My Thug Bride

by Katherine Summers

  “Did you come here to seduce me?” I asked with interest. She was amusing.

  She could barely manage between gasps, “If you had insisted on breaking up, yes.”

  I kissed her again.

  As the kiss deepened, I felt the damp heat of her body through her top. She sank her fingers into my shoulders and took her tongue deeper into my mouth. The rest of the world might as well have disappeared. Only the sensation of her existed. My lungs began to burn from the lack of breath. Drawing back, I gasped for air. She buried her lips in the curve of my throat and nipped the bone with her teeth.

  She was asking for it.

  I brushed my thumbs across her bare sides. She shivered from the touch. I walked to my chair and sat on it so that she was straddling my lap.

  Anna gasped when she felt the full force of my cock against her bottom.

  “Did that – That happened because of me?” She asked. Her eyes were round with surprise.

  I rubbed my fingers on her back again, then dipped my head to catch her nipple in my mouth. The fragile material of her top was beautifully revealing her hardened buds. She dug her fingers into the skin of my shoulders as I suckled. I bit her through the cloth.

  She cried.

  “Who else would do that to me sweetheart?” I whispered.

  She undid my jeans with shivering hands. It took tremendous control to take it slow, I didn’t want to be rough when this was the first time we had seen each other in a week. I tucked my fingers into the sides of her shorts and pulled them down. She spread her legs in the process. I nearly came when she moved against me.

  “Shit,” I cursed, afraid I’d let go – and grabbed her hips to stop her from moving. She clung to my chest and said heavily, “Give it all you’ve got, Henry. I need you all the way.”

  “Don’t do that sweetheart,” I could barely manage. I let go.

  I drove into her with one thrust. She screamed. My fingers dug into her cheeks as I pushed inside, shafts of delight waving through me as I sang in her sex. She met my rhythm with equal passion, her hips colliding with my bottom like wind crashing into thunder. Her hands went tighter around my neck. I lost myself in black, dreamy clouds, afraid to stop, terribly lost. Then somewhere between thunder and a sandstorm, she whispered into my ear.

  “I love you Henry. I love you so much.”

  She was mine. Once again.

  This was the beginning of our forever.

  Chapter 23

  Anna

  My shoulder hurt. As I pulled up my shorts, I realized once again that I had hurt myself in the process of making love to him. I knew Henry would freak out so I rushed to the restroom, but he caught me anyway.

  It was a moment of déjà vu. Henry was flabbergasted and in guilt from the look of it. I almost burst out laughing.

  “I’m alright,” I reassured him, “The bullet hit my shoulder so the doctor said I could move after a week.”

  “Move, not have sex – “ Henry protested, “I’m so sorry, Anna. I should’ve been more careful. Let’s go to the hospital right now.”

  I rolled my eyes, “The day the bullet hit me… I think I was unconscious because of the fatigue. The bullet barely hurt. It’s alright. You can help me dress it here. Besides a sting, I don’t even feel a thing.”

  I damn well felt more than a thing. But I could convince Henry that I was okay, so he gave in after a while. Once the wound was dressed, it was time to move on to the inevitable conversation which had been delayed because of our passionate encounter.

  Henry fixed me a cup of coffee, while I sat atop his desk. I didn’t want to get excited again by sitting on his chair.

  “I didn’t think we’d ever do it here,” I chuckled, glad that nobody had barged in before, because we had forgotten to lock the door.

  “Same, sweetheart,” he said.

  Henry’s fingers sifted through my hair with the usual adoration with which he touches me. I melted. This is what I’ve missed. In my own grief, I had forgotten that even though it was I who had got shot, Henry was the one who must’ve felt guilty. It was such a simple feeling – I would have felt the same way had it been me in his stead, but I couldn’t see it because of my own selfishness. In the past week, I guess I’ve realized how egotistic I can be. Usually, it doesn’t bother me. But with Henry, I can’t act that way. He means too much.

  “Can I hug you again?” I asked, emotion weaving through me.

  “Why ask?”

  He put down his mug and wrapped his arms around me. I breathed in the familiar odor and pressed my face to his chest. The beating of his heart calmed me down. He smells like summer and autumn at the same time, the kind of guy who belonged everywhere. He could make his way into anybody’s heart.

  A month and a half ago I didn’t know him. Now it was impossible to live without him.

  I sighed.

  We had started dating under the pretext of being fiancé’s. Now the entire country thought we were engaged. I don’t yet know what Henry’s thoughts are on me being a freelance agent, but I’ve decided to do it.

  I’m going to propose.

  When I came into this room, I had already decided that I wasn’t going to let Henry leave my life. Even if I had to be despicable and seduce him into being with me, I’d do it. And if things went right, I’d ask him to marry me. Maybe not now. Maybe fifteen years from now when he feels okay about me. But he had to be with me.

  I want him like I’ve wanted nobody else. All of him. For the rest of my life.

  “Henry?” I snuggled closer.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m so sorry for not knowing how you felt. It must’ve been hard for you to watch me in the hospital.”

  “It’s okay. As long as you don’t jump in front of a gun again, baby, I’m okay.”

  “I understand… but you have to know it was instinct. I didn’t plan to, my body moved on its own.”

  Henry removed his face from the top of my head and held my face in his palms. Looking into my eyes, he said very seriously, “You said I couldn’t die on you Anna. Who gave you the right to decide you can? Don’t lay your life on the line for anyone sweetheart. Not even me. You’re too precious.”

  I was baffled. How does he manage to say such sweet things with so much sincerity? I would understand if he were bluffing. If he didn’t mean what he said. But Henry Hathaway wasn’t like that. He was honest. And he meant every word.

  I crooned my arms around his neck and pressed my face into his chest again. My lips spread into an involuntary smile.

  “I’m extremely selfish, Henry. I didn’t know I could die for anyone till I saw the gun point at you. Turns out, I can.”

  He sighed. “Not selfish, honey. Just old school stubborn. The type that’s cold on the surface yet terribly kind.”

  “You’re the only one who can look at it that way.”

  “That’s good then.”

  “Henry?”

  “Yeah.” I braced my heart and swallowed. I drew my arms away from him and touched the side of my neck. The pendant I always wear was there, as was the ring woven into it. It is the thing closest to my heart, the only symbol I’ve had since childhood that made me feel I hadn’t been abandoned. At least not completely. Somebody had left something behind for the child they had to let go of. I liked to think of it that way.

  “I…” I trailed off. I made up my mind, but faltered. I didn’t meet his eyes. I played with the pendant with my fingers, while fixing my gaze on the ring around it. I whispered, “I’ve realized there’s no easier way to put this Henry. I… I want to live with you. But heirs to conglomerates don’t simply live with each other, so I think –“

  I stopped and closed my eyes. This came out so wrong. It was embarrassing. I took in a deep breath and looked up at him. Pressing my lips I tried again, “Henry… Will you… I mean if it’s okay with you – I know I can be difficult –“

  Henry’s expression went all the way from confusion to that of horror. He was quick to draw my hand
s away from the pendant and clasp both of them between the palms of his own hands.

  “Anna, no,” he looked mildly horrified, “You have to stop sweetheart.”

  “But I – “

  “No, no. Listen to me,” He came closer, “You can’t be doing this to me.”

  Doing what?

  “Anna, honey, you were the one who asked me out first. This, at least, has to be done by me. Give me a moment sweetheart.”

  Confusion drew on my face. Henry rustled through the drawer of his desk nervously, while I peered into it from my position from the table-top. My breath quickened when I saw him withdraw a small jewelry box.

  Wait… That size…

  My heart stopped to beat when Henry held both my hands in his again. He looked deeply into my eyes.

  “Anna. I – I don’t know what to say. I thought I’d have time and I’d have it all planned out. I looked for a restaurant and I also thought I’d write it all down on a paper and say the sweetest things to you. I know you deserve it. This was supposed to be the best thing ever, but – but look how it turned out. I’m sorry –“

  I pressed my lips. My heart had fallen into a frenzy, beating so hard against my chest I thought I could hear it resonate in my mouth. I cocked my brows and smiled a nervous smile.

  “Henry, you’re flipping baby,” I reminded him, hoping and not hoping at the same time. Say it, my mind protested, say it so I can faint without worry, Hathaway.

  “Yes, yes. Sorry,” he continued, “Anna… I. When I first saw you, I never imagined this day would come. You were this angry, arrogant prick with no civility and you got on my nerves. I hated your guts. But – but it all changed when – “

  “You saw me at the Green Apple place with Cain Matthews?”

  “Yes, precisely. You’re the only one who can bring about a turnabout in my opinion within the span of a day, honey. I was so attracted to you in one night, I couldn’t sleep.”

  “I admit I was beautiful,” I nervously laughed.

  He eased into a smile, “You were. But I treated you horribly and – “

  “Henry?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Please, please hurry up.”

  I think it got him geared up into action because he nodded and snatched the jewelry box from the desk. “Me too,” he said, “Anna I just need to let you know that you’re the best thing that could have happened to me. You bring so much thrill and excitement into my life, I can’t imagine spending a day without you by my side. You make me proud and awed and just so happy, I… I can’t get enough of you. You make each day seem like it shouldn’t end. So sweetheart, if you feel the same way even remotely, I’d like to spend the rest of my life trying to be the man I know you deserve.” He dropped down on one knee and flipped open the box, “Anna Reeves. Honey… will you marry me?”

  I knew it was coming. And yet the words sent goosebumps down my skin and tickled my spine. My eyes misted and I half-laughed, half smiled.

  “I will,” I said through a haze of emotions, “I will, Henry Hathaway. I didn’t think I could ever love anybody so much. I don’t even know if I deserve you but… I love you. I love you so so much. Thank you for making me feel like the most beautiful woman on earth. Thank you for never leaving me alone. I just… love you –“

  He stood up and hugged me tight. The tears I was holding back let go. I think I heard him sniffle on my shoulder as well. We both laughed and cried at the same time.

  He slipped the ring on my finger when it was over while I finally took out the one around my neck. It was ironic how the misunderstanding of us had begun so subtly because of my ring. And how it was now, in this moment, the symbol of our love. I slipped it on his finger. Somehow, it turned out to be a perfect fit.

  I washed up while Henry ordered a pizza for us to celebrate. We couldn’t go out since we both looked like we had come out of a battlefield. When our order arrived, and I took the first bite, the ring on my finger dazzled me. I couldn’t for the life of me imagine that I was engaged to Henry.

  “Anna?”

  “Yes?”

  “Sweetheart, as cute as I think you look without your underpants, could you not come to this place going commando again?”

  I cracked at his words, “Of course.”

  “I mean I don’t mind one bit. It’s just that our dads hang out here a lot. And my mom.”

  I pressed my lips in surprise, “They do?”

  “Yes. And because we’re officially engaged, I don’t think we should be keeping secrets anymore. Mind telling me why you’re called the Boogeygirl, honey?”

  My eyes went wide at the word. And then despite myself I ended up blushing.

  “It’s the alias I gave myself,” I whispered, nibbling on the pizza slice, “You know, to symbolize a girl who is a villain’s nightmare. Or something like that.”

  “Anna?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re never naming any of our kids. That’s that.”

  I pressed my lips. We looked at each other. We laughed again.

  Life was good.

  Life became perfect.

  Epilogue (1)

  Henry

  We married six months after the proposal.

  Anna had made it indefinitely clear to me that she didn’t want to push me, I could take my time, and a thousand more disclaimers of hers that I can’t recall now. I’d made my decision anyway. I’m glad to say, she’s still fussy, still bossy and still totally awesome. Today, we’re celebrating our anniversary.

  It’s been three years since we met.

  A lot has happened in the past three years, and I’ve come to realize one important fact: real life is not like we know it. When I watched movies, a marriage or a proposal or a kiss always declared a happily ever after for a couple in love. The end of their story. But that is not how things are.

  Life is so much more complicated afterwards. In fact, I think the fairy tale is shown to end at a kiss or a proposal because the reality is not so pretty after all. After Anna and I tied the knot, things didn’t go easy for us. It wasn’t a granted happily ever after. We tried, and tonight I’m proud to say we made it.

  We’ve been by each other’s side through hell and rough storms. Through mad pregnancy, hailstorms of bullets and mind boggling court cases. She gave up a lot for us. I tried so hard for our little family. It wasn’t easy. But it was worth every second of our effort.

  I looked up at Anna as she entered the nursery. After we bought a new house, we had a spare room that we wanted to turn into a guest bedroom. We hadn’t come around to doing anything about it for a year and a half, until an unplanned pregnancy made home in our life. We had painted this room and prepared for a nursery back then, a safe haven for our firstborn, a little boy.

  Adam.

  “You done, sweetheart?” I asked.

  She smiled, “Yeah.” I didn’t think it would be possible to be in awe of a woman’s smile after three long years. But it’s all the same for me. My heart is flushed with happiness every time she’s around. My wife, Anna Reeves. She goes by Hathaway-Reeves now.

  I know right? She’s impossible. Still a first for me in so many respects. Especially when she makes me laugh so hard.

  I got up and helped her sit on the beanbag chair. I eyed the envelope she held in her hand curiously. Kissing her cheek, I whispered, “Anything you need, honey?”

  She wrapped both her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a not-so-innocent kiss. Smiling into my mouth, she said softly, “You. And for Adam to not wake up.”

  I chuckled.

  “I want you too, sweetheart. But the doctor said no sex for the next three months.”

  She pouted, “He didn’t say no foreplay.”

  “And what would you do after you’re aroused to the point of no return?”

  “Relieve myself with your help.”

  I suppressed my laugh, “Don’t spoil my daughter, baby. What if she’s listening to you?”


  I knelt down and planted a kiss on her bulging belly. Anna’s fingers went through and caressed my hair.

  “Oh, she’s definitely listening right now,” she smiled.

  As soon as she said the words, I felt a small thud against the side of my cheek. Despite having felt it three times this month, I was still filled with joy.

  “She’s kicking!” I exclaimed. Anna sighed, “She does that a lot. I’m suspecting she’ll be a lot like me Henry.”

  I smiled helplessly, “I don’t mind. But I think we’ll both die of anxiety if that happens.”

  Anna smacked the back of my head playfully, “What if Adam turns out that way too?”

  “We’re in for a lifetime of thrill then sweetheart.”

  I glanced at our baby boy who lay in his cradle, suckling on his thumb. He had yet to say his first word, which was why we were very careful around him. We tried to keep course language to a minimum which really took a lot of energy out of Anna.

  In the past three years, Markian and Earnest’s relationship has become better than ever. They both adore Adam and argue on who he takes after more. My mother has come around to love Anna a lot as well. She finds every reason to invite us to dinner on weekends and spend alone time with her. I’ve met Toni who makes a visit twice every year now since Adam was born. He misses Anna. I understand.

  Initially, Anna had had no intention of letting go of the life she had built for herself. When we got married, nothing about us was a problem. In fact, my first big case came because of Anna. When I sued the management whose waiter had spiked my drink, the hotel turned out to be a front for illicit drug activities. My firm received a lot of exposure due to the case. What followed were back breaking cases that came knocking at our door along with a lot of adventure, but the path to the Hathaway & Brown Partners becoming the most sought after firm today was paved.

  One year into our marriage, amongst all the havoc, Anna received the offer to join Toni on a duty call. She agreed. When she came back home two months later, she had a stab wound on her arm and she hadn’t completed her task. That’s when we had found out.