by Harper Sloan
After she moves off me, I stand next to the bed and wait until her legs are hanging off the edge. When she wants it hard and fast, this is the easiest position to give her that. She wraps those long legs around my waist and lets me drive my cock into her body.
“Next time, I want your mouth on my dick,” I demand before pushing in slowly. “You want it hard, angel?”
“Yes, Maddox, please—fuck me hard.”
I give her what she wants. My hips slam into hers, and just like I promised earlier, her cries echo off the walls all throughout our house.
Emmy
“Come on, Em! It’s time to go get the girls!”
I finish pulling my shirt over my head, cringing a little when I brush over my tender side. I couldn’t be happier with the way my lock turned out. When we talked about a way for me to get a tattoo like the rose he has for me, this was the first thing he came up with and it stuck.
I shove my feet into my shoes and rush down the stairs to where Maddox is spinning the keys to his truck. He didn’t waste a second parting with his Charger when we found out that I was pregnant with Maddisyn. I miss it, but his big, black beast is pretty hot too.
“You act like I’m making us late. Need I remind you that I would have been ready an hour ago if you hadn’t wanted to eat me instead of breakfast.”
“You didn’t complain when you had my cock down your throat, Emersyn, so don’t act like it’s my fault alone.”
I grumble but walk past him. His hand comes down on my ass, and I turn to scowl at him.
“Sass,” he states with a shrug, dips low, and gives me a hard kiss. “It’s not any fun when I can’t take my time with you, so next time, I’ll wake you up a few hours earlier.”
“Aren’t you supposed to slow down with old age?”
He frowns and I laugh. He made me shave his head when his gray started coming in. I thought it was so hot, but he wanted it off. So the buzz cut is back. I miss having his thicker hair to run my fingers through, but when I feel that prickly sensation along my thighs when he has his tongue busy between my legs, it’s pretty hot.
“You keep reminding me that I pushed over into my forties and I’m going to remind you that you need my baby in your belly before you hit your mid-thirties.”
“Hey! I still have a couple of years to go!”
We laugh and continue our banter on the way to Axel and Izzy’s house. They wanted to keep the girls last night for us to enjoy a date night. We had Nate and Dani the weekend before, so they owed us a good night out. Nate turned eight this year, so the co-ed sleepovers are starting to make Maddox go crazy. I keep reminding him that they’re just kids, but it doesn’t do any good.
We must be later than I thought because everyone is already here when we arrive. Melissa’s minivan is parked half on the grass and her back doors are wide open. Those two have so many kids that it’s no wonder they forget to close their doors every time we go somewhere. They had their second set of twins, boys this time, last year—Camden and Colton. I have no idea how Melissa is still standing, smiling, and full of energy with five children. Cohen is about to turn eleven and the twins, Lyn and Lila, are going to be seven soon.
Beck and Dee’s car is behind theirs, her ‘prince on board’ sticker still hanging in the back window. They had their son, Liam, a few months before Maddisyn. They’ve been best friends ever since. They’ve tried for a while to have a second child, but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards for them.
Asher’s Jeep, which he refuses to get rid of even if Chelcie says the wheels are going to fall off any day now, is covered in mud. I bet Axel had a shit fit when he pulled up. They had their second child, Jaxon, four years ago. They didn’t want to wait after Zac was born, choosing to keep their children close in age. They’re almost the exact age difference that Asher and Coop were. Zac, sweet little Zac, is so much like his father was. He’s so full of life—never wanting to sit out of the fun when he can be the center of it.
“Sway and Davey aren’t coming?” I ask Maddox when we climb out of his truck.
“I thought they were, but I know they had Stella down at the lake this weekend, so they might have just stayed another day.”
“How is Sway dealing with his daughter starting school this year?”
“He’s stopped coming into the office to see Davey, so I guess better.”
“That’s good. I know he was having issues with their princess growing up,” I laugh.
That would be a vast understatement. When Sway realized that the summer was almost over and Stella would be starting kindergarten in a few weeks, he called out of work for a week. When Davey finally got him to go back to work, he brought Stella with him. She was like a glitter-throwing fairy for hours. I went in to get my hair done and left with so much of it falling off my head that I think I’m still finding flecks in my car.
Sway and Davey had their commitment ceremony almost four years ago, and after years of fighting for adopting their own child, they found Stella. The paperwork was finalized six months ago, and I swear I’ve never seen him happier.
I never did go back to work at Corps Security. Maddox and I both agreed that we wanted our children to grow up with one of us home. He started working shorter hours at the office, and when we bought our house, he set up his home office so that he could be able to do most of his work there.
Walking up the path to their home, we can hear all the children yelling over each other before we even open the door. I look up at my husband’s carefree, smiling face. He gives me a wink, opens the door, and runs through when he sees Maddisyn laughing at him from the hallway. Her squeals and loud giggles trail behind her.
I watch his retreating form running at full speed after our daughter and smile. We’ve come so far. He was ready to run five years ago and we haven’t stopped since.
Maddox
“I don’t like the way your son is looking at my daughter,” Axel grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest and looking over at where Cohen and Dani are laughing by the docks.
“Seriously, Ax! He’s ten. I think it’s time for you to stop acting like a damn ape when your daughter is around anyone with a penis.” Izzy slaps his arm and gives Greg a wink. “Plus, I think it’s cute.”
“Watch it, Izzy. It isn’t cute. That’s my baby girl you’re talking about there.”
“What are you going to do when she starts dating?” I ask, taking a deep pull from my beer.
“Like hell. She isn’t fucking dating. Ever.”
I laugh at him, taking another deep swallow.
“Laugh now. If she starts dating, I’m sure your girls won’t be far behind her.” He laughs when I spit my beer out.
Turning to meet his laughter, I frown and give him a hard glare. “Not fucking happening.”
“Famous last words, brother,” he says before raising his beer in toast. “To making sure that no dicks come near our daughters and that we never run out of ammo.”
“Idiots,” Izzy grumbles and walks towards their backyard, where all the kids are running around through the sprinklers they have set up. “Go get the grill started, Ax!” she calls over her shoulder and bends to grab a wobbling Colt, giving him a loud, wet raspberry against his stomach.
“Hard to believe how much life has changed since we got to Georgia,” Beck says to my left.
“You aren’t lying,” Greg laughs, his eyes scanning the yard for his wife.
I follow his eyes to where our wives are all standing in a circle and laughing. Kids are randomly running into their circle for hugs and then back out just as quickly. When my eyes meet Emmy’s from across the yard, she gives me a warm smile, which I return with one of my own.
God, I’m one lucky son of a bitch. I have a life so full of blessings that I don’t even remember the dark days when, before, I never thought this was possible.
FIFTEEN (PLUS A FEW) YEARS LATER
“Daddy!”
“Maddisyn,” I call back, laughing when she comes running into my office so fast that she o
vershoots the door and runs into the wall. “Good God, girl. What has you running like the bats of hell are chasing you?”
She bends over, her long, black hair pulled high in a ponytail, and gasps for her breath.
“Daddy!” I hear being called farther through the house and roll my eyes. I should have known that Emberlyn wouldn’t be far behind her sister if it’s something they deem this important.
“Yup, Ember. Just follow your sister’s loud-ass breathing or maybe look for the hole her head left in the wall.”
“Not funny, Daddy,” Maddi scolds.
“Hilarious, daughter.”
“Whatevs.” She plops down on the couch and crosses one of her long, bare legs over the other. I frown when I see how short her shorts are, something she doesn’t miss. “Don’t even start with me. I’m twenty years old, Daddy. It’s time you stopped acting like a crazy person when you don’t like what I wear.”
“Like hell!” I boom, running my hand through my hair, now thick with growth and scattered with what Emmy calls a sexy salt-and-pepper look. Whatever the hell that means.
“Daddy!” Emberlyn gasps when she bursts into the office.
“Yes, Ember?”
Unlike her sister, she’s dressed with actual clothes that cover her body. Her jeans might be too tight though. And I definitely don’t like the top of her shirt coming down that far. I scowl at her, but she just waves me off.
“Did you hear? Dani has a date and Mom said that Uncle Ax is flipping his shit!”
“Don’t say shit, Ember.”
“Why the hell not? You do.”
“Yeah, well, when you’re as old as I am, I don’t care what you fucking say,” I rebuke.
“Whatevs. Did you even hear what I said?”
“I did, but I’m not sure what the big deal is. Dani is almost twenty-two. I’m thinking it’s time for him to stop flipping the hell out.”
“Does that mean you’ll stop acting like a freak when I go out on dates?” Maddisyn laughs.
“I don’t fucking think so.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“So, please tell me what on Earth is so shocking about this big date that has you two running around like lunatics?”
“Oh, get ready for this,” Emmy says from the doorway before walking in. I move my chair back and wait for her to sit. “Everyone is freaking out because little Dani Reid is going on a date with Cohen Cage.”
Well, shit.
THE END
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This is probably one of the hardest books I’ve written to date. The closer that I got to the end I was silently sobbing knowing that I was about to say goodbye to one amazing family.
I can’t thank you—my readers—enough for every single second of love and support that you have given the Corps Security family and me. These books started out as a dream and they’ve turned into something that even I can’t believe is real. Thank you to every single reader, blogger, author and friend that has been along this ride with me. I truly am a blessed woman.
To my family, for putting up with me when I get into tunnel vision writing mode. For dealing with the mountains of laundry when I forget that we still need clean stuff. For my husband cooking every meal—er . . . scratch that, you would do that anyway since we don’t want to die if I cook. I love you, my crazy party of 5.
My editor Mickey. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be anywhere without you. I have no idea how I survived without your brilliance before and I hope I never find out.
Melissa Gill—Thank you for not thinking I was going insane when I found the image of Locke and said ‘we have to change it all’ haha! The image that changed the face of Corps Security. Thank you for dealing with my crazy!
To Brenda Wright for getting the 6th ebook formatting together. Every single book I’ve written I’ve had you and your incredible friendship along the way. I love you, woman!
Stacey Blake—I don’t even know where to start. I sometimes pull my paperbacks out and just flip through the pages with a huge smile. One that you’re responsible for. I can’t thank you enough for knowing exactly what I want and giving me even more. You’re paperbacks are something that make me cry happy tears.
Michael Stokes—I really can’t thank you enough for being the man behind this cover image. When I found this picture, this man, I knew he had to be my Maddox Locke. You made the process so effortless and for that, I thank you. You’ve given me the honor of having three of your images as the ‘faces’ of my men and I can’t wait to work with you more in the future.
Thank you to Andee and Hollie. I would still be looking at a blank screen if it hadn’t been for you two and your constant help. Hibachi and parking lot porn! <3
Rochelle Paige. I have no words to express this thank you. You were there when I needed you the most. You kept me from jumping off the ledge more times than I can count. I will forever owe you!
To Brooke Cumberland. Thank you for answering every single question that I threw at you and not wanting to bash my head in. Your help in making Maddox the man he is will be forever appreciated.
To my betas . . . I know I drive you crazy, but you still love me. HAHA! Seriously, this has been one hell of a ride and I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for me.