Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
MONROE
I’m on information overload right now. I can hardly think straight.
My mother betrayed me. Again.
They found my father.
How am I just supposed to be okay with all of this? I never imagined I would see the man who sired me again, let alone know he’s still out there. My mother’s betrayal is less shocking but more hurtful.
“I don’t know,” I finally answer Draven’s question. My thoughts are jumbled, and I can’t make sense of them yet.
“Once we catch Alton, Helen will be prosecuted alongside him and anyone else complicit in your stalking. You received real threats, Monroe. This isn’t getting swept under the rug.” Nina’s vehemence helps ease some of my anxiety.
“It’s late, and we’ve given you a lot of information.
We’re going to head out now. Men at the airports throughout the state are watching for Alton.
We haven’t been able to get our hands on any flight manifests out of L.A.
yet, but once we know something, you will too.
” Draven shakes Shaw’s hand as he guides Nina out of the house.
After locking the front door and checking the back, Shaw sits down next to me again. “What are you thinking, Monroe?”
“That’s a loaded question,” I mumble under my breath.
My entire life, I have been a burden on my mother, but I’ve foolishly loved her.
The confirmation that she’s behind this stalking is still difficult to accept.
And while I don’t remember my father, learning that he’s been alive all these years, thinking about me but never making a move to safeguard me, breaks my heart.
“Everyone who’s supposed to love and protect me has betrayed and abandoned me, Shaw. What do I do with that?” My throat clogs and tears well. I’m so sick and tired of crying over my life.
“Hey, now.” His gentle finger lifts my chin. “Not everyone.” Astonished by his whispered words, my eyes dart up to his as his mouth descends on mine. The softness in his eyes shines brightly with his feelings for me.
But he couldn’t possibly. Could he?
No. It’s way too soon.
Is it really, though?
Thinking is impossible as I’m lost in Shaw’s embrace. My heart aches for more of his touch as his lips slowly, sensually caress across mine, forcing a moan from my chest as his hands tenderly trail up my back, lifting my shirt as they go.
Dragging the material over my head, I hear it drop with a thud as Shaw lowers me back on the couch. He crawls between my legs, his hardness pressing roughly against my softness, so I lift my legs to wrap around his back.
Mimicking the act of sex is nearly as enthralling as completing it.
Releasing our lip lock, Shaw skims down my jaw to nuzzle against my neck. “I love you, Monroe.” I gasp at his words. “You don’t have to say it back. I understand that it’s not as simple for you, but you need to know someone is in your corner. That I’m protecting you at all costs.”
He lifts upwards, and the sincerity of his emotions is written across his face.
“But I do, Shaw; I love you too.” I force the words out through a constricted throat, realizing it really is too soon, but it’s also true. I have a love for this man I never believed I would experience in my lifetime.
“Yeah?” His childlike grin is filled with happiness.
Lifting a hand, I cup his cheek and nod. “Yeah, Shaw. I love you more than I ever thought I could love another.”
The rest of the night is filled with lovemaking, passionate words, promises, and future plans. With Shaw, I feel totally free and secure. Emotions I’ve never felt before rise to the surface, and for the first time in my life, I’m no longer worried about where I’m headed.
As the sun rises again, I swear it shines brighter. The birds' chirping sounds chippier. The morning brings with it a new light that I never thought I’d understand, thanks to all the romance novels I've read and movies I've watched.
“Do you think she knows?” I whisper, hearing Rita down in the kitchen making breakfast. We weren’t quiet during the night, and she had spent the night because another huge storm blew in after dinner.
“Not likely,” Shaw croons as, once again, he licks along the column of my throat. Something he does a lot. Kissing down my chest, licking along my quivering belly. He spreads my thighs and blows cool air against the folds of my sex.
“Shaw,” I purr, arching my back.
“Just enjoy the ride, baby.” And enjoy, I do.
He’s gentle yet greedy while kissing, licking, and sucking at me. Devouring my core like a starved man. I brush my hands through his thick dark hair and hold him tightly to me, never wanting him to move from this spot.
Closing my eyes, I feel my core preparing for release again.
My pulse pounds, ready to leap out of my veins, and my heart doesn’t know whether to beat or not.
I’m getting light-headed, so I know I’m about to orgasm again.
Shaw’s kept me on the edge and enjoyed tossing me over all night long.
I’m not sure how much more I can handle before I pass out completely.
“Shaw, please.” What am I even begging him for? I don’t want him to stop, but continuing on is nearly painful.
“Since you asked so nicely.” I can picture his wolfish grin as he moves over my body while the head of his cock slowly breaches my welcoming channel.
It’s a slow build-up to the finish line for both of us as his arms wrap around my back and mine around his neck. We hold each other close, breathing the same breath, eyes maintaining contact, and when our bodies can’t possibly take another stroke, he slows down, and we start all over again.
“Loving you is the best decision I’ve never had the pleasure of making,” he murmurs against my lips, and I smile at the fake grumbly tone as our climax reaches its peak, and we fall over the edge together silently.
Neither of us has a moment to catch our breath as Shaw drags me from the bed to the shower. The heat of the water on my skin relaxes and welcomes me while he lathers shampoo into my hair. I’ve learned to leave him alone when he does this because he genuinely enjoys pampering me.
“You know,” he says thoughtfully. “We have not used a condom once.” I blush because even with the amount of lovemaking we’ve engaged in, I’m still not comfortable talking about it. “You could be pregnant.” I peer up at him through my lashes. He doesn’t seem displeased with the idea.
“I could,” I respond softly, shyly, then turn away to rinse the suds from my hair. I haven’t given children that much thought, so I’m not sure how to react myself, let alone how I want him to.
“Would you be angry?” Even with the scalding shower heat, I feel his natural warmth when he steps up to my back.
I’m not sure what he wants to hear, so I’m just honest. “You know I want to be a mom, so…” I still can’t believe I confessed that so easily.
His arms wrap around my belly, and I’m shook. “Now, you can embrace the idea.” His supportive words force me to think about it right now. More like, tells me my life is my own from here on out, and I can dream of anything that brings me joy.
Turning into his chest, I rub my hands along his muscular frame and look him in the eyes.
“Can I?” I’m not sure what I’m asking of him, or if I’m even asking anything at all.
However, uncertainty has been my close companion, and out of everyone in my life, Shaw seems to understand that more than anyone else ever has.
“Yeah, baby.” He brushes the damp hair off my face. “You can dream of anything you want now. Anything at all.”
His words overwhelm me with relief because, even though I hadn't realized it, that is indeed what I need to hear from him. Being free to make my own decisions is what I’ve always wanted and never been granted.
Shaw is my first choice. No questions. If he allows it, I’ll stay here with him forever.