by S. K. Lessly
Once I was done packing, Al closed my suitcase and took it downstairs. We left my house twenty minutes later with a bag full of cookies, chocolate, and chips. I also packed a cooler and filled it with water, juice and soda. The drive wasn’t long. I just needed a few snacks, in case I got hungry on the way.
I followed Al as he drove to his place, which was off Pennsylvania avenue in the heart of the city. He pulled into his assigned parking space, told me he’d be about twenty or so minutes and jogged inside his apartment building. I watched him go thinking I could probably ditch him and he wouldn’t know until it was too late. Unfortunately, it would be a waste of time. I was sure he would find me some way somehow. It wasn’t worth it.
Twenty minutes later, he emerged from his apartment building with a duffle bag swung over his shoulder. He changed out of his suit into jeans and a sweatshirt and before long, we were merging on MD-4 south heading toward Chesapeake Beach.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Alexis
It took about an hour, tops, to get to my new house. During the drive, he and I talked about simple things—the latest survivor show, the action movies that were coming out, and the latest CIA espionage fiction thriller book I’d read from one of my favorite authors, Vince Flynn.
When we turned off the main highway onto an unpaved two-lane road, leading to my house, I began to smile, anticipation growing as I drove. It was noticeably cooler here, with a densely populated forest full of oak, sycamore, birch and maple trees acting as a barrier of sorts from the sun and the heat of the summer. It also provided a cool breeze when you needed it and when you didn’t. But the scene was gorgeous and displayed the beauty of nature and all its mystery and glory.
I passed two entrances to my neighbors’ driveways before I came to mine. By the time I made the right onto the driveway leading up to my house, I was damn near shaking with excitement. I hadn’t been here in a month, and I couldn’t wait to relax and enjoy a spectacular view.
Thick foliage lined my very long driveway and acted as a privacy fence from the neighbors on both sides of me. The only source of light at night I had out here, other than the lights surrounding the house, were the solar powered pathway lights I installed along my driveway. They cast dark, scary shadows along the trees but it was enough light to not freak me out completely.
Still, regardless of my overactive imagination, I loved the quiet, and the solitude the forest brought. Besides, this was supposed to be my home away from city life. It better be quiet.
My driveway ended like a turnaround, completing a circle and providing one entrance and exit from my house. I pulled along the curved part of my driveway right in front of my door. I turned off my truck and just stared at my new house.
I had purchased a three-bedroom, two and a half bath ranch-style home that sat on an acre lot. My house had an open floorplan, which I loved. The living and dining room combo took minimal amount of space in the front of the house, the bedrooms filled the space on the side of the house and some of the back. The rest of the space in the house consisted of a beautiful family room with an awesome stone fireplace and a galley kitchen with an island for extra counter and storage space.
There were stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and granite countertops and light gray cabinets in both the kitchen and bathrooms. Finally, I had accented my house with exquisite pale laminate wood floors and large colorful area rugs both in the living and family rooms. Beautiful art hung on the walls and potted plants decorated corners and open spaces, which all together gave my home a comfier and homier feel.
I’d bought this house when it was on its last leg. I had it partially torn down and renovated with special instructions to build an office/panic room like the one I have at my home in Georgetown.
The office was positioned between my bedroom and the living room with two secured entry doors, one in a hallway closet and the other in my room. Of course I had to fit my work space i.e. my panic room with a state-of-the-art security system, a powerful server, fully stocked refrigerator and a super computer stronger than any government system. I had the house rewired as well and the structure reinforced in order to support the bandwidth I sometimes used, as well as the nor’easters that could happen at least once or twice a year.
It took about six months to build my home to my specifications. It had been finished and furnished about a month ago, and I hadn’t been back here since.
I smiled as I stepped out of my truck, inhaled the sea air and sighed. I could feel my body start to finally relax. I was glad I came, despite having a hang around.
“Hey, why don’t you head inside,” Al offered. “I’m sure you’re tired from driving. I’ll grab our things and meet you inside.”
I hummed my response and made my way to the front porch. I pulled up my security application on my phone, deactivated my system, and unlocked my door all from the app.
God, I love technology!
I opened my front door and the first thing I saw was the spectacular view of the bay through the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.
I slowly moved through the living room, past my dining room table and took two steps down into my family room all the while never taking my eyes off of the view before me.
The moment I had seen this place I had fallen in love. It had nothing to do with the house itself, it was the view of the bay from atop this mountain that had me breaking out my checkbook. Goodness the view from up here was breathtaking. I could see the ocean from here too. It was deep in the horizon but I could still make it out.
The windows stretched from one side of the house to the other, which allowed me to take in this view from the family room, kitchen, and my bedroom. Because of all of the windows, I only had a few lamps in my house along with recess lighting in the kitchen. I even had four large skylights installed on the roof of my on-suite bathroom to capture natural light too.
The only downfall with wall to wall windows, besides cleaning them, was privacy. So, I had the windows replaced with new ones capable of tinting the moment daylight began to fade. I made sure they were strong enough to withstand not only gale force winds but bullets too, don’t ask. I also installed shades for privacy and anytime I wanted to control the amount of sunlight streaming inside the house, which was pretty cool.
Speaking of pretty cool, the rest of the house was pretty amazing too. As I mentioned before, my family room was a nice size. I furnished the space with one of those large plush tan sectionals that recline on both sides. Except instead of two recliners, on each side, one side had a chaise cushion. It was perfect when I wanted to lay out and read or sleep.
Colorful pillows adjourned the couch adding color and character. There was an antique wooden coffee table that sat in front of the couch with matching end tables on both sides of the recliner and chaise lounge. I put my TV in the corner on its own stand so it wouldn’t block the fabulous stone fireplace.
A content smile started to spread along my face as the realization that this was all mine began to sink in. I began to do a 360-turn, taking in my house and all its glory but stopped when my eyes fell on the closet door that led to my office. I was itching to close myself off from the world to find Ethan and Billy.
Feeling my anxiety getting the better of me, I decided to get some air. I stepped out onto the porch, which by the way was the second selling point of this house, and collapsed in one of the three rocking chairs I had that faced the bay.
I felt the baby move and I smiled, rubbing the side of my rather large stomach. I was eight and a half months pregnant, and it still astonished me to feel my baby move.
I had learned I was pregnant about a month after the last night I’d had been with Ethan. About a week later, I began feeling sick and tired. When I couldn’t shake the feeling and started throwing up, I thought I might have the flu or something and went to my doctor. I had told my PCP I thought I was dying from the constant vomiting. Dr. McPherson or Dr. McHotty, that’s what his office staff and nurses call him behind his back,
simply smiled, patted me on my knee and proceeded to rock my world.
“I’m afraid you’re not dying. You’re pregnant.”
“I’m sorry. I’m what?” I gave him a side eye and blinked my eyes rapidly.
The blue-eyed—distinguished looking gentlemen with dark hair, strong jaw and sexy as hell body chuckled and sent a dreamy, panty-melting smile my way. “You’re pregnant, Alexis. Congratulations.”
I almost passed out and fell off the examination table. I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked. Hell, I was more than shocked. I specifically remembered being told I couldn’t have kids. If that was true, which I didn’t doubt my favorite GYN doc in the least, how could I be with child?
When I met with said doctor, who by the way was kinda hot too for an old guy, the next day and asked him that very question, he kindly cleared things up for me.
“No my dear, I said it would be ‘next to impossible’ for you to have kids. I didn’t say it was impossible. I guess God had other plans for you.”
I laughed that day and smiled all the way home, relieved I wasn’t dying. Then I collapsed on my couch and cried for hours. I cried for my miracle baby. I cried tears of joy I wasn’t having Lionel’s baby—the asshole. Then I balled my eyes out that my mom wasn’t there to celebrate with me and I didn’t have Ethan. The morning he left me, I had a feeling I’d never see him again. My heart broke even more knowing it was a strong possibility his son or daughter might never know their father.
From that point on, I was determined to make a life for myself and our baby. I ate healthy, for at least a few months anyway. I tried to say active and I took every vitamin given to me. All was well with the pregnancy and now I was just waiting for the arrival of my baby.
I closed my eyes and rocked slowly in my chair. The coolness of the humid night air ran along my tired body. I shifted my thoughts and concentrated all my energy back on Ethan.
Ethan…
I hadn’t told him I was pregnant. The man lived a dangerous life. I should know; I’d witnessed it. To do the things he did, he had to remain sharp. He couldn’t allow anything to cloud his judgment or prevent him from staying focused. If he lost his head or allowed his mind to drift to anything but the mission he was on, it could be a death sentence.
With that in mind, I decided not to tell him about the baby. Instead, I’d wait for him. I’d wait for him to realize he needed me, and for him to understand what we had and that no one or nothing would come between us.
So far, the wait had been painful and long. I hadn’t seen his handsome face or heard his sexy voice in months, until today.
I shivered, closed my eyes, and blew out an uneasy breath. Was it possible he was really dead? His whole team? Was it because of me?
No! I shook my head defiantly. I refused to believe he was gone. This was the CIA playing a cruel game on me. He was alive. I felt it in my bones, in my soul…he was alive. Again, if something had happened, I had to believe Billy would find a way to contact me. After everything, there was no way he would let me go on without knowing.
I heard the sliding glass door open behind me and Al stepped out onto the porch.
“Holy shit, this place is amazing, Alexis.” I could hear the genuine awe in his voice. “I love the upgrades in the kitchen and bathrooms. I also love the way you decorated the family room and your bedroom all to support this stunning view.”
This might have been Al's first time being here, but I had shown him pictures and shared my ideas for renovations. He tried to put in his two cents but in the end everything I had done had been all my idea.
“And the bedrooms,” he went on, “they’re a pretty decent size, especially the master. You have a California king, a sitting area, and you still have space to move about."
I beamed up at him.
“I know. It’s nice right? The bay windows on the side of the house worked out too. It created more space in the bedroom for a comfortable lounge chair, lamp and table.” I told him as he sat down next to me.
“Yeah, I agree. That was genius. And I know you added the claw tub too.”
“Yup, sure did.”
Al nodded his approval and turned his attention to the darkening sky. “It’s beautiful out here. How did you manage to stumble on this gold mine again?”
I shrugged. “The place was on its last leg when I found the listing. It took a lot to convince the owner to let the place go. It had been on the market for years. The seller’s family wanted him to retire and move down to Florida with his kids and their families. He didn’t want to leave the place where he met his first love.”
“How did you talk him into selling?”
I smiled softly, remembering how I had told the past owner, Carl Tucker, the story of me and Ethan.
“I just told him about the love of my life. How we met, what happened between us that pulled us apart and how we were brought back together. When I told him that I was waiting on his return and wanted to create a place where we could call home, Mr. Tucker grunted. I figured he wasn’t a believer or believed in soulmates and fate. I was sure he was two seconds from kicking me out. However, when I added that my love had served his country in the army, Special Forces, the man practically wept as he handed over the keys. I figured he may have been a war vet or a patriot; I didn’t get a chance to ask.”
“Wow, maybe you’re right,” he replied and I couldn’t miss the hint of coldness in his voice. I wasn’t sure why it was there but I also didn’t ask.
I sighed. “Yeah, maybe.”
Al and I stayed on the deck until the darkness took over the sky before us. He then stood and offered to cook for us. I wasn’t about to say no to food. He laughed at my eager head nod then disappeared inside. When he left me alone, I bowed my head and said a silent prayer for Ethan and his team. I rubbed my belly and prayed my baby would get a chance to see and know their father. If being together wasn’t in the cards, at least they would have him, even if I didn’t.
Dinner was good. Albert made us juicy-thick-seasoned-to-perfection steaks and loaded baked potatoes. I was so full all I wanted to do was crash. And I did just that, but not before logging onto my computer and searching for Billy.
The moment I tried to call him; I received a message that said he was offline. Huh, strange.
Billy was never not online. The man slept with his laptop clutched in his fingers. He had a specific ringtone to signal he had an incoming message from me, or so he told me. He also instructed me to call him any time of the day or night and he’d pick up. I’d done that at least a few times and every time, he’d picked up. What made this different?
I closed my eyes and leaned back against my desk chair as bad thoughts slowly made their way into my conscience. Panic began to take hold and I shut down my computer and left the office. I couldn’t deal with this right now. I needed to step away and try again later. Maybe he was in a part of the world where there was no Wi-Fi. That would explain him being offline.
I climbed into my rather large bed and closed my eyes. Sleep came quick; however, it wasn’t without the occasional nightmare that had me waking up every hour in a cold sweat.
God, I hoped Billy would put me out of my misery tomorrow. I wasn’t sure how much of this I would be able to take.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ethan
I jolted awake with my chest heaving, gasping for air. My fingers were gripping the hell out of the arm rests and my dick… well, that fucker was hard as a rock. I looked around the dimly lit cabin as my eyes slowly adjusted to my surroundings. The jet felt different and I quickly realized we weren’t still gliding through the dark skies anymore, we’d landed. That explained the jolt that woke me.
I ran a hand down my sweat-soaked face, took a breath, and then let the air slowly escape from my lungs. I did that a few times, willing my heart to stop beating the crap out of my chest. After a few seconds, I felt my body calm. I opened the window shutter next to me and saw the airport lights welcoming me home.
H
ome. I was finally home. I’d been gone for over eight months working case after case without slowing down. It felt good to be back on U.S. soil.
The jet began its deceleration process, the brakes slowing down the jet as we traveled along the smooth runway. I relaxed, blew out another calming breath and closed my eyes again, but when I did, her face appeared behind tired eyelids.
Alexis…
I opened my eyes, quickly remembering the dream I’d had before I woke. Alexis was sitting between my legs, my dick in her soft warm hands, stroking me. Her soft brown eyes were looking up at me with such reverence, such love, I could barely breathe. Then she made my entire dick disappear between her soft lips. I groaned in pleasure, leaned back against my seat and let the feel of the woman I loved take me to a place only she could.
The woman I loved…
Those words were a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth, sweet in a sense that it was true. I loved the fuck out of that woman, always had, always would. The words were also bitter because I’d been denying the truth for far too long. She and I belonged together. She was my home, my world, and it was high time I finally let go and claimed my life, my love, my eternity.
I reached for my phone sitting on the seat next to me, and sent a quick text to Billy to locate Lexie. He’d kept his word over the months and watched over her when I couldn’t. He kept me updated on her location and the success she had while working with the NSA. That was it. I didn’t want him doing anything else in the likes of invading her privacy. I couldn’t handle it if he told me she had decided not to wait for me and found someone else. In fact, I knew I couldn’t handle it.
It had been a rough eight months. In the beginning, I thought of nothing but her. I was so lovesick, it was affecting my job. I wasn’t sharp during our op briefings and debriefs. My head was in the clouds all the time. Man, it was so bad I almost got my head shot off during a training exercise. It was that moment I’d decided to cut all ties. I couldn’t do my job and think about her. I’d had to choose and at the time, I chose my job.