by Lila Kane
“I’m going to make you come so hard you won’t be able to get out of the water. And then I’m going to carry you to bed and make you forget about everything you’re worried about.” His tongue slid between my lips. “I’m going to put my mouth all over you…”
My clit throbbed at the promise in his words. I wanted his mouth all over me. I wanted his tongue in me. Those thoughts alone almost made me forget my worries.
And then the security alarm went off inside the house.
I gasped, my hands locking on Joseph’s arms. “Oh my God—”
“Allie,” he said calmly. “It’s fine. It’s probably just Tom.”
I exhaled. “Right. You’re right.”
He took my hand and we both walked inside. We found Davies in the security room looking at the cameras.
“It looks like it’s just your brother,” Davies said kindly.
Joseph nodded. “Shut off the alarm. Open the gate.”
Davies pushed a few buttons and the noise vanished. Joseph squeezed my hand.
“Stay here, I’ll get the door. Davies, please bring dinner to the patio out back.”
They both went their separate ways while I stood watching the cameras. My stomach still felt uneasy. But, as I continued to watch the gate, I recognized Tom’s car. The gate opened and he drove through.
My gaze switched to the front door, and I waited to see Tom appear. But something else caught my attention. Movement at the back of the house on another camera.
A figure by the pool.
Davies. I rolled my eyes. It had to be. He was bringing our dinner to the table there so we could eat outside while we talked to Tom.
But when I peered closer, my mouth dried. No, no, no…that wasn’t Davies. I could tell by the dark clothes, his stance, his blond hair…
“Joseph,” I whispered.
I scrambled out of the room, running down the hallway. Davies was already at the back door, though, and I had to stop him first.
“No, wait!”
Davies opened the back door, and I heard the gunshot.
It rang in my ears, my heart lurching the same time I screamed. “Davies!”
I ran for him, crouching next to his body just outside the door. Food from the plates he carried on a tray littered the ground.
“Get up.”
I gasped at the sound of Don’s voice. But when I glanced up and spotted the gun pointed at me, I did what he said.
I stood, my body trembling with fear and adrenaline. I couldn’t help but glance down at Davies, and when I did, I let out a sob. Half relief, half worry. There was blood staining the patio, but he looked like he was still breathing.
“Get over here,” Don said. “Hurry, or someone else might get hurt.”
My feet propelled me in his direction. I couldn’t let anyone else get hurt. And by now, Joseph and Tom had to be on their way out here. They had to have heard the gunshot.
I glanced back to the house.
“Allison,” Don said, warning in his voice.
I scurried in his direction. My mind whirled with words, actions, everything I hadn’t done and said in the past. Somehow, this time, I had to make things right.
Don reached out to me, and at the same time, I heard a shout behind me.
“Allie!” Tom yelled.
When Don’s gaze snapped up, I used the moment to swing at him. I punched him right in the face, hearing the crunch of his nose as I made contact.
His curse was harsh and immediate, and he doubled over. I grabbed for the gun, but we both fumbled it, and it dropped to the ground. I dove for it at the same time Don did.
I sprawled into my stomach, my fingertips just brushing the metal handle. And then Don flipped me over, and he was on top of me.
“You little bitch!” he screamed, wrapping his hands around my throat. My fingers reached for the gun, but I couldn’t get it. “You think you can get away from me?”
Blood streamed from Don’s nose, but he didn’t seem to notice. His fingers tightened around my neck. I gasped for air but couldn’t find any. My vision darkened around the edges.
I couldn’t reach for the gun anymore. I could only claw at his hands, seeking air that wouldn’t come.
Another loud band sounded. So loud and so close, my ears rang. Don froze one long moment, his hands still clenched on my neck, and then he collapsed on top of me.
My vision darkened further, closing in until all I saw was a pinpoint of light.
And then the weight lifted off of me. There was something on my mouth. Air flowing into my lungs. Lights swirling around me.
I blinked a few times as the world came back into focus. Joseph was there, his face above mine, pale but relieved.
“Oh, God. Allie—fuck.” He grabbed me, pulling me from the ground and into his arms.
“The paramedics are here,” another voice said.
“Tom,” I croaked out, turning my head.
He was there, right next to me, a figure at his feet and a gun in his hand.
I clutched at Joseph when I saw Don, but Joseph only turned me away. “It’s okay. He’s not going to hurt you anymore.”
I clung to him as he lifted me and carried me to the front of the house. I heard sirens and saw more lights. The police and an ambulance.
“Davies,” I whispered.
Joseph swallowed. “We’ll get him help, too. Just hold on.”
He brought me to one of the paramedics and the put me in the back of the ambulance, pressing an oxygen mouth over my face so I couldn’t say anything else.
I squeezed Joseph’s hand when he sat next to me and pulled the mask from my face. “Please…Davies…”
Joseph looked torn. “I need to stay here with you.”
“Please…”
“Miss, you need to put this back on,” the paramedic said, putting the mask back on my face.
I squeezed Joseph’s hand again and he gave a curt nod.
“Okay, I’ll check. I’ll be right back.”
It seemed like an eternity before Joseph returned, and this time he brought Tom with him. They both climbed into the ambulance despite the EMT’s argument against it.
Joseph knelt next to me, leaning in so his lips were against my cheek. “He’s okay. He’s going to be okay.”
My eyes filled with tears. “Don?” I mumbled around the mask.
Joseph shook his head. “He’s gone.”
He kissed my cheek and brushed my hair back from my forehead.
I saw Tom’s eyes widen behind him as he realized what was going on. We still hadn’t told him Joseph and I were together, but he figured it out pretty quickly.
We’d have time to talk later.
In that moment, I knew I had all the time because my future was wide open. I’d finally broken free of Don and I had everything to live for. So, for now, heart full of love and relief, I let myself close my eyes and relax without any worries.
EPILOGUE
“Home,” Joseph said when he carried me through the door.
I laughed and swatted at his arm. “You can put me down.”
“No way. I’m never letting you go again.”
I leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You promise?”
I nodded, going serious. “I promise.”
He pressed a kiss to my mouth. “I almost lost you more than once. Please understand why I need to hold onto you a little while longer.”
My heart filled with so much love for him, it almost burst. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
I kissed him again, and then heard someone clear their throat from behind us.
“I’m still getting used to this,” Tom said from the doorway.
“Me too,” another voice echoed.
“Davies!” I scrambled out of Joseph’s arms and ran to meet Davies at the doorway.
He winced when I bounded up to him. “Careful, Miss. I still have some healing to do.”
I
gave him a wide smile and took his arm to help him through the doorway. “You need to go right to your room and lay down.”
Davies shook his head. “No, Miss. I was just going to make some tea.”
“No.” Joseph pointed down the hall. “You’re going to bed and that’s final. I’ll make you tea and bring it to you.”
“Mr. Barringer,” Davies began. Then he saw the set to Joseph’s jaw and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
He shuffled off to his room, even though he looked so much better than the last time I’d seen him. The bullet had gone straight through, but he’d still been in the hospital for almost a week. Joseph’s orders.
Even though he’d probably never say it out loud, I could see how much Joseph loved Davies. And how lost he’d be if Davies wasn’t around anymore.
He insisted I go to the hospital, too, but I’d been released that night and had spent it here with both Joseph here while they talked late into the night and I dozed.
Now, I’d officially moved in except for the last two boxes in Tom’s car.
Tom followed us into the kitchen. “Do you even know how to make tea?”
Joseph rolled his eyes at Tom. “Of course.”
But he lifted the teapot with question in his eyes.
I reached for it with a laugh. “I’ll make it.”
I made the tea and watched as they laughed and joked with each other. My heart filled with love and joy.
And peace.
It had been a long time since I’d been this content. This hopeful about the future.
I’d finally stood up to my past and I had a reason to look forward.
Joseph.
After another thirty minutes, Davies was settled and Tom had to leave for work. Once Joseph and I were alone in the house, he turned to me at the base of the stairs.
“Are you okay being here?” he asked, brushing his fingers on my cheek.
“Your house? Of course.”
“I mean after what happened. I don’t want you to have bad memories.”
I understood what he meant. He didn’t want me to remember Don on the property, grabbing me in the backyard. The blood on the patio, which had since been cleaned like it had never been there to begin with.
I touched his cheek. “Yes. If you’re here, I only have good memories. I want to be here with you forever.”
“Forever?” He pulled my hand to his mouth and kissed my fingertips. “You mean until death do us part?”
My breath caught. “What are you saying?”
He cupped my face between his hands. “I know it’s fast, and I don’t want you to feel pressure, but I want to marry you.”
I laughed. “Are you telling me or asking me?”
“I’m asking. Allie, will you marry me?”
“Yes. Yes, yes, yes,” I said, launching myself into his arms.
He scooped me against his chest and held me tight enough I could barely breathe. “God, I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes, you do. And I deserve you. We both deserve to be happy.”
He eased back. “And we are.”
“We are.”
“But…” He gave a slow smile. “You still need a ring. And because I want you to pick, we’ll have to go together. You can have your choice of any ring you want.”
“Really?”
“Really. But we can’t go now because we have to take care of Davies.”
I grinned. “That’s sweet. I don’t mind waiting.”
“Only problem with that, though,” he said, squeezing my hand.
“What’s that?”
“I don’t get to see you wearing the ring when I make love to you.”
He started up the stairs and I followed with a smile. “Don’t worry. Once I’m wearing that ring—and only that ring—I’ll do anything you want.”
Joseph stopped at the top of the stairs. “Wearing that ring and only that ring?”
I nodded.
“You promise?” he asked.
“I promise.”
He hauled me into his arms and walked to his bedroom. “Why don’t we practice first?”
He set me on the bed and I nodded. “Practice makes perfect, Mr. Barringer.”
“I like the sound of that, Mrs. Barringer.”
A wide grin stretched across my face. “I like the sound of that, too. Please tell me we don’t have to wait long.”
He started to take off his clothes. “Long to see me naked or long to get married?”
I smiled. “Both.”
He tugged off his pants. “You won’t have to wait long for either. Now take your clothes off.” He grinned. “I want to make love to my fiancée.”
With a laugh, I pulled my dress over my head and then lay back on the bed so Joseph could cover me with kisses and love.
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Table of Contents
Lost
LOST IN HER
LOST IN HER
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
LOST IN HIM
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
LOST IN US
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
EPILOGUE