Love Survives (Love Suicide #2)

by Jennifer Foor

  My daughter laughing captured my train of thought. “Again, Daddy. Again.” I was spinning her around in the float, getting a kick out of how she acted when I stopped and watched her little head trying to catch up.

  “How about you jump in? Do you want to do that?”

  She nodded. I immediately lifted her out of the ring and stood her on the edge of the pool wall. “Okay, don’t jump until I say go, B. You got it?”

  She shimmied her little body from side to side. “Otay.”

  I held out my arms, appreciating the fact that she trusted me so completely. “One-two-three-go!” Like a bird taking flight for the first time, I watched my little girl jumping into my arms. I caught her easily, pulling her against my body. “You did so good. Daddy’s so proud of your bravery.”

  She obviously had no clue what I was talking about, albeit I was too proud to explain it to her. I think she knew I was ecstatic.

  After the first time, little bug jumped into my arms nearly thirty more times. We worked on her kicking until her short legs became too tired to keep going. While standing in the shallow end of my parent’s in ground pool, her still in my arms, she fell asleep. I kept her there, close to my heart, while talking to my brother and Melissa about their life.

  They didn’t have anything that interested me. Branch worked in an office building. He had to wear suits every day. The thought made me cringe. Sure, my fatigues were uncomfortable in the summer, but at least I didn’t look like a penguin.

  I was pretty sad when Kat insisted I take B inside for a nap. I could have held her all day even though I realized she was pretty pruned up from being in the water so long.

  Since I was tired out myself, I decided to just lay down with my daughter. Kat helped get her in a dry diaper while I changed my own clothes. Then she gave me a kiss before I climbed in bed next to B. She stirred, looking around and then curling up against my chest. Kat gave me a sarcastic head shake. “She has you wrapped around her little finger.”

  “Apparently it runs in the family. She must learn those skills from her mother,” I teased.

  Her smile was contagious. “Maybe.”

  “You could always come join us,” I asked in a whisper.

  “I’m going to help your mom with dinner. I’ll come check on you in a bit.”

  Before she could leave the room I called her name, patting B on the backside so she’d settle back to sleep. “Kat, wait. How are you doing – with all this Branch and Melissa business?”

  She held onto the door when she answered. “It’s weird. I guess I need to get used to it. They probably feel the same way about us.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “I like seeing you so happy, Brooks. I still keep thinking about when I assumed you were dead. Sometimes this still feels like it’s a dream.”

  I kept my arms around my daughter, kissing her on the head before I replied. “I’d come back from the dead for this, Kat. Nothing could keep me away.”

  I saw tears in her eyes as she grinned. “That’s why I love you so much, Brooks. I know you would.”

  When she left the room I took a few minutes to think about how far we’d come. The little girl in my arms was worth every bad day because it was all in order to lead me back to this. If I was dead, then this was my heaven. Only a marriage certificate with her mother could make this any sweeter.

  Chapter 48

  Dinner out at the pool was pretty relaxing. Actually, every meal with my parents had been great. I wasn’t used to family sittings, but I sure did like them.

  It was pretty obvious my brother was infatuated with Brooklyn. He wouldn’t stop talking to her and being playful. Even though she hadn’t admitted it, I knew Kat noticed too.

  Once we were settled in for the night, with my brother right across the hall after deciding to stay, Kat seemed upset again.

  I pulled my shirt over my head to prepare for bed, noticing Kat staring me down again, particularly on my tattoo. I gave her a mischievous grin. “If I would have known that you’d be so into it, I would have sent pictures with my letters.” I climbed on the bed, perching my head on her thigh. “What are you in here thinking about?”

  Kat peered down at her hands. “I don’t know. Life, I guess. It’s just hard to believe that I’m here, with you, in your bed. It’s surreal, you know? Us being together and everyone being okay with it?”

  I laced our fingers together, reminding her that she wasn’t alone. “To be honest with you even if they had a problem it wouldn’t change us. We’d still be together, Kat.”

  “I love how you just know what you want, Brooks. I want you to know that I looked up what I need to do to get a divorce. It should be easy since we don’t have children or belongings together. Bobby can walk away with his home and business while I keep my house and all of my money.”

  “He doesn’t have access to those accounts?”

  “No. I put them in Brooklyn’s name as soon as she was born. Only she and I will be able to draw money out of them. Bobby doesn’t even know how much I have left. He thinks I used almost all of it on the house.”

  I was shocked and curious at the same time. “How much did they leave you?”

  Kat seemed to get a kick out of me asking. “Eight-hundred fifty four thousand-two hundred thirty dollars and fourteen cents was how much I got when I was able to finally access the account. I memorized the amount because at the time, I was so hard up and needed it. The house cost me three hundred grand. I gave my friends that helped me twenty five grand and I bought everything new for inside the home too.”

  This was hilarious to me. “You have half a million dollars hidden from your husband and he never knew?” It led me to believe that she never fully trusted him.

  She flashed me a guilty look. “Yeah. I wanted Brooklyn to have the best life. I knew that after I built the house, I wouldn’t have to work to afford a mortgage. I could be home with her, where I wanted to be.”

  “I can see where he wouldn’t even ask. Look, you know I don’t care about that money. Your parent’s house and the life insurance was for you anyway. That money isn’t for me or for your husband. I just have one question for you.”

  “Anything.”

  “When can I move in because me living on the base isn’t exactly going to work for me when my girls have that nice big house and I can’t be with them?”

  “I told you already that you’re going to live with me. I thought you knew that I meant now.”

  I leaned up in her face. “I’m teasing you. Do you really think I’d spend one night without the two of you? I’ve literally been to Hell. I’m in this for the long haul, woman. There’s pretty much nothing you can do about it, either. I hate to break it to you, but you’re stuck with this forever.” I motioned over my body.

  Kat cackled. “I’m pretty sure I can live with that.”

  I pulled her on top of me. “You sure I’m what you want? I mean, there’s no going back this time. We’re either in it together, or it can’t happen.” My face became conflicted. “I can’t lose you again, Kat, not now that I finally have you.”

  “You won’t,” She assured me. “We’re in this together.”

  I flipped us over, never taking my eyes off her. “I’m going to go get a shower. It’s late, so nobody would notice if we were in there together.”

  “I’d love to get a shower with you.” This was pretty exciting for me. I expected her to be against it with so many people in the house.

  It wasn’t until we were in the bathroom, trying to be quiet, when I got the best idea in my head. “I think it’s time to pay back my brother for all the nights I knew you two were together. What do you say? Do you feel like expressing yourself a little louder than usual?”

  I picture her scolding me, not agreeing to do it right away. Her reply was uncoached, but absolutely the best ever. “Oh, yes. Give it to me, Brooks.”

  It was difficult to keep a straight face when Kat was playing along. It was also quite hard to play around when she w
as removing all of her clothes.

  I stood still, taking in every aspect of her body. From her curvy hips, to that supple ass, I was getting turned on quickly. The only thing missing was my hands all over her skin.

  She turned around and began doing the same thing to me, licking her lips and acting pleased with my stature. “You were just eyeing me up, weren’t you?” I questioned her intent.

  Her hands went in the air as if I was about to arrest her. If only she was standing in front of a car because I would have bent her over and taken full advantage of it. “Guilty. Maybe you should punish me.” She cocked one leg up on the tub. “Maybe you should spank me.”

  I thought I was going to choke on my own saliva. Not only was she taunting me, but Kat was speaking loud enough that my brother and Melissa, who were in the next room, could clearly hear. I didn’t know whether to laugh or go for it.

  The palm of my hand made contact with her ass followed by the sound of a slap. Right away I felt bad about it, wondering if she’d be pissed. “Sorry. I always wanted to do that. Don’t be mad.”

  She backhanded me on the shoulder, but not that hard. “Jerk. That hurt.” Kat stated as she rubbed her sore butt cheek. “Okay, I probably should have said I was playing around. I’m not mad at all, but you do know that you’re going to kiss every inch of that cheek until the burn goes away, and then you’re going to wash me, until you’re ready to burst from the buildup.”

  I ran my lips around her face, avoiding her lips at all costs. “It will be my pleasure, but when I’m done, I’m taking you back to bed and fucking you all night long.”

  I started by washing her hair. The hot soapy water fell down from her long locks, lathering up the hard erection standing behind her. While taking my time to run my slippery hands all over her appendages, Kat looked me right in the eyes. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman, and because of that I knew there was a time and a place to joke around, and another to be serious. Though the mood had changed, I intended to make good on the bedroom promise, as soon as we were done in the shower.

  Kat leaned her head against the shower wall, while I kissed her, running my lips down her wet body. I spun her around, focusing on her ass and thighs. Once I was in a sitting position with her facing the opposite direction I remain focused on making this moment unforgettable. I traced my mouth against the skin where her ass and thighs met. Her body began to shake, only showing me that I was getting to her.

  I teased her rear entrance, taking my finger and sliding over it. I spread her legs apart farther, scooting in so my face was close enough to tease her there. I could tell she was losing control already, getting pampered in places she wasn’t used to being touched. I sucked on her there, right where her little asshole sat. Little noises escaped her as she remained leaning against the hard tile. When she was ready to collapse I turned off the water. This was only the beginning. Once I had her in bed she’d be mine for the taking.

  Wrapped in towels, Kat and I stepped out of the bathroom, only to find Branch standing there with his arms crossed.

  “Hey, can you guys keep it down? Mel’s got a headache.”

  I looked right at my brother. “You may want to shove some paper in her ears, because we’re just getting started, bro.” I didn’t wait for his reply. I wouldn’t have cared what he said anyway. There was only one focus on my mind, and it wasn’t being quiet. She’d awakened the animal in me and I was about to fill her with it.

  “I can’t believe you said that,” she said while I tugged the towel off of her body.

  “It wasn’t a lie, beautiful. Knowing it’s bothering him makes me want to go at it all night. I don’t think either of you thought about how thin these walls are. I could hear everything and Branch knew it. It’s time he gets paid back.”

  She glanced at my arm. “How’s it feeling?”

  I shrugged. “It’s manageable, why?”

  She stuck her arms around my neck and jumped. “Because I also have reasons for wanting to piss him off.”

  Every touch of her hands, kiss from her lips, and emotions she fed me were satiating my desire to pleasure her. It was as if the harder I tried to satisfy her first, she was doing the same to me. Our synced bodies rocked back and forth on my bed, sharing a rhythm. From my head to my feet had goose bumps, and each time I felt her tongue touching mine I swore the room was spinning.

  Kat’s hair flew in my face as she began vigorously swaying her body around. We’d been going at it for a while though I knew I was close to being finished. There was only so much of her I could take without losing control. When I felt her cumming for the second time I let it happen, succumbing to the utter relief she brought me.

  For almost an hour we’d been at it, and if I still had the energy I would have wanted more. Although someone else had other ideas about us spending time together. When I went out to use the restroom I peeked inside of B’s room and saw her sitting up. She smiled before I could duck out unseen. “Hi princess.”

  “Daddy, I want mama.”

  “Well let’s go get her.”

  I picked her up and carried her into the room. Kat scooted over making room for the two of us to join her. B nestled her body in between us and went right back to sleep, while I kept staring into the eyes of my soul mate, wondering what I’d done to deserve such a perfect life.

  Chapter 49

  I wasn’t sure if it was the sex, but Kat woke up so happy. She headed downstairs while I insisted on helping B get beautiful before breakfast. She was picking clothes out of her suitcase that didn’t go together and handing them to me. “What’s daddy supposed to do with two pairs of pants? You can’t wear both of these.”

  She giggled when I stuck one on her head. “No daddy. You wear.”

  I took the tiny pants and held them up to one leg. “They won’t fit me, B. How about you try them?” She gave me her leg and helped me get them up. “Oh don’t they look fancy?”

  B peered down at her pants, rubbing her hands on them while smiling. “Where’s mom-mom?”

  “She’s downstairs, princess. Let’s find a shirt that matches and we’ll go find her.”

  I turned when I heard someone coming in to the room. All of a sudden Kat’s happy demeanor had changed. She looked like she’d seen a ghost.

  When I turned back to look at our daughter she was attempting to put a bikini top over her head. “Hey, you going swimming already?” Kat asked.

  I laughed. “She woke me up asking to jump in the pool. You know me, I give her anything she wants.” Kat knew I was kidding. We’d both agreed that B had to eat before swimming.

  “I need to talk to you about something. I’m kind of freaking out, right now.” That was obvious.

  I reached over and touched her arm. “What is it?”

  Kat sat on the bed explaining how Melissa had left her messages and she’d went on to check them, finding her voicemail completely emptied. She told me that only one other person knew her password, and that’s why she was freaking out. He knew she wasn’t at home, and possibly where we’d gone.

  I didn’t want to alarm her anymore than she already was. We’d been in D.C. for almost a week with no calls. After going to jail I assumed he’d learned his lesson. It wasn’t like I’d let him anywhere near my girls.

  “What are we going to do if we go home and he’s trashed the inside of the house? I won’t be able to prove it’s him. His fingerprints are all over the place.” Kat began to cry and all I could do was hold her. I didn’t know what to say. If she didn’t calm down, my parents were going to wonder what was going on. Kat didn’t want anyone to know about Bobby, or the fact that she was married to him, and neither did I. We were finally in a good place. I couldn’t have him destroy that for us.

  “Kat, he can’t hurt us. He’s there and we’re here. When we leave tomorrow night, we’ll worry about it. If he’s done something, we can figure out what to do when we’re there. Please don’t let him ruin our last day together. Mom and Dad want to see us smili
ng today, like we don’t have a care in the world. Focus on Branch and Melissa. Talk about their wedding like you’re excited for them. Do whatever it takes to keep your mind off of that asshole, okay?”

  “Asshole.” B giggled, like she knew it was a bad word.

  “Daddy’s sorry. Don’t say that. It’s bad!” Oh shit. I should have known. Kat didn’t seem amused.

  “Asshole.”

  Kat covered her face with both hands. “Oh my God. What else?”

  “Asshole.” B giggled.

  I couldn’t help but smile at the situation. It was funny hearing a cute little girl saying bad words. Kat scolded me. “Don’t laugh at her. If we make a big deal about it, she’ll keep saying it. Let’s just go downstairs and ignore her.”

  I picked her up. “Let’s go eat breakfast. Are you hungry, bug?”

  “Asshole, Daddy.”

  “For what it’s worth, she learned it from you.” Kat noted while leading us down the steps.

  “Yeah. Live and learn.”

  As soon as bug saw food she was done using her new potty mouth. My mom greeted her and she all but jumped out of my arms to get to her. I noticed Kat saying something to Melissa, but was too busy making sure B was managed first.

  Just like the day before, my family planned to cook out on the grill. Branch and I rode to the grocery store while the girls were cleaning up breakfast, and my dad vacuumed the pool. We got about a block from the house before my brother said anything. “Are you planning on having a birthday party for B? Melissa was talking about maybe traveling to South Carolina.”

  Kat and I hadn’t discussed that far. “Her birthday is September 11th. I’m sure Kat’s planning something. It’s the first one I’ll be able to celebrate with them.”