Loving Pierce (Heart & Soul Series Book 4)

by Elizabeth Lennox

  Once again, Kaitlin seemed to know exactly what he needed. “I think that we should head out for the night,” Kaitlin explained kindly. “This has been a lot for Pierce to take in.” She looked up at him and he squeezed her hand in silent agreement. “But how about meeting for breakfast?” she offered when Roslyn’s face fell.

  Immediately, his mother nodded, her face brightening again. “I would love that!” Without asking, she moved to Pierce and wrapped her arms around his waist. Pierce was so stunned, he wasn’t sure what to do. A moment later, just as she was pulling awkwardly out of his arms, he released Kaitlin’s hand and held his mother close, resting his cheek against the top of her head as he closed his eyes. Something odd struck him, but he didn’t understand. So, instead of trying to figure it out, he tightened his arms around his mother’s slender frame. He felt her sob slightly and held her closer, although not as close as he’d like.

  When she finally pulled away, Pierce needed…something. He wasn’t sure what. But Kaitlin took control. Moments later, they were out the door and she plucked the keys to the SUV out of his nerveless fingers. “Get in, big guy. I’ll drive.”

  She drove them to a hotel, a non-descript chain. There was nothing spectacular about this hotel, but it would provide a clean bed and something to drink. He needed a drink after the revelations today. And he needed Kaitlin. Other than that, he had no idea.

  Chapter 10

  Kaitlin wasn’t sure what to say or do for Pierce. She knew that he was in shock. His entire world had changed over the past several hours. She suspected that he wasn’t even sure where to start processing everything he’d learned.

  “Talk to me, Pierce,” she urged, sitting down next to him.

  “I’m not really sure what to say,” he replied, taking her hand and leaning back against the pillows on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. “For so long, I thought that she’d just…walked out on me and my father.”

  “And now you know that she didn’t. That she never stopped loving you.” Kaitlin leaned into him and he reached around, automatically wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “You’re a loveable person, Pierce.”

  He looked at her and she tensed, worried about what he might say. “I never thought of myself that way.”

  Relief surged through her and she smiled up at him. “You are.” She saw the question in his eyes and moved closer. “I love you, Pierce. After meeting your father, I understand why you don’t believe that. That you don’t believe that you are lovable. But now that you’ve met your mother and she’s told you, proven to you, that she never stopped loving you, is there any way that you might believe me when I tell you that I love you?”

  He stared at her for a long moment. This was it, she thought, her heart racing. This was the moment. If Pierce started to believe, then she had a chance. But what if he didn’t believe? What if he still thought that he was alone in this world? “You don’t have to live your life alone and lonely, Pierce,” she urged, gripping his strong, muscular shoulders as she straddled his lap. Shoulders that had held up the world for too long all by himself.

  “You were there with me today,” he whispered, his voice scratchy. Almost as if the words were hard to say, hard to admit and believe. “It was as if you were reading my mind, Kaitlin. Every time I needed you, you reached out to me, moved closer.” His hands were gripping her hips now, his fingers clenching and unclenching as his fabulously logical mind worked through his illogical emotions.

  “I could sense when you needed me,” she whispered.

  A muscle flexed in his neck and jaw. She could see the struggle in his eyes but, for the first time today, she didn’t know what to do to help him.

  “You didn’t leave me when you were angry about that employee touching me inappropriately.”

  Kaitlin’s heart soared! “I was angry. But no, I didn’t leave you. And I didn’t stop loving you.”

  “You walked away so…” he looked down, then back up at her, his eyes heated. “You walked away so you wouldn’t hurt me with your pain, didn’t you?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I had no intention of letting you go,” she promised. “I love you. And I don’t like it when other women touch you.”

  “I won’t let it happen again!” he vowed. “I…” he began, but stopped, his mouth clenching tightly.

  But Kaitlin knew what he was trying to say. “I love you, too!” and she leaned forward, pressing her lips gently against his. It wasn’t a sexual caress. This kiss was more about connecting. About showing him that she loved him with her whole heart and knew that he felt the same way. “Don’t ever leave me again.”

  He groaned and wrapped his arms around her. “I won’t. Please don’t ever leave me, Kaitlin.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close and closing her eyes. “I won’t leave you. I love you.”

  Pulling away, he lifted his head. “Marry me.”

  Kaitlin blinked. Questions tumbled around in her head, but she pushed them aside, knowing that he needed to hear her agreement. He needed the words that, in his mind, would prove that she truly loved him.

  “I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with you, making you happy and showing you how much I love you, Pierce Rossen,” she whispered, touched beyond anything by his simple, straight-forward proposal. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “When?” he demanded.

  “Tomorrow. Next week. Any day you choose. I will be there.” She kissed him briefly. “I only ask one thing. Well, two things, actually.”

  He stiffened and Kaitlin smiled gently. “I ask that your mother be present for our wedding.” She kissed him again, “And that your father not be there.”

  He relaxed and smiled, the expression building until it was a laugh. “That’s a deal I can live with,” and he kissed her.

  Epilogue

  “Stop stressing. It is going to be fine!” Kaitlin assured Pierce.

  “Right. I’ve heard that before,” Pierce grumbled as he pulled up outside of his mother’s house.

  “Gramma!” their five year old son, Peter, yelled, slamming his stuffed elephant against his car seat. “Do you think she has cookies for me?”

  “No!” their three year old daughter, Emma, announced. “Gramma made cookies for me!”

  Kaitlin rolled her eyes as she released the lock on her seatbelt. “I think Gramma makes cookies for Daddy! But you two are faster at eating them!” Her two children giggled while Pierce rolled his eyes. Which made Kaitlin laugh.

  Before she could step out of the SUV, Roslyn was rushing down the pathway. “Hello!” she called, eager to hug everyone. Pierce was already around the vehicle and Roslyn wrapped her arms around her son’s waist, laying her head against his chest. “Oh, it’s so good to see you!” she whispered. “I know that you promised to spend Christmas with me again this year, but I have to admit, after so long without you, every moment that you’re here seems like a dream to me.” She pulled back and looked up at him.

  Kaitlin watched, smiling as she helped Peter and Emma out of their car seats. She knew that Pierce needed this moment with his mother at the start of each visit. It was only a few seconds, but they connected. His hugs to his mother were no longer awkward as they were initially. He fully embraced the woman who had given birth to him. They visited several times a year plus Pierce flew her down to one of his resorts so that they could spend a week together in a beautiful environment.

  But that quiet moment with just mother and son ended as soon as her two children were free of their restraints. “Gramma!” they yelled gleefully, racing for her. Peter was faster, but Emma was more determined. Thankfully, Roslyn understood and was already on her knees with her arms open wide for her grandchildren, hugging them close.

  “Did you bake cookies for us?” Peter demanded as soon as he’d received her love and affection.

  Roslyn gasped. “Cookies? I’d never bake cookies! They are full of sugar! Nope! I steamed some veggies for you though. They are sitting on
the counter.”

  Peter and Emma stared at each other for a long moment, horrified.

  Peirce laughed, shaking his head slightly. “Why don’t you two go check it out? I think Gramma is teasing you.”

  The relief on their adorable features was precious! Immediately, they pulled out of Roslyn’s arms and raced into the house. Even from outside on the lawn, Kaitlin could hear their cheers of delight when they discovered the plate of warm cookies.

  “What kind?” Pierce asked, wrapping his arm around Kaitlin’s shoulders.

  Roslyn shrugged with a smile. “Lemon, of course. Your favorite.”

  Pierce laughed and pulled his mother in for another hug as the three of them walked inside. “You spoil me,” he teased.

  “I have to make up for lost time,” she said, leaning her head against his other shoulder. “Besides, Kaitlin likes them too.”

  She did. She loved everything about this house and this woman, including her son.

  Excerpt from “Resisting the Sheik’s Commands”

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  “You did it!” Ilara announced excitedly to the couple sitting nervously across the desk. “You really did it!”

  Ilara watched as the couple’s mouths fell open. “We…did?” The couple clasped hands. “Are you sure?”

  Ilara understood and her grin widened. They’d come a long way in order to reach this point, overcoming several setbacks along the way. “Yes! You are completely out of debt!” She pressed a few buttons on her computer and the printer behind her came to life. When the papers landed in the tray, Ilara pushed them across her inexpensive desk, using her pen to point to the zero balance at the bottom of the spreadsheet. “Look at this…”

  The door to Ilara’s office flew open and she looked up, startled, dropping her pen.

  “Hello, Ilara,” the man said, his voice deep and scratchy. Unfortunately, that voice was also terrifyingly familiar.

  Thankfully, his greeting snapped her out of her shock and she straightened, turning the financial papers over to protect her clients’ privacy. “What are you doing here?” she demanded then shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t care why you’re here. Leave. You are interrupting a private meeting.”

  The man in question only lifted a mocking eyebrow at her before turning to the couple.

  “Would you excuse us for a moment?” he asked, radiating charm.

  Ilara’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. She knew him all too well, and exactly what he was capable of.

  “Jabril, this couple just finished paying off a massive debt. This is an exciting and private moment and I have a few more things–”

  “Congratulations,” he interrupted, bowed slightly. “That’s a major milestone.” He pulled a business card from his breast pocket. “Please, speak with Ramon at this restaurant and have dinner to celebrate. My treat.”

  The couple stared at the card, then up at Jabril in stunned silence. Ilara knew this sweet couple had absolutely no idea who Jabril was, but they beamed, excited at the generous offer.

  “Are you serious?” The husband of the couple asked. Ilara knew that the couple had struggled for everything and luck was rarely on their side.

  “Absolutely! A milestone such as what you’ve accomplished should be celebrated in grand style.”

  Her clients laughed and accepted the card. “You’re right! Let’s go!” He took his wife’s hand, pulling her out of the office. Before they shut the door, he glanced over at Ilara apologetically. “We’ll call to schedule a time to come back to discuss the next step, okay?”

  Ilara nodded, trying to hide her frustration behind a professional smile. A moment later, they were gone, leaving silence in their wake.

  Angry, blistering silence.

  Ilara glared at the man who had ruined her meeting. “Who the hell do you think you are?” she demanded, stalking around the desk. Jabril al Mustar, Sheik of Piara, was irritatingly tall and obnoxiously big. His shoulders alone could shrink by half and would probably still be broader than the average male. The outrageously expensive suit he wore only emphasized those shoulders, that tapered waist. She wanted to punch the smug look off his face.. Kick him out of her office.

  But he was too big for that, so she settled for glaring.

  The smirk that lifted the corners of his mouth didn’t bode well and her stomach tightened with dread. Ilara knew that, whatever it was he wanted to say, she didn’t want to hear it.

  “I think I’m your future husband, Ilara,” he replied with a calm that she’d love to emulate.

  Her eyes narrowed. Was he out of his mind?! “Since when?”

  He leaned forward, his eyes flinty. “You’re about to turn twenty-five,” he pointed out softly.

  The heat radiating from him startled her. The man wasn’t even touching her but she could feel the warmth of his body.

  Pulling back, she crossed her arms over her stomach, trying to ignore those broad shoulders. “I’m fully aware of my birthday.”

  Not by word or blink of his ridiculously long eyelashes did he acknowledge her fury. “Then you’re also fully aware that you need to marry. Soon. Otherwise, your uncle will take full control of your country. The people of Ditra need you.”

  She shrugged, unconcerned with who ruled her birth country, as long as her people were well cared for. If a stab of longing hit her at the reminder of her birthright, she ignored it and focused instead on getting Jabril out of her office. “Uncle Kasim has things well under control,” she announced, suppressing the selfish longing to see her country again. “I talk to him regularly and he sends me constant updates.”

  Jabril’s eyes narrowed ominously. For some reason, Ilara felt judged…and falling short.

  “You are Princess Ilara of Ditra. You were born to rule the country and protect your people.”

  She shifted uncomfortably, guilt pouring her. She’d said the same thing to herself too often over the past several years. She’d had the same argument with her uncle and they’d both come to the conclusion that Ditra was safe and thriving under his wise guidance. “I know that I was raised to rule Ditra. But only if I marry. That’s the law.”

  “So, you’re willing to give up your birth right because of a formality?” he asked. His tone remained calm, but she could feel the outrage building underneath his words.

  Impatiently, Ilara huffed and leaned forward. “Look, Jabril,” she snapped. He might be sheik of a massive, wealthy country, but here in California, he was just another guy. Far better built than most! But just a guy. “You and I don’t think along the same terms. I don’t…” she paused because even she could hear the lie. “I don’t need to rule. My uncle has done a much better job running Ditra than I ever could. He’s increased jobs, set up a nationwide health care, and there’s even a university now! That means that our young people don’t have to travel abroad to get an education!” Her heart was heavy, her uncle had done so much more than she could hope to accomplish. “He stepped up to rule Ditra in order to give me the time to get an education here in California,. My goal was always to get my degree and return, take on my role as ruler of Ditra, but…” she shrugged, pushing a hand impatiently through her hair as she slumped back against the desk. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives, but my uncle is so much better at ruling Ditra than I ever could be.”

  “It is your country,” Jabril argued emphatically.

  She shrugged, swamped by the sudden desire to go home. But, if she returned, there would be chaos. So, she fell back on history as her defense. “Technica
lly, it is your country. My family stole it from Piara fifty years ago. Since you are ruler of Piara, then….” She trailed off, unable to say the words.

  His eyes narrowed. “I agree. It is part of my country. Are you saying I should take it back by force?”

  By force? “No! You wouldn’t dare!” she gasped, horrified at the very idea. “You and I both know that wars only hurt the little people. The generals stand back and observe, tell the others where to shoot and watching them die.” She sliced a hand through the air. “Don’t you dare invade Ditra! I don’t care how legitimate your claim might be. There are better ways!”

  Did his expression relax somewhat? She couldn’t tell.

  “So, you are passionate about protecting your people. You worry about their welfare. And yet, you are unwilling to take your place as their leader?”

  She couldn’t hold his gaze and studied her shoes instead, choosing her words carefully. “Like I said, my uncle has done a much better job than I ever could. My people deserve an experienced ruler.” She glanced around her small office. “I’m doing good things here. I earned my degree is in economics and political science. I help people realize their financial dreams! This is better.” If there was discontent behind her words, she pressed them deeper down inside of her.

  He stared at her for so long, it took all of her willpower not to fidget.

  And then he offered an envelope that she hadn’t realized he was holding. “By the laws of Ditra, you must marry in order to claim the right to rule the country. But, also by rights, Ditra is a province of Piara. I want my country whole again.”

  Anger overrode her guilt. “That’s not going to happen. My people are happy and thriving under my uncle’s rule.”

  He cocked his head to the side, “Are they?”

  Five minutes ago, Ilara knew she was doing the right thing by not interfering in her uncle’s rule. If she returned, her people would be confused if she didn’t marry and take control. Ilara had spoken to her uncle at great length, debating the pros and cons of returning. In the end, they came to the conclusion that it would be better if she ignored the antiquated law that required her to marry by the age of twenty-five. The plan was for her to simply let her birthday pass quietly and her uncle would remain in power. He’d also be required to marry and produce a child, but men weren’t subjected to the same strict age requirements as the women. The age issue stemmed from an ancient ritual that had something to do with the solstice, the sun and moon, and tribal beliefs. Centuries ago, Ditra was considered progressive for even allowing women to rule, despite the marriage requirement.