Текст книги "Falling to Pieces"

Автор книги: Leddy Harper

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Текущая страница: 24 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

“This was my place to unwind. My personal space.”

I straightened up and held her hands in mine. “But this is also the place where we found each other. This is where I came to find peace. Don’t you see? We both came here, at the same time, to seek comfort. I don’t fully understand the comfort you sought, but I came here and thought of you. I came here to stare at the sky and imagine where you were and how you were doing. All the while, you were right across the street, or sitting on that dock over there. I know I’ve already said it, but that was the universe pushing us together. Bringing us to one place. And now, I’m bringing all three of us here.”

A tear slipped down her cheek before she brushed it away with the back of her hand. “I came here and thought of you,” she confessed softly. “This was my place where I could be seventeen again. In my head, you never left and time stood still.”

“We never needed time to stand still, Bree. We only needed it to catch up to us. The love we have, the love we had back then, was always bigger than two young people could ever handle. Life would have ended up tearing us apart. But fate stepped in and we had to sacrifice six years together in order to have a lifetime open to us.”

She dipped her head and pulled herself into my chest. “You really believe that?”

“There isn’t anything I believe in more. Think about it. We have always been beneath the same sky. We’ve always stood on the same land. We may have been separated by miles and time, but that doesn’t take away the fact that if we looked up, we saw the same thing. If we sat down, we were sitting on the same earth. But look around, Bree. Look up.”

“Same sky…same land…”

“All three of us. Finally here. Finally together again. Right where we deserve to be. When will you stop thinking that we don’t belong, or that something is going to happen? When will you stop assuming that I’m here for all the wrong reasons? When will you finally believe what the universe has been trying to tell you this whole time?”

“It’s hard to think things will work out when they didn’t before.”

“But they did, Bree. They did work out. You’ve said yourself how different things would’ve been had it all not happened this way. Don’t you see?”

“Well, I guess they’re right.” She smirked and rolled her eyes.

Confused, I asked, “Who’s right about what?”

“They say time heals. Great things come with time. I’ve never believed it until now.”

“I guess sometimes you just have to pass the time in order to see the greatness.” I pulled her close again and kissed her forehead. “Now come on. I’ve got food in these bags and I’m hungry.”

“A picnic?”

“It may not be in our enchanted forest…but now we have a wide, open field.”

Once we finished eating and played a few games with Ayla, it was time for my last part of the plan. “I have another surprise for you.”

“You do?” She turned to me in question, but the doubt that had been there over the past month was noticeably absent. My plan to express my feelings and gain her trust seemed to be working.

“It’s something else that’s important to you.”

“I can’t think of anything.” She glanced over to check on Ayla, who was running through the trees, having the time of her life. She loved this place as much as we did.

“Tracii invited us for dinner.” I held her hand and looked at her pensively, unsure how she’d respond but hoping she’d be happy.

“You’re going to take me home to change, right?” Her eyes opened wide, complete fear etched in her features.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. “You look perfect,” I said with a kiss to her forehead.

“I’ve been sitting outside for two hours!” she exclaimed, and looked down at her outfit.

I shook my head at her, stood up, and called Ayla over as we began to pack things up to leave.

Bree’s nervousness was evident the entire drive to Tracii’s. It was as if she were meeting my parents, which hadn’t happened yet. She knew how close my sister and I were, but Tracii was also protective of me, so waiting to introduce her to Bree was key to them getting along. I knew Tracii would love Bree as much as I did; it was just about ensuring the timing was right.

“So this is my Aunt Tracii?” Ayla squealed and asked for the fifth time. “And I have cousins?”

“Yes and yes,” Bree snapped. She had answered Ayla’s questions nicely the first four times. The nerves had caused her irritability, so I reached out to hold Bree’s hand and glanced into the rearview mirror to give Ayla a wink.

By the time we pulled up to Tracii’s house, tension hung thick in the air. I hoped it would vanish as soon as they met. I didn’t know how I’d handle it if my sister and the love of my life didn’t get along. I really didn’t think that’d happen, but worried about it nonetheless.

Tracii opened the front door before we even got out of the car. Her kids ran to us and instantly introduced themselves to Ayla. Kids were so great that way. If only adults could get along as effortlessly.

“Uncle Axe!” Daniel called out to me as he jumped into my arms before I was ready, causing me to grunt when his knee hit my thigh.

“Daniel, don’t hurt your uncle,” Tracii barked, which wasn’t a good indication of how things would go. She was the one that invited us over, so I had high hopes that she was ready for this introduction. The kids ran in circles around the car and it had quickly turned into a three-ring circus.

“Aunt Tracii,” a small voice whispered.

“Yes…?” Tracii looked down and saw Ayla. Her disposition and face instantly changed. Tears formed in her eyes as she studied Ayla, the situation quickly becoming real. Tracii knelt down and took Ayla into her arms, holding her tight, just as I had wanted to do when I first laid eyes upon my daughter. It was instinctual. She was family, and after seeing her, you couldn’t deny that we were related. “I’m so happy to meet you.” Tracii’s words were thickened by emotion.

Bree put her arm around me while we watched the poignant display.

“I’m so glad to meet you, too.” Ayla squeezed Tracii with all her might. “But you guys don’t look like twins.”

We all laughed, and the earlier tension dissolved.

Tracii and Bree took turns hugging and made introductions as I stood back and watched my family together. Bree, Ayla, and I were a family. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

We herded the kids back into the house where we found Danny, Tracii’s husband, waiting for us. “So this is Bree?” He gave a welcoming smile and extended his hand for hers.

“This is her,” I responded.

Bree timidly walked to him to shake his hand, but at the last minute, she pulled him into a hug. The entire situation confused me, but then I realized that she must’ve remembered my stories of him from before, of how he’d been abused by his parent as well.

“Bree,” Tracii called. “Why don’t you help me in the kitchen?”

Bree shot me a look that clearly begged for me to rescue her, but I waved my hand at her, knowing she’d be fine. The girls needed some bonding time. I settled in to watch a football game with Danny while the kids took off running throughout the house like wild animals.

This seemed so right, all being together.

“Dinner’s ready,” Bree called out not too much later.

“Everything go okay in the kitchen?” I whispered to her as we took our seats.

“Everything was fine. Better than fine, actually. I have no idea what I was so worried about.”

“Don’t worry.” I smirked. “Tracii is kinda scary.”

My sister hit me in the arm and gave me the evil eye. She leaned into me, whispering in my ear, “I really like her.”

Relief and warmth flooded me.

After everything we’d been through, we were finally picking up the pieces.

“So…am I the last meeting of the day?” Aubrey asked as she walked into my classroom, closing the door behind her.

I stood from my seat, peeking around the corner to make sure it was shut all the way before smiling broadly at her. “As a matter of fact, Ms. Jacobs, you are. Please, have a seat at my desk.” I pulled my chair out for her and then leaned against the edge of my desk.

“I don’t understand why I had to come here to meet with you formally. It’s not like you don’t give me updates on Ayla when we see each other every night. What could you possibly tell me that I don’t already know?”

I slid along the edge of the desk until I stood directly in front of her, and then I used my legs to nudge hers apart. She reluctantly grinned while shaking her head, yet she yielded and parted her legs for me.

“Anyone can walk in, Axel,” she whispered, as if someone would hear us.

“The door is locked, Bree. I would have to go open it for someone to walk in.” I leaned over the chair, holding myself up with my hands on the armrests, and ran my tongue down the side of her neck. “I’ve already told you about my fantasy of bending you over my desk.”

“Axel,” she replied weakly, assuring me that she wouldn’t put up a fight. “What happened to your no-sex rule? I thought you wanted to wait until things were finalized.”

I hummed against her skin, agreeing with her. “That’s Mr. Taylor, to you. And I know you got the call today, because I got one, too. The request for name change has been approved.” I continued my assault on her neck, carrying it down to her chest as she tilted her head back.

“Well, maybe I’m not ready yet…”

I knew that was a lie. Bree had been begging me for over a month to fuck her. She played a hard game, but I always came out the winner. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be permanently inside of her, because I desperately did, it’s just that I had my own game to play.

And I played for keeps.

I backed away and stared into her eyes. “You’re not ready?” I grabbed her wrist and yanked her out of the chair before spinning her around, trapping her between my chest and the desk, her back pressed firmly against my body. “Then by all means, let me help you get ready.”

I lifted her skirt, running my fingers over the back of her bare thigh. She shivered and arched her back, giving into my touch. So not ready. I pressed myself against her and blew on the back of her neck, working my fingers beneath the band of her underwear. Just as suspected, she was wet.

“Seems to me you’re very ready for it,” I whispered against the back of her neck. I slowly eased a finger inside her warm canal, teasing her with unhurried, deliberate thrusts. “Maybe I’ll make you come this way first.”

“Axel…oh my God. I don’t think… I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“No one can see us, Bree. Stop fighting it and let me fuck you.”

“Are you really going to fuck me this time? Or chicken out again?”

“Oh, Bree,” I said with a deep growl, pressing my hard-on against her back. “I’m going to fuck you with my fingers first, make you come all over my hand, and then I’m going to fuck you with my dick until your cunt squeezes the life out of me.”

Her breaths turned frantic as she thrust against my finger harder, faster. Bree loved it when I talked to her like that. It spurred her on even more. One good thing about not rushing into sex with her, is that we got to learn so much about each other’s bodies, taking note of what the other liked best and how. I knew exactly what buttons to push, exactly what to touch to make her lose control, and exactly what to say to drive her crazy.

I eased another finger inside her, stretching her slowly while pressing my thumb against her backside. That made her jump slightly and drop her head to hang between her arms. I wrapped my other hand around to her front and teased her clit while picking up the pace of my fingers. “Pinch your nipple for me, Bree. Twist it, squeeze it. Pretend it’s my teeth.”

She pulled one arm back from the top of the desk and did as I instructed. Even though I couldn’t see it, I knew what she was doing. I knew it by the moans that came from her throat and the way she rode my fingers, picking up speed as she slammed herself against my hand. Her core began to tighten, and I knew her first orgasm hovered on the horizon.

“That’s right, baby…fuck my fingers. Come for me.”

“I can’t, Axel. I can’t. I’m too scared someone will catch us,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

I immediately pulled away from her, twisting her around until she faced me with the desk at her back. I leaned into her, causing her to take a seat on the edge as I pressed my lips to her hot mouth. I leaned in more, forcing her further onto the top of the desk before pulling back again.

“What…?”

“Shhh…” I pressed my index finger over her parted lips and sat in my chair, rolling it closer to her. I wrapped my arms around her legs, pulling her feet off the floor and placing them on the armrests of the chair. “Don’t tell me you can’t come, Bree. Because I’ll make sure you do.”

“We’re going to get caught.”

“No we won’t. But you have to hurry.” I pushed her skirt up and slid her underwear to the side, catching the scent of her arousal immediately. Without hesitation or warning, I buried my tongue inside her before licking up her slit to the hard nub at the top. I would never get enough of her. She jumped, pressing herself into my face more, and grabbed a hold of my hair with one hand. I’d grown my hair out for her and she loved it.

Within seconds, I had her panting and coming on my tongue, completely letting go as she yanked on my hair, which she now had tangled in her tightly closed fists. I didn’t even give her time to come down from the high before standing up, thrusting the chair back so hard it toppled over, and then flipping her around again. I made quick work of my pants, only dropping them to my thighs, and then teased her dripping entrance with the tip of my dick.

“You want this, Bree?” I asked in a heady voice.

“Yes, Axel. I want it. Please,” she begged, nearly out of breath.

“Then move in with me.”

Her body stilled, no longer trying to spear herself on my erection. “What?”

“You heard me. Move in with me. You and Ayla…under my roof. Say yes and I’ll fuck you. I’ll fuck you right here, right now, and again in our bed tonight. Anytime you want it. Say yes, and I’ll fuck you. Hard.”

Her back heaved with her heavy breaths before she cried out, “Yes! Okay…yes. I’ll move in with you. Just fuck me already, Axel.”

I worried someone might’ve heard her, so I quickly thrust inside her, burying myself to the hilt. “Holy shit, Bree.” I panted, thrusting in and out of her at a rapid pace.

Her body gave in, her arms no longer holding her up. She fell to the top of the desk and pressed her cheek against the cool metal. Her soft moans and the slapping of skin filled the room. Had I not been so consumed by her, I would’ve worried about someone hearing, but I’d become too lost to care.

“I need you to hurry, baby. Fucking come for me so I can fill you up. We’re running out of time.” I reached around her and frantically circled her clit with my fingers, pressing against her hard as I thrust deep within her.

She began to whimper and I could feel her walls closing in. I couldn’t hold on any longer. My balls tightened with every push, burned with every pull. The moment the airy squeal left her lips, I spilled myself into her, pushing against her as hard as I could, emptying every drop into her hot core.

We spent a second catching our breaths before I leaned over her and removed a tissue from the box on the corner of my desk. I watched as I slowly pulled myself from her, my dick glistening with the mixture of our excitement. After carefully wiping her off, I stepped back and refastened my pants.

“Oh my God, Axel,” she whispered as she slowly spun around to face me, her chest heaving up and down. “What in the hell got into you?” The glint in her eye told me she wasn’t chastising me.

“I’ve wanted to do that for six years.”

She kissed me, unable to wipe the grin from her lips. “Yay for parent-teacher conferences. When’s the next one?”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Um…only when I’m the teacher and you’re the parent.”

Bree wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me close. “Ready to go home now? I apparently have to pack up my shit. Some bossy teacher is moving me in.”

“You’re not going to change your mind, right?”

She drew back and lifted an eyebrow. “You promised to fuck me like that every night. Hell no, I’m not changing my mind. But if you ever give me the excuse that you’re too tired or you have a headache and can’t perform, I’ll be out like a fat bitch in dodge ball.”

I laughed and pressed my lips to her forehead. “You don’t have to worry about that, Bree. I’d still fuck you on my deathbed. Let’s go home.”

I’d followed Bree back to her house and stayed the night. The next morning, we started packing up their belongings. Ayla was beyond excited about coming to live with me and having both parents under the same roof. She’d adjusted to me very early on, but always preferred to be around both of us together. This just made things simpler. And it seemed to make everyone happy.

We ended up packing all weekend, and finally finished moving everything over by Sunday night. My house became slightly cramped with everything, but we decided to wait a little before choosing what would stay and what we would get rid of. Although, we both agreed that anything we chose to let go of, Aubrey would work her magic on it and sell at the flea market. I’d cleaned out the garage to give her space to work and keep all her furniture.

The following week was Thanksgiving. Her parents had everyone over to their house, Robin putting on the entire spread. It was the first time I would get to meet her father, and my nerves nearly had me backing out before even leaving the house.

I finally knew how Bree must have felt when she met Tracii for the first time.

“Everything will be fine,” Bree coaxed on our way to their house. “He’s fine with it now, I promise. You’ll see. And if he’s still upset about anything, it’s me.”

“He lectured you for an hour about us moving in together. That was less than a week ago. Do you really expect me to believe he’s over it by now? We could’ve at least met on neutral ground. Instead, I’m walking into the lion’s den. His turf. He’s gonna slaughter me. You’ll become a widow before we ever get married.”

Bree laughed and covered my hand with hers on the console. “No. He just thinks we should’ve waited. I swear, he’s really coming around to the idea of you.”

“Oh, gee. That makes it all better. The idea of me?”

“You know what I mean. Not to mention, you have the rest of us on your side. So even if Dad wants to be stubborn, he’d be completely alone in that. Robin can’t wait to meet you. And Clari and Sarah do nothing but say great things about you. You’ll be fine.”

I didn’t have much of a chance to argue with her. We pulled into their driveway as soon as she finished talking. Ayla jumped from the back seat, running to the front door in excitement.

“Please don’t leave me alone,” I begged Bree, pleading with my words and eyes.

“I won’t.” That turned out to be a false promise. The moment we walked into the house, Robin called her into the kitchen to help with something. She headed back there, but the second I went to follow, Bree’s very large father stopped me.

“You don’t see anything wrong with what you did?” he asked, standing in front of me, keeping me from going anywhere. Seriously, I wasn’t a short guy, but her dad made me feel tiny.

“Yes, sir. As a matter of fact, I do. I should’ve never engaged in a romantic relationship with a student. However, I stand by my feelings for her. I defend how I felt back then, and how I feel about her now.” This was the first time I’d had the opportunity to speak with the man. I’d wanted to before, but Bree always told me to give him more time. She said I shouldn’t press him. But I no longer had time as a luxury, and I refused to back down and say my feelings for her were a lie.

He straightened his back and arched a red, bushy eyebrow at me. “So you admit that sleeping with a student was wrong?” His voice was so deep, it sounded like a bear. Yes, Bree’s dad reminded me of a very large, very scary, red-haired bear.

But I wouldn’t back down. Bears could sense fear, and I wouldn’t show him any. “Yes, sir. It was never my intention do go that far. It was never hers, either. But I was young as well. I’m sure you’d agree with how easy it is to give in, regardless of right or wrong. But the only thing that should matter here is that I loved her. I still love her. I’ve never stopped and I never will. It wasn’t some perverted love, or even hormonal love. I never sought her out for any of that. When I befriended her, it was simply to help her deal with the crap society and the law couldn’t save her from. I never anticipated falling in love with her. But I can tell you with complete certainty, sir, that I don’t regret it one bit.”

Honestly, I expected him to come unglued and smack me like a motherfucker, but he didn’t. Instead, he nodded slowly with pursed lips, met my eyes, and shook my hand. “You better take care of her, boy—both of them.”

“You have nothing to worry about with that. I promise.”

“Dammit,” he muttered under his breath. “I wasn’t supposed to like you. You were supposed to be some chump kid that I could scare away. You know, I’ve always wanted to do that. Maybe we can do that when Ayla gets older. We can sit on the porch and clean our shotguns when a boy comes to pick her up for a date.”

I fought hard to control my grin. “That won’t happen, sir.”

He raised an eyebrow at me in confusion.

“Ayla won’t date until she’s thirty.”

He laughed, a deep, rumbling chuckle. “Yeah, boy. That’s what I said once about Aubs. Yet that didn’t stop her from getting more than a history lesson from her teacher.”

The smile fell from my lips. “That wasn’t funny.”

“Oh, what? So you wouldn’t like it if some young teacher fell in love with Ayla? I’m sure neither of them will expect it or plan on it.”

I couldn’t speak. I stood frozen in front of him. But then he slapped me on the back, jarring me from my panic attack.

“I’m just messin’ with ya. Come on, the boys are in the back. Care for something to drink?”

I shook my head. “No, thank you.”

“Don’t worry, boy. Aubs already told us. All we have here today is soda, juice, and water.” He had a gleam in his eye that told me he respected me. And knowing he’d gone out of his way to accommodate me, left me with nothing but respect for him as well.

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Everyone got along, and the food was superb. I actually got along great with Joel, Clarissa’s husband. Ayla had attached herself to her nana, Bree visited with her sisters, and I got to know the guys better. It was the start of a life I never thought I’d have until I pulled a sad girl from a cold lake. Until she looked inside of me and stole my heart with her wolf eyes.

She could deny it all she wanted, but Bree was my she wolf.

She huffed and she puffed, and she blew me away with her love.

I was never one to believe in fairy tales, until Aubrey Jacobs sat on my couch and told me one.

Once upon a time in a classroom not far from here, a young teacher met a student. She came to school one day with a bruise on her face and he wanted to kiss her boo-boos all better. He found out about her wicked mother and vowed to save her, but then he fell in love and was forced to walk away. On the night of her seventeenth birthday, she drank a glass of poisoned grape juice and ran through the enchanted forest to find him. Yada yada yada…they made up and all was right in the kingdom again.