Lost and found, p.21
Lost & Found, page 21
Wade kissed the corner of her mouth softly. “I hate that happened to you and your siblings. When I look at everything you’ve accomplished, I’m so proud of you. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother to our daughter and always being there for her.”
He pressed his nose to hers. “I love you, Eliza. I’m in love with you and have never loved anyone but you. I will never love anyone but you. Even when you broke my heart and I thought I would never recover, you were the only woman for me. Do you understand that?”
His eyes were intensely serious as he spoke the words that made her heart sing, and Eliza reached out to smooth the wrinkled lines from his brow. “I don’t think you should be frowning when you tell someone you love them for the first time, Wade.”
“I think it’s necessary when you’re trying to convey how much you love them and how much they mean to you. How you’re aware of how incredibly blessed you are to be getting a second chance with them and how folks can kiss your ass with their shadiness,” Wade replied gravely as he brushed his thumb along her jawline. “I’m feeling a little out of my element here because I want us more than anything, but I feel that it comes with stipulations on how I should feel and act. Don’t ask me to hold back when I’m so passionate about caring about you and our family.”
Wade pointed to his badge and gestured to his uniform. “I don’t wear this badge or put this uniform on for kicks. I wear it because I love this town and grew up with these people. I take pride in where I come from and want to make a difference for the better even more so now that I have a family of my own. That’s who I am as a person, and it won’t ever change. We’re forty years old, love, and need to cut through the bullshit. I don’t have time to wonder about if I can make you happy or not. I’m trying my hardest to make it so, but I’m wondering if it’s good enough.”
Take it or leave it. The unspoken words hung in the air between them, and Eliza knew he was serious. She saw the pain in his eyes and knew that it would kill him, but he would move on out of self-preservation. Wade wasn’t a gentleman, but he tried to act like one for her sake and especially for their daughter and his nieces. He was so much more than that to Eliza, though.
He was a fighter and protector by nature, a fucking storm that loved her fiercely and unapologetically. A family man who had spent hours putting Camille’s room together exactly how she wanted it. He crafted glitter picture frames and when he was done, he’d looked like a glitter bomb exploded on his face and in his hair as he held the frames up proudly as if they were championship trophies. They’d also browsed for paint for over an hour until she found the perfect shade of ‘cream’ of all colors.
He was Eliza’s wildly passionate lover, best friend, and confidante who was patiently trying to explain who he was to her as if trying to sell her on the idea of him, and it made her ashamed. No one should ever have to apologize for who they were, unless they were a dick, and in this case, Wade wasn’t. Eliza was honestly wondering why he hadn’t pushed her off his lap and told her to kiss his ass already.
She lowered her lips to his and softly asked, “When are you done today?”
“I was actually planning on leaving early and taking my woman to dinner.” He sucked on her bottom lip slowly, and she molded her lips to his.
“Or we could stay in and I could make dinner,” she teased, knowing what his answer would be. Jerk.
“Or we could skip dinner altogether, baby,” he said hurriedly. “It’s not even the most important meal of the day!”
“Nope; I insist!” She got up from his lap and waved goodbye, ignoring his pained expression as she left.
She drove to Feminine Intuition’s showroom. Fern was doing a fitting on a mannequin, and her mouth was full of pins as she waved to Eliza who came over to inspect her work. The piece she was working on was a spaghetti-strapped, high-cut, deep silk burgundy one-piece, trimmed at the bottom with delicate cream-colored Chantilly lace and a bow at the v-neckline.
“What a beautiful piece! Can you fit me for it?” Eliza asked excitedly. “Where’s Georgie?”
Fern laughed at her enthusiasm. “She’s working from home today. This one is a custom order. What gives? I thought you preferred our more conservative line.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “You make it sound so appealing. Why don’t you just call it the ‘Spinster Line’? Sheesh.”
“Hey, I’m not knocking you,” Fern chided. “I’m just inquiring because you’ve never expressed an interest before. I take it the sheriff’s behind your change of heart?”
“As a matter of fact, he is. The detailing on this piece is amazing! So, what’s your deal, Fern?” Eliza asked, changing the subject as she sat down on the stool next to the talented seamstress. “Are you seeing anyone?”
“I don’t really have time, but Tavish and I just went on a date of sorts last night,” Fern admitted. “He took me to see a play in Baltimore, and at your mixer, Gideon asked me if I was seeing anyone.”
“Were you interested in either one of them?” Eliza studied her carefully and wasn’t surprised to see her give a careless shrug. “No sparks with either one??? They’re both very good-looking. Or could it be because your attention is diverted by your hunky brother-in-law?”
Fern put the pins and measuring tape down on the display case. “Girl, not you too. Come to the back, so I can show you what I’ve got. The only reason I went on the date with Tavish is because I kept thinking about our evening at Mrs. Laurent’s and Tim’s admission. They haven’t stopped living, and I figured I’d follow their lead. It wasn’t a big deal, and Tavish and I are better off as friends.”
Eliza noticed that she didn’t answer her question regarding the flirtatious Spanish and Cherokee furniture maker. Fern would have to be crazy not notice the way his black eyes smoldered in her presence. Not to mention that he was patient and very attentive with his niece and nephew. “I can totally understand that. So, tell me what’s so wrong with liking Guy?”
“There would be everything wrong with it if it were true. But since it’s not, there’s no point in discussing it.” She held up a champagne corseted one piece trimmed with pearls at the bodice and the matching peignoir. “Thoughts?”
Eliza gave a long whistle at the lace ribbons on the hips. “That’s some baby-making lingerie if I ever saw it! Oh,hell…I’ll take it!”
“Well come with me, and I can get you fitted. Just remember nine months from now that Fern is a unisex name.”
“Sure it isn’t,” Eliza dryly replied as she entered the dressing room Fern indicated. “Do you think you’ll ever remarry again?”
Fern’s normally serene expression turned pensive, and once again Eliza was struck by how pretty she was. She wore her black hair in a close-cropped natural that suited her doe eyes and dainty nose perfectly. With her love of vintage clothing and delicate looks, she exuded a fragile damsel in distress aura that Eliza suspected was the farthest thing from the truth.
“My marriage was doomed from the beginning,” she finally said in a subdued voice. “I tried to tell myself that it would get better, but it never did, and that was before my husband went to fight in the Middle East and came back with PTSD. Miguel was so different, and all the feelings that he had before were intensified. It was a very scary and unpredictable time, and I couldn’t take the chance of the kids being hurt, so I wrote his parents a letter and took the kids and ran.”
“Why didn’t you tell Guy?” Eliza asked her gently as she watched Fern work, her hands skillfully flying over the fabric as she tucked in and released fabric here and there.
“Because that would have been the ultimate betrayal to Miguel.” Fern’s voice was full of bitter anguish, and Eliza hugged her. “I asked my parents for help, but they turned their backs on me, and I don’t think I could have stood it if Guy did too.”
“Fern, you made it through to the other side, and that’s the most important thing. Most people don’t know what you’ve been through, but that’s okay; it’s not meant for them to understand. You don’t owe anybody a damn thing because it’s your journey,” Eliza said firmly.
“My life experiences are currently progressing at WTF warp speed, and I feel like I’m learning more and more about myself every time I blink. But I’ll take every good and bad moment because I want to continue learning and be the person that my siblings and I needed so long ago and that my child looks up to. I’m far from perfect, but I am a work in progress, and I’ll gladly take that over being stagnant again. These are my decisions, and guess who ain’t got to explain shit to nobody?”
“This girl!” they said at the same time and high-fived each other with a laugh.
“Thanks, for prying it out of me and listening,” Fern said shyly, and Eliza was relieved to see she looked a little more relaxed.
Fern finished fitting Eliza for the corset, and they talked and sang as she made the adjustments to the other pieces. And when Eliza left the shop, she was still singing as she thought of her life now. She was embarking on a new business venture that scared the shit out of her, but she was determined to make it a success. No more hiding in a birdcage. Eliza had flown away and was determined to keep soaring. And if she fell, she had her family and the love of a good man to break that fall until she was ready to spread her wings again.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Wade arrived home to a quiet house and was immensely relieved to find the house lacked a burnt aroma smell. But it was also dark causing him to call out with concern. “Baby, you home???”
“I’m in the back trying to find something to wear to dinner! You were right; it’s probably best if I didn’t attempt to cook.”
Wade clasped his hands together and said a silent prayer of thanks as he removed his holster and gun and put them in the safe, before heading into the bedroom. He stopped short and damn near swallowed his tongue at the sight of Eliza in a silk and lace lingerie piece that lovingly hugged her figure. She stood in the center of the candle lit room and twirled around for him so that he could see the cheeks of her ass winking at him.
“Please say we’re staying in?”
Eliza turned on the bedroom sound system. “If you like it, then yes we are. Dammit, I forgot to put the robe on! Just hold on a second.”
Wade pulled her into his arms and took her hand to cover his raging erection. “Uh-uh. I more than like, baby. No robe is needed.”
Coldplay’s “Magic” came on and Wade whispered into her ear. “Dance with me.
“Gladly, my love,” Eliza whispered as they began to move in perfect harmony.
Call it magic, call it true
I call it magic when I'm with you
And I just got broken, broken into two
Still, I call it magic when I'm next to you
And I don't, and I don't, and I don't, and I don't
No, I don't, it's true
I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't
Want anybody else but you
Wade’s hands dipped to her ass as he pulled her closer, loving the way her hips swayed enticingly as she unbuttoned his work shirt and exposed his broad chest. “I thought about what you said to me today at your office...”
Don't, no, I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't
No, I don't, it's true
I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't
Want anybody else but you
Ooh ooh ooh
Call it magic, cut me into two
And with all your magic, I disappear from view
And I can't get over, can't get over you
Still, I call it magic, such a precious truth
“Did you now? And what did you think?” He showered kisses along her shoulder before removing the strap with his teeth. Eliza licked his Adam’s apple as she slipped his shirt off and then flicked his nipples with her tongue, enjoying the way his hands tightened on her bottom while he repeated the action with his teeth to her other strap. He spun her around and wrapped an arm around her waist as he gently suctioned her neck.
And I don't, and I don't, and I don't, and I don't
No, I don't, it's true
I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't, no, I don't
Want anybody else but you
“I love you,” she breathed as his hands moved up to cup her breasts and she whined as
they stilled. “Don’t you dare stop now, Wade!”
Wade tried to absorb her words, not daring to believe what he’d longed to hear her say this afternoon. He spun her around and walked her toward the bed. “Tell me again.”
Eliza smiled at him tenderly. “I love you mind, body, and soul, Wade Holloway. There’s not a finer man in the world to me. You don’t ever have to wonder about where you stand with me because I know my place is right next to you and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I expect we’ll have disagreements from time to time, but that’s all they are. I’m not going anywhere,” she placed her palm on his rapidly beating heart. “My place is right here in your heart. Take me to bed, boo.”
Wade was too overcome with emotion to speak so he tried to convey with his kiss how much he loved her. They breathed in each other’s exhales as he placed her on the bed and struggled to take off his clothes and not break contact with his lifeline. When he was finally done, he followed her down and covered her body with his as Eliza’s leg’s curled around his thighs.
“Say it again,” he commanded hoarsely as he trailed kisses all over her face and she opened her eyes dreamily as her hand slid down between them and unsnapped the corset between her thighs.
“I love you,” Eliza said and her heart melted seeing the sheen in his. Clasping his face in her hands she kissed. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
Desire raged through them, and it was essential that they come together in that instant. As Eliza chanted the words to him, Wade lined himself up with her wetness and drove into her with unrestrained force. Hot silkiness encased his cock and the feeling was so, sublime he willed himself not to cum right then and there. Nothing and no one compared to Eliza. She keened loudly against his lips as he filled her completely and lifted her hips slowly.
Pulling back slightly, he saw desire and love for him on her lovely face. So fucking beautiful, he thought, still in disbelief that she loved him. He gripped her hips, flexing deeply inside of her, and Eliza jerked as if shocked and his dick was suddenly drenched in a spurt of fresh juices. His eyes drifted down to the swells of her breasts teasing him and leaving him hungry for a taste.
“Pull down your corset,” he demanded raggedly; and Eliza impatiently yanked it down and her flawless chocolate mounds sprung free, the fat nipples begging for his attention. Wade lowered his head and pulled one of the succulent tips into his mouth. Eliza cupped them and brazenly offered more of herself to him. He switched to the other bud, lavishing it with the same attention.
Eliza tried to draw in a breath as bolts of electricity zigzagged up and down her spine at the feel of his firm lips and warm tongue as he slowly tunneled through her sensitive folds. He was driving her right to the edge and teetering precariously. Her fingers slid through his hair, and she pulled his lips back to hers, crying out as he increased the pace and his deep strokes danced the thin line of pleasure and pain.
“I’m sorry, love,” Wade whispered as he slowly pulled out of her. “Roll over, baby. I want to finish what I started the other day.”
His large hands gripped her hips as he plunged deep into her and Eliza couldn’t contain her wails as he went harder and deeper. Liquid pleasure coursed through her body as she threw herself back at him and Wade wound his hand in her hair as his other hand drifted down between her legs to lightly pinch her clit. Eliza couldn’t catch her breath as she detonated and went over the edge.
Wade released her hair and gripped her around the waist as her pussy clamped down on him and she shook uncontrollably. He kissed her deeply and swallowed every sound she made as he moved her up and down on his shaft furiously. Eliza came again and it was too intense for him not to follow behind her as he drove her down to the bed and came with a vengeance, almost passing out it was so good.
When he could finally regain control, Wade rolled off her, but pulled her close to his side and kissed her damp neck. “I love you, Eliza.”
“I love you too, Wade. I’ve decided I’m going to learn how to cook for you. That’s how much I love you,” she yawned happily. “Any man that puts in work like that deserves a home-cooked meal.”
Wade chuckled at the terrifying thought of being her guinea pig while she learned. But that’s what he would do because he loved her so. Sincerely he whispered into her ear. “Thank you, baby. I look forward to it.”
***
The candles were burning low and rain splattered against the windows when they finally tapped out. Eliza dozed in and out as she lay naked on top of Wade and he played with her curls. His other hand slowly rubbed her back. “Am I too heavy? I can move if you want.”
Wade kissed the top of her head. “No, you’re perfect. Thank you for the lovely surprise. It’s been a perfect afternoon.”
“We so needed this. I love you, Wade.”
“Enough to make an honest man out of me in the very near future?” he drawled and she quietly laughed.
“Yeah, I’ll put some respek on that name,” she teased as he rolled her underneath him. “How soon are you talking?”
