His Love Shattered (Love Shattered #2) (7 page)

Courtney

What Dexter and I just shared back there in that bedroom rocked my world. He was so gentle with me and took care of my body like he was worshipping every inch of me. His touch lit my skin ablaze. My skin was still tingling from the kisses he trailed down my body from my lips to my toes. I have never felt anything of that magnitude before, not even with Dave.

After another round in the shower he washed my hair and my body with ease. He loved to take care of me and I loved that he did. It made me feel cherished and loved.

When we were dried off and dressed we headed down stairs to the kitchen in search of something to eat. Neither of us had eaten at all that day and we were starved. We had worked up quite the appetite after all.

“Oh Court I have to show you this picture I took of you when I got home. Rule number one: The back door doesn’t latch well so you have to close it extra hard or it pops back open. Look at this picture.” He shoves his phone in my face and I gasp.

“No freaking way. You have got to be shittin me.” I shriek.

Dexter is laughing hysterically with tears pouring down his face from laughing so hard.

He showed me a picture of myself curled up on his bed and beside me curled up like a sleeping puppy is Cooper. I am so glad I didn’t wake up and see him lying there. I would have freaked the hell out.

“I can’t believe your weird ass rooster puppy curled up in the bed beside me. What the hell? That is a puppy in rooster skin.” I say to Dexter.

“He likes to do that. Sometimes when I am on the porch in the swing or even just in one of the chairs he will hop right up in my lap and just lay there for hours. Wait until you hear him at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning trying to cockadoodle. You’ll get a kick outta that.” He says still laughing.

“Anyway, I don’t think I got to tell you how beautiful your new hair style is. That color on you is amazing. It brings out your eyes.” My face flushes with his appraisal.

“Thank you. I was ready for a change.” I shrug.

“So how long were you planning on staying? I know you probably need to get back to the kids. I was planning on staying in North Carolina until I had to come back here. I wrapped up filming yesterday so I am a free man until August.”

“I was planning on going back tomorrow. I need to get back to the kids and I guess I should get back to work too since I am feeling better and actually remember that I have a job. I just wanted to surprise you and let you know I got my memory back in person. I wanted to see your face when I told you. I guess we could catch a flight together instead or we could drive back. I love road trips.” I suggest driving because it would be that much more time we would have alone together instead of a couple hours on a crowded plane.

“A road trip sounds good. That way I won’t have to rent a car the whole time I am there. Honestly the only reason I was flying to begin with was because it was the quickest way to get to you, but if I can get you to myself for nine hours straight in a car then I am all for that.” So Dexter agrees with me there.

“My thoughts exactly.”

Later that night we watched a movie and shared a bowl of popcorn. During the movie I fell asleep on his shoulder and I woke up the next morning curled up next to him in his bed. He smelled so good I could stay curled up by him forever but I knew we needed to get up and get going so we could hit the road.

I am about to get out of bed when I hear something from outside that startles me. It sounds like an animal is being attacked. I carefully sneak from under Dexter’s arm and head for the window to peek outside. I see Cooper out there and continue to scan the yard to see if anything looks amiss.

I hear the sound again and I am shocked to see that the sound is actually coming from Cooper.

What in the hell?

Oh this must be the weird ass cockadoodling Dexter was talking about. I shake my head. This rooster is just too much. I wouldn’t call that barking either. He just sounds plain creepy.

I look over at Dexter and he is still sleeping so I head to the kitchen to start the coffee pot and cook us some pancakes for breakfast. A few minutes later Dexter’s bare feet pad into the kitchen, he is wearing only a pair of briefs and he looks completely edible in them. Almost enough to say screw the pancakes I will have Dexter for breakfast instead, but my stomach rumbled and I knew I was hungry for real food. As enticing as his body was I would have to wait to ravish him.

“Good morning baby.” Dexter says as he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist and buries his head in the crook of my neck.

“Morning hot stuff. I figured I would make us some pancakes and coffee so we could hit the road pretty soon.” I flip the pancakes over to finish cooking the other side and turn around in his arms and give him a good morning kiss.

“Sounds like a plan. I am going to go change into some clothes and I will be right back down to eat.” He kisses my forehead and leaves me to finish cooking up the pancakes. I stack up some pancakes on a plate for him. I pour him a cup of coffee just the way he likes it, black with very little sugar. I sit them both down on the table for him and go back over to make my plate and coffee as well.

When we are done with breakfast Dexter tells me to go get ready while he cleans up. We work like a well-oiled machine when we are together. It makes things much easier. We hit the road thirty minutes later headed toward North Carolina.

We are a couple hours into our trip when Dexter finally brings up the elephant in the room-or should I say car? Either way he brings it up. Which totally sucks because I was enjoying living in this fantasy where everything is honky dory. Now I have to face reality and put my big girl panties on and deal with life. These are the kind of decisions no one should have to decide on. How can I choose between the kids’ happiness and my own when I know if I choose to go with Dave my heart will always ache for Dex.

“So what do you think you will do about Dave? You have some big decisions to make baby girl.” Dexter says as he turns down the radio.

“Honestly, I am so confused on what to do. No matter what I do some one gets hurt and I don’t like having a decision like this on my plate.”

“Well if it was just you and you didn’t have anyone else to think about, what would you do?” He asks. His question is easily answered I don’t even have to think about it.

“I would stay. There is no doubt in my mind that I would stay.” I tell him honestly.

“Okay so now add the kids into the equation. How do you feel then?”

“I feel like the kids should have their dad in their life but as of now they don’t even know he is alive. I don’t want to leave my family and I sure as hell don’t want to leave you Dexter. I just don’t want to be selfish and choose my own happiness over the kids having their dad back again.” Tears blur my vision but I don’t want Dexter to see how weak I am.

“I have faith that you will make the right decision baby.” Dexter tells me.

“I sure hope so. In a way I don’t want to uproot the kids’ lives. I know they will miss their friends and they will miss all of our family. They will never be able to see their grandparents or aunts again. Do I take all of that away from them so they can have their dad back? Then what will something like this do to them learning that their Dad has been alive this whole time. They would be so confused. My heart aches thinking about making this decision.” I let out everything that I have been feeling. I am in tears now, full on sobbing all over the car.

Dexter takes the next exit and pulls into a parking lot and unbuckles his seat belt. He reaches over to my side of the car and unfastens my seat belt as well and then he pulls me into his lap. He gently rocks me back and forth as if he were comforting a small child.

“Shhh baby it’s all going to be okay. Everything will work out to the way it is supposed to be. No matter what you decide it will be the right decision.” Dexter’s soothing words and touch calms me down immediately. I lay there with my head on his chest for a while longer until I feel ready to return to my own seat.

“Thank you Dexter. I don’t know how I would ever get through all this without you. You are so good to me. I love you so much baby.” I tell him and then I kiss his lips slowly and gently trying to convey just how much his words meant to me.

There is no way I can walk away from this man in a few weeks. He means too much to me to just vanish and never be able to speak to him again. I am just not strong enough to let him go. The more time I spend with Dexter the more I want to stay. I had just gotten my life back.

The fact that Dexter and I had sex without a condom and I am not on the pill plays through my mind as well. I told Dexter that the timing with my cycle wasn’t right but honestly after the accident and everything that has happened I am not exactly sure if that is correct. So I guess we will find out soon. There was no way I would be able to leave if I was pregnant with Dexter’s child. I couldn’t take that away from him. But isn’t that what I would be doing to Dave if I chose to stay? Keeping his kids away from him. Ughh this shit sucks ass.

One minute I think I have made up my mind that I am going to stay, then a second later I change my mind and say I am going to go with Dave. If only there was a way that the kids could have their Dad in their life and I could still stay here with my family and still be with Dexter. That would be the desirable outcome.

After that we steer the conversation onto safer topics. My job for one. I have only been working there a little while but since I have been away from work I actually miss it. I would like to open up my own bakery some day and I think I am going to take Elizabeth, my manager, up on her offer to take some baking classes that they offered to pay for.

Just something else I will have to give up if we leave. Ugh.

Working to support my family is something I have never had to do, but now that I am the one bringing in the income it makes me feel proud of myself like I have something to do other than just stay at home all the time. Working does have its downfalls though. I loved getting to spend all of the extra time with the kids and I miss them so much when I work. It’s really going to suck now that it is summer and they will be home all the time and I will be working.

After a while my thoughts drift off and I fall asleep for the remainder of the ride home. I know I am terrible company but I was mentally exhausted. So much for taking a road trip to be able to spend more time together. All I did was sleep most of the time.

When we get home the house is quiet and for once I am glad the kids aren’t here yet. I need some time to reboot my system so I can be in a cheerful mood when they get back.

I tell Dexter I am headed to the shower that he can make himself at home. I can tell by the mischievous glint in his eyes he wants to join me but I don’t offer and he doesn’t follow me. I lock the door to ensure that he doesn’t come in while I am showering. I just need some time to myself to get my head back on track.

I wash my hair and body quickly and dry off and wrap the towel around me and head to my room to get dressed. It’s amazing what just a shower can do to put you in a better mood. Dexter is there waiting for me sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Feel better hun?” Dexter asks and holds his arms open and I go to him. I stand between his knees and he hugs me around the waist laying his head on my chest. I run my hands though his hair.

“I do feel better actually. I am sorry I slept most of the ride home. So much for spending time together on the ride back.”

“It’s okay Courtney you needed the rest. Besides you may have been asleep but just knowing you were there in the car with me was enough. I love just being near you. When are the kids going to be home?” He asks as I walk over to the closet to pick out something to wear.

“They should be here in about 30 minutes or so.”

“Why don’t we all go out for dinner tonight? I am sure the kids would love that and that way we won’t have to cook and we can just have a nice relaxing evening.” That’s Dexter for you. He’s always trying to make things easier for me.

“Sounds like a great idea babe. Maybe we could take the kids to play some mini golf and to ride go-karts after dinner too?” I look over at Dexter. He gives me a thumbs up. It’s adorable.

“Cool I can’t wait for the kids to get here they will be ecstatic.”

A couple minutes later we heard the sounds of little feet pounding up the front porch steps.

Dexter

When Courtney walked into the bedroom in nothing but a towel looking sexy as fuck I wanted nothing more than to take her right then and there. I knew the kids would be home soon though and that she was still fighting some inner demons with herself after the car ride home, so I kept my hands to myself for now.

You could tell the minute the kids arrived home from the clatter coming from outside. We headed into the living room to greet them when they walked in. Miley and Caleb shocked the hell out of me when they ran up to me first before saying hello to their Mom. They were excited to see me here and that warmed my heart.

“Dexter!” They both shouted as they ran up to me.

I scooped them both up. One kid in each arm and they both gave me a peck on the cheek. The size of the grin I was sporting had to have been visible in outer space. My heart never felt so full. I fell in love with these kids more and more every single time I was around them.

“Hey guys! I missed you so much.” I walked with them both still in my arms over to Courtney.  “How about some love for your mom you guys.” I leaned each child over to kiss Courtney on the cheek as well. Courtney had a breathtaking look on her face. I could tell she was happy to see the kids so excited I was here. She took Miley from me and I put Caleb down and walked over to Jason to say hello.

“How would you all like to head out to dinner and then to play some mini golf and ride on the go-karts?” I ask and it’s followed by a chorus of whoop whoops and jumping up and down by Caleb and Jason.

Okay I take that as a yes then.

“Well let’s get going then.” I snagged the keys off the table by the front door and lead the way to the car. I had already come out here and strapped Mileys car seat into my suburban while Courtney was in the shower. We were all set to head out.

We decided on a pizza place for dinner. It had an arcade so we loaded Jason and Caleb up with quarters to go play until the pizza arrived. Jason and I played a few rounds on a two player racing game and he beat me both times. I told him he just got lucky that next time we came I wanted a rematch.

I helped Caleb win a stuffed bear out of a claw machine. He gave the little bear to his sister. He was such a sweet little guy. Always putting others before himself. For only being six years old that amazed me. Courtney has really done a great job with these kids.

After eating our pizza we head to the sports park for mini golf and go-karts. Courtney dominates on the mini golf course and Jason is right behind her on the score board. They must do this often because I wasn’t even lucky enough to make one shot into a single hole.

When we get to the go-kart track Jason gets his own kart and I share a double with Caleb because he isn’t big enough to ride by his self yet. Courtney and Miley watch from the sidelines since Miley isn’t old enough to ride.

Jason wins the first race and Caleb and I win the second time. Then I switch out with Courtney and take Miley for her so she can ride with Caleb a few times. I hold Miley on my shoulders and we wave to Jason as he passes by. Then we wave to Courtney and Caleb each time they pass us too. I can really get used to this. This is what I have been missing in my life. This is what my Mom was always talking about when she would say I would meet a woman and my whole world would click into place.

I want to ask Courtney to meet my family but I am hesitant because I am not sure if she is planning on staying in town or leaving. I know my parents will love her and I don’t want them falling in love with her too just for her to turn around and leave. So I am going to give it some time and when I know for sure that she has decided to stay, I will ask her to come home to meet my Mom and Dad.

I know my parents will love these kids just as much as I do. I want them to meet the kids too but the first time I take her to meet them I want it to just be us. My parents know I am with Courtney and they know the situation. They are willing to wait but I know they are chomping at the bit to meet the woman who has roped in their son.

Courtney and the boys finish up their turn on the go-karts and none of us want the night to end, so we decide to go out for ice cream before we head home.

It was all in all the perfect evening.

Later that night while Courtney was curled up next to my side she looks the happiest that I have seen her since before the accident.

“I had a really great time tonight Courtney. I can picture this you know, being like this with you for the rest of our lives doing fun things like that with the kids. Each time I hang out with you guys my love gets stronger and stronger for you all. I know I have kept my silence so far on how I feel about the whole Dave situation.” She takes in a sharp breath. I can see her trying to come up with a reason for me to keep quiet but I continue anyway.

“Just hear me out okay babe.” I kiss her forehead and continue. “I haven’t really told you how I feel about it all. I have been very supportive of you and I know you will make the best decision for you and the kids. I could never live with myself if I didn’t tell you how the situation makes me feel though.” I take her hand in mine and link our fingers together.

“Courtney if you leave… It will kill me. I do not want you to go. I want you to stay. Stay here with me. I can support you and the kids. Forget about Dave and moving away. Stay with me. I will be the father figure they need in their life. I don’t have to replace Dave but I want to be here for them and for you. We can make the decision together about whether or not to ever tell them the truth about what really happened with Dave. I just want you to stay baby. Please don’t leave me.” I break down into tears in front of my beautiful girl. I wanted to be strong for her and here I am sobbing like a baby with her in my arms. My body shakes with sadness of the thought of never seeing her again.

I am hugging her so tightly I am afraid I am going to crack her ribs but I can’t force myself to let go of her. She sits up and climbs into my lap. Straddling my legs. She lays her head into the crook of my neck while her fingers run through my hair trying to soothe me.

“Dexter baby you don’t know how badly I want to stay. Thank you for sharing that with me though. I needed to hear your side and I am glad that I did.” Her lips meet mine in a tender kiss. Her gentle fingers gliding down over my back sending tiny sparks leaving my skin on fire in their wake. The kiss turns hot and seductive and I can’t stop. My hands travel down to her panties and I rip them off her body needing this too much to take this slow. I remove her shirt next. Her silk pajamas shredding like paper from my assault. I throw the tattered garments to the floor.

I need her so much in this moment and by the static vibe between our bodies, if I had to guess I would say she needs me too. The look in her eyes was wild and sexy. She looked like a vixen. She tugs on my boxers and they come off in one swift motion. She climbs back on top of me. The look in her eyes told me she was as ready for this as much as I was.

“I need you inside me Dex.” She says breathlessly.

Who am I to deny her that?