Breath We Take (Cuffed By Love Duet Book 1)

by Amanda Kaitlyn

  “I know that, Emberly. And more importantly, he knows that. Go take some pictures with him and we’ll talk at the reception, okay?” Nodding, I kissed her cheek and claimed Hudson’s big, warm hand just as he reached for me.

  “I’m so fuckin’ happy, Darlin’.” His mouth pressed to my ear as he muttered the words and smiling softly, I wrapped my arms around him soaking in the moment as our families begun to exit the church, ready to celebrate with us at the reception.

  “Me too. Thank you for never giving up on us.”

  His teeth nipped at my ear as he shook his head, admonishing me.

  “Never, Emberly. Never.”

  Chapter Forty One

  Hudson

  “PUSH THAT BEAUTIFUL dress up to your waist, Darlin’. I’m gonna fuck you in it.”

  Grabbing her curvy little waist, I buried my face in her neck, licking my way to her lush lips as she lifted her dress like I’d asked. She climbed into my lap, wrapping her long, sexy legs around me. She was plastered to my bare chest and her scent filled my lungs, sweet flowers and a light perfume she often wears when we got out. She smelled like heaven. My greedy hands loosened her braids and once they were free, I swept my fingers through her long, smooth hair, loving the feel of it as I made it to her lips and dove in for a taste.

  Jesus, she tasted good.

  “We only have a minute, Emberly. This is gonna be fast.” Grabbing her chin, I made sure she was looking at me before saying the rest.

  “But make no mistake, I’ll make slow, easy love to you all night long. I just need you first.” Her hands cupped my face as she nodded, her eyes heating as she slipped the top of her dress down and unsnapped the front clasp of her white, lacy, sexy as fuck bra, letting her perfect tits press to under my chin. Unable to contain myself, I dipped my head to take one of her taut nipples between my lips, groaning when she begun to grind down on me, her panties scraping against the roughness of my slacks.

  My dick was hard as stone and if I didn’t get in her heat soon, I would embarrass myself. Quickly shedding my slacks, boxers and shoes, I lifted her up and against the wall, kissing her hard as my need for her damn near overwhelmed me.

  “Ready, baby?”

  “Take me.” Emberly breathed and though I’d heard it many times before, it still drove me crazy for her. My hands grabbed her perfect little ass and my mouth lightly nipped at the side of her neck and with one jab of my hips against hers, I slid home.

  Mother fucker, she felt good.

  “Hold on tight, baby.” Wrapping her legs back up around my waist, she did just that, kissing me wherever she could reach while her hands slid around my tensed shoulders to hold herself up against my chest. As I dove into her with slow, measured drives, my thumb worked her swollen nub in small circles earning soft, mewling cries from her equally swollen lips.

  “Hud, baby. Faster!” Grunting in agreement, I slid into her with another quick thrust, followed by a twist of my hips I knew drove her crazy and hit her sweet spot, every time. Screaming my name, my perfect, little wife convulsed around my aching cock as I fucked her with everything I had and a few hurried thrusts later, I followed her over into mindless ecstasy. Dipping my head, I kissed her forehead, smiling when I realized I’d just claimed her as my wife, in her dress, no less.

  “Damn baby. You wreck me.” Pulling her face from my throat, she smiled so big my knees felt weak and I had to lean against the wall behind her in order to stay standing.

  She held so much power over me with just one smile, one look, one touch. And she didn’t even know it.

  “I love you.” Rubbing my lips over hers in the gentlest of kisses, I grinned like the sap I was. She was finally mine.

  My girl.

  My world.

  My wife.

  Shit, that sounded good.

  “I love you, Emberly. So much. Now let’s get down to the reception before my mom sends out a search party.” Laughing softly, she nods her head.

  “If we have to.”

  ***

  Emberly

  “It’s time for the first dance! Get your sexy butt up there, girl!”

  Laughing at Ashlee’s signature toast, I blushed, taking Hudson’s firm hand in mine as he led me to the center of the make shift dance floor. We chose his parents back yard for the reception, only inviting our close family and friends to attend. I hadn’t wanted anyone having to drive far from home and since the holidays were so close, it just made sense to have everyone celebrate here. When the song comes through the speakers at each corner of the yard, I stopped short and looked up into the clearest blue eyes I’d ever seen. The Fighter by Kieth Urban and Carrie Underwood was the song he’d chosen for us and even though we hadn’t discussed it, I realized how perfect it was for us.

  We had fought so hard for this moment and somehow, come out of the other side, stronger than ever. We were and always would be worth fighting for and wiping away my tears, I wrapped my arms around Hudson’s thick neck and laid my head against his chest, the sound of his strong, steady heartbeat only making the moment sweeter and that more special. This was us. This was who we were and though I had my doubts in the past, my head was clear and my heart was full, now. I was ready for our forever.

  “It’s perfect.” I whispered.

  “You’re perfect. I’m just sorry it took us so long to get here, Emberly. I’m so sorry I walked away, baby.” Raising my head, I brushed my lips over his jaw, smiling when he bent his knees so that I could have more room to touch him.

  “I never should have kept you in the dark about how I was feeling. It was so wrong of me, Hudson. Forgive me?” Lacing my fingers through his dark locks, I pled with him with my eyes, needing him to know how sorry I was for hurting him today.

  I never meant to hurt this beautiful man.

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I love you.”

  The words healed my soul and swelled my heart but when I heard someone clearing their throat through a microphone, I frowned. I didn’t think the speeches would start just yet. Turning in his protective arms, Hudson dropped his chin to my shoulder while his hands snagged my hips, keeping me right where he wanted me.

  “What are you thinking, Emberly?”

  That voice.

  Oh, god. It couldn’t be.

  Closing my eyes, I tried to will the memories of a past I’d long past forgotten from bombarding my thoughts, but they were relentless and the pain of hearing the voice that taunted my nightmares continued speaking.

  You’re nothing to me. You and that brat upstairs are only disappointments to me and the sooner you learn to do what I say, the easier this will all go for you. Now make my dinner, again. And this time, don’t burn it, bitch.

  It was the last thing he’d said to my mom, before beating her to a bloody pulp. It was the last, horrid beating she was given before the blow to the back of her head that killed her. He’d killed her and since he had connections and lied through his teeth, forcing me to do the same, he never faced that crime. My father killed her and had lived to tell the tale. Clenching my eyes shut, I shook like a leaf, the edges of my vision blackening as he spouted something about being proud of his little girl, though he was sure the man behind me could do better than worthless trash like me. The last thing I felt before I passed out was Hudson’s insistent hands shaking me, gently, his deep, worried voice begging me to stay with him. But, I was already slipping away.

  ***

  “I need you to wake up, Darlin’. I just got you to marry me. I can’t lose you, now.”

  His voice was cracked and broken, like splintered glass and opening my heavy eyes, I combed my fingers through his hair as he rested his wet face against my arm.

  “Fuck, baby!” He sprung into action, so fast I could barely keep up with him and only when he rubbed his rough palm against my cheek and pressed a kiss to the top of my head, did I see he held a small cup of water to my lips. As the cool water slipped down my dry throat, I took a deep breath and looked around me. I was in a ho
spital.

  And then it all came back to me. Everything did.

  The wedding, the reception... him.

  “Where is he?” When the frown crosses his face, I realized he didn’t know.

  “Who, baby?”

  “That man that was speaking was my father.”

  A myriad of emotions flitted through his eyes but when he roughly fists his hair in his hands and cursed loudly, I knew he had put the pieces together.

  “We thought he was just some drunk. Fuck!”

  Before I could anticipate it, he was bounding toward the door of the room, his feet loud and his steps unwavering.

  No, not again.

  He’ll kill him.

  “Don’t, Hudson. Baby, it’s not worth it.” I begged him softly, struggling to reach him from my spot on the bed. His back tensed at my words but as he swings the door open and steps through, I realized he wasn’t going to stop. I had to stop him.

  Desperation to get to him before it was too late overcame me and even the slight pain in my head and the fog of the medicine they must have given me didn’t stop me from going after him. Ripping free from the I.V. in my arm, I ran to the door and shakily opened it, his name flying from my lips as the panic inside of me swelled.

  “Hudson!” His back was to me as he stood in front of the bank of elevators and running to him, I crashed into his hard back. Wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face between his shoulders, I just held on for dear life.

  “Come back inside, Hud.”

  “Go back to your room. You need to rest. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “You promised you would always be there when I needed you. Baby, I need you to stay with me.” It was a low blow to use his vows to make him stay, but I was past caring. Something deep inside of me, instinct, intuition… something was telling me that if he left right now, he wouldn’t come back. And I wouldn’t let him go this time.

  “Darlin’…” He gripped my hands against his chest, but still didn’t face me. Swallowing down the hurt filling my chest, I held on tighter, not wanting to let him go for fear of what would happen in an altercation with the monster that was my father.

  “You promised.” As a heavy sigh left him, he turned around and looked down at me, his eyes so dark, it was like looking into the eye of a storm. Cupping his cheek, I begged him, one last time.

  “Please don’t go. Please don’t let us go.”

  Hudson bent his head in defeat and grabbed my waist firmly, his forehead pressing against mine before his mouth brushed over my temple.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I love you so much.” His lips continued to brush over the top of my head and hanging onto him like a lifeline, I swallowed down the sob of relief that threatened to slip free.

  “You’ll stay?”

  “Yeah, Emberly. I’ll stay.”

  Those two words calmed me, like no one else ever had and sagging against him, I rocked my head against his shoulder; grateful he’d listened to me this time. He gently lifted me up in a fireman’s carry and holding me close to his warm chest, Hudson carried me back to my hospital room, where he held me for the rest of the night.

  Chapter Forty Two

  Hudson

  My throat felt like sandpaper as I forced a heavy breath through it, the rawness of my simmering rage keeping me constantly on edge. Peering over Emberly’s sleeping head, I tightened my locked jaw, feeling like a fucking dick for how I acted before our wedding and wanting to make it up to her, I enlisted my mothers help; planned a honeymoon that would sweep my beautiful girl right off of her feet.

  If anyone deserved it, this girl did.

  Closing my eyes, I tried to stop my thoughts from turning to the reception and everything else that happened last night. Just the idea that her dick of a father had been there, right in front of me- saying those things…

  And I’d done nothing.

  Nothing!

  “Hey,” Warm, slim hands glided over my jaw. Opening my eyes, I hoped she couldn’t see the emotion in them because right then I felt too raw to put these fucked up feelings to words.

  “Stop it, Hud.” Admonishing me, she shook her head gently; her eyes holding me captive like the vixen she was. The love I saw in them was almost enough to make me forget everything else- almost.

  “It wasn’t your fault. He’s gone now.”

  “I should have done more, Darlin’.” I muttered, tipping her head back until her pouty, parted lips were merely an inch from my reach.

  “You made sure he wouldn’t come back.”

  If that wasn’t an understatement, I wasn’t sure what was. Once she’d told me who he was or rather, what he was I made sure to call my sergeant and explained the situation.Her father was a monster, a vile human being that dared to hurt not only my Emberly but her too forgiving mother. He wouldn’t be coming within even a mile from her if he didn’t want Austin Police to re-open the unsolved case of his wife’s murder.

  Sergeant Reed said he tucked tail so fast, he’d barely seen him go.

  Good fuckin’ riddance.

  I also took the opportunity to let him know that I would be giving my notice; effective immediately. Two birds and one stone and all that shit. Of course, I’d miss my job and the guys I worked with, too but my woman came first.

  That was my vow to her and above all else, I intended to keep it.

  “I should’ve castrated him for even breathing, babe. He’s not even human.” I gritted, instinctively tightening my hold around her waist at the subject of her father and all the horrible crimes he’d skated on. It wasn’t fair. Not to her mother, not to justice and certainly not to the angel in my arms.

  “And then you’d be in jail. Look at me.”

  Had I ever denied her anything? So, I did. Turning my head from the fogged up window of the plane, I met her intense stare; the softness her colorful eyes normally gave me replaced by such fierce devotion, I was rocked by it.

  “You couldn’t have known who he was. I do not blame you, Hud. Now tell me you’ll stop blaming yourself.” Her voice was shallow and weakened from the high dosage of sedatives I’d insisted the doctors give her in order for her to rest properly; but I heard her as clear as fucking day. She was my little fighter, my woman and my saving grace and resting my head against the top of hers, I thanked God for leading me to her.

  My Emberly.

  “I’ll try, Darlin’.”

  Chapter Forty Three

  Hudson

  CAN WE GET out of here, Hud?” Her voice was all raspy at it whispered in my ear, still thick with sleep from the sedatives her doctors had given her. Taking the time to swipe her blonde hair from her pale, smiling cheek I nodded. Had I ever been able to deny her anything?

  “Let me go find the doctors, Darlin’. Rest.” A wide, fucking beautiful smile spreads her face as she reaches up to brush her dry lips over mine but hell, I didn’t mind one bit.

  “Hurry back.”

  Smiling like the sap she’d made me, I kissed her one more time before slipping from the stiff hospital bed and made my way down to the nurses desk in hopes of finding her release papers awaiting me.

  “Mr. Lennox. I was just coming to go over Ms. Logan’s results with you. Would you like to follow me back to her room?”

  Why did it suddenly feel as if there was a knot lodged in my throat?

  “Yeah, sure. Is something wrong?”

  Hell, she was healthy… happy. I’d seen and felt that shit by my own hand. So, why did it feel as if he had grim news for us? It was plain as day in his dark eyes.

  “Mr. Lennox…” His voice dropped low in the dread I had feared and lowering my head to my hands, I tried to prepare myself for what was to come.

  Nothing could have prepared me, though.

  “I think it’s best to tell you together, son.”

  Fuck!

  “Okay. Right behind you.”

  It felt as if I was following him to my execution as he turned the corner of the hallway and entered Emberly�
��s room, setting his medical chart on the small table at the end of her bed before turning to close the door with an effortless yet ominous click. I reached her bedside in three strides, scooping her suddenly cold hand into both of mine before resting my chin over her hair and soaking in the last moment of peace I’d have for weeks to come.

  “Hud… are you okay?” There was my girl. Always caring for others.

  “Yeah, baby. The doctor has your results is all. I need to make sure you are okay because I don’t plan on ever leaving your side, again.” Feeling her eyes on me, I lifted my head and grasping her chin in a sure yet gentle hold, I waited until I had her attention.

  “Never, Darlin’. You got that?” She gasped at the intensity of my declaration but quickly nodded her head in agreement.

  “I got that, Hud.” Satisfied by her answer and the comfort of her little head resting against my chest, I turned my eyes to the doctor, nodding once as if to say go ahead. With ease, he pulled a chair from the wall and sat down directly in front of us what I presumed to be her test results in both his pale hands.

  “When a patient is taken in after losing consciousness, for whatever reason, I like to run a few tests to rule out the larger causes. Now, I didn’t have to do these tests, they weren’t required given your condition. But I did because I care about your care.”

  “Do you want a fucking award for doing your job, Doctor? Get to the point!”

  I roared, fisting my now shaking hands at my sides in hopes of taming my anger, my confusion at what the hell was happening.

  “Hudson! Stop it.” Her warm hand was against my cheek, her eyes, so bright, so full of life, trained on mine and her little body pressed to my side serving as my very own source of solace and grinding my teeth together, I heaved a breath from my lungs and worked to calm my nerves; knowing they would only make this worst for her.