218 First Hugs Read online

  His mouth returned to mine as he positioned me on the counter, tilting my hips and placing my legs over his shoulders. He cradled me against him even though my body was folded tightly, and he inserted his big cock inside me.

  “Oh…”

  Ace pressed his mouth harder against mine to silence my moans. If the girls woke up and they found us like this, they would be scarred for life. He gripped my ass and rocked into me on the counter, fucking me just the way I liked. He treated me like I was the most desirable woman on the planet. I didn’t have stretch marks or a tummy from being pregnant twice. I was just a beautiful woman being enjoyed.

  When my moans were under control, Ace pressed his lips against my ear, exhaling hot breaths into my canal. “Baby…I missed you.”

  My nails dug into his back as I hung on. “God, I missed you more.”

  We moved back and forth on the counter where I had just prepared dinner an hour ago. My back was stretched in an odd way since my legs were so high, but I didn’t care because it felt so good. We gripped each other like animals, wanting more of one another but never getting enough.

  Ace made me come in record time, pushing me into an orgasm so strong it actually hurt. I breathed into his mouth and did the best I could to stay silent, knowing we were already making too much noise as it was.

  My pussy tightened around his dick, and I gushed my come all over him, sheathing him in more lubrication.

  He must have felt it because he moaned. “Baby…”

  I loved it when he called me that. I loved it when he made me feel like his. “Ace…”

  He continued to thrust inside me, his enormous body working hard. “Can I come inside you?”

  All the times Evan and I had slept together, he wore a condom. After what he did, I would never trust him to be clean unless he provided a test. “Please…”

  Ace pressed his forehead to mine and gave his final pumps before he released with a quiet moan. He gave me his mounds of come, which felt heavy and warm inside me. He breathed hard against me, doing his best to remain quiet even though our bodies felt amazing together. “Fuck…”

  My fingers moved through his damp hair, and I kissed him, out of breath and sweaty. I already missed him, but after that, I missed him even more. “Sleep with me…” I missed feeling him next to me, his quiet breathing that reminded me I was safe throughout the night.

  He kissed me. “We need to have another round anyway.”

  * * *

  Bree and Cypress were in the office when I walked inside. Bree immediately grinned at me, probably assuming Ace and I got busy last night.

  Not that she was wrong.

  I sat at my desk and ignored her obvious look. “Morning.”

  “Morning,” Cypress said, ignorant to what was really going on.

  Bree didn’t say anything. She just stared. “Cypress, could you get started with the register downstairs? Amelia and I need to have girl talk.”

  “I feel like you’re always kicking me out.” He smiled before he walked out, obviously teasing her about it. “You better make it up to me later.” He shut the door and headed down the stairs.

  Before he was gone from sight, Bree launched into action. “So, what happened?”

  “Ace told me how he felt.”

  “And…?”

  “We kissed.”

  She leaned over my desk. “And…?”

  “We did it.”

  “Yes!” She threw her arm in the air. “I can’t believe this took so long. I’m glad you guys finally got your shit together.”

  I gave her a glare. “Maybe if you told me how he felt, it wouldn’t have taken so long.”

  A guilty look stretched across her face. “So, the sex was good, huh?”

  I let her change the subject. “It’s always good.”

  “And now you guys are officially dating, and everything is right with the world. I’ll catch Cypress up on everything. Now that he knows you guys are together, he should be mad that you were humping behind everyone’s backs.”

  “Well, hold on.” I knew my sister wouldn’t like this part of the story. “Ace told me to take some time to figure out who I want to be with. He said he doesn’t want me to pick him unless I’m absolutely sure I don’t want to be with Evan again.”

  My sister looked like she might stab me with a pencil. “How can you possibly be unsure, Amelia?”

  “I want to be with Ace, but Evan is kinda in the back of my mind.”

  “Then push him out,” Bree snapped. “You aren’t going back to him. He’s a cheater.”

  “I know, I know,” I said calmly. “But he’s the father of my children and—”

  “Who gives a shit? Do I need to remind you that he left you for a tramp who tried to jump you?”

  Like I’d ever forget how terrible that year was. “Bree, I know what he did was wrong, but I can tell he’s sorry. I can tell he’s different now. I’m not making excuses for him, but I really don’t think he would do something like that again.”

  Bree wasn’t having it. “Amelia, he divorced you a week after he left. He moved in with that girl. He didn’t even glance behind when he left.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “Then how can you possibly think you could be with him again?”

  “Because we’re a family, Bree. I have two girls who love their father. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss having the four of us together. And if we could work it out, I know the girls would be really happy.”

  “I get you want to do the best thing for the kids, but this is your life.” She pointed at me. “You should be happy. Ace will definitely make you happy. You never have to worry about his loyalty. He’s a straight shooter. He’s the best guy.”

  “Trust me, I know Ace is the better guy.”

  “Then what are we arguing for? Pick him.”

  “I just need a little time to think about it.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Goddammit, Ace. If he’d just said something sooner…”

  “We have to play with the hand we’re dealt,” I said. “I just want to be sure. Ace is right. He deserves to know that I’m not gonna leave him and go back to Evan. I’d rather figure this out now than hurt either one of them later.”

  Bree sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Ugh…”

  11

  Bree

  I couldn’t believe Amelia was even considering Evan.

  God, I hated him.

  Yes, he seemed sincere when he apologized to me. He’d been a great father. He came all the way to my house to apologize to me even though he knew I hated him. But that didn’t change anything.

  He hurt my sister.

  He broke her, actually.

  She shouldn’t give him another chance just so they could be a family again. Ace was a great guy, the better guy.

  She’d better pick him.

  Cypress and I walked side by side on the way home from work. We spent the afternoon in different restaurants but met up once our shifts were over. His hand snaked into mine, and he interlocked our fingers as we headed down 7th.

  Once I felt his touch, I smiled.

  “Everything okay with you and Amelia?”

  “Yeah, we’re fine.”

  “You seemed to be talking pretty intently earlier…”

  I felt bad keeping the truth from him, but now wasn’t the time to come clean about it. After Amelia made her decision, I would tell him what happened. Once he knew Ace kept sleeping with Amelia behind everyone’s backs, he’d flip. He was as protective of Amelia as if she really were his sister. “You know how sisters are…”

  He chuckled under his breath. “Alright. Keep your secrets.”

  “They aren’t my secrets to share. Otherwise, I would.”

  We walked up to our two houses that stood side by side. It seemed like a waste to own two properties when we were so close together. It was a waste of money and resources. Plus, Dino had to be shared between the two of us.

  “So, sex now or later
?” Cypress asked when we stood outside.

  “Right to the point, huh?” I asked with a laugh.

  “I have a beautiful wife.” His hands circled my waist, and he pulled me into his chest. “And I want to have sex with her—all the time.” He rubbed his nose against mine before he kissed me.

  I kept my eyes open as I kissed him back, seeing the undying affection in his eyes. “How about we shower first?”

  “I guess that’s okay. I smell like pancakes.”

  “There are worse things to smell like.”

  He chuckled then kissed me on the mouth. “See you in a bit.” He walked into his house, and Dino’s barks met my ears before the door shut.

  I walked into my house and got ready, thinking about my husband and dog next door. I smelled like melted cheese and sourdough bread, so I rinsed off in the shower and changed my clothes. I put on a cute thong since I had worn my comfortable underwear while I was at work. I didn’t want Cypress to catch me in that.

  My mind kept drifting away from what I was doing and focusing on the man next door. I married him, but I couldn’t recall my wedding day. When I first got my memory back, I despised him. But now, everything was different.

  I missed him.

  I was just with him, and I still missed him.

  How was that possible?

  I redid my makeup and walked next door. I let myself inside since Cypress wouldn’t care. Dino ran up to me and gave me plenty of love, dragging his paws down my leg and getting his tongue all over me. I smothered with him with kisses and scratched him behind the ears before I walked into Cypress’s bedroom.

  He just finished pulling his shirt over his head when I walked in. “You aren’t wearing lingerie.”

  “Was I supposed to be wearing lingerie?”

  “A wife’s duty is to wear lingerie anytime she can.”

  “Did I say that in my vows?” I asked with a smile.

  “No…but it was implied.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me like he hadn’t just seen me thirty minutes ago.

  I kissed him back, my hands exploring his tight arms. I’d touched his skin so many times that I memorized how it felt. His smell was second nature to me, and the moment the scent was in the air, I recognized it. My mouth had memorized the feel of his lips long ago.

  Cypress continued to kiss me until my mouth stopped responding. I just stood there and breathed, unable to move or do anything else.

  Cypress pulled away and gave me a look of concern. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  “There’s nothing wrong…”

  “It sure seems that way.”

  The feeling snuck up on me sooner than I expected it to. When I finally let my guard down, truly let the walls open, the passion flooded in. Cypress found his way into my heart and claimed it at once. “I love you…”

  His eyes softened in a way they never had before. His fingers immediately dug into my hips, and he tilted his head as the intensity grew in his eyes.

  “I guess I’m still a little uneasy about trusting you, but I don’t think you would ever hurt me again. I know that you love me. I see it when you look at me. And…as much as I don’t want to love you, I do.”

  His hands moved to my cheeks, and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “It feels so good to hear you say that. I remember the last time you told me you loved me. You left the house to go to work, and you kissed me on the mouth before you said it. I still remember it as vividly as the day it happened.” His hands slid down my body to my hips.

  “I was thinking…maybe we could move back in together.”

  The concern left his face, and a subtle look of joy remained behind. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. If we’re gonna be husband and wife…we should act like it.”

  “Is that really what you want?” he asked. “Because I would love to. But I can also be patient if that’s what you need.”

  “No…I want to live with you. We can start marriage counseling and work our way through it. I know I want to make this work. I know I want to be with you. I think it’s time that we take another step.”

  He smiled before he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. He buried his face in my hair and released a deep sigh of happiness. He held me that way for a long time, and soon his chest started to rise and fall at deeper intervals.

  I pulled away to see his face, wondering if my suspicion was right.

  His eyes were wet, but there were no tears. Subtle hints of redness and blotchiness were on his face. He met my gaze without any shame. “It’s been rough…these past eighteen months. There were a lot of times when I lost hope. But knowing it’s finally over…that we’re really in this together…means the world to me.” His big hands ran up my arms, his fingertips caressing my skin.

  “I’m so sorry…”

  His eyes melted. “Sorry for what, sweetheart?”

  “For putting you through so much—”

  “Don’t apologize to me. I understand why you felt the way you did. No one can hold that against you.”

  “But it took me so long, and you’ve done so much for me—”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m your husband, and I will always take care of you. I’m never gonna go away, because you’re my world. You’re my life.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Till death parts us, it’s you and me.”

  * * *

  Cypress had drifted off as he lay beside me in bed. Dino was at the foot of the mattress, sighing every few minutes because he was restless. Cypress and I had done nothing but make love since I said I wanted to move in together. We didn’t even have dinner.

  Comfortable beside him in bed, I watched him sleep. His jaw was more relaxed when he was dreaming, and he had a boyish charm he didn’t carry when he was awake. I loved the scruff along his jaw. It was coarse against my fingertips, but I liked feeling it every time he kissed me.

  My life had taken so many unexpected turns, and I couldn’t believe where I was at that moment. Cypress Heston was my husband, and we’d been married for over two years. We were happy together, and he loved me more than I could understand. I wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t spent the last six months proving it to me every day.

  Like he knew I was watching him, he opened his eyes. He released a quiet sigh as he stretched his body, twisting his back and moving his legs. “I would have slept all through the night, but I’m hungry.”

  “I’m hungry too.”

  Dino whined.

  “And our dog needs a walk,” I said. “Or he needs to poop.”

  Cypress ran his hand through his hair. “He wants a walk. I can tell.”

  “I’ll go into the kitchen and see if there’s anything I can make.”

  “I love having a wife,” he said with a smile.

  I rolled my eyes and pulled on his shirt before I walked into the kitchen. Dino came with me, hoping we were about to do something fun. I found a few ingredients in the fridge, so I chopped up slices of raw chicken and broccoli and decided to make a stir-fry. Just when the pans got hot, someone came to the door.

  I walked to the entryway and peeked through the peephole, assuming it was Blade or Ace.

  But it was Vanessa.

  What the fuck?

  I was only in Cypress’s t-shirt, but I didn’t care. I wanted this bitch to see me like this, with messy hair and chapped lips. I yanked the door open and smiled. “Yes? Can I help you?”

  She obviously didn’t expect me to be there because her eyes widened. “Uh…hi.”

  I waved. “Nice to see you again. So, what can I do for you?” She was in skintight jeans and a top that stuck to her like a second layer of skin. Every time I was having a good day, this bitch ruined it. It was like she did it on purpose.

  “I…I was wondering if I could speak to Cypress. Is he here?”

  It was his house, wasn’t it? “Yeah, hold on. He needs to put on some clothes.” I shut the door and walked down the hall.

  “Who’s at the door?” Cypress asked as he
pulled on his jeans and t-shirt.

  “Vanessa.” I could barely contain the rage in my voice.

  Cypress did a double take. “What? Right now?”

  “Yep.” And she knew where he lived. That was interesting. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared him down.

  Cypress looked more irritated than I’d ever seen him. “She’s never been here before. I don’t know how she knows where I live. I swear.”

  I walked off and headed back to the kitchen, my anger getting to me. I got back to work over the stove.

  Cypress opened the door. “Vanessa, what are you doing here?”

  “Sorry, I didn’t realize you would have company…”

  “I’m married,” he snapped. “She’s not company. She’s my wife.”

  Take that, bitch.

  “Can we talk outside?” she asked quietly so I couldn’t hear.

  “Fine, whatever.” His footsteps sounded as he walked into the kitchen. “I’ll be right back. Is that okay?”

  “You don’t have to ask my permission, Cypress.” I didn’t turn away from the stove to look at him.

  “I’ll be right back. I’ll make sure she doesn’t bother us again.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.

  I was so angry right now. I wanted to throw the pan at that woman’s face. What did she want to talk to him about? Nothing good, I could only assume. After a few seconds of standing there, I realized one of the windows in the front of the house was open.

  Should I eavesdrop?

  That would be wrong.

  But I couldn’t contain my jealousy and curiosity. The woman who tried to steal my boyfriend and now my husband was right outside.

  I was going for it.

  I crawled under the windows so they wouldn’t see me, and I took a seat on the hardwood floor with my back against the wall. They both spoke quietly, but I could understand their hushed words.