It was my most cherished memory, second only to the day I married the love of my life during a small gathering of family and friends four months later. We let Henry have his iPad to stay calm during the ceremony. It was supposed to be on mute, but he figured out how to turn the volume on in the middle of the priest’s asking if anyone objected to our union. Henry asked to go to McDonald’s.
Today would end up being another fond memory someday.
Mitch appeared at the door to our bedroom, startling me. “How’s my beautiful wife?”
He wiped his head with his shirt. Staring at my husband’s body never got old. Men always seemed to get better looking with age, and Mitch was no exception. He was looking especially yummy today, unshaven and sporting a summer tan. He took his shirt off altogether and threw it on the ground.
“What are you doing?”
He unzipped his jeans and slipped his muscular legs out of them. “I just called my mother and they’re not coming back until noon. I asked her to stay at the playground a little longer. Guests don’t arrive until one. Guess who’s fucking you as loud as he wants while we have the house to ourselves for the first time in months?” He pressed his solid chest against my breasts and lifted my shirt over my head as he said, “My appetite for you is off the charts today. I’ve been jonesing this since the second I woke up this morning. I couldn’t concentrate outside just now because it was all I could think about.”
“You’re insatiable, you know that?”
He sucked on my neck and spoke into my skin. “I was gonna shower first, but I can’t wait. I hope you don’t mind me dirty.”
“Would it matter if I did?”
“Hell no.”
“You know I like you dirty anyway.”
He planted soft kisses on my breasts then bent down and kissed my stomach. He stood up, and his cock twitched when he rubbed it against me.
“Shit, Skylar. Feel this, how hard I am.”
I reached into his boxers. His dick was hot and throbbing in my hand.
I could always tell what kind of a sexual mood he was in by the look in his eyes. Sometimes, he’d want me to direct, but this wasn’t going to be one of those days. This time, he would take what he wanted.
I whispered in his ear and slowly stroked him. “What do you want, baby?”
“I want you to suck my cock.”
Yup. I was right.
I kneeled and flicked my tongue over the thin line of hair on his stomach leading into his shorts. I took him into my mouth and stroked him at the base, sucking hard to the back of my throat. He massaged and pulled at my hair as he bent his head back, struggling to catch his breath. Normally, I’d keep going, but I was eager to have sex with him when he was in this kind of a mood.
After a couple of minutes, I stopped. “Where do you want me?”
“You know where I want you.”
Mitch lay back on the bed. Veins protruded from his cock, which was as hard it got and sticking up straight up in the air. It moved at the sight of my mouth lowering down on it as I sucked the moisture off the tip slowly one last time.
After I positioned myself over him, he moaned as he sank into me. He grabbed my hips and slid my body rhythmically over him. “This is heaven. I’m so deep in there,” he said. “You feel incredible at this angle.”
“I love it like this, too,” I said as my ass rubbed against his balls.
He placed his rough hands over my breasts, squeezing them together. “Fuck…this was just what I needed.”
I moved down on him faster. Being on top allowed me to see every inch of his hard body. I licked my lips and continued to ride him, ogling the cut muscles of his tattooed chest bearing my name. He’d thrust upward, and his six-pack would become more prominent as he tightened his ab muscles with each movement into me. I got off on watching it. Drool literally dripped from my lower lip onto him.
His pupils dilated, and I knew he was very close. “I love the way you look at me when we fuck,” he groaned. “I want to fill you with my cum. Now. I can’t hold back anymore.”
My orgasm vibrated through me instantly. He knew I loved a filthy mouth. Sometimes, it only took one sentence to set me off. “Oh, yes. Yes!”
Because the house was empty, he held nothing back and yelled out louder than he had been able to in months. I watched his chest move up and down as he came almost violently.
My hair covered both of our faces as I bent down to kiss him. My breasts were plastered against his sweaty chest. We had to get ready, but a part of me wished we could stay in bed all day like this.
“It’s fucking painful,” he said.
“What is?”
“How much I love you.”
I rolled to the side and wiped his eyes. “Is that why you cry?”
“Don’t know. I can’t stop them because these tears aren’t derived from my conscious brain. I have a theory, though.”
“What is it?”
“This is all coming from someplace deeper, like when we make love my soul cries tears of joy because it comes together with its other half.”
“That’s beautiful.” I kissed his shoulder. “Or it could just be really good sex.”
Mitch started to tickle me, and we went for another round before heading into the bathroom.
***
MITCH
The charcoal from the grill filled the air out back. People would be arriving any minute. As I dumped bags of ice into the two coolers, a little voice came up from behind me.
“We’re back, Daddy.”
That sound always tugged at my heartstrings. I’d never get sick of being called that name.
My mother had just arrived at the house with the kids about ten minutes after Skylar and I took our shower. It was good timing.
I lifted Lara up in the air. “How’s my little girl? Did you have a good time at the park?”
“Grammy bought us some Fun Dip.”
I looked at my mother. “Grammy, that’ll rot their teeth.”
Henry had red powder all over his cheeks.
My mother shrugged her shoulders. “It’s Lara’s special day. I told her she could pick one thing at the drug store, and that was what she wanted. She got some for him, too.”
I put my daughter down. “I suppose we can make an exception for today.”
She giggled, exposing her missing front tooth and licked the white stick before dunking it into the blue powder again.
Today, we were celebrating the fact that our adoption of Lara was officially made final yesterday. She had really felt like ours for a while, though. Now five, she’d been living with us for over a year.
Skylar and I had visited an adoption agency about a year and a half ago, looking to adopt a newborn, but they told us there would be a long waiting list. We were willing to be patient, but then they mentioned a little girl who had been in foster care since she was one and needed a home. She was only three and a half at the time and wore her hair in two little braids. When I saw her, I just knew she was my daughter. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to fall in love with two girls in braids over the course of my life. It happened with Lara, and it was instant. She almost looked like little Skylar, too, with her reddish brown hair and a few freckles on her face.
Lara was such a good little sister to Henry and even explained his autism in her own cute way to people who would stare at us in public. She’d say, “He’s not being bad. He’s just my brother and has autism. You should look it up on the computer.” It was a relief to know that Henry would have a big sister to look after him someday when I couldn’t.
“Daddy, will you chase me?”
“Just let me throw these steaks on, and then we’ll play one round of tag.” She stayed hanging onto my leg until I finished placing the raw meat down. I looked at her little hands wrapped around my knee and smiled at her big eyes looking up at me.
As I chased her around the yard, our guests started to pour in through the fence. A few of Skylar’s friends from her volunteer gig a
t the hospital showed up at the same time as Davey and Zena and their baby daughter, Dena. Then, some neighbors started trickling in holding food and drink items.
Skylar’s mother was next to arrive, followed by Jake and Nina who had come all the way from Boston.
Skylar had made about six different side dishes and started putting all the food out on the buffet table. Henry walked up to her requesting something on his iPad. She didn’t know I was watching her as she stopped everything to lift him up and kiss him on the nose. Henry hadn’t changed or improved dramatically over the years. His speech still wasn’t developing as we’d hoped, but he did have two words: bird and mama. My son, who at one time was indirectly the catalyst for tearing us apart, had become our son and part of the glue that put us back together. I was a prime example of how one small decision can shape an entire life. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the biggest hardship can lead to your greatest blessing. It just takes time to see that God works in mysterious ways.
Jake came up behind me. “Hey, Bitch.”
We smacked hands “Thanks for making the trek, Jake.”
“No problem, man. I brought my karaoke machine for later.” He was holding two glasses. “Where do you keep the good liquor?”
“That’s my makeshift bar over there. Everything’s underneath.”
“How do you make that fruity drink they were passing around at your wedding? Nina wants one. It was some weird ass name, wasn’t it? What was it called again?”
“A weeping orgasm.”
“You make that shit up?”
“Yeah. It’s Blueberry vodka, Sprite and fresh raspberries. We should have all the ingredients.”
“Got it. You want one?”
“Why not?”
I looked around at my yard full of people. Henry was jumping on the trampoline with his sister. My mother and Tish clinked their wine glasses in a toast to their granddaughter. Much to our relief, they’d rekindled their friendship after we’d gotten back together.
Nina came by, kissing me on the cheek and squeezed my shoulders in passing. “Great party. Congratulations.”
I’d spotted everyone but her. Where was Skylar? I finally caught her grinning at me from a corner of the yard as if she’d been waiting for me to notice her. Her hair blew in the gentle breeze and, as always, she’d rendered me breathless. We looked at each other, and my heart filled with pure joy, eternally grateful at how my life had fallen into place.
She walked over to me and placed her hands around my neck. Everyone else seemed to fade into the background.
I rested my forehead on hers. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked.
“For giving me something happy to think about every single day of my life.”
Jake came by with two drinks. “I friggin’ rock at this bartending shit. Taste these.”
“Is that a weeping orgasm?” she asked.
He nodded. “Your husband told me how to make it.”
Jake handed one to me and then to Skylar.
She waved it away. “Thanks, but I’m gonna stick to soda tonight.”
“Okay.” He looked over to where Nina was chatting with a neighbor. “More for my little lush over there then.”
When he left, I placed my hand over Skylar’s stomach, and she looked up at me and smiled. They say these things happen when you’re not trying, when you least expect it. No one knew the secret we were keeping just between us. It was too early and risky to say anything. The doctors had always told us it would be difficult—a long shot even—but clearly, it wasn’t impossible. Miracles do happen, and we would wait month by month with bated breath, hoping and praying for the chance to meet ours.
Jake tapped the mic. “Is this thing on? Hello?”
Skylar and I looked up.
“I’m gonna start the evening’s entertainment off with a slow song. It’s an oldie but goodie.” He pointed the microphone at me and winked. “Bitch, this one’s for you.”
Nina covered her face then mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
It took me a few minutes to realize that the song was an old Roy Orbison tune called Crying.
My head turned slowly toward a guilty-looking Skylar. “You told Nina…”
Her complexion transformed into a bright shade of pink. “I was drunk once…at my bachelorette party, I think. It slipped out. She must have told him.”
I gave Jake the finger, and he stumbled over the lyrics in laughter.
I grabbed her. “You little shit. You’re lucky I love you.” If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. “Let’s dance.”
We slowly rocked back and forth to the surprisingly good sound of Jake’s crooning. I was overcome with emotion as I peered into her eyes and saw my entire world staring back at me: my past, my present and my future.
My Skylar.
ALSO AVAILABLE from Penelope Ward:
An Amazon #1 Bestseller in Romance
JAKE UNDONE
Nina Kennedy was alive…but not living…until she met him.
Planes, trains, heights…you name it, Nina was afraid of it and led a sheltered life ruled by irrational fears and phobias. When she moves to Brooklyn for nursing school, that life is turned upside down, as she develops an intense but unwanted attraction to her gorgeous roommate, who’s pierced, tattooed and just happens to be the smartest person she’s ever met.
Behind Jake Green’s rough exterior and devilish smile, lies a heart of gold. He makes it his mission to change Nina’s outlook on life. When he agrees to tutor her, they forge a bet and the stakes are high as Jake forces Nina to face her demons. He just wasn’t expecting to fall hard for her in the process.
What Nina doesn’t realize, is that Jake has been living his own private hell. Once he drops a bombshell, will their love survive it?
Told in two parts from both Nina and Jake’s points of view, Jake Undone is a standalone story and a companion to the novel, Gemini.
GEMINI
An Amazon Bestseller
Diner waitress Allison Abraham had no idea her mundane life was about to dramatically change the day she serves a devastatingly handsome customer.
Allison is immediately captivated by the mysterious man who stared through her soul with his electric blue eyes. After he abruptly leaves the restaurant, she can’t get him out of her head.
She has no idea that he had actually come on a mission to find her.
Cedric Callahan wasn’t expecting to fall in love at first sight with the pretty waitress he’d set out to find. In fact, she was the last woman on Earth he should be having feelings for. But his selfish heart had other plans. Feeling compelled to know her before revealing himself, he makes her believe their meetings are coincidental.
After a passionate romance ignites, Cedric’s lies and secrets are finally revealed, changing both of their lives forever.
AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2015:
JAKE UNDERSTOOD
From the author of the Amazon #1 Bestselling Romance, Jake Undone, comes a full-length companion novel.
A different side to the story: Jake’s side.
“We’re getting a new roommate,” they said.
I thought nothing of it…until she walked in the door. Her hand trembled in mine as she looked at me with fearful eyes. My entire world spun on its axis.
Nina…
It was a mismatch made in heaven: innocent girl from the boonies moves in with tattooed, pierced, badboy engineer.
I came up with a bet, a plan to tutor her in math and coach her through her phobias. What I wasn’t betting on was becoming addicted to her.
But I was living a double life on weekends, and once she found out about it, she’d be gone.
I had to protect myself and that meant one thing: I couldn’t fall in love.
**In Jake Understood, pivotal scenes from Jake Undone are retold from Jake’s point of view, combined with all-new material that will give readers a never-before-seen glimpse into Jake’s past, present and future. It can standalone but if both book
s are read, should follow Jake Undone.
Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. It is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, thank you to my loving parents for continuing to support me every day in every way.
To my husband, who puts up with a lot of crap so I can live out this new dream …thank you for your love and patience.
To Allison, who always believed in me back when all of this was simply about telling stories and to Harpo, my agent in heaven: love you both.
To my editor, Kim York, thank you for your undivided attention chapter by chapter and for your invaluable facebook chats.
To my besties: Angela, Tarah and Sonia…love you all so much!
To all the bloggers who help and support me: you are the reason for my success. I’m afraid to list everyone here because I will undoubtedly forget someone unintentionally. You know who you are and do not hesitate to contact me if I can return the favor.
To Penelope’s Peeps, my facebook fan group: I adore you!
To Donna Soluri of Soluri Public Relations who organized my book blitz and who always dishes out sound advice: Thank you!
To Hetty Rasmussen: for your support and for being my awesome Book Bash assistant!
To my readers: nothing makes me happier than knowing I’ve provided you with an escape from the daily stresses of life. That same escape was why I started writing. There is no greater joy in this business than to hear from you directly and to know that something I wrote touched you in some way.
To the autism moms (and dads): you rock!
Last but not least, to my daughter and son: Mommy loves you. You are my motivation and inspiration!