Sacrifice For Love Read online

  By the next week, we’re over halfway done building and just finished the roof today. Now it’s smooth sailing as we can start on the inside, storms be damned. Taren’s driving me crazy because I won’t let her go look. “It’s gonna be an epic surprise,” I’d tell her. She’d roll her eyes, reminding me how much she hates surprises. She’s gonna love this one. I know she’ll be excited about the extra little things I’ve incorporated into the layout, she won’t be mad. I hope. Pop called in a couple more crews, the owner’s friends of his. He told them he needs to get this finished soon for his son and soon to be daughter in law. After everything that happened, he and Betty have gotten close and put the past behind them. I wish things could have been different. That our families would have seen our love from the beginning. Things would have turned out differently. Her dad would still be alive. I guess everything happens for a reason, but I still feel so bad for Taren. Her dad saw it too late, but at least he attempted to make it right, in the end.

  * * * *

  “But if I close my eyes then I can’t see,” she whines as I lead her out of the truck, holding on to her tight. I chuckle with her moaning and groaning, although her sounds are going straight to my cock. In my mind, I’m telling it to calm down, that they’ll be plenty of time for that once her surprise is unveiled. “Brock. This is silly. Just uncover my eyes already.” She never was good at surprises.

  I don’t answer. I just let her continue to whine as I walk her over to the spot that will show everything. My heart is beating so fast, I can feel it thumping against my chest. We’d finished the house two days ago. I have to say I’m pretty proud. I couldn’t have asked for a better one. It’s perfect. Just like she is. We added the finishing touches last night then I went home and made love to her like I never had before. I guess it was the adrenaline that kicked in from getting done and the excitement of showing it to her tonight that did it. Well that and I’m always horny and wanting her.

  “Brock! Quit stalling already!”

  I chuckle again but suddenly my heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat. I look at her and then around and nod to everyone. I know they’re just as excited as I am and they should be. They all worked so hard to make this happen whether it be helping to build it, helping Taren pick out and plan everything inside, or just cooking up all the great food for tonight. We couldn’t have a better family or friends. Even Caylan looks over and winks at me. He’s become part of the family so fast except Irish is always so stand offish around him. But then again – it’s Irish. ‘Nuff’ said.

  My hands have become sweaty, covering her eyes. “You ready, my love?” She lets out a huff, and I chuckle. I start to uncover her eyes. “Welcome home.” She lets out a scream, covering her mouth with her shaky hands. Her legs almost buckle so I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. “What do you think, baby?” Her head turns all around as she takes it all in. She’s speechless, so unusual for her. My heart feels like it’s about to choke me as I wait for her to say something. Anything.

  “Oh, my God, Brock,” she finally whispers. “It’s more than I ever dreamed.”

  I relax as I look around at our accomplishment. I’d waited until dusk to bring her here, to get the full effect. A beautiful log cabin, two stories. Full wrap around porch that starts on the left side of the front then moves all around the right side of the cabin. Thick wooden beams in a few places jetting out from the floor of the porch extending up to the upper deck off our bedroom. Trees surround the right side and back, giving it that woodsy feeling. Off the porch to the right is an opening, a wooden walkway that leads straight to our beach, our pond. Lights adorn the small railings of the porch, all the way around as well as the walkway. There’s also tier lights in the yard in front. A small fountain in the middle with a statue of Romeo and Juliet. Perfect. To the left is a concrete drive, wide enough for our vehicles. A garage made from the same wood creating the look of another cabin attached to the house. All the lights are on inside, in every room.

  I lean in and kiss the side of her face, her head lulls back against my chest. “I…. I don’t know what to say. I just can’t believe it. It’s beautiful.”

  I smile huge. So proud and so excited. “Wait until you see the inside.” Her head turns, her blue eyes wide in wonderment. “Come on, baby. Come see.” I walk around and take her hand, threading my fingers through hers. Everyone is smiling, yelling their congratulations as we walk up the porch steps. I stop and open the front door, but she doesn’t move. I turn and look into her tear filled eyes. “Are you okay? Are you gonna throw up?”

  Her eyes find mine and she smiles, shaking her head. “No. It’s just so much. So beautiful. I just want to take it all in. Slowly.” I understand how she feels. When we got the last piece of furniture put in its place, I just stood there and couldn’t stop looking at everything. Only with my explanation, my thoughts of what it would look like, she’d picked out the perfect furniture, appliances, and everything else needed to decorate. Unknowingly, she’d made this look like a home. Feel like it. She squeezes my hand and takes a few steps inside. I look around as she does, taking in the vast living room. The stones for the fireplace give it that earthly feel, with the wide wood mantel. Betty had brought pictures of the two of us and some of her family to set on top. Ma gave me some pictures of my family too, making it complete. In the corner between two large windows sets a wide screen TV. The antique rocker with padded seat, the big recliner, covered in an earth-toned throw, the large coffee table, and the L-shaped couch gives the room a lived in look already. Homey. To the left are double wide wooden steps that lead upstairs.

  Her eyes land on the mantel and her hand leaves mine as she walks over to it slowly. She raises her delicate hand and runs it across the pictures until it lands on one of her and Bast. She picks it up and turns her head to me, tears streaming down her beautiful face. “This is perfect,” she whispers. I give her time to look at the pictures and when she sees the one of her with her mom and dad, she lets out a sob. I take my cue and walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her slim waist. “I miss him.” She lets out another sob, her body shaking slightly.

  “I know, baby.” I have no more words. What can you say to someone whose Dad gave up his life to save his daughter?

  “I’m gonna go get out all the food and get it ready.” I hear Mimi say behind us, telling me everyone has made their way inside.

  Taren’s stomach takes it cue to growl, hearing the word “food”. I can’t help but chuckle into her back, my mouth pressed against it. “Come on. Let’s get you something to eat. Plenty of time to see the rest of the house.” She giggles, setting down the picture, and I lead her through the room but stop short when she doesn’t move as we enter the kitchen.

  “Oh, my God!”

  My eyes move around the room, proud of our handy work. The left wall consists of cabinets above and below a granite wood counter and lights underneath the above cabinets. Then a doorway that leads to a half bathroom. To the right is a long pantry and built in two door refrigerator with another long cabinet on the other side. Another small doorway rests beside it, leading to a small entry with wooden steps that go upstairs. Along the wall to the right of that is another counter with the same cabinets. The huge stove/oven is beside it, encased with the same stone as the fireplace. That same stone is the back splash under all the cabinets throughout the kitchen, tying everything together. To the right of the stove is more counter space, more cabinets winding around to a long L-shaped breakfast bar. The outside of that is filled with the same stone. Between the breakfast bar and the wall with the fridge rests a huge island complete with cabinets and the same countertop as the rest.

  “It’s magnificent. Perfect. A cook’s dream.” She walks in and I let her go, watching her walk around, opening cabinets, and gasping every time. My heart is full of love and joy. I couldn’t be more proud of our work. She turns around, wide eyed, when she sees the opening between the breakfast bar and looks at the smaller one
with three padded stools. She’s right. It is freaking huge. But with all the children I have planned for us, we’ll need the room. We’ve talked, over the years, both of us wanting a large family. We’ve always said that we’d give our children everything we can, show them that it doesn’t matter where you come from, that’s love is love, and that’s okay. You can’t always help who you fall in love with. We plan to show them that when it’s right, it’s right. Sure we know there’ll be knocks and bumps along the way, but a family’s love and support will always be there for them.

  The night is full of food, laughter, and the best of times. Mimi outdid herself, cooking more food then we could ever eat in a lifetime. We’ll have plenty of leftovers. And with what I have in mind, we’ll need them. Two hours move by quickly and we say our goodbyes to everyone, thanking them for everything. I couldn’t have done this without them. With full stomachs, I lock up and take my girl around the house, showing her the rest of the rooms. She’s full of excitement and awe as we walk around. When we get to the baby’s room, I put my arms around her waist and explain that we left it bare and that she should start picking out the furnishings and decorate it however she wants. She turns in my arms and kisses me hard.

  “Where’s our bedroom?” she whispers. Her voice filled with desire. I bend down and she giggles as I lift her into my arms. Her mouth instantly presses against mine as I carry her down the hall and into our room. She doesn’t look at it, her mouth never leaving mine. I lay her down on our new bed, the mattress high and comfy. Her hair lays out all around, and my cock pulsates in need and want. I lean over her, pulling up her t-shirt and press kisses on her stomach, up her abs, and nuzzle her bra. I reach under her and unclasp it then find a nipple, sucking it into my mouth greedily. She moans and arches her back, pushing her nipple into my mouth even more. I release it with a loud wet pop and place kisses across her chest until I reach the other peak, nipping at it with my teeth. “God! Brock! Need. You!” She screams, digging her fingernails into the skin of my shoulders.

  I make quick time getting rid of our clothes then plunging into her. I grab her hands and move them, setting them on the bed on either side of her head. Threading my fingers through hers, we begin moving slow but pick up speed quickly. The urgency in our love, being in our new home, on our new bed, reminding us of everything we’ve been through, heats so fast that I know we’re both not gonna last too long. We both call out each other’s names as we reach our climaxes together.

  Our bodies are slick with sweat so I do what any other man would do. I pick her body up in my arms, kiss her all the way into our bathroom, and set her down on the counter. Instead of flipping on the lights, I strike a match from the box laying on the small table. I light the candles around her on the counter and the ones that outline the huge Jacuzzi bathtub.

  When I turn around, her eyes are wide, and her face glows in the warm low lighting. I lean over and turn the knobs, holding my hand underneath the spray of water waiting for the right temperature. I smell her before I feel her arms move around my waist. Her body smells of sex and her. My cock is already hardening as she begins to place kisses all along my back. I pull up on the stopper, letting the water fill then turn around and capture her swollen lips. My hands rub her back as our tongues play a game of chase. I don’t know how long we stand there, kissing and groping. Soon I turn my head and the water in the tub is almost to the top. I release her reluctantly and turn it off then lift her into my arms and step in. The water sloshes over the top as I sit down, her legs straddling me immediately. The scent of the candles fill my nose, along with the scent of her hair as I nuzzle into her neck. Our bodies move as one, my fingers digging into her hips as hers bury into my shoulders.

  “Brock,” her cry muffled as her mouth presses against my arm. Her body shakes as mine shudders with my own release. We don’t move for the longest time, just holding each other. My day is complete.

  Once dried and dressed in our sleeping attire, I carry her to our bed, and cover us up. She snuggles into my chest, like she always does, and places her leg in between mine. As I listen to her light breathing, all I can think about is that now we’ll be together forever, with nothing and no one trying to stop us. I nuzzle my nose in her hair and breathe her in. “I’m gonna marry you,” I whisper. “Soon.”

  Epilogue

  Caylan

  My life’s been full of lustful women, too easy and always giving it up to me. I’ve never minded but I always lose interest. I’ve been a love ‘em and leave ‘em kinda guy, only ‘cos I haven’t found the one woman who I want a relationship with, yet. However, I never once led them on. Always told them from the beginning there were no strings attached and this was only a one night thing. They didn’t seem to mind. In fact, that’s all they really wanted me and my body for anyway. What can I say? I’m always on the prowl. I have a healthy appetite. Some call me stubborn, hard headed, and possibly a neat freak. I can’t help the way I am, although I have a hard time dealing with anxiety, at times. I’m the kind of man who always wants everyone around me to be happy, to the point of my own unhappiness. Guess that’s the worrier in me, which causes the anxiety and small bouts of depression sometimes. Why? I guess it’s the way I was raised. I was taught to help others, treat women like they’re all ladies, even though some are far from it. I always open doors for them, never walk in front of them or walk ahead. They’re always the first to sit down and the first to take a bite of their food. I make sure of it. Gentleman through my core.

  I sigh, thinking of the term “neat freak” as I straighten my towel on the rack. Okay, yeah, that could be a good name for it. Hey, at least I’m not the Sleeping with the Enemy kind. My can goods do not have all the labels turned around facing the front. Well, not all of them anyway. That reminds me. I need to pick up all my discarded clothes off the floor from last night and get some laundry started.

  Since moving here, there’s a new abundance of women to be had. After having a great time at Brock and Taren’s new house last night, I ended up at Pops Bar and had a couple of drinks. I don’t drink much but I like the occasional light beer. Of course, Pop wouldn’t let me pay for anything, saying he owed me after helping to save his sons. I only did what I was compelled to do. I like them. Kane gave me a job when I first got into town without knowing anything about me. I pay back what’s due but even without that, I would have done it anyway. Just the kind of guy I am. The sense of pride was swelling in me when Brock showed Taren their new house for the first time. To think I had a hand in building it and how it turned out made me feel so good. Probably the most proud I’ve been on a construction project. The sight of Taren’s face when Brock brought her home was something to behold. She was more than surprised and the house – it’s like a work of art. Knowing I had a hand in it fills my heart. Someday. Someday I’ll have what they have. Their love is strong, the house magnificent. And they have a baby on the way too. Some day.

  My pocket vibrates, reminding me I forgot to take my phone off vibrate last night. Guess I was too preoccupied. I look at the phone and sigh then bring it up to my ear. “Amanda. How are you?”

  “Great, Caylan. And you?” Her voice sounds like normal, too chipper. I cringe, shivers running through me.

  “I’m good. Look, kinda busy. What can I do for you?” I hated to ask knowing she never calls unless she has something she needs or wants me to do.

  “Good. Hey, there’s a book signing at The Ritz next Saturday. Can you attend with me? I’ll have some posters for you to sell and sign. You can make a little extra money. I need you there on Friday night and stay until Sunday morning. I’ll pay for your room and food. Please?” She sounds so hopeful but she knows I’d never tell her no. She’s really done a lot for me.

  I walk into the kitchen, open the drawer, and pull out the small pad of paper and grab a pen. “Sure. What time do you need me to be there and what’s the address?” I scribble on the pad as she excitedly gives me the information.

  “Thanks, Caylan. You’r
e the best! See you next Friday.” Click. Well, okay then. Guess I’ll be going to a book signing. Hmmm. Book signing. Readers. Women readers. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

  I start to head back to my bedroom to get the clothes to start laundry when a knock sounds on my front door. Damn, never gonna get my clothes washed. I walk quickly to the door and open it. “Well, I’ll be.” Irish is standing there, looking everywhere but at me. I’ve been intoxicated with her ever since we first met but she won’t have anything to do with me which makes me wonder why she’s here. And how did she know where I live?

  Her hand reaches up and in it she’s holding my jeans jacket. “You left this at Pops last night,” she says like she’s totally put out that she had to bring it to me. Her eyes finally find mine, and I have to press my lips together to try not to smile when one of her eyebrows raises high up into her forehead as she smirks.

  I take it from her and put my hand in the front pocket, pulling out my wallet. So that’s how she knew where I lived. “Thanks, doll.” She turns and starts to walk to the front steps. I step out of the door and turn. “Ya know. If you wanted to know where I lived, you could have just asked. I would have figured out eventually that I left it there and would have gone to get it myself.” I can’t help but smile trying to look all suave and confident but truth be told – inside my stomach is in knots, and my cock is harder than a rock.

  She turns around in a huff, her hand lands on her cocked hip and a sneer graces her mouth. “Ha. Funny. First of all, the name isn’t “doll”. Second, I could have cared less where you live. Just thought I’d do you the favor since I was on my way to the gym. Don’t worry. I won’t bother again.” She throws her head back, her dark brown haired ponytail whips around her as she storms down the steps. I normally go for women with blonde hair. Long so I can wrap it around my hand as we…. Well, you get the picture. But something about her dark hair and eyes that match the color is hitting me hard. Maybe it’s also her snarky attitude and the fact that she doesn’t want me like all the rest.