Beautiful Chances (The Beautiful Series) (38 page)

“Not much.” Officer West sighed. “But it’s all I have right now. We are short-staffed with two officers on unexpected leave and others on vacation. I know those aren’t good reasons, but it’s all I have.”

Kyle rubbed his fingers over his temples. It had been a long day for both of us, that was for sure.

“Keep me updated.” Kyle turned to look at me and then back at Officer West. “It’s time for me to take her in. She is stressed, scared, and dead on her feet.” He walked to my side and pulled me into his chest for a hug. “Let’s get you inside.” He kissed my forehead.

I nodded in agreement.

“Have a good night,” Officer West said. “And, Lily, call if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Officer West,” I replied.

Kyle took my hand in his, and we made our way inside. Closing the door behind him, Kyle insisted on tending to my cut. After he treated my injury to his satisfaction, he cleaned up all the broken glass and boarded the window.

Lost in my own thoughts, I headed straight to my bedroom with Kyle following close behind me. I stopped in the middle of the room and closed my eyes as I took in a deep breath. I was so tired, too tired to think or move. He turned me to face him and wrapped me in his embrace, hugging me tightly. After a moment, he bent forward and swooped me into his arms.

“It’s going to be alright,” he whispered against my cheek before he kissed it. “Come on, beautiful, it’s time for bed.”

Lying in bed together, Kyle held me close while I fell asleep to the rhythm of his heart. Completely overwhelmed by the whole day, I was out in what must have been seconds.

I reached for her hand, but a sharp intense pain radiated up my shoulder and side as I moved. I tried to ignore it. I needed to get to Annie.

“Annie!”

She wasn’t moving. Her hand was dangling over the side of the stretcher as people mumbled around us.
Why is everyone muttering?

“Help her!” I screamed. I attempted to get up, but hands were holding me down.

“Lily!” someone yelled, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“No! I need to help Annie! Let me go!” I cried.
Just help Annie. Please. Please. Help Annie.

“Lily, it’s okay,” he said, his tone soft. “You are here with me. Come back to me.” Kyle’s voice was soothing and helped bring me back to the present.

I hate this. Why do these dreams have to haunt me? How am I supposed to move on when these dreams have a constricting hold on me?
I turned my head and opened my eyes.
Oh, Annie.
I inhaled sharply at the pain stabbing my chest, right in the center of my heart.

Kyle’s hold on me tightened as he ran soothing strokes up and down my back. It was just us, alone in the darkness, but I was so thankful that Kyle was next to me. It felt very comforting to have him by my side. He waited until I settled down before speaking.

“Do you mostly dream of Annie?” Kyle asked tenderly.

“Yes, and the accident…but mostly of her.”

“What happens with Annie?” he whispered. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

I blinked and looked out toward the window. The sun was starting to rise, giving the room a soft glow. I debated on how much I really wanted to share.
Maybe telling him would help.

“Most of the ones with Annie are all in the ambulance. She is on a stretcher next to me. She doesn’t move when I call her name or reach for her. She just lies there, perfectly still, with her hand dangling off the stretcher.” Tears began streaming down my face. “Somehow, I know…that she’s already gone, but I don’t want to believe it. And then darkness pulls me back under.”

“Christ,” Kyle breathed, hugging me closer. “Tell me what to do, Lily. How can I help you? The pain in your eyes is too much for me.”

I turned my head to look up into his eyes. “You are already helping me, Kyle…so much.” I gave him a soft smile. “I have you to thank for so many changes already. You gave me the push I needed to speak with Jeanine. You held my hand during my session, and you stayed when you should have left for work. You have already helped me with so much. I would not have been able to accomplish any of this so quickly without you. Thank you for believing in me,” I said sincerely.

Kyle rubbed his thumb down my cheek. “You could have done all of that without me, Lily. You are so strong. You just need to realize it yourself.”

I nodded, hoping that I was growing stronger. I wanted to be stronger…but my emotions and fears sometimes got the best of me. “I know,” I said, my voice quiet. “You made it easier though. I’m glad you are here to help me through it.”

A shy smile spread across his face. “I’m here, Lily, and I’m not going anywhere. I will move heaven and earth to take the sadness out of those ocean blue eyes.” Kyle stroked my cheek with such softness. “I wanted to ask you something,” he said, looking straight into my eyes. He hesitated. “When exactly will it be three years?”

I closed my eyes, painfully thinking about how close the date was. “Sunday,” I barely whispered.

“Shit.” Kyle sighed, pulling me even closer. “We are going to get you through this, Lily. I promise.”

Kyle’s body was tense. He was trying to maintain control as he argued with me in my bedroom while I started stripping my clothes to shower. Brooke would be here in just over an hour.

“You are
not
going out alone today. I’m going with you. Period,” Kyle demanded, his tone final.

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculousness. As I dropped my shirt in the hamper, I pinned him with a glare. His eyes drifted to my breasts, but they quickly went back up to meet my eyes. His jaw tightened, and I could tell he was debating between arguing with me or taking me in the shower.

“Oh, yes, I am. It’s called a
girls’
day out
for a reason. It means simply just that—no men,” I replied sternly. “I know you want to protect me, Kyle, but we are just going to the mall. I will be
fine.
”

I quickly dropped my bra and panties. I held in a smile as his hands clenched in and out of fists, his gaze heating at the sight of my naked body. I liked being able to distract him, even when he was mad.

I stalked off into the bathroom. Kyle followed me, close on my heels, while quickly ridding himself of his own clothes.
Shit. How am I going to keep my concentration with him naked?

“You have a stalker
threatening
you, Lily. I have military training, and I can protect you. I’m not leaving you anywhere out on your own, unable to defend yourself. I’m going with you. End. Of. Discussion,” he growled the ending.

The man is infuriating.
And bossy. And a tad too overprotective. And overbearing
.

“Fine. But we are going to start working on some of
your issues
when we get back,” I huffed. “And Brooke and I will pick out a nice pink dress shirt for you today, so you fit in.” I smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

His eyes widened in surprise. “There is no way in
hell
I’m wearing a pink shirt. Pink shirts are for pussies.”

He stalked closer, and I took a step back, my heartbeat kicking up a notch.
There’s my playful Kyle.

“Do I look like a pussy to you? Be careful how you answer that, beautiful. I’m a lot bigger than you.” He released his sexy grin, taking another step toward me.

After turning on the water, I retreated to the shower with Kyle close behind me. Letting the water trickle over my head and face, my eyes roamed up and down his sexy body.
No, you don’t look like a pussy…but you do look edible.

“And what are these issues you are rambling about? I could see you ranting about them in your head, woman.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him, as the water poured over us.

“Lots and lots of issues,” I teased. “But don’t worry, we’ll fix you.” I chuckled.

Kyle rumbled in my ear before taking my earlobe in his mouth. He sucked on it as he rocked his erection along my sex. Desire pooled deep in my stomach. I reached around his waist to bring him closer, and I undulated my hips against his. I backed up momentarily to take his erection in my hand, and I softly stroked it. His head fell back on a moan.

When he dropped to his knees, I let his length slide free from my grip. He gently pushed me until my back was against the cool tile. It felt good in contrast to my heated skin. As water trickled down my breasts and stomach, Kyle spread my legs wide open. He wrapped his hands around my behind, pulling my sex directly in front of him. It was hot as hell to see him kneeling before me, knowing he was going to make me come with his mouth. His tongue started slow, torturous strokes around my clit. Then, he trailed lower to penetrate his tongue in and out of my sex. My legs quivered as I closed my eyes and let the sensations take over. My hands gently tugged his hair as I cried out my release.

Kyle stood and lifted my body around his. He penetrated me in one long, hard stroke. His breath hitched as he buried himself deep inside me before taking my mouth in a desperate kiss. I wrapped my hands around each side of his jaw, my fingertips feeling his wet hair. I kissed him back with everything that I had, making him groan into my mouth.

His lips were soft and inviting, but his tongue was hot with passion. Crazy with need for him to move, I sucked his tongue into my mouth as I shifted my hips to lift up. I bit back my moan as I sank down over his erection. A growl left Kyle’s throat, and his hands tightened on my behind as he started to move. He pumped in and out of me in earnest.

“Ah,” I moaned, my insides writhing, needing release. Silent shock waves were attacking my core. I clenched my walls around him, trying to hold off my orgasm.

“Lily,” he groaned through gritted teeth, no doubt trying to hold off his release.

Noticing the effect of my muscles contracting around him, I did it again, harder this time. Kyle thrust more fervently, rubbing his pelvis against my clit perfectly, and that took me over the edge with him.

I rested my head against his chest while both of us fought to steady our breathing.

He pulled back, holding me with one hand, while raising the other to brush my messy, wet blonde hair off of my forehead.

“I love to stare at you, Lily.” His voice was tender again. “Let’s wash you.”

I tipped my head back and reveled in the feel of his tender hands on my body, caressing each soft curve of my skin. The warm water felt so good, and then it ended all too quickly.