28. The Truth Shall Set You Free
Chapter 28
The Truth Shall Set You Free
Ash
I knock on Ori’s door, huffing out a breath as I prepare for my woman’s wrath.
Trust me, I know I’ve got it coming.
True to form, she cracks open the door and shoots me a glare. “God, I’m in no mood. What do you want?”
“We need to talk. Now.”
“How about I don’t work around your schedule? How about I don’t feel like talking? How about?—”
“Beautiful, open the damn door.”
Ori’s lips press into a tight line, and she leans against the doorframe, clearly ready to ride the petulance train as far as it will take her. Can’t say I blame her.
“No.”
Okay, time to change tactics. Trace warned me to keep quiet, but Ori needs to know. I can’t stand another minute away from the woman I love, and if facing Trace’s wrath is the price, I’ll pay it without hesitation.
I glance around the parking lot, praying no one is within earshot. Paranoia is a bitch, and it grows worse by the minute.
Here goes nothing—and everything —all at once.
I shove my hands in my pockets and rock back on my heels. “It’s not my baby.”
A growl rises from Ori’s chest as she slams the door shut. For a second, I think I’ve screwed this situation up even worse, but then the latch slides off, and she throws the door wide open.
“You are such a jerk. I can’t believe you’d say that.”
Is it an asshole move? Sure, but it worked.
“Got me in the door,” I reply, stepping inside and kicking the door shut behind me. My fingers twist the lock into place, ensuring no one can follow.
“Get out,” Ori grunts, pounding her fists against my chest.
I easily fend off her blows and scoop her into my arms. “I’m not leaving.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demands, wriggling against me.
“Just be quiet for a second, and I’ll tell you.” I carry her into the bathroom and set her on the vanity before turning the shower on full blast. “Now, as I was saying, it’s not my baby.”
Ori releases a howl of frustration, jabbing a finger toward her stomach. “This is your baby. You want a paternity test? Fine, but I’m not risking the pregnancy now, so you’ll have to cool your heels until the baby is born. Don’t worry, I won’t say a word about the baby’s daddy until then. Maybe I’ll invent some raucous story about how the father is a stripper in Vegas with a ten-foot dick.”
I cross my arms and lean against the sink, unable to hide my amusement. The more she goes on, the funnier it becomes. She’s five feet of terror wrapped in an adorable package, like one of those maniacal chihuahuas that screech and howl at every dog, no matter the size.
Best not to mention that fact right now.
“Is this funny to you?” she snaps, throwing up her hands in disgust. “You’re a bastard, Asher Hammond. You need to leave.”
She slides off the vanity, but I step forward, caging her in my arms.
Sorry, little one, but this is all the space I’m giving you now.
“Yell at me all you want. I’m not leaving your side.”
“You’re sure as hell not staying here.”
“Will you listen? After I’m done, you can decide if you’d like to continue yelling at me.”
She juts out her chin, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. “What more could you possibly have to tell me? You swear me to secrecy, demand my love and understanding for your first baby mama, and then top it all off by asking for a paternity test.”
I rest my hands against her stomach, letting the warmth of her body calm my frayed nerves. “Ori, I know this is my baby.”
“Then why would you say that it isn’t?” Ori buries her face in her hands, her body shaking. “Ash, you heard the doctor. I need to reduce my stress, and you being here is doing the opposite. So, please, say what you have to say and go. Just go.”
“Lucille’s baby isn’t mine.” I hiss the words in her ear, still terrified of who might be listening to our conversation.
Ori’s jaw slackens, and she shakes her head as if to clear it. “Did you take a paternity test?”
“No need. I haven’t slept with the woman in years.”
Her gaze narrows at me. “Then why would you think you were the father? Ash, you understand how this process works, right?”
I shoot her an exasperated look as I drag a hand through my hair. “Don’t worry. I understand the basics, beautiful.” I exhale sharply, trying to gather my thoughts. “Lucille and I are working undercover.”
“You’re what? With whom? Some underground tattooing ring?”
“Homeland Security.”
"Of course. Homeland Security." Ori’s gaze drifts to the far wall, her palms pressing together as if trying to grasp the weight of my admission. "Come on, you’re not serious."
“Actually, I am.”
She presses her fingers to her temples, exhaling sharply. “You never stop, do you? Spinning some ridiculous story about working with the government. What’s the point?”
“I’m serious.”
Ori slips from the vanity and turns off the shower. “Can we please stop wasting my water?”
As soon as she steps away, I throw the spray back on. I don’t give a damn if I run up a $500 water bill. I’ll gladly pay every dime. “No, because I’m not sure who’s listening.”
Ori groans and rolls her eyes. “Please stop. I don’t know what crazy crime drama you pulled this plot from, but it’s enough now.”
Gripping her shoulders, I force her to meet my eyes. "Ori, I’ve never lied to you—except about what Lucille’s presence meant in my life. And I’m sure as hell not lying now."
"I’m not sure what finally breaks her defenses—my steadfast stare, my unwavering posture, or her own intrinsic understanding that I’m telling the truth."
She sags against the vanity, her face awash with confusion. Then she lifts her hand, giving me the floor. “Spill it, Hammond. What the hell is going on?”
“Lucille got mixed up with the wrong guy, and I mean the wrong guy.”
“This wrong guy is her baby’s father?”
“Yeah.” I brace my hands on the counter, my knuckles turning white with the force. “Anyway, she started suspecting her boyfriend was running girls—you know, trafficking them through his club. One night, her ex-husband came in to sample the wares, if you catch my drift.”
“Wait a second. Both her boyfriend and her ex-husband are involved in sex trafficking? Jesus. She’s picked a couple of winners.”
I shake my head, tension tightening my jaw. “No, her ex works for Homeland Security. He reached out to her after he learned she was mixed up in this mess and asked for her help. She became his inside person.”
Ori’s mouth twists into a grimace, her fingers tapping against the countertop. “That’s super risky for a pregnant woman. But how did you get involved?”
“It got very dangerous, and her ex had to pull her out and get her somewhere safe. That’s where I came in.”
She tilts her head, skepticism flickering in her eyes. “I still don’t understand.”
“Lucille’s boyfriend accused her of cheating with me after some pictures of us at the convention in Vegas surfaced. Nothing happened—it was totally professional—but he didn’t see it that way.”
“Was it, though?” she asks, hesitancy lining every syllable.
I grasp her chin, capturing her dark gaze. “Yes, Ori. Since our first night, I haven’t been with anybody else.”
Ori covers her mouth with both hands and releases a deep breath. “I needed to hear that.” She waves her hand, prompting me to continue. “Sorry, back to your story.”
“Her boyfriend beat her pretty badly, and Lucille was scared she would lose the baby if she stayed any longer. Since he already believed I was sleeping with her, we decided to make that the public front. It got her out of his way and gave him something else to stew on while Homeland Security finished their investigation and prepared to take him down.”
“So, you know her boyfriend?”
“Yes.” My teeth clench as a fresh wave of tension rushes through me. “And so do you. Who did I demand you stay away from?”
Ori’s eyes widen, horror dawning on her face. “Kevin Duncan.”
I nod, taking her hands in mine. “That’s why I was so desperate to keep you from him.”
“Is that why he was hanging around me? Because of you and Lucille?”
“Pretty much. He wanted to get even with me by hurting the most important person in my world.”
Her breath catches as she stares at me, tears shining brightly in her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me all this a month ago?”
“I wanted to, but Trace swore me to secrecy. Braden didn’t know, either. No one did. Trace worried if you guys knew, then your reactions might give it away. Kevin is a piece of shit, but he’s no fool. He was sniffing around, just looking for anything to prove this was a ruse. I had to ensure you believed it was real, too.”
Her tears earn their due, sliding silently down her cheeks. “Trust me, you gave a hell of a performance. This was the worst month of my life.”
I reach over, sweeping her tears away with my thumbs. “Mine too.”
“So, why are you telling me now? Did they get him?”
“They’re closing in tomorrow, and I’m taking an enormous risk telling you, but I couldn’t go another minute with you, not believing that you are everything to me.”
Ori ducks under my arms, shaking her hands as she tries to digest the deluge of information. She paces a few short steps before stopping, her head tilting up to meet my gaze. “My head is spinning.”
“Are you okay?” I step closer, my stomach tightening with worry.
“Metaphorically speaking,” she replies, waving a hand to brush off my concern.
I exhale sharply, the tension easing from my shoulders. “Don’t scare me like that.”
“Sorry. So that’s why you showed no interest in Lucille or her baby?”
“Yep.”
“And why you’ve been so ridiculously overprotective of me?”
“Exactly.”
She removes her glasses and pinches the bridge of her nose, releasing a shaky breath. “Makes sense.”
“Look, I want Lucille safe, but she’s not the reason I agreed to play along with this ruse. Trace and Lucille informed me that Kevin was watching you. They had photographic proof, and I knew he had been hanging around. I figured he had a thing for you, because a lot of fucking men do, but when I learned his real reason for staying close, I knew I had to protect you. Taking him down was the only way to keep you safe.”
Ori huffs out a small laugh, her lips quirking into a half-smile. “Are you done now?”
I chuckle at my woman’s thinly veiled annoyance, realizing how good it feels to laugh again. “Keeping you safe? No. Never.”
“With your undercover work.”
“Yes, I’m done. Hopefully, for good.”
Her shoulders sag as the tension slides from her body. “You’re a good friend to Lucille.”
“She’s not my friend, but she’s no longer my enemy, either. Besides, you help people when they’re in trouble. That’s how my folks raised me.”
"They raised you right. Thank you for protecting me, even though I spent most of this month thinking you were a total asshole. Also, I may have bought a book on black magic."
“Shit. Did you read it?” I really hope she’s kidding, but with Ori, you can never be too certain.
“You’re still here, aren’t you?” Her reply is blasé, like I’m off the hook for now—but I’m pretty sure that book is staying in her nightstand, just in case I screw up again.
“I almost told you everything that night in the speakeasy, when I was drunk.”
“I knew you were drunk.” Ori points a finger at me, but I catch the wicked gleam in her eyes. Damn, I’ve missed her mischievous side.
I’m hopelessly addicted to it—and to her.
"Still meant everything I said." And I did—now more than ever. "But I kept quiet, even though I hated the distance between us. I couldn’t risk you acting out of sorts or saying something that might raise Kevin’s suspicion."
Ori plants her hands on her hips, shooting me a mock glare. “Are you saying I don’t have a good poker face?”
“You’re the worst liar in history, but I love that about you.”
The words slip out before I can stop them, although I’m not sure my pseudo admission counts. Somehow, those three little words— I love you —don’t seem nearly grand enough for Ori and our baby.
“I am not the worst liar,” she grumbles.
She doesn’t bring up my mention of the L word, but I see her edges softening as she grants me entrance to her heart once more.
I raise my hands in mock surrender, a smug smirk coloring my face. “Hands down, the worst, but that’s what makes you perfect. Do you honestly think, for one second, I wanted to be away from you?”
“It was a lot more than one second. It was about a million of them.”
“I hated every day we were apart, but it made me realize something important. See, I didn’t think I was ready for you, Ori, but I’ve realized that’s not the case. I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.”
A slow smile spreads across her face, lighting her up from the inside. “That was good, Ash. Really good. So, you’re ready for me now?”
“Absolutely.”
“And you’re ready for this?” she asks, pointing at her still-flat abdomen.
“Without a doubt. So, are you still mad at me?”
Ori bobs her head, considering my question. “Yes.”
Then, in a totally unexpected move, she pulls off her shirt and twists her hair into a messy bun, her movements unhurried and deliberate.
“What are you doing? Not that I’m complaining about you stripping down.” My voice thickens with desire as I drag my tongue across my lower lip.
If I had my way, Ori would be naked 24/7—for my eyes only, obviously.
"The water’s warm," she says, motioning to the steam swirling thick in the air, as if she isn’t ignoring the important question I just asked. "I’m taking a shower."
She slips her hands under the waistband of her sweats and slides them down in one fluid motion. Her bare skin glistens as she tosses them aside and steps under the shower spray.
Fuck, my cock is desperate for a piece of this action. I grunt and adjust myself, realizing it’s been far too long since I’ve made love to my gorgeous woman.
Hopefully, that drought ends tonight.
“Seriously, you forgive me, right?” I ask, peering around the shower curtain and dragging my gaze slowly over every inch of Ori’s form.
She flashes me a cheeky grin as she runs her hands along her body, ensuring I have a front-row seat to every one of her delectable curves. “Forgive you for keeping me in the dark while you try to rid the world of vermin? I don’t know. It’s a big ask, Hammond, but I might let you try to convince me. That is, if you’re interested.”
“Fuck yes, I’m interested.”
“Then get the hell in here.”
My woman doesn’t have to tell me twice. I’ve never stripped down so fast in my life.
Once beneath the warm spray, I grab Ori to me, enveloping her slight frame in my arms. Her body melts against me and I close my eyes, allowing the moment to sink in.
Home. I’m finally home again.
Ori tips her face up, and I waste no time claiming those luscious lips. Her love eases every hurt, every pain my heart has known.
No, I love you isn’t nearly good enough for a woman like Ori. They haven’t invented a word to describe this emotion yet—or maybe there simply isn’t one that could encapsulate this overwhelming need to protect and adore her.
Despite the steadily growing inferno inside me, I maintain an easy pace as I reclaim the parts of her I feared were lost forever.
Her hands glide across my chest, and her tongue tangles leisurely with mine, the heat between us building with every soft caress.
I frame Ori’s face with my hands, dropping delicate kisses across her cheeks and forehead. “I missed you so much.”
“How about you never have to miss me again?”
“That’s the plan,” I reply, sealing my promise with another kiss.
Ori steps from the shower and wraps a towel around her body. “Come on. Hero or not, you still owe me big time.”
I grab a towel to dry off, loving my lady’s hooded gaze when it falls on my fully erect cock.
Yes, beautiful, he’s all for you.
“I’ll give you anything you want.”
Her eyes widen. “Be careful there, Ash. You’re leaving yourself wide open.”
I pull her into my arms, her towel falling to the floor. “Anything. You. Want.”
Ori bites her lower lip, the playful curve of her mouth faltering. Her brow furrows slightly, and the sparkle in her eyes dims as seriousness takes hold.
“So many options,” she murmurs, her gaze focused on the floor. “You mean it? Anything I want?”
“Yes.” It’s not a lie. No matter what demand she puts on the table, I’ll give it to her—gladly.
She interlaces our fingers, and I feel the slight tremble running through her.
“You’ll answer me honestly?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper. “Not just say what you think I want to hear?”
“Of course.”
What in the world is going on in your head right now, beautiful?
Ori rolls her shoulders and meets my gaze, her eyes once again bright with unshed tears. “Are you mad?”
“About what?”
“Me having a baby.”
I trail my fingers gently along her temple, desperate to ease the worry from her mind. “You mean us ? Can I be included in this scenario, too? Oriana Thorne, I knew the risks when I tossed the condom. I did it anyway. Then I did it again, and again, and again. So no, I’m not mad. I knew.”
A flash of levity crosses her face as she nods. “I knew, too. Guess we’re equally guilty.”
I tip her chin up, hoping she can read the truth in my eyes and this time, know beyond any doubt that I’m for real. “I wanted it with you, even if I didn’t know how to say it. You weren’t the only one.”
A single tear glides down her cheek, and I lean down to kiss it away.
“No more tears, beautiful.”
Ori has endured enough pain and heartache for one lifetime. Now, it’s time for adoration and worship to claim the starring role.
Sweeping her into my arms, I carry her to the bed, placing her across the soft blanket. When her eyes meet mine, I see everything I’ve searched my entire life for—everything I damn near lost forever.
I settle between her thighs, my lips dusting kisses along her abdomen and hips. Her soft sighs fill the room, and I swear they’re my favorite melody. “You’re so beautiful. So perfect.”
My tongue traces a languid path along her breasts and up her throat, savoring the soft warmth of her skin, every movement as slow and reverent as if discovering her for the first time.
When I reach her mouth, her lips eagerly claim mine. She tangles her hands in my hair as we reacquaint ourselves with a chemistry so powerful it could burn the world down.
My thumb circles her clit, slick with her arousal, teasing her open with deliberate strokes. My fingers slide inside her, curling and stroking, pulling soft gasps from her as her body tightens beneath me. Just as she starts to tremble, I slow, dragging her back from the brink before starting again.
Yes, I’m keeping her on that edge, riding that razor, and taking back every single minute I lost over the last month.
“You know, Mr. Hammond,” she teases, “it’s almost unfair how good you are at this. How am I supposed to survive without you for even a day?”
"You won’t have to ever again." I pause, brushing my lips over hers as the truth pours out of me. "Even though I can breathe without you, Ori, I never want to. Life without you isn’t living. You’re my reason for everything."
Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears as she cups my face, brushing her fingers along my jaw. “You’re mine, too.”
Ori’s reassurance is all I need. Now, it’s time to reclaim what’s mine.
My cock teases her entrance, savoring how wet and ready she is for me. I’ve always said she has the most perfect pussy on the planet, but I was wrong. Every inch of her is perfection—and every inch belongs to me.
Her hips lift in an unspoken plea as she cups her breasts, teasing her nipples into hard peaks.
“Please don’t make me wait any longer,” she begs.
What my lady wants, she gets.
When I thrust deep inside her, she releases a guttural moan, her nails raking down my back as she pulls me close.
A flash of overwhelming emotion rushes through me, and I pause, basking in her tight warmth.
I slide my hands under her shoulders and pull her close as I move slowly inside her, savoring every second.
This is so much more than sex. So much more than making love. This is love. This is us rediscovering every inch of each other.
Ori whimpers, her body trembling as she nears release, but I won’t rush one second of this. My gaze locks on hers, a smile tugging at my lips as the pleasure sweeps across her face.
She arches into me, her whole body trembling as she unravels, her muscles clenching around my cock and pulling me dangerously close to the edge.
Ori moans my name as she clings to me, her nails scratching temporary tattoos into my skin. Let her mark me everywhere because I know one thing—I belong to this woman.
No one else will ever stand a chance.
When a second orgasm crests through her, Ori thrashes beneath me. “Ash, fuck, it’s too much.”
But it’s nowhere near enough. I silence any protest with my mouth, kissing her deeply, my tongue tangling with hers in a slow, sensual rhythm as my shaft glides through her slick heat.
When her cries soften, I pull back, savoring the moment before resuming my slow, deliberate rhythm.
“Does it feel good for you?” Ori murmurs, her voice a soft purr of satisfaction.
“You’re perfection. Utter perfection,” I whisper, pressing my lips to her temple.
But she knows, after months of our wild and crazy sex life, that I’m taking it easy.
Ori strokes her fingers along my bearded jaw, a knowing smile curving her lips. "You’re so slow and gentle tonight. Are you afraid of hurting the baby?"
I nuzzle my lips against her neck, smiling when she releases a low chuckle. “I know our baby is safe, but I don’t want to miss a thing.”
“Ash?”
“Yes, my love?”
“I missed you.” Her arms tighten around me, and I melt into her embrace.
With a sigh, I rest my forehead against hers. “I’ve only ever been right here, waiting for you.”
I know how lucky I am that Ori has given me another chance. That through some twist of fate, her unrelenting understanding and enormous heart still have room for me.
She’ll never have to question my loyalty—or my love—again.
“I needed that,” Ori murmurs against my chest.
“Understatement of the year.” I tuck a hand behind my head, my other arm draped protectively around her. “See? This is yet another reason why you should’ve accepted my marriage proposal. Fantastic sex on demand.”
Am I messing with her? Yes—and no. I’d like to know where Ori stands on walking down the aisle, especially since I may have dropped a small fortune on a vintage engagement ring.
Ori props her chin on my chest, quirking her brows in surprise. “When exactly did you propose and how did I miss it?”
“I talked about it that night at the speakeasy?—”
“When you were drunk,” she reminds me.
“Minor detail,” I chuckle. “And then again, on that day with that investor prick.”
She bites her lip as a cheeky grin threatens to break across her face. “ That’s your idea of a proposal?”
“I think it’s pretty good.”
Ori’s laughter bubbles between us, light and warm. “It’s terrible, actually.”
“Thanks a lot.”
She peppers kisses across my chest, her fingers trailing idle designs on my skin. “I should’ve agreed to all of it, though, just to throw you off.”
“You should have, because now you’ll have to ask me,” I tease, smiling up at her. “And you will, too.”
“Is that a fact?”
“It is, because I’m the total package. Good in bed, good job, nice guy?—”
“Eh, I don’t know about all that.”
“Oh, you’re going to pay for that.” I tickle her sides, laughing as she squirms against me, her delighted squeals filling the room.
With an exaggerated harrumph, she fixes me with her dark gaze. "You’re an amazing man. You’ve built two incredible businesses, and as for your skills in the bedroom ..."
“Well? Go ahead, you can say it.”
Am I being a cocky bastard? Of course, but here’s the thing. Ori loves that side of me, just as much as she loves the sweet teddy bear side.
“Best time I’ve ever had.”
“Damn straight.” I tug her close, my voice thick with emotion. “And you’re mine.”
The heat simmers between us as we stare at each other. Two people couldn’t be more different and yet, we make perfect sense. The yin to my yang. The light to my shadow.
I roll on top of her, capturing her lips in a slow, teasing kiss that quickly deepens, threatening to consume us both in its heat.
“This counts as bedrest, right?” Ori asks, wrapping her legs around my waist as I settle between her thighs. “I mean, we are in bed.”
“It counts. Besides, Dr. Fulton never said you needed bedrest. I convinced him.”
She smacks my chest, her huff making me grin. “Real nice.”
"I’ll show you just how nice," I murmur, sliding into her again, consumed by the need to have her one more time.
Seems I’m always desperate where Ori is concerned.
But just like earlier, I take my time. Yes, I want to ravage her, but more than that, I want to hold her. To feel her warmth surround me in an unspoken whisper, knowing that this time, my heart is safe.
Safe to love her. Safe to love this life we’ve built together.