of hard to forget that night.”
“I made you a promise that night. Do you remember what it was?” Ethan waits out a long pause. As he hears her deep intake of breath, he knows she’s trying to be brave. “I promised you that I would never let anything… anyone hurt you, ever again.”
Her voice is strained by the emotion she’s desperately trying to hide. “I remember.”
“We’ve met right?”
“Yes,” Olivia answers in a quiet, shaky voice.
“Do I strike you as the kind of guy who would break a promise to the woman he loves, Miss James?”
“No, Mr. O’Connell. You don’t.”
“I’ll get to you as quickly as I can.”
“Ethan.” She stalls, trying to draw out the conversation so she can hear his voice.
He answers her unvoiced thoughts, “I know. I love you too.” He ends the call and waits for John to finish his conversation.
“Scott says the police won’t let them touch the bedroom until they’re finished their investigation. The goods news is that they’re now considering Sam as a suspect and treating him as a serious threat.” John watches Ethan’s body stiffen at the sound of Sam’s name. Instinctively he reaches in front of him and moves any of the heavy objects that could easily become a projectile. Ethan’s nostrils flare as he takes a deep breath.
“I know,” John acknowledges. “You want him behind bars, quickly.”
“I want him dead,” Ethan growls. “And find out why the fuck Brant is in Toronto.”
Chapter Four
He skims his hand down her side, lightly caressing every curve in the darkness. His gentle touch awakens her, eliciting from her a quiet sigh. He wraps both arms around her and pulls her against his chest. Her soft flesh, pressed against his hard muscles, causes his heart to beat quicker. He forces her legs apart with his knee and tangles their legs together possessively. She moans, wiggling her body into a comfortable position, straddling his thigh and pressing herself against it. Bringing his lips down to her shoulder, he bites and nibbles; becoming more aroused himself as her body reacts to his touch. When he reaches her mouth, he hovers there in the darkness, the heat of his breath warming her lips. She licks them, preparing for his invasion, and craving his kisses like a drug. It’s been too long. Love and romance take a back seat to important responsibilities now. The kind that makes them too busy and too tired to enjoy each other like they used to. Yet right now, in the middle of the night, he’s found a quiet, settled moment to show her just how much he still loves her; how much he still desires her.
Moving his hand to her breast, he firmly tugs on her nipple, making her take in a sharp breath. As her body arches, she slides along his muscular thigh, warm and wet. Lowering his mouth, he claims her, forcing her lips apart as he deepens his kiss. Wrapping his hand in her long soft curls, he firmly tugs. Kissing along her jaw, he holds her throat, leaning back slightly so he can see her silhouette in the darkness. Even in the absence of light, she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. Pushing his hips forward, he rubs himself against her stomach, letting out a low feral growl as his cock lengthens and swells. As he lowers his mouth and kisses her with a passion that’s almost been forgotten, she runs her fingers through his hair, holding him to her lips. Another firm tug in her hair forces her head back, giving him access to her neck. Mouth, lips, and teeth, nibble and bite their way along her neck then down to her breasts. Then lower.
His tongue teases lightly on her clit, making her squirm. Moving his body, he prompts her onto her back and forces apart her knees. He settles between her legs, his mouth surrounding her clit and sucking on it. He holds her hip firmly with one hand, trying to keep her from squirming, while he draws away and tugs on the sensitive knot of nerves with a firm suction. The rhythmic thrusting of the fingers that he’s slipped inside her, make her body thrum with pleasure. When she whispers his name, it’s the sweetest sound he’s ever heard. It’s wanting, needy, and desperate. Desperate for him. Only he can give her what she needs. Desire takes over and he climbs her body, stopping for one last hard nip on her breast. Her body twists beneath him as she cries out, and it’s almost his undoing. Supporting himself on his muscular forearms, he positions himself above her.
“Open your eyes,” he demands quietly. “I want you looking at me, when I take you.”
She does as she’s told, her eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness. The moon through the bedroom window lightly illuminates his face. She locks on to his gaze, feeling that soulful connection that seems to have been lost, as of late. It’s not lost at all; it’s there, just waiting for this moment. His eyes draw her in, making her want to be held captive. It’s where desire wraps around them, anchoring them together. He holds her stare as he slowly rolls his hips, forcing himself to glide along her and find her opening. She lets out an anxious breath, and widens her legs, giving him better access. Biting her lip, she squirms beneath him, trying to help guide him in. He holds perfectly still, making her wait. She knows that he’s not going to give her what she wants until she lets him take control. She closes her eyes again, just briefly and then focuses, settling herself to become still. When she opens her eyes to reestablish the connection, he’s trying to hold back a small triumphant grin.
“Good girl.” Reaching down he takes hold of her wrists and lifts them, pinning them above her head. Still resting on his forearms, he rocks his hips forward, this time finding her opening. He stops, holding himself there; the feel of her squeezing tightly around the head of his cock heightens his arousal.
“Please,” she begs
Normally he’d be content to tease her longer, draw out his own pleasure, but not right now. He has a burning need to be inside her. With great restraint, he slowly slides all the way in, taking his time. When their pelvic bones press together, he holds himself there, enjoying the sound of her shallow panting, her need. He tends to that need with an equally languid rhythm. In. Out. Repeat. She lets out a quiet moan as she quickly approaches orgasm. He knows her body’s responses well, and it motivates him to make her purr. He releases her hands and picks up the pace. Dragging her fingertips down his muscular back, she digs them into his flesh. He thrusts harder and growls.
“Shhhh,” she warns.
He grunts defiantly, as he thrusts harder. Grasping her nipple, he pinches it, increasing the pressure until she’s panting and writhing beneath him. It arouses him to see her squirm like that. He brings his eyes back to hers and strokes her hair from her face. One last hard thrust and he fills her with his cum, sending her over the edge with him, as he lowers his mouth and nips hard on her shoulder. She screams, involuntarily, and he tries to quiet her by gently putting his hand over her mouth. It’s too late. A whimper comes from the next room. She glares at him angrily. They lay perfectly still, hopeful.
The whimper turns into crying. “I told you to be quiet,” she scolds.
“Me? I do believe that was your screaming that woke her,” he chuckles.
Flustered, she punches him in the arm. It makes him laugh as he rolls off her and sits on the side of the bed.
“I’ll get her.” He pulls on his pants and starts across the room.
A large feather pillow hits him in the back of the head as he opens the door. “You’re going to pay for that,” he a
dvises with a grin.
She gives him a coy smile. “Go! Sing to her and make her stop crying, then hurry back.”
He opens the door to the nursery and peeks in. No such luck that she’ll soothe herself back to sleep. She’s sitting, sobbing in the middle of her crib. Her soft brown curls frame her tear stained face. When she looks up at him with those very familiar big hazel eyes, he’s heartbroken.
“Come here.” He reaches in and lifts her into his arms. She snuggles against his chest as he sits in the rocking chair in the corner. He rocks gently with her in his lap, singing her an old Irish lullaby. She yawns and then settles back to sleep. He strokes his hands through her curls, thankful to have been blessed with this gift. She’s the perfect mirror image of her mother and he loves her just as much, maybe even more.
“Ethan!” John yells. “Slow the fuck down! I know that whatever you dreamt about upset you, but you’re going to kill us both trying to get to her.”
Ethan’s jaw muscles tense.
“I knew it was a bad idea letting you drive. Remind me to thank Carter for leaving your car at the airport,” John says sarcastically.
Ethan lets up on the gas and marginally brings the speed down. “I need to see her.”
“I know, but judging from the sky ahead you’re about to drive into a storm. Probably better to be cautious.”
Olivia paces on the front porch of Ethan’s country home, with her phone to her ear.
“What the hell were you thinking, getting on a plane?”
“I was thinking…Hey, some psycho broke into my house and trashed it, maybe I should go see the damage and get things fixed.”
“You should still be resting.”
“I’m telling you that I’m fine.”
“Don’t tell me you’re fine. I’m the one who begged you to get your ass to the hospital.”
“The bleeding has stopped, Meg. I’m good.”
“You still need to rest!” she blurts out, aggravated. “I’m glad O’Connell is on his way there. I hope he can get you under control.”
Indivisible Souls: Book 3 of the Bound4Ireland Series Page 4