Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
LYLA
H is voice is low and heavy with need. The storm in those greys are clashing with a mix of emotions.
Love…
Lust…
Want…
Need…
It’s all blurred into a thin line when it comes to us.
His breaths have become more shallow as his chest rises and expands. I can tell he’s teetering on the edge of holding back and taking it all.
My body instantly becomes alive for him again, even though it was shattering with pleasure mere seconds ago. Turning, I grasp the wood with my palms. Now, it’s me who’s struggling to catch my breath. He has a way of making me feel like I’m the prey about to be devoured by its predator, but in the most delicious way.
I hear him remove his pants before his warm, hard body presses into mine. He’s hard as steel as he pushes me slowly down with his hand on my back until my cheek is resting on the smooth black velvet .
His hand rubs over my bottom before squeezing hard.
“You will always be mine, little hummingbird.” His voice is smooth and dark like molasses. “Even though your journey to get to me was rough and one you will never… ever have to endure again, you were always meant to land in my arms.”
I blink back the tears as his words penetrate my soul. “My arms will never hold another,” he murmurs, pushing his tip slowly inside. “My cock will never be inside another.” He buries himself deep in one hard thrust.
I moan against the table as he grips my hips tighter. My body welcomes him in where only he belongs.
“It’s always been you,” I whisper. “I was always meant to fly to you.” I give him my heart through my words as he leans over and kisses my back.
“And I was always meant to love you when you land.” His movements are slow and torturous as he slides deep inside before moving back out and doing it again. He knows exactly what spots to hit to make me push back into him, silently asking him to give me what we both want.
But I know he won’t give it to me unless I ask. He’s shown me my strength again, which has allowed me to find my voice again. Even though he likes all control in the bedroom, he still never wants me to feel I lost mine.
“It’s still my birthday,” I moan when he touches my sensitive spot inside.
“Yes, it is.” I can’t see him, but I can hear the smirk on his lips.
“You promised to fuck me on the pool table,” I manage to get out as he buries himself deep inside again. “I need you to really fuck me,” I rasp out.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to ask.” He leans over close to my ear. “Put your arms above your head. You’ll be more comfortable that way.” I remove my grip on the edge and do as he says. “I know you can’t hold onto anything, but I’ll keep you secure with my hands so you don’t hit the pool table too hard.” I feel his hands squeeze my hips, keeping me in place and my stomach off the side of the table.
“I don’t care if I get bruises. I just need you right now,” I whimper, pushing my ass back into him and giving him permission to go rough.
“God, I love seeing you come back into your power and not afraid to ask for what you want.”
“I just needed someone I felt safe with to bring it out. I needed you.”
“You have me. You will always have me, little hummingbird.” He slams into me, and I cry out as intense pleasure crashes into me. His fingers dig into my skin as he holds me tight against him.
Each movement rubs my breasts against the fabric, causing friction against my sensitive nipples. My fingernails dig into the velvet as I search for something tangible to sink into. His body slaps against mine, and the animalistic sounds set a fire deep in my core. It’s raw and feral, making my insides purr with satisfaction.
“Jesus,” his voice strains out. “Your body is soaking my cock like it’s the best damn thing it’s ever tasted.”
“Because it is,” I moan as he drives into me with such force that I know I’ll be savoring the soreness days later, reminding me of this moment.
“Fuck,” he pants out, as I feel my body tighten around him. “So fucking good,” he growls.
My body agrees as I fall over the edge and shatter against him. I scream his name in the distance as I pulse and explode into a pool of intense waves of pleasure.
I barely hear him roar my name in the distance as I’m taken under with sensations that can’t be put into words. His warm release fills me as he pours deep inside. I’m panting hard against the table as he lays against my back. Sweat drips from his chest, mixing with mine that has broken out on my skin.
“That was amazing,” I breathe out. “This pool table is magical.”
He chuckles against my back. “I think it has to do more with who you are with on the pool table.”
“I’m glad it’s you.”
“And I’m very glad it’s you.” He slowly pulls out of me and picks me up in his arms. I lie my head on his chest as he carries me to the big standalone tub and sets me down.
He starts a bubble bath, and I sigh in pleasure as I sink into the warm water. Taking a hair tie off my wrist, he gathers it up for me and secures it on top of my head.
“I’ll be right back,” he says, walking away. I sink further into the bubbles as the water soothes any soreness away.
He returns with a small box and our two drinks from earlier that we never got to finish. Setting them on the table beside the tub, he gets in behind me, and I rest against his chest.
“One more surprise,” he whispers in my ear and hands me the box. I open it and see a gold necklace with a hummingbird charm. It has tiny diamonds on the feathers and is the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen.
“Jake…” Words fail me as I finger the delicate chain and wipe away a tear.
“Do you like it?” He asks softly.
“It’s beautiful,” I say in awe. I study it closer and see a light brown stone for the bird’s eye. “It has my eyes.” I whip my head to see his smiling face.
“I had them customize it for me.” He takes the piece of jewelry and secures it around my neck. I touch it against my skin and can already feel the love behind it.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I’m going to wear this forever. ”
“And I’m going to love you forever.”
“Forever,” I agree softly.
I answer my phone on the second ring as I’m pulling banana chocolate chip muffins from the oven. The pancakes Jake made me last week inspired me to try a new recipe.
“Hello?” I say, putting the phone up to my ear.
“Hi, Mrs. Knight.” I cringe at the last name and take off my oven mitts.
“It’s Ms. Pierce now,” I say, using my maiden name.
“Oh, sorry about that. I’ll change my contact information for you.” I hear the rustling of papers before she speaks again. “This is Amy. I’m one of the nurses assigned to your mom. You told me to call you if anyone showed up trying to see your mother.”
“Yes,” I say, my body going on alert as I grip the phone tighter. “Has something happened?”
“We had a gentleman show up today demanding to see your mom. When he was told he wasn’t on the list, he caused quite a scene, and our security had to remove him from the building. He said he was your husband, but we have no record on file that he is allowed to see her.”
“Did he say why he wanted to see her?” My heart thuds loudly against my chest as I grip the countertop for support.
“Not specifically, but I got the feeling he was looking for you. I just thought you should know,” she says. I can hear the concern in her voice and can only imagine what she’s trying to piece together.
“Thank you,” I say absentmindedly while my thoughts are focused on the one thing I heard clearly.
He’s looking for me .
“Will you still be coming for your visit next week?” The nurse asks, pulling me back to the present .
I’ve been visiting my mom at least once a month when I can afford the bus ticket. With the new business starting to come in, I should have enough this month. I’m also working for Clara this weekend, so that will help.
“Yes, I’ll be there.” I’ll have to plan ahead with my orders and drop them off earlier, but I should be able to get away for a day…two at the most.
“Perfect. I’m sure she will be excited to see you. I’ll see you then, Ms. Pierce.”
I end the call and take a deep breath through the tightness in my chest. Pulling up my messages, I check to see if any new ones came through, but he still hasn’t responded to what I sent on the day of my birthday.
The papers are still not signed, and no one has heard a word from him. Maria has been trying to contact him but has never received a response. I chew my bottom lip as I try to figure out what he’s thinking.
It’s impossible to know how far he’s going to take this. I was his wife for five years and still never knew who I was going to get from one day to the next. He had his highs where I would almost believe things could get better, and then something would trigger him, and I would remember why I hated him. He was the devil in disguise. His coworkers loved him, and his friends adored him. No one knew the true him…no one except me.
I knew what he was capable of, and I learned the hard way what he expected of a wife. If something around the house wasn’t to his liking or I forgot to pick up his dry cleaning, it would trigger something dark inside him.
On the good days, I was lucky if I just got a few angry words thrown at me, but on the bad days…the bad days I would feel soreness between my legs for days after. A constant reminder th at I had let the devil into my life with no strength left to fight it.
Setting my phone down, I finish my bakery orders to keep my thoughts from spiraling. I need to get them ready for the morning deliveries. I’m putting the last of the orders in boxes when I get a text from Jake.
Jake
Hi beautiful. How’s the baking going? Save me any muffins?
This man has an insatiable sweet tooth, and I love being the one to feed it. Smiling, I type out my response.
Lyla
I just got done and have the orders all packaged up. And yes, I saved you some, as always.
I debate whether now is a good time to tell him about my call as I watch the three dots appear as he types.
Jake
I don’t know how I survived without you for so long. You’ve ruined me for store-bought muffins.
Lyla
I’m beginning to think you only love me for my baking skills.
Jake
That’s not the only reason. You make a mean taco, too, and those don’t get baked.
I grin as I read the response.
Lyla
Cute. You are quite the comedian.
Jake
Thank you.
Just so you know, if I named one thing I loved about you every day for the rest of my life, it would take lifetimes to get through the list.
I touch my necklace around my neck and feel the warmth spread through me.
Lyla
Mine would be just as long.
I hesitate before typing again.
Lyla
Is it okay if I borrow the van overnight for a couple of days next week? I need to visit my mom. It’s been a month since I saw her, and I want to check up on her.
My phone rings seconds later.
“What day are you planning on going?” He asks as soon as I answer.
“Probably Tuesday or Thursday so that I can be back for my deliveries. I might be able to make the trip in one day if I leave early enough.”
I hear him typing on something in the background. “I can make Thursday work. I’ve only got a couple of clients that day and can move them around.”
“You don’t have to go. It’s a long drive and…”
“I’m going. There’s no way I’m letting you go alone, especially since no one can seem to find him.”
“I was going to wait until you got home to tell you, but one of my mom’s nurses called me today. That’s why I want to go up there and check on things.”
“What did they say?”
I nervously run a hand through my hair, knowing he won’t take this well.
“Tim found my mom somehow and caused a scene at the facility when they wouldn’t let him see her. Security had to remove him from the building. I told them to let me know if anyone tried to see my mom, so she called me to let me know.”
“Why would he want to see your mom? What could he possibly need to see her for?”
“I’m not sure. The nurse seemed to think…” I struggle with the words because I don’t want to voice what could be true.
“The nurse seemed to think what?” I can feel his tension through the phone.
“She said she seemed to think that he was looking for me. He must have been hoping to get information out of my mom about where I am since the front desk refused to give him any.”
“The fucking bastard isn’t going to sign the papers, is he? If he’s trying to find you, that means he’s not willing to let you go.” I can hear him pacing in the background as thoughts race through his mind. “The text on your birthday…he’s wanting to scare you. He’s playing these mind fuck games,” he growls out. “Are you sure this is a good time to see your mom? He was just there…maybe we should wait.”
“No, I need to get up there. I don’t like the fact that he tried to see her. He never came with me to visit her. She’s never even met him. The only time he was ever involved with her was when he came to sign papers at the new facility he put her in after we married. I need to see with my own eyes that she’s okay, and I want to talk to their security to see exactly what happened. ”
“Yeah, you’re right,” he sighs. “I’m going to give Maria and the police a call today to keep them in the loop. I know they can’t do anything unless he breaks the restraining order, but they need to know he’s looking for you.”
“This is the part where I would usually run,” I laugh softly, trying to ease some of my nerves.
“And this is the part where I beg you to stay,” he says quietly.
Sighing, I look out the window and stare at the vast ocean. In the short amount of time I’ve been here, this place has become my home. He’s become my home.
“I’m not running, not this time,” I whisper.
I hear him let out a breath on the other end of the phone. “This will be over soon. I promise.”
I get a sick feeling deep in my stomach that I can’t shake. I know Jake will do anything to keep me safe, even if it means putting himself in danger. I can’t let that happen. If Tim is anything like that last night when I was with him, then he’s not going to let me go without a fight. I won’t let him near this family I’ve come to love. If I have to make a deal with the devil to keep them safe, then I won’t hesitate to do it.