Forgiven (Touched Series #2) Read online

  “If I’m amazing that makes you incredible, baby. No doubt that was the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had.” She begins to move off me but I put my arms around her holding tight. She look back at me and smiles. “I need to go get a warm wash cloth and clean us up. I think that’s enough exercise for you tonight.”

  I bring her up closer, at least my arms are still strong and press my mouth against hers. “I didn’t get any kissing with that though and my lips missed out,” I state still touching her lips. She giggles but then her mouth moves with mine and this kiss was definitely worth the wait. I finally let her up and watch her naked body as she walks across the room and into the bathroom. I sigh heavily and once again think about how lucky I am. Once she comes back and cleans me up, which feels so good it makes my cock hard again, she returns the cloth to the bathroom and then climbs back in bed and into my waiting arms. It doesn’t take very long before I hear her light breathing against my chest. Best night ever.

  A few days later I’m working out my legs on the weight machine. My body is full of sweat, but I’m working on my arms in the process and they are stronger than ever. I think I could get used to this. Stormy walks in, carrying bags of groceries, with Emerson right behind her. She stops abruptly Emerson running right into her back, and her gaze travels from my legs up my torso then finally reaches my eyes, hers full of lust. Looks like someone is as horny as I am. Emerson butts her with his sacks. Her head turns to him, smirks and then winks at me as she walks off towards the kitchen. I begin my workout again deciding I may be overdoing it a little and may have to quit sooner than I’d like when she walks back into the living room and sits on the couch, watching me. Emerson then walks through and then out the door mumbling something about the fact that he doesn’t want to intrude, which makes me grin and causes my cock to twitch.

  I look back at Stormy and see her tongue sweep out from her luscious lips licking the bottom one seductively and watch her legs push together. “Wanna try something?” Her brows raise and the corner of her mouth quirks up. “I think you’ll like it.” She doesn’t nod, doesn’t blink or say anything, she just stands and saunters over, removing her top as she walks, then her bra flies off and then she almost trips as she tries to get her shorts with her panties down her legs. I have to stifle a laugh at that but almost got up to help her, stopping when she righted herself and finally got them off, kicking them away on the floor. “Well, I’ll take that as a ‘yes’.” I don’t even get a chance to move when she’s quickly on her knees and trying to pull my gym shorts off. Thank goodness I decided to go commando today so she doesn’t have to bother with my boxers.

  I lift up allowing her to remove them, and my eyes follow as she lowers them down my legs and over my feet, throwing them behind her on the floor with her discarded clothing. She looks up but not to my eyes. She looks directly at my hardened cock and licks her lips again. I lean forward, grabbing her upper arms and her eyes snap up to mine as I lift her onto my lap. “Oh, no. Not this time, Peaches.” As I begin to set her down, she takes my cock into her small hand and helps guide it as I lower her, her body sliding down the shaft with ease. “Ah, you’re already so wet for me, so ready.” I lift her by her hips and then back down again, eliciting a loud guttural moan from her. “She likes this. She loves to ride me, to feel me inside her so deeply, doesn’t she?” Her head tilts back with another moan giving me her answer. I push up on the weight bar with my feet making my cock ram up into her deeper than it was before. Her body begins to shudder as her inner muscles grip me, and I know her impending release is close. She leans down suddenly taking one of my nipples into her mouth, sucking and licking and that makes my hips buck, my feet moving up and down on the weight bar that makes my cock move harder, faster inside her. We both cry out at the same time as we both hit our climax, and she releases my nipple, collapsing on top of me but I still push up into her a few more times, using my hands on her hips to help until I’ve released all that I have inside her.

  “God, that was amazing. You’ve gotten so much stronger and I think this is my favorite position now,” she sighs against my chest. Our bodies are both sweaty, our breaths panting when we both turn our heads to the sound of the front door knob moving. “Shit!” she exclaims as she jumps off me, throws my shorts on top of my body and scrambles to get her things, running into the bathroom down the hall. We may need to move the equipment to a more private place.

  I can’t help but laugh when Emerson walks into the door, shuts it and when he turns around the look on his face is priceless. “Extracurricular activity. She was just helping me with my exercises.” Damn, I’m good at thinking fast under pressure! He gives me a smirk and mumbles ‘Uh, huh’ and walks out of the room. Ok, maybe not.

  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  Two days is the ‘special’ showing of the restaurant, and I’m so nervous. I’ve hired two cooks, who I think are fabulous, two hostesses and several waiters and waitresses. I’ve worked with the cooks with a menu, some they gave ideas for and a few of my own creations. I’m with the cooks now doing trial runs, preparing all the dishes while the staff delivers them to Jade, Knox, Bo, Pearl, Emerson and Ralph, and it seems to be going rather well. I finally get a break and walk out through the double doors of the kitchen and head to the big round table where everyone is sitting until I’m standing right next to Bo. He puts an arm around my waist and shifts in his seat when he pulls me down onto his leg.

  “Wow, Peaches. This is the best food I’ve ever tasted. You’ve been holding out on me.” I nervously look at him and then at all the faces around the table then back to him. “Seriously. Your food is going to be a big hit. Best in town, no lie.” I lean over and kiss his cheek as everyone at the table are all remarking how great the food is and then sit back up giving a smile around the table.

  “How are the servers doing? I need to make sure everything is perfect,” I ask looking around.

  My eyes land on Pearl, who’s swallowing her food, and she winks at me. “Girl, the food is stupendous. The servers have been prompt and courteous and I’ll be a kick ass hostess! No worries!” She smiles and then takes another bite, closes her eyes while humming. “Damn, I could eat a whole pot of this.”

  A giggle escapes me and I cover my mouth quickly. I know everything has gone off without a hitch tonight but at the special showing we’ll have some elite people here and the restaurant will be much fuller. I know it can be hard with everyone under pressure. I’m so nervous I feel sick to my stomach. “Hey, it’ll all be great. We’ll all help,” Knox says as he pats my hand and looking around the table. My eyes follow and everyone is nodding and smiling.

  “I know. You all have been so great. I can’t thank you enough. I just have jitters.” He continues to pat my hand for a minute, giving me his warm smile, and then goes back to eating. Dang, I hope we have enough food supplies. I stand up and start walking to the kitchen, turning my head to Bo. “I’m just going to check on some things.” He winks at me and then starts talking to his family and I continue into the kitchen. I’m feeling a little lighter with everyone’s words and more hopeful until I walk through the swinging doors and stop dead in my tracks. Damien, one of my cooks, is walking towards the back door with his arm stretched out and holding a huge dead rat by the end of its tail. My hands fly to cover my mouth as his head turns to me, my stomach churning.

  “No worries, Stormy. It was already dead and we’ve checked everywhere. There aren’t any others.” He walks through the back door and is gone when Charles, my other cook, walks over until he’s in front of me. He places his hands on my upper arms and gives me a concerned look.

  “Uh, Stormy. You don’t look very well. Your face is as white as a sheet. I hate to do this but you might want to take a look at this. I found it next to the rat’s body.” He releases his hold and holds out a piece of paper, my shaky hand takes it, and my heart stops as I read.

  One million dollars, whore, or
your restaurant will surely close before it opens. Don’t disappoint me. I’d hate for something to happen to your new business.

  The paper flies out of my hand as I run out the double doors, down the small hallway by the front door and into the ladies room. I barely get into the first stall, raise the toilet lid, fist my long hair into my hand and land on my knees before I expel everything that’s in my stomach. Beads of perspiration form on my forehead as waves of cramps invade me. Dry heaves take over as there is nothing left inside me. The coolness of something wet hits my face, but I can’t seem to open my eyes to see who the warm body is next to me. I release the hold on my hair when another hand takes it from me.

  “Baby, are you ok?” Bo’s voice is reassuring and comforting, but my stomach is still turning in knots. “Get her some water, Pearl.” I’m trying to concentrate on the voices whispering in the room, but I start dry heaving again. My hand moving to my aching stomach, and I hear shuffling feet echoing in the small area.

  “Bo, you need to see this,” Knox’s voice seems a little louder than the rest but still I can’t seem to open my eyes.

  “Not now, Dad. Wait! Mom!” Bo’s hand leaves my hair and another replaces it and more shuffling noises. I barely open my eyes and see Jade kneeling next to me and close them again quickly. Her other hand smooths back the hair from my face and I relish her tender touch.

  “It’s ok, sweetheart. I’m here. How’s your stomach? Any better?” I nod slightly but the knots are not gone completely. “Here. Take a few sips.” I feel cool glass up against my lips and open taking a couple of sips of cold water. “Good. Now, Emerson is going to help you up and take you upstairs. Don’t worry about anything down here, we’ll take care of everything. No arguing.”

  I only nod again as my hair cascades down around me, and my body is lifted into strong arms. I rest my head against his firm shoulder, my hand covering my stomach and I feel a cool breeze when we begin to move. My mouth presses into his shirt when dry heaves start again, but he doesn’t stop. “It’s ok, girl. I’ve been thrown up on before. Doesn’t bother me.” His voice loud in my ear and his words would have normally made me laugh but there’s no humor in them at the moment. I can tell he’s trying to be careful not to jostle me too much as he walks. Finally, my stomach calms down a bit as we must have reached my bedroom, feeling the softness of the mattress as he lays me down, then covering me with the sheets and comforter. I don’t open my eyes as I turn over onto my side, but I hear his footsteps grow softer as he walks away but another set getting louder, and then I feel a dip on the bed.

  “Hey. Stormy, are you ill or is there another reason you got sick?” My eyes open slightly as I turn my head when I hear Pearl’s voice. “I’m just wondering if maybe there’s another reason your stomach is so upset. Well, other than the note and what happened in the kitchen. You know you can tell me anything.” She brushes back some long strands of my hair away from my face. Her eyes are soft and her face contains a small smile.

  I try to think what she could be referring to then it dawns on me. “Um, I’m a little late for my period this month but I think it’s just all the stress and nerves,” I whisper as I look around, making sure no one else is in my room. “But when I saw the dead…. And then the note… My stomach just couldn’t take it. I’m sure that’s all it is.” Her face softens, and her smile grows wider. She pats my shoulder and winks.

  “Well, it could be the stress and yes, I can see how what happened in the kitchen could churn anyone’s stomach but have you thought about taking a pregnancy test? You know, just to make sure?” The nauseous feeling that had left has now returned. I swallow hard. My mind racing with possibilities but then I look at her and shrug.

  “Can’t be. I’ve been on the pill for years. There’s no way,” I whisper again thinking if I say it too loudly it could be true.

  She crawls over me and sits back against the headboard. I turn over and she takes my hand. “Sweetie. You must know that isn’t one hundred percent full proof and you can even get immune to it, just like any other kind of pill.” The lump that’s formed in my throat will not allow me to swallow and my stomach just did another flip. “Don’t look so worried. I know Bo wants children and I know even more he wants them with you. If you are pregnant I also know you’ll love it even though you may not be ready yet.” My eyes close as I nod slightly, a lone tear leaks without my permission that I hadn’t known was there. I open my eyes as I feel her tender touch on my face and she smiles. “Would you like me to run down the street and get you a few tests, you know, just to put you at ease?” I look up at her and see the genuine caring on her face and feel so loved and comforted knowing I’m not alone.

  “Would you mind?” My voice cracks with dryness and the huge lump is still lodged in my throat. She leans down kissing me on my forehead and climbs off the bed.

  “Of course I don’t mind. What are sisters for? I’ll be back in a jiffy and don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” That makes me cringe. She’s the worst at keeping secrets even I know that. She stops at the door, her hand on the knob and turns back to me. “Oh, quite. I mean it this time.” She winks as she opens the door, closing it behind her and leaving me with so many things swirling through my mind. Happiness, fear, love, dread, are just a few that plague me. Would I be happy? I know Bo would but am I ready for that? So much responsibility.

  I must have dozed off but startle when I feel the bed dip and open my eyes to see Pearl sitting beside me with several pregnancy tests in her hands. The lump is finally gone in my throat so I swallow hard and push myself up until I’m sitting cross legged. “So, you think I need to take like fifty tests?” She giggles and shakes her head.

  “It’s only five and different brands. Doesn’t hurt to have more than one. I read on the back of some of them and they all say that they are ninety-nine percent accurate and that you don’t have to be but a few weeks along for it to register.” My brows crease as I try to think how long ago Bo and I first made love then the queasiness returns when I discover it’s been more than three weeks ago.

  Before she can ask I take all the tests from her hands as I uncross my legs, moving them off the bed and then walk straight for the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I look at the toilet, the tests in my hands and then lay them on the counter quickly like they had bitten me. Taking a step back I just stare at them. My heart pounding and my stomach churning again but then something hits me. What if I am pregnant? What would be so wrong with that? I’ve always wanted kids and I know Bo does too and we love each other so why am I so nervous about it? With determination, I slide my pants off, grab one of the tests and sit down on the toilet. Once I’ve used them all, I clean myself up and lean against the wall across from the counter and just watch. Why is it that only ninety seconds seems to take forever when you’re waiting for news that might change your entire life? My eyes squint at the counter when I see colors changing on them one by one. My heart feels like it’s about to explode when I take a step closer and lean down and then jump back, hitting the wall full force.

  “Stormy? What happened? Are you ok in there?” Pearl’s voice makes my head snap to the door remembering I locked it. Slowly I push myself away from the wall and numbly walk to the door, fumbling with the lock, and then slowly opening it until she pushes her way inside shutting it behind her. “Well?” She looks into my eyes that are glazed over and full of bewilderment and then puts her arms around me, holding me tight. “Congratulations, sweet pea. I’m so excited! I’m gonna be an aunt!”

  “Don’t….” I choke out. She moves back a bit and gives me a concerned look. “Don’t tell anyone, please. I…. I’m not ready for that, yet. I can’t….” She pulls me to her and rubs the back of my head, trying to comfort me.

  “You’re not ready yet. I get it. But even Bo? Are you at least okay with it?” Her voice comforting.

  I nod my head and tighten my hold around
her waist. “Especially not Bo. Not yet.”

  “Okay. Good. It’s all going to be just fine then.” God, I hope she’s right.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It’s the day of the big trial dinner at the restaurant and I’m worried about Stormy. I know she’s anxious and nervous but the last couple of days she just doesn’t seem herself. She keeps pacing around, twirling her long hair and biting her fingernail. She’s not bubbly, laughing at my jokes (and they were damn funny) and she hasn’t even wanted sex. Something is wrong, and I aim to find out what it is. It’s about time to go down to greet the guests, and she’s still in the bathroom, so I walk over and lightly tap on the door. “Peaches? Are you ok in there? It’s time to go down.” The door opens and there in front of me is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. She’s wearing a gorgeous green dress, making the color in her eyes more vivid, black high heels, and she’s glowing in radiance. I take two steps and capture her mouth, her arms moving around my shoulders as mine envelope her waist. After a much heated kiss I move back just enough to look at her and smile. “You are a vision of loveliness.”

  She looks at me almost shyly then reaches up and moves her finger over my lips. “You, my darling man, have lipstick on your mouth.” She finishes and then grasps my arm. “Thank you. I’m a bundle of nerves and too much energy. I hope everything goes well tonight. It will make all the difference in the grand opening in a couple of weeks.”

  I give her waist a squeeze and grin. “It’ll be great. Quit worrying. Is that all that’s bothering you? You haven’t been yourself lately and you’re starting to worry me.” She looks down at her hand on my arm and then back at me.