Page 13

Chapter Twelve

Three months later

Lulah

I stare out of the SUV window at the passing houses. I don’t think I’d ever even set foot in this neighborhood. Not that the place I’d lived in town was bad, but it certainly wasn’t like this. Every house on the street is a gorgeous, beautifully kept, century home. And they’re all set well back from the road, with expansive front lawns and old fashioned streetlights with intricately carved rod iron posts and ball lamps.

“You okay?” Jeff asks, pulling me from my trance.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I answer, glancing at him. His brow arches so I sigh and add, “A little nervous.”

“Why?”

I motion out the window. “Look at this neighborhood. I don’t fit in.”

“You’re worried you don’t fit in with a neighborhood?” His small chuckle makes me swat his arm. He takes my hand, holds it in his and sets both on his lap.

“It’s…”

“A neighborhood. You’re a person. There’s no comparison.”

“Arg! You know what I mean.”

“My parents love you, Lulah. And my niece does too.”

I roll my eyes. “You can love someone but living with them is a completely different thing. They could end up hating me. And Reece loves The Pudding Pilferer, she’s never met me. She could hate me.”

“Four-year-olds are notorious haters, I know.” He shakes his head. “Trust me, she’s going to love you. ”

“You spent too much time with Lu. Picked up too much of her sarcasm.”

Jeff squeezes my hand. “Stop worrying. I love you and that’s enough for them.”

“Say it again,” I ask, nibbling my lip.

“Babydoll, stop worrying.” He glances at me and I pout.

“Not that.” I growl. “The other thing.”

“I love you?” he asks, his voice rising as he turns into a semi-circle driveway.

I look wide-eyed at the house. “Yeah, that. Say it again quickly before I freak out.”

“Lulah Jane Olsen, I love you. I love you so much I’d give up eating pudding for the rest of eternity.”

I snort, turning back from the grand house to roll my eyes at him. “You don’t even like pudding.”

Releasing my hand, he reaches down to unbuckle his seatbelt with a click. “But I love my niece, and she loves pudding, and she’ll disown me if I stop eating it, and that will kill me, so basically, I love you more than my life.”

“Wow. That’s quite a winding road you took me on.”

“I love you more than life itself. And my family is going to love you living with us too. You know why?”

“Because I’m amazing,” I murmur flatly. He pinches my inner thigh and I yelp.

“Because you’re sweet, and caring, and giving, and smart. You’re courageous and moral and brave and strong?—”

I hold up my hand. “Okay, I’m amazing,” I say, cutting him off.

“It also doesn’t hurt that you love me, have access to adorable puppies, and are helping to bring their daughter’s and mother’s killer to justice.” This time he clicks the latch for my seatbelt, as if he’s prodding me along slowly.

“We don’t know that yet. They might not need my testimony.”

“Doesn’t matter because you’re brave enough to do it if you’re needed.”

I’m silent then, worry eating at me as I take in the huge oak tree with the tire swing hanging from it that looks slightly out of place. What if me being here brings back all the bad memories of losing their daughter?

“And haven’t you just come into some money too?”

I glance at Jeff, and he winks at me.

“Oh, yes I’m rich now.” I make an exaggerated gesture with my chin low, my palm flat over my chest and my left shoulder high, and then I laugh at my silliness. “I still can’t believe they gave me back every dime Satan’s Ransom extorted from me.”

“Python had your back and you didn’t even know it.”

“You mean Sergeant Case Callen?”

He shakes his head, brows high. “Still hard to think of him as anyone but Paul ‘Python’ Keller. But yeah, Case. He kept meticulous notes, and held onto the cash, so he could make sure you got it back. I almost feel bad for clocking him with those brass knuckles now.”

“I wish you had’ve clocked the other two.”

“Agreed.”

“Forty grand, plus the twenty I gave them up front from my savings. It’s unbelievable. I kept track of it as well, but I never really focused on the numbers. It was too painful.”

“And now? After three months in a safehouse, you’re ready to get back on your feet with a fresh start.” He props his wrist on the steering wheel making no attempt to leave the vehicle.

“So ready,” I say, closing my eyes, grabbing his hand and sighing.

He links our fingers, and I smile. “Thank you for letting me stay with you. I promise it’s just until I figure out if I’m going to use the money as a down payment on a small condo, or get a rental. A month tops.”

“I don’t mind having you in my bed while you decide. Besides, I want you close, at least until the trial’s over.”

“The trial won’t start for at least a year.” I arch a brow at him.

“So.” He shrugs. “Stay with me for a year.” Freeing his hand from mine, he leans across the console, putting both his hands on my face. “A month, a year, forever, I want it all.” He pulls me to him for a kiss. It’s soft and sweet and just a bit filthy with the way his tongue teases, but then he’s back on his side of the vehicle and I’m back in my head.

“They don’t think I’m a mooch, do they?” I glance once again at the two story home with wraparound porch and pretty stained-glass windows.

“I moved back home when Lisa died to help take care of Reece. My old condo has tenants with really good leases, but if it makes you more comfortable, we can get a short-term rental for a while.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want you to take you away from Reece or your parents. They need you. Maybe I should do that myself. I can afford to rent an Airbnb. I’ll just keep working two jobs so it doesn’t eat into savings.” I press my lips to suppress a smile. “ My savings . It sounds so good.”

“You’re not touching your savings . That’s for your house, or whatever you decide. And you’re staying with me. Period. You’re mine.”

When I look at him, his expression is firm. I bite my lip and he growls.

“Not another word about it. The whole upstairs and attic are ours. I converted them four years ago—separate bathroom, living room, kitchenette and a huge bedroom in the attic. The only difference from an apartment is there’s no separate entrance, and the apartment comes with a grizzly daddy who plans to spank your ass and make you come regularly.”

“Who could ever turn down that offer?” This time it’s me that leans across the console to kiss him. “Besides, we have three months of pent-up sexual urges to make up for.”

“Not another word, now. Or we start the spankings immediately.”

“Promise?”

He growls. “Woman, I promised Reece she’d meet you today, do not make me disappoint her by carrying you caveman-style up to our place right away.”

I can’t hold back my grin. “I’m excited to meet Reece. You’ve talked about her so much. You can be my caveman later. Introduce me to Reece already.”

“Let’s do it.”

Jeff jumps out of the SUV and walks around to my side to open the door. I take his offered hand and jump down with ease even though my heart is pattering like a hummingbird’s.

“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look today?”

“You have, Daddy Grizz, but feel free to keep mentioning it. They’re the first new clothes I’ve bought in over a year.” We walk arm in arm to the door. “Three squares and a bed do a body good, too though.”

Jeff glances behind me at my ass which I know fills out my fitted sweater dress quite nicely. “Three squares are definitely helping. I love that your ass is starting to plump back up.”

“You’re terrible.”

“Yeah, I am,” he replies and pulls me closer.

The porch is perfectly decorated with several beautiful table and chair sets that make me want to sit and drink tea in the morning. Maybe I will when the weather warms. Although technically spring is a few weeks away, it’s still too chilly.

I release Jeff as he opens one of the double doors and ushers me into the foyer.

“Uncle Jeff!” A little red-haired cherub comes flying around the corner and launches herself into Jeff's arms. Without missing a beat, he catches her, setting her onto his hip.

“Hey Reece’s Pieces.” He tickles her under the chin and she giggles. “This is Lulah,” he announces and the sweet little Reece reaches out her hand for me.

“Hello, Lulah. I’m Reece Grizell.” She gives Jeff the side eye and he tugs on one of her curls. “Not Reece’s Pieces. I’m pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

“It’s make your acquaintance,” Jeff whispers in her ear. She smiles and nods. “But you could just say hi.”

“I mean, hi, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

I press my lips to hold back my smile. “The pleasure’s all mine, Reece Grizell,” I say and take her little hand to shake.

“Do you like My Little Pony? Not the toys, but the game? It was my mama’s. Me and Grandma are just about to play in the kitchen. You can play too. My grandma likes you.”

“Well I’ve never played it before, but I’m a fast learner. And I like your grandma too.”

Jeff sets the little girl down and helps me remove my coat.

“Have you played any games?” she asks, taking my hand.

“Most of the games where I grew up were missing pieces or just broken. So I read a lot.”

“What’s your favourite book?” She tugs me forward.

“From back then?” I look skyward and think. “I really enjoyed Charlotte’s Web.”

“Oh, Grandma,” she calls. “Do we have Charlotte’s Web in our collection?”

I look back at Jeff hanging our coats and he waves me forward, mouthing the words, I told you so.

Jeff’s mom confirms that they do and Reece does the cutest little dance when she does.

“Will you read it to me tonight at bedtime?”

I suck in my bottom lip, relief and happiness battering my eyes. “Of course.”

“Only two chapters, Reece,” Jeff calls out, and when Reece looks disappointed I hold up three fingers. She smiles instantly and conspiratorially.

“I knew you were cool.”

Jeff

After checking on Lulah in the kitchen, I go back out to the car and bring her bags inside. There isn’t much yet, but she doesn’t seem to mind. I dump her stuff on the bed in the attic and head back down to see how the game’s going and to put my plan in place.

My mom looks up at me with a smile as I enter the kitchen. I can tell by just that smile alone that Lulah has nothing to worry about. My mom loves having her here just like I knew she would.

“Who’s winning?” I ask.

“The game has just commenced, Uncle Jeff. You’re silly.” Reece flicks the arrow on the spinner and it lands on pink. She whoops and moves her pony forward to the second pink block.

“Right. It’s just commenced. What was I thinking?” My brow furrows at my mother and she shrugs, but then as her eyes slide over to Lulah, she gives me a thumbs up.

“Have you two made any plans for dinner?” my mom asks innocently as Lulah flicks the spinner arrow.

“We haven’t, but how do you feel about takeout? I thought I’d order in.”

“Can we still have dessert?” Reece asks, sliding around on her knees to face me. She gives me an exaggerated wink that no one else notices. I wink back.

“Of course. Pizza okay by you two?”

“Not cooking sounds good to me,” Mom says. “I’ll ask your dad to grab it on the way home. Where are you ordering from?”

I tell her and she texts my dad.

Lulah nods but then leans over to Reece and says, “I bet I can guess what we’re having for dessert.” Lu tickles Reece’s middle and my niece bursts into giggles.

“Butterscotch pudding, maybe?” she asks, making Reece’s giggles double.

I watch them play their game but I’m distracted. As nervous as Lulah was about moving in with my family, and meeting Reece, I’m twice as nervous.

I never thought in a million years when I saw the hot blonde heading into Gage’s apartment building seven months ago, I’d be in love with her, let alone asking her to marry me.

It’s soon. Maybe too soon for some, but not for us. We’ve wasted too much of our lives on other things. Me on vengeance, and her on dealing with the trauma and complications of her past. But all that ended when Satan’s Ransom fell. And now it’s time. Time to start living in the present, and for the future and there’s no one I’d rather do it with than her.

When the pizza is finished and cleared, I nudge Reece. She gives me a pizza-sauce grin and slides off her chair.

“I’ll get the pudding!” she calls and heads to the pantry. Both my mom and dad glance at me.

“I think I’ll skip dessert tonight,” my mom says. “A hot bath sounds nice since I’m off reading duty tonight.”

For a second, Lulah looks panicked as if she’s stolen something from my mother.

“It was my turn,” I tell her, and watch as she visibly relaxes. “Dad? You having dessert?”

He pats his flat stomach. “I’m full. Too many carbs.”

“Just us, Reece’s Pieces.”

Reece comes back out with three pudding cups gathered against her little belly. All butterscotch. I take one, tear the top and slip something inside. The second one, I tear the lid off and hand it to Reece.

“I’ll get some spoons,” Lulah says, but I stop her, asking Reece to grab them instead.

Reece bobs her head eagerly and runs for the drawer.

Pulling the top off my own cup, I hold the lid out for Lulah. “Lick.”

She flushes but sticks out her tongue and licks the lid.

“Good girl,” I whisper. “I’ll reward you later for being so obedient, yeah?”

Reece is back and handing out the spoons before she can answer, but I can tell by the way Lulah squirms she’s rethinking the three chapters she told my niece she’d read.

Reece jumps into her chair and yanks the plastic lid off her pudding. “Your turn Lulah,” she urges and I shoot her a look. She just beams at me.

Lulah tugs the lid off pudding but freezes halfway as I get down on one knee. Her brow furrows. “What are you doing?”

“Open your pudding, Lulah!” Reece jumps in her chair.

Narrowing her eyes, she pulls the lid off and looks down. Her eyes widen and then her head snaps up to look at me.

“Lulah, will you marry me?”

“In a heartbeat, Grizz.” She throws her arms around my neck and slides off her chair to join me on my knees. “Yes, Jeff, yes.”

“Grandma, Grandpa, she said yes!”

Scooping Lulah up, I rise to a stand and spin her around. She squeals, wrapping her legs around my waist. Out of the corner of my eye I see my niece jumping up and down, reminding me I need to behave no matter how badly I want this woman pinned beneath me and squirming.

“Reece, if you can give us an hour upstairs alone, I’ll give you my pudding.”

Reece’s beams. “That’s a bargain, Uncle Jeff.”

“Go tell Grandma we’ll be back to start your bedtime routine in an hour.”

She rushes out of the room with more energy than I normally like to see at this time of the evening, but at the moment I couldn’t care less. As long as I get an hour with Lulah, I’ll spend three hours reading her into sleepy submission.

“Fiancée, would you like a tour of our apartment?” I ask, heading for the door to the upstairs.

“See you in an hour, Reece,” Lulah hollers and then leans in so close I can feel her breath on my ear. “Which room are we christening first?”

I lick my lips, stepping onto the landing and shutting the door with my foot.

“Lock it,” I demand, holding her hot gaze with mine.

“Yes, Daddy.” Her sultry voice hits me in the gut and she reaches behind me to twist the lock. “How soundproof is this apartment, Grizz? I have a feeling our celebration might get a little loud.”

My mouth slides up on one side and I shake my head. “Nah, babydoll, I know how to keep you quiet.”

Her lips purse as her brows rise. “Oh really?”

“Really.”

When we get to the top of the stairs, I take a right.

“Kitchenette. Living room.” I move through the room to another doorway that leads into the bathroom. “Bathroom.” I don’t stop even when she points to the huge tiled shower with the rainfall showerhead and dual shower panel.

“Remember that night, in the shower when I was nearly hypothermic?”

“Babydoll, I will never forget that night.”

She leans to my ear and I think she’s going to whisper something in my ear. Something I hope is dirty, but instead she sucks on my earlobe. Her moans, so close to my ear, set me on fire.

“I wanted you so badly that night in the shower.”

“Me too, and we’ll fuck the hell out of that shower another time.” She moves to kiss my neck, distracting me. “Maybe even later tonight, but right now, I have other plans for you.”

“Hm, I’m intrigued.”

Setting her down, I take her hand and lead her up the attic steps, kicking the bedroom door open as we get to the top. She gasps.

The king-size bed is laden with rose petals, an essential oil diffuser pumps light fragrance throughout the room and candles flicker shadows onto the walls.

“It’s…” She turned to me, eyes wide and glassy. “Beautiful.”

“I thought you deserved a little romance.”

She hugs me, a sniffle indicating what I already knew. No one had ever done this for her. No one had ever made her feel like the special person she is.

“I plan to spoil you tonight, babydoll. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to boss you around while I do it, yeah?”

She looks at me coyly. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Grizz.”

“That’s Daddy Grizz to you.” Threading my fingers through her hair, I pull her mouth to mine. Gently teasing her mouth open to allow my bossy tongue access.

She mewls in my mouth as I cup the back of her head with one of my hands and let the other wander down her body.

“Naked,”I demand, break the kiss. “I want you naked.”

“Yes, sir,” she says and pulls off her knit dress. My mouth waters the moment she tosses it into the corner of the room. She’s wearing lingerie, pretty pink silk and lace, lingerie and she was right earlier when she said three square meals did her body good because every sharp angle of her body is gone.

Smooth curves, milky skin, and a healthy glow was hidden by the dress and I have to swallow to avoid drooling. My cock aches with want for her.

“Maybe not naked yet,” I grumble watching the candlelight flicker over her skin. “Spin.” I twirl a finger in a circle and she obeys me, spinning around slowly.

I grit my teeth when I see her ass framed in the teeny lacey panties. When she’s back to facing me, I hook a finger at her. She once again obeys, ever so slowly coming to stand in front of me.

“The memory of you looking exactly like this…” I motion her top to bottom with my chin. “Will be etched in my mind until I take my dying breath.”

She reaches into the cup of her bra and pulls out a silver wrapped condom, holding it up. I reach for it, but she snatches it back, flicking it to the floor.

“Three months on the pill, we’re good to go bare, Grizz.”

I lick my lips, my cock lurching so hard I think it might tear through my zipper. She reaches behind her, unhooking her bra. I know she’s disobeying me, but I can’t help but stay silent because I want her bare for me. I want nothing between us, now and forever.

The bra drops to the floor and it takes every damn ounce of my restraint to keep my hands to myself. Her breasts are fuller now, rounded and creamy. Her nipples, tight, pebbled peaks, beg for my mouth. I bite my tongue at the sight of them, my body urging me to take at least one taste.

She slips her fingers into the band of her panties then, lowering them with aching slowness. And all I can do is take her in and try to remember to breathe.

And then, she does something that breaks my strength, actually shatters it into a million pieces. She balls up her panties, holds them out to me, and holds my gaze.

“Gag me, please.”

Fuck.

I take them, bringing them to my nose to breathe her in. My eyes flutter closed. Hell, they practically roll back in my head at her scent. When I open them again, her head is cocked and her innocent expression teases my inner beast.

Reaching out, I cup her chin in my hand. “Later,” I whisper. “I need that mouth for something else first.” Placing a soft kiss on her lips, I cup her breast with my free hand, kneading its plump weight.

“Mm, babydoll, you’re driving me wild tonight,” I say, my voice graveled with desire. Rolling her perfect pink nipple between my thumb and forefinger, I place my lips over hers to swallow her needy moan.

“Feel good?” I ask, releasing her chin to give the other nipple the same treatment.

A gasp escapes her well-kissed lips, and her head bobs, affirming my question.

“Be still,” I croon, and lean down to suckle each tight bud until she squirm with need.”

Stepping back, I eye the floor in front of me. She doesn’t miss a beat and drops to her knees so gracefully, it’s practically fucking art.

“Hands behind your back.”

Again, she obeys. Her big eyes look up at me and she slides her tongue across her plump bottom lip. If I got any harder, I’d bust through my zipper.

Reaching over my shoulder, I grab my shirt, pulling it off and tossing it aside. Next I undo my button and fly, and lower my jeans, shoving them swiftly down my thighs. My dick tents in my boxers and my cockhead, throbbing with need, stretches the spandex.

I shove them down, too, eager for her mouth. “Babydoll, put those pretty pouty lips to good use.”

She leans forward, licking my tip, making me hiss and curl my toes into the carpet. But when she swirls her tongue around the head of my cock, and I almost come right there.

Grunting, I take a handful of her soft blonde mane and drive my cock into her hot willing mouth. She sucks me, pleasure mewls accenting each stroke as she takes me in deeper.

“Goddammit woman, you’re fucking perfect,” I say on a groan, as I set a steady pace, driving in and out of her mouth. I look down and thumb away the moisture dampening her lower lids repeating myself because saying it once isn’t enough. “Fucking perfect.”

“Not wasting my seed in your throat, babydoll, I want to fill you with it.” I grip her hair tightly, yanking her off my cock with a sloppy pop. “Over the bed, now.”

I help her up, distractedly pulling her to me for a kiss before she can slip away to do as she’s told.

“Mark me,” she begs, as we pull apart. “So I feel you with me even when you’re not.”

Those words both heat me and melt my heart, so I smooth a hand down her hair, and kiss her again, softly this time so she feels my love.

“Over the bed, babydoll. Daddy’s going to give you what you want.”

Stepping out of my jeans and boxers, I take her to the bed, shoving her over it and slapping her ass, hard. She yelps, so I leave her to dig her panties out of the pocket of my jeans.

Holding her down by the neck, I jam the panties into her mouth. I’m rough but only in the way I know she likes. I slap her ass again, testing the sound of her squeal.

“Good, not too loud. The spanking, though. Hmm. Two floors between us might not be enough for the way I plan to mark this sexy ass.” I pause, taking a moment to run my palm over her shapely bottom until she’s shoving her it out for more.

“Hands behind your back and no moving. I’ll be right back.”

Eyes wide, she turns to watch me as I grab my jeans again. This time I pull out my cell phone. Looking down, I smile. My plan was to text my parents to take Reece out for a bit, but I don’t have to.

“Looks like Reece and her grandparents left. They went to the library for family storytime.” I wiggle my brows. “Left ten minutes ago. We’re completely alone.”

She pulls the panties out of her mouth. “I guess I don’t need these then.”

I can see by the shine of her eyes, she knows exactly what she’s doing, disobeying me to earn some much-needed attention to her ass.

“Did I say you could remove those? Tsk, tsk, babydoll, now I have to punish you.”

She pleads with her eyes as she shoves the panties back into her mouth, but it’s all part of the game. She knows she can stop this at any time. Having been under police protection for three months, we’d talked a lot . We’d covered safe words countless times.

“Hands,” I warn and close the distance between us again. “Behind your back and still, yeah?”

She nods, wide-eyed and I kiss her temple gently but grind my hard length against her ass, before moving back to give her three sharp slaps across her cheeks.

She moans through her gag and I give her another three, a little slower, but a little harder.

“Mm, this ass bounces so nicely when spanked.”

I smack it again, this time I don’t keep track of how many swats I give her. Instead, I enjoy the way her cheeks wobble and dance beneath my palm.

“I love this ass,” I growl, giving it a filthy squeeze. “And I think you’re liking this spanking too.” Sweeping my fingers through the dampness of her folds, I grin. “Oh, you are.” I spank her again, this time painting her bottom with harsh stinging slaps until it’s as pink as the gag in her mouth. She gasps, sucking in quick breaths when I finally stop.

I lower to my knees. “Let’s see how you liked that spanking now.” Only this time I don’t check her with my hand. A palm on each hot cheek, I spread her wide and lean down to lick her center, my tongue ending at her tight pucker.

Her cheeks clench in my hands and even through the gag, her gasp is audible. I explore her folds with my tongue and lips, loving all the mewls and moans she makes, but I don’t let her come, even when I know she’s close.

“I love teasing you, babydoll,” I say when she howls in frustration through the panties. Rinsing, I pluck them out of her mouth and resume spanking her sexy ass.

“Please, Grizz, I need some relief. You’re killing me,” she whines when I pause to caress her hot globes instead of punishing her.

“And relief you’ll get.” I stroke my hard cock with my fist and slide it between her legs. “Feel how hard I am for you. See, I’ve given you no more torture than I’ve given myself, yeah?”

“Then put us both out of our torment,” she pleads on a drawn-out whimper, trying to lean back and impale herself with my cock.

“I like you begging though.” Releasing my cock, I insert two fingers inside her. Moving them in and out of her, I work her until her breath hitches. Curling my fingers slightly, I rub her G-spot until she cries and her juices soak her thighs and me.

“You like this?” I ask, and she bucks against my hand.

“God, yes!”

She pants and I speed up. More of her wetness floods her thighs, my hand and the edge of the mattress.

“Faster, please. God, yes!”

I oblige until she’s whimpering and ready to explode and then I remove my fingers, fist my cock again and plunge deep inside her. She screams and I groan or maybe it’s a howl, I don’t kn0w because, fuck, she feels so fucking good.

Grabbing her hips, I pound into her, the sound of wet skin-on-skin smacking resonates against the attic walls. She sobs in pleasure and finally, at last, I let her find release. I slow my thrusts and she shudders, coming undone on my cock. Still moving inside her as she slumps, I bite my lip hard enough to draw blood, fighting the tingle at the base of my spine until I can fight no more. Going over the edge, my cock throbs and I empty myself hotly inside her.

“Lulah,” I whisper gruffly, leaning forward to dust her back with small kisses. “I love you so fucking much. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life making you come apart like that and then putting you back together like this.” I tug her hips tightly against me to keep us joined as I pull us over onto the bed. Cradling her, I grab the throw blanket from the end of the mattress and wrap us like a burrito.

“I love you, Grizz Daddy.”

“And I love you, babydoll.”