Time Stands Still (Forever and Ever #51) Read online

  Lexie finally dropped her hands to her sides. “Okay.”

  Really?

  Macy’s face lit up in surprise. “Really?”

  Lexie nodded. “One last chance, Macy. I mean it.”

  “I understand,” she said. “I don’t need another one.”

  They stood across from each other awkwardly, neither one of them doing anything. Macy looked at the ground awkwardly. Lexie crossed her arms over her chest again, unsure what to do with herself.

  “Sisters?” Macy extended her hand.

  Lexie eyed it for a full moment before she took it. “Sisters.”

  Hallelujah.

  I wouldn’t have to intervene every second of the day.

  There would be no more bitch slaps and screams.

  “I’m glad you guys found some common ground. I’m sure everything will be much better from now on.”

  Macy cleared her throat. “I’ll replace your shampoo. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Lexie said. “It’s not a big deal.”

  This was amazing.

  “I shouldn’t have been so insensitive with everything going on with Conrad’s family,” Macy said. “That was really bitchy of me.”

  Even better.

  “It’s okay,” Lexie said. “Everything is okay now anyway. Everyone is safe.”

  This couldn’t go any smoother.

  Macy turned to me, her blue eyes identical to Lexie’s. “Thanks for not giving up on me. You took me in when Lexie would have thrown me out. You’re a great brother.”

  The unexpected compliment made me melt. When I first met her she tried to seduce me in the bathroom. She tried to hurt her sister by getting into my pants. I wasn’t tempted in the least because my eyes were glued to only one woman. But I didn’t think about that night anymore. I looked at her the same way I looked Trinity—as a sister. “And you’ll be a great sister.”

  ***

  When Lexie and I were alone in the bedroom she finally asked what she wanted to know. “How’s your father?”

  “Good. I sent him home when I got to the office. He looked like shit.”

  “Well…that’s a nice thing to say.” She undressed then pulled out one of my t-shirt from the top drawer. She stood in a black thong with her ass directed at me. It was firm and round, strong with muscle she formed from endless squats. Her back was hard and defined with tiny muscles that tensed and coiled when she moved. She had the nicest figure, but I particularly loved her back. It was long and elegant, ending with a prominent curve at the bottom.

  “He did. His hair was a mess and his clothes were too many days too old. He needed some sleep.”

  “That was nice of you to give him a break.” She pulled the shirt over her head then came to bed.

  “He was worried about Uncle Sean. He deserved some time off.” I stripped down to my boxers then got into bed beside her. “I think you did the right thing with Macy.” It was bound to come up so I just went for it.

  “I hope so,” she said with a sigh. “But if any other bullshit comes up, I’m done.”

  “I think everything will be okay from now. She seemed sincere.”

  “I still want her out of the apartment. I can’t walk around naked anymore.”

  “You can walk around naked in here—for me to watch.” I moved to her side of the bed and wrapped my arm around her waist. “You might even get a tip.”

  “Ooh…I could use some extra money.”

  I pressed my face into her neck and gave her a small kiss. “The sky is the limit, baby. Work hard and you’ll get a lot of bills.” Just as I started to move on top of her Apollo jumped on the bed and tried to get between us.

  “Do you mind?” I snapped.

  Instead of being irritated Lexie chuckled. “Awe. He doesn’t want to be left out.”

  “Well, he’s gonna be. This is a two-person activity.”

  Lexie scratched Apollo behind the ears and gave him a smile much bigger than all the ones she gave me. “He just likes being with us.”

  “Well, he can lay on the ground for the next thirty minutes.” I snapped my fingers. “Apollo, down.”

  He rested his chin on Lexie’s thigh and closed his eyes.

  Jerk.

  Lexie shut her mouth and tried not to laugh.

  “Ever since you came into the picture his obedience has gone out the window.” He knew he could get away with anything with Lexie. She always took his side despite my direct orders.

  “Come on, he’s cute,” she said. “You don’t think he’s cute?”

  “I think he’s a powerful beast that could bite someone’s throat off. That’s what I think.”

  “Oh whatever,” she said. “You think he’s adorable and we both know it.”

  “Not right now. Apollo, down. Now.” I snapped my fingers again.

  He didn’t open his eyes.

  This time Lexie couldn’t hide her laugh. “I don’t think he’s afraid of you.”

  “Well, he should be.”

  “Just let him stay there.” She ran her fingers through the patch of hair between his ears. “He’s so cute.”

  “I want to get laid. Haven’t gotten any in a few days.” If she was going to be my wife she needed to understand I needed it twice a day, every day.

  “There’s tomorrow.”

  “He’ll be in that exact same spot tomorrow.”

  “Well…in the shower tomorrow morning.”

  I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow. “We’re doing this now. If there’s a dog in the way, so be it.” I grabbed her knees and pulled right from underneath Apollo’s heavy weight. I positioned her underneath as we lay together on a small part of the bed. Apollo took up half of it on his own.

  “We’re going to have sex with Apollo right next to us?” she asked incredulously.

  “He can leave whenever he wants.” I pulled down my boxers then pulled her underwear to the side. After all the traveling and the stress from recent events, I wanted to get off and relax. Nothing calmed me down more than good sex.

  When Lexie felt my head push against her entrance her arms automatically wrapped around my neck. She stared at me with love in her eyes, the affection I was used to seeing every single day. A quiet moan escaped her lips and we hadn’t even started.

  “Looks like you need it just as much as I do.” I pressed my mouth against hers and sucked her bottom lip.

  She grabbed my hips and pulled me into her. “No. I need it more than you do.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Slade

  Trinity and I walked into the hospital room with a box of chocolates. We’d been coming every single day since Abe was admitted. He had a bruised face and some internal injuries that prohibited him from leaving.

  We took the seats at his bedside and placed the chocolates on the table beside him. Trinity struggled to get into the chair because her stomach was enormous. It was easier for me to hold her hands so she could use my weight as an anchor as she lowered herself into the chair.

  I sat down and turned to Abe. His bruises had faded into mere discoloration. The gauze that once covered his nose had been removed. He no longer had a Foley in place because he could get around on his own. “You look good, man.” I patted his hand before I leaned back into the chair.

  “Thanks,” he said with a smile. “It’s a lot better than saying I look like shit.”

  One the first day he was admitted I told him the truth. But that made my most recent compliment better. “You definitely don’t look like shit anymore.”

  Trinity gave me a violent glare. “Abe, you never looked like shit. Don’t listen to him.”

  Abe chuckled. “Thank you, Mrs. Sisco. You’re definitely the sweeter one.”

  “Sweet like sugar.” I placed my arm over the back of her chair. “The nurse told me you could go home today. That’s good news.”

  “It is,” Abe said. “The hospital food tastes terrible.”

  “I’ll make you something good when you
get home,” Trinity said. “Anything you want.”

  “Thanks for the offer,” Abe said. “But you should rest. That baby could come any day.”

  My hand moved to her belly. “We still have a month to go. But you’re right. Trinity should be relaxing. I’ll make you something. I make the best pizza bagels the world has ever seen. I put them on broil for the last two minutes. Works like a charm.”

  Trinity rolled her eyes. “I hate to think what you would eat if I weren’t around.”

  “Probably Mega Shake.” Those burgers and fries never got old.

  “You’re probably right,” she said.

  “So, what are you going to do when you get out?” I asked. “Take a long vacation?”

  “I wish,” Abe said. “I’ll probably take a week off before I go back to work.”

  “Back to work where?” I asked.

  “With you.” His eyes found mine and the confusion shined through. “Unless you no longer want me?”

  “Not at all,” Trinity said. “We just assumed you would want to move on to other things. After being knocked out we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to come back.”

  “Mrs. Sisco, that was nothing. That could have done a lot worse. Thankfully, neither one of you were hurt.” He grabbed the box of chocolates and opened them. He took out a chocolate caramel one and popped it into his mouth. “Thank you for the candy.”

  “Sure,” I said. “I almost opened it on the way here. Trin stopped me.”

  Trinity ignored what I said. “You want to keep working for us?”

  “Of course,” Abe said. “But I understand if you no longer need me.”

  “Why wouldn’t we need you?” I asked. If he weren’t watching the door his body wouldn’t have thumped against the tile. Trinity wouldn’t have heard it and I wouldn’t have investigated. His presence may have saved our lives.

  “The situation with the Shot brothers is over,” he said. “Sean Preston has shown his power to any other possible enemies. There’s no gain anymore. There’s no reason for them to come after you again. They’ll find something far more lucrative.”

  “You really think so?” I asked hopefully.

  Abe nodded. “The police are investigating their organization and they’re under the spotlight. They won’t bother you anymore. There’s no reason to.”

  Trinity noticeably relaxed beside me, releasing all the intensity she’d been hoarding this entire time.

  “That’s good news,” I said. “But we still want you on the payroll. When I’m traveling Trinity could use the help. With the little one on the way it would make her life easier.”

  “Sounds like the easiest job in the world,” he said with a chuckle.

  “I hope so,” Trinity said. “It depends if Olympia is a screamer.”

  “If she’s anything like Slade, she’ll be a terror,” Abe teased.

  Trinity laughed loudly, her hand moving to her stomach.

  I glared at her because I didn’t think it was funny in the least.

  “Come on, Slade,” she said. “It was funny.”

  “Maybe to you. If she’s anything like me she’ll be cute as hell.”

  “I never said she wouldn’t be cute,” Trinity argued. “Just a handful.”

  ***

  Trinity tossed and turned in the middle of the night, kicking off the sheets when she got hot then yanking them off again. Before the sun rose, all the blankets were on the ground and she was still turning every few minutes.

  I couldn’t get any sleep.

  “Baby?” I sat up and placed my hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?” She faced the other way, her knees pressed against her belly.

  “I can’t sleep,” she whispered. “So uncomfortable. I can’t sleep on my back or my stomach, but when I lay on my side she kicks. And then I’m hot and then cold…I’m just frustrated.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” I rubbed her back, applying pressure to the middle of her shoulder blades and the steep curve of her back. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Can you carry the next one?”

  My hand moved to the back of her neck. “You know I would if I could.”

  She sighed in frustration. “I’m exhausted all day, but I can’t take a nap either because she does the same thing. Olympia isn’t even here yet, and I already resent her.”

  “That’s not true, and you know it.”

  “I just didn’t realize how difficult pregnancy is. Maybe I’m just a wuss.”

  “That’s not it either.” I continued to rub her back before I placed a kiss on the back of her neck. “This is the last month and it’s going to be difficult. Your body is going through some serious changes. But when she gets here it’ll all be worth it. We’ll have a beautiful daughter that we get to love every day for the rest of our lives. Just concentrate on that.”

  “I know…”

  “You’ll get as much sleep as you want. I’ll take care of her when you’re tired and we can always switch.”

  “I know that too.”

  “So just try to relax.”

  “I can’t.” She turned over until she was on her back. “Maybe sex would help.”

  I didn’t think it would make a difference, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. Any reason that got me sex was a good reason. “Yeah, maybe.” I moved on top of her and pulled up the t-shirt she wore.

  She yanked it back down. “No. Leave it on.”

  I got off to her belly, but I didn’t push my luck. If I did, I wouldn’t get sex at all. I pulled down her panties and tossed my boxers aside. My shirt was off because I always slept shirtless.

  Trinity had always been flexible, so it was easy to spread her legs wide apart and give me plenty of room. Her stomach sometimes got in the way, and I wasn’t able to insert my dick as far as I wanted to. But everything was still sexy as hell.

  I slowly inserted myself until my hips touched her stomach. The second I felt how wet she was I held my breath. No matter how many times I was inside her I was never prepared for how good it felt. I’d been with a lot of women but never felt pussy as good as hers. “Baby, you feel amazing.” My hands gripped her thighs and kept them apart as I moved inside her.

  She wrapped her fingers around my wrists. “You feel good too.”

  I already wanted to come and I’d barely been inside her. Somehow, she was wetter and tighter when she was pregnant. Her channel had narrowed and her arousal reached a new level.

  “I’m gonna come…” She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip.

  That was a new record for me. I didn’t usually make her climax that quickly. Her pregnancy hormones changed her sexuality. She was more driven, more desperate.

  My cock hardened and prepared to explode. This time I couldn’t keep it back. I was ready to ignite in a powerful fire. There was nothing better than filling my wife with my seed.

  Her nails dug into my wrists and she moaned for me, her back arching and her mouth forming a distinctive O. “Slade, I love you. Slade…”

  Those words were better than any dirty talk I’ve ever heard. I came the same moment she did, filling her with as much seed as I could give. The fact she was pregnant just made my climax so much better. “I love you too, Trinity.” I gave her every last drop until there was nothing left.

  When she was satisfied her eyes opened and she released her hold on my wrists. “That was so good.”

  “It really was.” I pulled out of her then lay beside her.

  Without another word she turned on her side and faced the opposite way. She dragged the covers from the ground and pulled them over her body. Almost instantly, she was asleep.

  My job was complete.

  ***

  “How’s Trinity doing now that all the terror is over?” Cayson sat across from me at Mega Shake. He ate his double double and fries like he hadn’t eaten anything all day. His arms seemed to be bigger than usual, like he was hitting the weights a lot harder.

  “She’s okay. Abe is back home so she
feels a lot better about that.”

  “Abe is the bodyguard, right?”

  “Yeah. She felt guilty when he got hurt. But she shouldn’t. That’s his job and he only got a few bruises.”

  “I’m sure you guys pay him a lot of money.”

  “We do,” I said. “If I didn’t have any job prospects I’d seriously consider taking the position. Everyone will do anything for the right price.”

  “Is he staying on?”

  “Yeah. I think it’ll give Trinity peace of mind.”

  “I’m sure the worst is over.” He shoved a handful of fries into his mouth. “When those guys broke into our house I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I really thought that was going to be my last night on earth.”

  Skye told me the story. Cayson was a hero. He saved himself and his family when all he had was a bat. “No one could take you down, man.”

  He shrugged and kept eating. “When it comes to my family I guess I become a lot more powerful. Survival instincts kick in. I didn’t think before I shattered that guy’s skull. I thought I would feel bad about it later but I still don’t feel any remorse. I took someone’s life but it hasn’t changed anything. Does that mean there’s something wrong with me?”

  “Not in the least.” I wouldn’t feel bad whatsoever. “They broke into your house with the intention of taking your wife. They wouldn’t have granted you any mercy. If you got in their way, they would have killed you. They would have killed Cedric too. These men wanted blood.” Cayson did the right thing. No one would judge him for putting his family first. He wasn’t a murderer in my eyes and he never would be.

  Cayson soaked in the words before he finally nodded. “Well, thanks.”

  “I would have done the same thing. My dad would have done the same thing. Sean…everyone.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “So don’t stress out about it. Or don’t stress about not feeling bad about it. I don’t look at you differently.”

  He went back to eating.

  “Is Skye doing okay?”

  “She’s fine. But she’s been a lot more clingy lately. It’s probably because she thought I wasn’t going to come back that night.”