Summertime Sweets, page 18
“I know,” she replies. Her voice is stronger now.
“Her what?” Kurt yells. His face is turning red. “She’s mine.”
I go to take a step towards him, but Lucy pulls on my arm, reminding me of my promise to her to not get my ass thrown in jail.
“Listen, you sick fuck. She’s nothing to you, and by the time I’m done with you, all the shit I’ve been finding on you you’ll be nothing to anyone but whoever your cellmate is.”
“You don’t have shit.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Lockwood. If I were you, I’d go home and get my affairs in order. Your clock is ticking.”
“I’ll testify. Tell you all he’s done over the years.” Lucy releases her hold on me and steps towards her grandfather, her back straight. “Did you think I wasn't paying attention? I know all your dirty little secrets.” I can hear the smile in her voice as she delivers that blow to him.
I take my own, realizing that she remembers everything. When did it come back to her?
“You little—” Kurt lunges for her, but I’m on him first, my hand connecting with his jaw, and he goes flying back, hitting the floor hard. I hear a loud crack. He doesn't move to get up.
One of the cops rushes towards me to hold me back. I don’t fight him.
“Let him go. He was defending his wife,” the judge says. The cop does as he says. “Take him to the hospital and have him held. He obviously meant to harm the girl when he lunged for her. Hold him on that for now.”
The cops peel Lockwood from the floor. “Let the media know that Lucy is no longer missing. That she is fine and was only away with her husband. They don’t need to know anything.”
“Sure thing, Judge,” one of the cops says as they all leave.
I look to Lucy, who is staring at the floor. “How long have you remembered?” I ask, not caring that we still have a small audience.
“Can we talk about this later?” She glances around at Judge Barnes and my parents.
“Of course.” I reach for her. Thankfully she doesn't pull away from my touch. I wrap my arm around her.
“Thank you, Judge. I’ll send everything over when I get the rest of the information I’m collecting.”
“Good. I want to put that man away where he belongs.” He stops in front of Lucy. “I’m sorry for all that you’ve gone through. I should have kept a better eye on your grandfather. I knew he was a bastard I just didn't know he had a young girl living with him.”
“It’s okay. Thank you for everything,” Lucy tells him. With that, the judge leaves.
“Mom, Dad, I know you’re dying to know everything, but right now I need to be alone with my wife.”
“Of course,” my dad says. My mom clamps her mouth shut, only nodding, probably because if she opens it she won’t be able to stop the barrage of questions I know she wants to ask.
“We’ll see you later son,” my dad says. My mom breaks away from Dad and gives me a hug. Next, she goes for Lucy, holding her tight and whispering in her ear. Then she kisses her on the cheek and she and my dad head out.
Leaving Lucy and me all alone.
“Orlando. I—”
I cut her off, crashing my mouth down onto hers, kissing her with everything I have, scared that this might be the last kiss I ever have with her. No, fuck that. I won’t let it be. I’ll do whatever it takes so she doesn't leave me.
I scoop her up into my arms and carry her up the stairs and into our bedroom, slamming the door behind us. It’s then I realize that she is kissing me back just as intensely as I’m kissing her. When she pulls away, we are both out of breath.
“You really wanted to marry me, didn't you? You didn't do it just to protect me, did you?” Her words take me by surprise.
“I wanted to marry you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my whole life,” I rumble. I don’t like her thinking I married her for any other reason than because I needed her more than I need air.
Chapter 12
Lucy
My heart pounds in my chest. His words fill me with so much relief. After everything came flooding back to me, I started putting things together. Like the fact that Orlando is a wonderful man and would do anything to protect me. Including marrying me, if that’s what it took to keep me safe.
It’s just the kind of man he is. Joining the Army to protect our country, running into a burning building to save others, almost losing his own life in the process, rushing to save me and tying his life to mine in order to keep me safe from my grandfather… But I wanted him to want to marry me.
“I wanted to marry you that much, too. I hated that I thought I couldn't remember our wedding,” I admit. “But there wasn't one, was there? Not really.”
I watch guilt wash over his face. “You remember.”
“Yes.” I nod. “When the judge said my grandfather was coming, everything came flooding back.” I swallow. “He’s a horrible man.” He is, and he likes to run his mouth right in front of me. Before, I wasn't sure who to trust. Who was in his pocket, but now, now I know Orlando will protect me. He won’t let anything hurt me.
“He’ll get what’s coming to him,” Orlando vows.
“You lied to me.” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I did.” He keeps his eyes locked with mine. “When you woke you looked so scared I wanted to put you at ease. Then…” He looks bashful for a moment. “I loved having you as my wife. I thought maybe if I could get you to fall in love with me, when you finally remembered you might stay.”
I throw myself at him, wrapping my body around him. He catches me easily as I pepper kisses all over his handsome face. “I told you I knew you were my person the second I woke up in that bed. I’d never felt so safe. I didn't question you because I knew I was home.” My eyes fill with tears. “I think I crashed into your gate for a reason. It was fate.”
“God, I love you, little one.” He kisses me, taking my breath away. “I was so scared you’d try to leave me when you found out.” I want to laugh at the word try, because I have a feeling while Orlando might give me anything I ask for, the one thing he’d never accept is him and me being separated. Not that I would ever ask for that. It might be crazy, but something about that fills me with even more happiness.
“I hate how you had to get to me, but I’m so fucking thankful you’re here. I wasn't living. You brought me back to life. Made life worth living again.”
God, I love him so much. Now I understand what he meant when he said he’s glad he got hurt as it led him to me. I, too, would take what my grandfather gave me if it led me to Orlando.
“Make love to me,” I say against his mouth.
He groans. “I’ve been dying to make love to you,” he admits. I know now why he’s been holding back. He didn't want to make love to me until I knew the truth. Now I do.
“I’m yours now. You can have me whenever you want.” I watch his eyes darken at my words. This time when he leans down and kisses me, it’s so soft and sweet that I want to cry.
“I’m going to be the best husband to you. I promise I’ll make the rest of your life so sweet it will take away any pain you ever had before me.”
He kisses me again. I wrap myself around him, never wanting to let go. When he pulls away from my mouth, he trails kisses down my neck and shoulder. One hand slips up under my dress. He lets out a growl when he finds I have no panties on.
I’d not wanted anything slowing us down once the ceremony was over. I felt like I’d waited long enough and nothing else was going to get in the way.
“You’re going to be the death of me, little one.”
“I will be if you don’t start removing some clothes.” I start pulling at his shirt, wanting us to be skin to skin. He lets out a deep chuckle and helps me get him undressed. Soon he’s completely naked and back on top of me, pulling at my dress.
“You look beautiful in this, but it has to go.” I gasp when he gives a hard tug and pulls it from me. I hear a loud rip, but I don’t even care.
He stares down at me, his eyes taking me in. “I want you so bad, but I need to go slow with you,” he says. I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or himself.
“We don’t have to go slow.” I wiggle against him, the ache between my thighs building to a throb like I’ve never felt before. “I ache.”
His eyes fly up to mine. I watch a war battle behind them. “You’re a virgin. I have to get you ready, little one.” He slips a finger inside me, filling me. I moan.
“See how tight you are? That’s only one finger.” He moves it in and out of me, his thumb circling my clit.
I raise my hips, wanting more. He gives it to me, slipping another finger inside of me. I moan his name. I’m unable to take my eyes off his face. His jaw is tight as he watches himself slide his fingers in and out of me.
He licks his lips as if wanting to taste me. Then he does, taking what he wants. The pure primal need within him is my undoing as I cum against his tongue, screaming out his name. He doesn't stop, though. He keeps licking and sucking, pushing another orgasm on top of the last.
My back bows off the bed, my whole body feeling as if it’s tingling. I fall back onto the bed and close my eyes as Orlando trails kisses back up my body, not missing one spot on me.
When his breath brushes against my mouth, my eyes flutter open. His cock pushes a little inside of me. I gasp. Orlando’s mouth falls onto mine, kissing me slowly as he pushes further inside of me. I wrap my legs and arms around him.
“I’m sorry, little one,” he tells me. A sharp pain hits as he stills, fully sheathed. He rests his forehead against mine, words of love pouring from his lips. I can feel the strain of his body under my hands. I swear I think he might be shaking.
After a moment the pain falls away and all there is is Orlando and his sweet words. Him deep inside of me, his body caging mine, I’ve never felt closer to someone in my life. Whole and safe. A tear slips down my face.
Orlando kisses it. “Little one.”
His voice sounds so pained. His eyes search my face. He starts to pull out of me, but I hold on tighter to him. “Before now I never understood how people cried when there were happy. I get it now.” His face softens.
“Make love to me,” I tell him, lifting my hips. He growls at my movement and like always does as I ask, moving in and out of me, the pleasure mounting all over again.
“I didn't think I’d fit inside your little body, but you were made for me. I should have known I’d fit into you perfectly.”
“Yes,” I moan. It is perfect. He slides his hand between us, his fingers going for my clit.
“Going to make you cum again. I want to feel it when I’m inside of you,” he growls.
“Together. We cum together. Make me yours.”
“Say it. Say you want me forever. Nothing will ever tear us apart.”
“Forever. You and me,” I say instantly. No hesitation.
“Mine,” he growls. The single word of possession sends me over the edge and makes me cum. I cry out his name, feeling his warm releases inside of me. He jerks on top of me and fills me deeply.
We lie there, his body pressing down on mine, our breathing heavy, the smell of our lovemaking filling the room.
Orlando rolls so I’m on top of him. His cock is still hard inside of me. If I didn't feel his cum inside me, I would think maybe he hadn’t climaxed.
“I want more,” I tell him, sitting up all the way. He stares up at me and grabs my hips in a tight hold, his fingers digging into me.
“Maybe we should—” He’s cut off when I start to rock back and forth on him. His words turn into moans in pleasure. I know what he was going to say. Like always, he is worried about me.
“I want more,” I say again, smiling down at my handsome husband. And like always he gives me what I want.
Epilogue
Orlando
“You got him?” I ask my parents as I stand from my chair. I want to go check on my wife. She’s taking too long for my liking. She said she’d be right back, and that was ten minutes ago. People will be arriving any moment now.
“Of course,” my mom says, her eyes trained on my four-year-old son who is splashing away in the shallow end of the pool. He looks over at me, giving me that same dimple his mama has. He’s even got her dark hair, but that’s where it ends. The rest of him is the spitting image of me. My chest still gets tight when I think about how my wife gave me a son. How she keeps filling my life with so much joy when I thought I’d live out a lonely existence before she came crashing into my life and jolted me back to life. “Taking your time. I’d love another grandbaby.”
“Mom!” I yell, making my dad throw back his head and laugh. Jesus, my own mother is practically making me blush. I shake my head. Laughter follows behind me as I head in pursuit of my wife.
It’s Labor Day weekend, and since finding each other on that weekend, we’ve made a big deal out of the weekend every year. We always host a barbecue in the backyard. Lucy even talked me into getting a swimming pool. Not that she had to really talk me into it. More she asked and I made it happen.
She goes all out every year now. Even though the barbecue is small with just my parents and some of my old army buddies and their wives and kids, she still overdoes it. I head up the stairs. She’s likely in our room. She said she needed to slip on a bathing suit. Maybe I’ll catch her changing and will take my time like my mom suggested. She’s been doing a lot of that lately. With the hint of us having more kids.
It’s not for lack of trying that Lucy has not gotten pregnant again. We’ve never used protection. Never even talked about it. We have just always gone with it. Lucy believes fate will take care of everything, but it’s been four years since we had our son. I’d love another one—a little girl who looks just like her mama, but I’m good with what we have, too.
When I open the bedroom door I hear her humming in the closet. I stroll over and lean up against the door. She moves about the closet, putting a few things away then searching for a swimsuit. Fuck. I don’t know how I ever got so lucky. Fate had given her to me and I’ll spend every moment of our lives together making sure my girl is happy.
I want to ensure the shit from her past doesn't taint her. There’s no more darkness in our lives, and we both make sure it stays that way. Thankfully, we don't have to do much about her grandfather. Fucker got off easy if you ask me. Heart attack in jail before he was even tried for his crimes. It was bittersweet. I knew the asshole was out of her life, but I felt like he should have suffered more. At least she didn't have to spend one more day thinking about him. I’d hated the idea of her having to testify against him and all his dirty dealings. My little one didn't need that shit in her life anymore. She left that life behind the day she came running into mine, and she’s not going back.
I watch as she pulls off her sundress and slips her panties down her leg. I’m moving before they can even hit the floor. I wrap my arms around her from behind, breathing in her sweet honey smell.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” I tell her, nipping at her bare shoulder. She turns in my arms and smiles up at me.
“Sorry. I got hung up.” She doesn't look sorry at all. In fact, I think she knew I’d come looking for her. I pick her up carrying her over to the island that sits in the center of closet.
“I’m glad you did.” I reach between us, freeing my cock, and wasting no time, I push inside of her. Like always she’s ready for me. My little one has a greedy pussy—something I’ve enjoyed over the years. She moans as I thrust in and out of her. She clings to me as I make love to her, and we both cum together. My warm release fills her. Her pussy clamps tight around me, taking all of me into her body.
I stare down at her as she lies on the island, her chest rising and falling from our lovemaking, her hair spread out all around her. She looks well loved. She is.
I run my hand along her hips and to her stomach, which shows little marks from having our son. They always make my heart clench with love for what she’s given our family. I remember my thoughts about her giving me another child. Her growing round all over again.
“Feel free to take your time whenever you like if this is what happens when I come to find you,” I tease her. She licks her lips. Something flashes in her eyes and I know she wants to tell me something. I know her so well now. I can read every look that crosses her face. It didn't take me long to acquire that skill, not when I can never tear my eyes from her.
“Little one.”
She bites her lip.
“Out with it,” I push.
“I was taking so long because I had to take a pregnancy test,” she finally admits. My body stills. “I didn't want to tell you. Get your hopes up.” She sits up, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’m pregnant,” she says against my mouth before kissing me.
I dig my fingers into her hair, deepening the kiss. My heart is so full I swear it almost hurts. My cock is fully back to life inside of her. She pulls back from the kiss. “I can’t wait to tell Mom.” She beams at me. My parents are her parents now, too. Lucy is the daughter they always wanted but couldn't have. My girl eats up their attention as much as they eat up hers.
“Can you please not talk about Mom when my cock is inside of you?” She giggles and pushes at my chest, making my cock slip out of her as I take a step back. I watch my cum leak out of her pussy as she slides down to the floor.
“You’ll have to wait till later. We have guests arriving.” I groan. I want to be back inside of her, but to be honest, I want to share the news with my parents, too. They are going to be over the moon. Fuck, I still can’t wrap my mind around it. She’s giving me another baby.
I put my cock away, willing my hard-on to go down as Lucy slips into a bikini.
“I don’t fucking think so,” I tell her. It’s showing way to much skin. She rolls her eyes because I’m pretty sure we have this same fight about her bathing suit every year.
