Pieces For You

by Rulon, Genna

  I placed the empty key chain I had been holding in his palm and reached for the key chain that held my new house key. I grabbed the chain link so I could savor the sight of the Griffin stone next to my key and smiled.

  “There’s one more thing, baby.”

  He took my hands in his and stared into my eyes.

  “Love, I want you to take my name. I want you to be Samantha Melany Evensen. I want you to be my best friend, my wife, and the mother of my children. I want to love and protect you until the day death parts us…and if by the grace of God I go first, I promise I will be waiting for you to join me in whatever follows this life. I want to be with you for eternity because without you, I am just broken pieces of a whole.” He rose on one knee and reached into his pocket, returning with a ring between his fingers. “Will you marry me, my love, and make me whole?”

  Tears filled my eyes, spilling over the rim and streaking down my cheeks.

  “Yes, yes, yes. I would be honored to be Samantha Evensen. I would be honored to be your wife and the mother of your children. I love you with every broken little shard of me and I always will. There will never be anyone for me but you.” I sealed our agreement with a kiss as he slid the ring on my finger. “I’m not ready to be a mother yet, but I think we should practice to make sure we have all the mechanics right for the future.”

  As the last words left my lips, I flung myself at him, tackling him to the ground. My kiss was hungry and possessive, claiming the man I loved, marking him as mine. He met me stroke for stroke, reciprocating, marking me as his—writing it on my soul.

  My hands drifted to the buttons on his shirt and I slid each one through the hole, following the path of exposed flesh with my lips. When I had removed his shirt, I whipped my own over my head, too impatient for his assistance.

  His hands traced my ribs around my back as he sat up with me in his lap and released the clasp of my bra to expose me to him. His hands traveled to my breasts as his lips caressed mine, teasing me until I was mindless with desire. As my urgency grew, I rocked against him, longing for the intimate connection that joined us in every way possible. This was the last man I would ever be with in this way—the idea thrilled me.

  I reached between us to release the button on his shorts as he rolled me onto my back, sliding my skirt and panties down my legs. He leaned back to appreciate my body, which was fine by me as it gave me the opportunity to examine the merchandise I had just committed to purchasing. God this man’s body was spectacular. Every sculpted muscle called for my attention, inviting me to become reacquainted. We hummed our approval in harmony.

  I couldn’t wait another minute and he was taking his sweet time, so I reached around and grabbed his rock-hard ass, pulling him to me forcefully. I was lucky he braced his weight despite his surprise, but even that brief delay as he adjusted his weight for my benefit was too much. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled myself up to him, finding the link I was desperately seeking. His breath rasped out of him in shock. I was never timid in bed, but this was a new level of assertiveness. I took him because he was mine to take. After a beat, his surprise passed and he picked up my rhythm, easily retaking control. He took me as I had him, pushing me higher and higher with every smooth glide. The ocean breeze cooled our damp skin as we both reached for ecstasy. He rose up on his knees, bringing me with him, going deeper than he had ever been. He had me on the brink, but I was clinging to the edge by my fingertips, waiting for him.

  “Together,” he said, drawing my eyes to his.

  As if by his command, both of our bodies tensed and shuddered. I fought to keep my eyes locked on his, wanting him to see my pleasure and love. I was in a state of rapture, blissful shocks traversing every cell in my body.

  As my tremors subsided, he lay back, cuddling me to his chest where I could listen to his breath and feel his heartbeat. We snuggled together for several minutes before one of his arms left me and reached to the side. When it returned, he handed me a flashlight.

  “What’s this for?” I asked, my brain still fuzzy.

  He kissed my hand in response and a quick sparkle caught my eye.

  I whipped my hand free of his grasp as if on fire and flicked the switch on the flashlight. There on the fourth finger of my left hand was my definition of an engagement ring. It was a fiery round diamond—easily a carat and a half, which looked huge on my tiny hand—surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds set in white gold. Two diamond-encrusted arms extended from each side of the halo, joining as one before disappearing between my fingers. I could not have designed a ring more perfectly suited to my taste.

  “It’s perfect.”

  “It’s you,” he replied, pleased with my approval.

  “I love you, Griffin. You are such a good man—smart, caring, sexy, thoughtful—you make me want to be a better woman. Thank you for loving me.”

  “Lo, you’re impossible not to love. I never stood a chance, not from the first time I heard your laugh.”

  We dressed slowly, watching each other cover the parts we had just explored.

  “I didn’t think of it before, but weren’t you worried someone may interrupt us?” I asked. It would be very un-Griffin-like for him to be okay with someone intruding on our private moment.

  “I posted signs in both directions that said this part of the beach was closed.”

  “Is that legal? This is a public beach, isn’t it?”

  He shrugged.

  “You went through a lot of trouble, babe,” I said, hugging him.

  “You’re worth it. Haven’t you realized that yet? There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Sam, you are everything to me. All those pieces of me amount to nothing on their own—you are my whole. I was designed to be pieces for you.”

  Life is funny; it puts people in our paths exactly when we need them—even if we weren’t looking for them. One of the very first people to read/review Only For You was you, CeCe. Who would have thought you would have thought you would wind up being my MOST trusted critique partner. Anyone who enjoys Pieces For You should thank you for your contribution to making it the story it is. Without you it would not be nearly as honest and “right.” I am honored to call you my critique partner and, even more so, my friend. I can’t wait for your book baby’s release—I know everyone will love Tastes Like Winter as much as I do, and I then will get to say ‘I knew her when…’

  There have been a number of cheerleaders who have encouraged me since I released Only For You, all of whom I adore. But there is one special chica who has been there to encourage, empathize, and make me laugh when I was having moments of self-doubt and self-pity. Jennifer, you can’t take a compliment for shit, but you give them beautifully. You ask for nothing, but ‘pimp’ my work like a pro. I trust your book whispering, spidey-sense implicitly. Time and time again you’ve proven yourself to be a true friend, and I am so grateful for you. Besides, who else will laugh about HGSxM with me?

  Editors are the unsung heroes of all books, and mine is a freakin’ super star. Sheri, you are a dream come true…I am proud to call you my editor and also my friend. Not only is your work impeccable, your suggestions sound, and your speed mind-blowing, but you are a joy in every way. Thank you for making Pieces For You shine. If you need an awesome editor, I can’t recommend S.G. Thomas highly enough: perfectproofandpolish@gmail.com

  I have been blessed with an incredible group of beta readers who shared their honest thoughts and opinions about Pieces For You. You have each been a gift to me with both your friendship, critique, and support. In alphabetical order, I must thank…Adrienne, Brandelyn, Hildy, Heather, JJ, Shanny, and my Literati Ladies, too!

  As always, I must thank my family, specifically my husband and two boys, whose patience and support make it possible for me to chase my dream and give voice to the stories in my head. Thank you all for being my own personal heroes and cheerleading squad!

  To my Momma and Cara, you are my rocks! Thank you for sacrificing your time to help me follow my drea
m. I love you both more than words could ever express and couldn’t do this without you.

  Last, but most definitely not least, I have to give a nod to my most bestest best friend, Debbie. Girl, we’ve known each other forever, plus. We’ve seen one another through more craziness than any one book could capture (a series maybe). Thank you for being my steadfast friend—accepting and understanding me (better than I do myself at times). If you had laughed in my face when I first told you I was writing a book I probably would have given up without even trying…so you can totally take credit for anything I write. You are definitely one of the graces God has given me that I could never earn but would be lost without! Luv ya so da much. (Does this make up for all the cards I never buy? LOL)

  A portion of the proceeds from sales of Pieces For You will be donated to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) to assist the important work they are committed to in helping rape survivors. I encourage everyone to support RAINN: www.rainn.org

  Genna Rulon is an up-and-coming contemporary romance author.

  During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursue her aspirations of writing her own novels.

  Genna was raised on Long Island in New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. She’s married to a wonderful man who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.

  All of Genna’s books are brought to you courtesy of coffee and Disney Junior.

  You can find Genna online at: www.gennarulon.com

  Be sure to join the mailing list for updates about future books, as well as giveaways, and other fun facts.

  Genna would love to hear from you, and will personally respond to all messages!

  You can contact her via email as follows: genna@gennarulon.com

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  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About The Author