Love Me ~ Through the Storm (17 page)

27

Kane

A famous line from a poem comes to mind when I think about this cluster fuck. Oh, what a tangled web we weave. When first we practice to deceive. The fucked up part of this is I haven’t done anything wrong.

“Gretchen’s background check came back clean, dude, I swear,” CJ says, putting his right hand on his heart and raising the left.

“How? How did this happen? Her identification shows she just now turned eighteen.” I growl. “This is some fucked up shit right here.”

“I’ll go back to the online service I was using and check with them.”

“Online service? Why the hell were we using an online service? Do you have shit for brains?” I bark at him, running my hands through my hair for what’s probably the hundredth time.

“Maybe because our budget was almost non-existent at that time. Remember that’s when Deb came back and you had a shit ton of money tied up.”

I don’t want another reminder of how Deb has screwed up my life. “Hire a private investigator, halt all productions. I’m sure one of the other girls knows something. Maybe if they don’t get a paycheck for a few weeks, their amnesia will clear up.”

“Dude, they all hated her. None of them were her friends, Kane. How’s not filming going to help you? It’s going to stop your cash flow,” CJ says.

“I’ll figure something out, right now, just go do what I fucking pay you to do.” I wave him off.

“Don’t you need a ride home?”

“I called Oakley to come get me. She’ll be here any minute.”

I can’t believe this shit is happening to me. Oh wait, yes I can. I am Luther Kane Treadway, and this kind of stuff fucking seeks me out.

“Treadway, your ride is here.”

I hear but I don’t bother even acknowledging who said it. I simply get up and wait for them to buzz me through. As soon as I open the door, I see my girl. She looks as broken as I feel.

Oakley rushes over as soon as she notices me. “Kane! I was so worried!”

I take her in my arms, “Hey, baby, I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. I promise this is some kind of misunderstanding, and I’ll get to the bottom of it.” I love the feel of her arms around my waist, but they’re squeezing so hard they remind me of a vise. Regardless, I feel her love pouring into me.

I wasn’t sure how she would react to my being arrested for rape, but I’m so glad she still loves me.

“Come on, let’s go home, baby.” I hold out my hand.

She takes it then gives it a little shake, “Before we get back to your place, there’s something I need to tell you.”

This doesn’t sound good. “Well, okay…”

“Like everyone from Alabama is waiting for us back at your condo,” she says with a wince.

“That’s just fucking awesome!” I need to write a book because you just can’t make up this kind of shit. I’m sure it would sell a million copies.

“I’m sorry, Kane.”

“Come here, baby,” I pull her back into my arms, “I’m not upset with you, I would just rather for us to be alone.” I kiss her tenderly, “I have a lot to explain to you, and I want you to understand everything. Just don’t leave me, Oakley.”

“Why would you think I would leave you? I would have already been gone, if that were the case.”

I pull back from my beautiful kind-hearted girl. “I’m sure over the next few months, things will be said about me, some really nasty things. I’m not saying I’ve ever been an angel, goodness knows that’s the truth, but I’m asking you to stand beside me because without you I can’t do this.”

“Kane, I’ll always be on your side.”

“You say that now, but when we get back around all of your family, Oakley, they’re going to do everything in their power to change your mind.” I move a strand of her hair behind her ear. Even if she wasn’t as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside, she’d still be the most amazing creature to ever walk. I wish I could say the same for myself. My insides are ugly and they’ve never had a chance to be beautiful, but Oakley, she shines enough for the both of us.

“They can try all they want, but they can’t make me change my mind. I’m in love with you, Kane. The quicker you start believing that, I think the better you’ll be.”

“I did some fucked up stuff in the past, Oakley. I don’t want it to hurt you. Just please know my feelings for you are true. There’s no one in the world like you, and I’m so glad you’re mine. I love you more than breathing.”

“Kane—”

“No, let me finish. I love your heart because you loved me when no one else did. I love your eyes because you always see the good in me. I love your voice because you use it to stand up for us. You’re always kind, not to just me, but to everyone.” I take my thumb and wipe away a lone tear sliding down her face. “Don’t cry, baby.”

“Then quit being so sweet.”

She kisses me so intensely everything stands still. For the briefest of moments, I think perhaps the Earth even stops spinning on its axis.

“Then let’s go face all of them together,” I say. “It’s just you and me against… every freaking body else. Whatta you say?”

“That sounds like a plan,” she says, planting another little kiss, sealing our deal.

It doesn’t take nearly long enough for us to get back home. I do dread having to deal with Clay and probably
big brother Cash
but they can’t have my girl. I’ll fight to the end to keep her.

After putting the car in park, Oakley hops out. “We can do this! Team Kanely for the win.”

“Oh, if you’re going to give us a name, make it sound less girly, how about Koak?”

“That sounds like a drug.”

I open the door to my condo and prepare myself for World War III.

“Pack your bags, Baby Girl, you’re going home,” Clay tells her through clenched teeth.

“Like hell, she’s staying right here with me.” I move Oakley behind me.

“You’ve already taken advantage of her, asshole. You got her pregnant then raped someone,” Cash says while rolling up his sleeves.

“Wait just one minute here.” Mercy holds up one of her hands.

“Guys, I’m not pregnant. I just said that to shock y’all, but you need to realize that I love Kane and I’m not going anywhere without him.”

“See, she’s not having a baby,” Mercy says, nodding her head. “They clearly love each other; you both need to stay out of her love life. You certainly wouldn’t want anyone in your love lives.”

“Yeah, but he’s already screwed up. He went out and
raped
someone. He doesn’t deserve a second chance,” Clay says, fisting his hands.

“What if Lizzie hadn’t given you a second chance?” Oakley asks.

“This isn’t anywhere near the same, I didn’t cheat on her,” Clay says.

“No, Dude, but you left with another woman and didn’t come back or call her,” Ryder reminds him.

“Well, you
did
purposely withhold information from her,” Bailey raises her eyebrows.

“What about what Kane did to me and to Megan?” Lizzie says with her hands on her hips.

“You’re a drama queen and Megan’s a whore,” Bailey says.

“So, you’re on their side?” Lizzie stomps her foot.

“Why does there have to be sides at all?” Denise says, making the best point of her life.

“Exactly, Denise, why should we have sides?” Levi asks, looking around the room. “Kane never did anything that one of us hasn’t done in the past. Plus, Lizzie, you used Kane before you and Clay started dating. Don’t try to act all innocent; you came on strong.”

“Alright, settle down. I’ll accept that you guys are together, not like there’s much I can do about it anyway.” Clay walks up and gets in my face, “You hurt my little sister, and I’ll fucking end your life.”

“That’s as much as we can ask for, Clay. You don’t have to worry about me hurting Oakley. She’s mine and I take care of what’s mine.”

“Now that’s all settled, let’s go eat. I’m starving,” Bailey says, rubbing her already tiny baby bump.

“Heck, Bailey, when is your baby due? I thought you just found out.” Oakley says.

“Well, I actually found out right after our honeymoon,” Bailey says, looking down, and putting her hair behind her ear.

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” Lizzie shrieks.

“We wanted to get out of the first trimester to make sure there were no complications,” Cash says, beaming from ear to ear.

“
Now
, can we go eat?” Bailey asks, holding up both of her hands.

“Y’all go ahead, I think Kane and I are going to stay here,” Oakley says.

“Yeah, I didn’t sleep last night, and I need to sit here to decompress.” I walk them to the door.

“Well, I hate that we have to run, Oakley, but I’ve got to feed this baby,” Bailey lovingly rubs her belly again.

I bet a million dollars that she’ll make a great mother. She already loves this child more than my mother loves me.

“Now that they’re all gone, how about we go mess up your sheets?” Oakley says, while walking backward in my arms.

“You’re gonna be my little spoon right now, but when we wake up, I’ll do the horizontal tango with you,” I let go of her so I can strip.

28

Oakley

The next morning, we awake to a crispness in the air. Fall has arrived in Tennessee, bringing a host of oranges, golds and reds, and the hint of chill in the air makes me want to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a good book. I’ve always loved this time of year, wearing sweaters and boots. What I love most is that it’s snuggle weather. Burying myself under the covers with Kane is the best thing ever. Sleeping with my back to him, and his firm hold on me keeps me feeling safe and content. Waking up next to him is a dream come true for me.

“Mornin’, Babe,” Kane says, sitting up in bed.

“No, you can’t get up, it’s too cold. Come back here under the covers where it’s nice and toasty,” I say tugging on his arm.

“I’m going to start a pot of coffee then I’ll be back, but only for a few more minutes. I’ve got a ton of things I need to do today. I’ve got to get to the bottom of this Gretchen thing.” He slings his legs over the side of the bed and stands.

Man, he has a nice ass. “As long as you do it all naked, I want to watch your ass while you walk away.”

Kane glances over his shoulder. “Only for you, Babe, will I walk around naked. Are you going to walk around naked for me, too?”

“Are you crazy? It’s too cold for that shit!” I tell him and giggle.

“I’ll turn the heat up to eighty degrees, don’t doubt me.”

“Go start the coffee and come back to bed with me. I need a little attention this morning.” That’s my clever way of asking for sex without coming right out and saying it.

He yells as he trots to the kitchen with his junk dangling free. “You’re insatiable, I freaking love that about you.”

I love this man. Why the world can’t see his compassion, I’ll never know. It just makes me more determined than ever to foster a relationship between Kane and Deb. He needs a support team, and I think she’d be there for him. I wonder where Ruby was when he needed her. I didn’t even think about her when Kane was carted off to jail. I turned to my brother like always. I’m so grateful that he’s accepting my relationship with Kane because I’m hell bent that somebody’s gonna be there for him, besides me.

“Here you go, Miss Sunshine.” Kane hands me a cup of coffee.

“Miss Sunshine?” I lift an eyebrow, blow on my coffee, and take a sip.

“Everything is brighter with you around.” Kane sets his mug on the nightstand.

I lift the covers. “Get in bed before I…”

“Before you what?” He smirks at me before he slides in beside me.

“Well, I guess now we’ll never know because you did as you were told.” I set my coffee down, too. Reaching in the drawer, I pull out my lip balm. I go around my lips twice, making sure they will tingle.

“You think you’re funny now?” He leans over, cupping the back of my head then gently pulls me to him.

“I know I’m funny.”

“And confident.”

I straddle his well-defined body, scraping my fingernails down his chest.

“Umm-huh.” I say as I scoot backward onto his thighs then bend down and give his cock a lick. I peer up at him and wink.

“And naughty.”

“Yes, very naughty.” I take him in my mouth, and I feel his cock twitch.

“Oh, and tingly! Me like, like a lot!”

I pull away and blow softly on the tip. “You do?”

“Umm- yeah.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “Very much so!”

I love watching his face while I’m giving him head. He’s so expressive; he even bites his lips. I lick around the top edge and flick my tongue like he does when he goes down on me.

“Oh yeah, umm,” Kane moans.

I continue my pursuit of the ultra-mint blowjob, and it doesn’t take long. I don’t know why some girls have a problem going down on their man, it’s pretty dang easy and gets me favors in return.

“Holy shit, Oakley. What did you have on your lips? Head enhancer?” he pants. “You’re going to get a good turn now. I didn’t think we would have time for all of this but oh, I’m going to take my time with you.”

Yes! Thank you, peppermint lip balm. “That’s my little secret, you just don’t worry about my tactics.”

“You wanna play around with secret sexual maneuvers and spice things up a little? Why didn’t you just say so? Close your eyes.”

I shut my eyes and then peek.

“I said shut your eyes.”

I close them as instructed. I hear him open a drawer. I slit one eye open just enough to see that he has a sleep mask.

“See, I knew that you wouldn’t be following directions.” He places the mask over my eyes.

I can hear him rummaging through the drawer again. Not being able to see is driving me crazy.

I feel a faint touch on my clit, nearly a tickle. The anticipation alone has heightened my sensitivity and that trace down the center of my girly parts nearly sends me bucking wild. 

“Oh, did that hit a nerve?” Kane asks.

I swear I can hear a smirk in his voice. I feel
it
back on me, teasing me, what is that?

Stroke.
Ah!

“Ah!” Whatever it is, it’s hitting every freaking nerve because I’m nearly jumping at every pass.

Is it a thread?

Oh my God, it tickles.

A feather? Sigh. “Oh my God! Kane!”

Now, Kane lightly strokes me back and forth with it. It’s a feather; it has to be.

My body heats up, and a frenzied need courses through each cell. He’s barely touching me and I’m on the edge of losing control of my body. 

“Ohh,” I pant.

I can only manage short quick breaths.

This is delicious torture. Then he removes the feather and replaces it with his tongue. The pressure that has built up inside me is too much.

“Kane!”

“Babe, let go. You’re so tense.”

“Oh, oh, please!”

“Please what? What do you need, baby?” He snickers.

How can he laugh at a time like this?

“Get inside me, now!” I scream. “I need you.” I rip off the sleep mask.

He moves on top of me and slams into me. Kane’s banging into me harder than ever before and I’m meeting him thrust for thrust. I’m feeling that pressure, again, build, build, build.

Kane slides his hand down my thigh, lifting one of my legs up to his chest.

Then it happens. My insides clench up, wrapping around him. A sweet wave of satisfaction washes over me. That glorious euphoric release.

Kane pumps even faster, and I can feel him twitching inside me, finally he groans. I swear, I feel a warm sensation inside me.

Kane only pumps few more times and falls beside me, our legs in a languid tangle.

I don’t think I can even move, my body is in such a tranquil state.

“Is it hot in here?” I look over to see Kane’s chest covered in tiny droplets of sweat.

He laughs. “Did I warm you up?” He reaches over into the drawer then holds up pink furry handcuffs. “Next time, we’ll use these.”

“Why not now?” I lean up and give him little pecks all over his face.

“I wish, but I’ve got to work on a few things this morning.” He stares at the ceiling and his face falls a little.

“Okay, but tonight we’re doing that again.” I snuggle my face in the crook of his neck.

“You can count on that. Thanks for making my day start out great.” He gives me a peck on my forehead before he heads for the bathroom.

Laying here for a few more minutes in my blissful state, it dawns on me that we didn’t use a condom. Good thing I’m on birth control.

I hear the shower turn on and decide I need my back washed. Tiptoeing to the bathroom, I feel something running down my leg.
What the hell?
Stopping to take a look, I spread my legs apart. Just like I thought, a creamy liquid is running down my inner thigh. This is the first time we’ve had sex without a condom. It sure is messier, but oh my, him making love to me without a condom feels so flipping amazing.

After Kane leaves to go talk to a private investigator that CJ found for him, I get ready to leave myself. I’m making a journey this morning; I’m going to do my best to right a wrong.

At the rehab center, Deb’s door is open when I walk up, but I knock anyway. “Good morning.” I wait for her invite to enter her room.

“Oakley, hi, sweetie. Come in, where’s Luther Kane?”

“He’s not with me. I thought I would come to see you by myself.” I feel slightly awkward. I don’t know where to begin or if I should sit.

“Oh, okay.” Deb scans my face as if she is looking for something.

“Kane is very opposed to the two of you having any kind of relationship.” Well, that just spewed from my mouth like garbage.

“Are you here to let me know he’s not coming back to visit?” Deb shifts in her seat. “You seem like a nice girl, why are you with someone without a heart? He doesn’t even call me mom.”

“First off, don’t ever talk about Kane like that, he’s a good man.” I smile weakly at her. “I lost my mom about a year ago, and it hurts my heart for Kane to not have his mom in his life. Kane’s so much more than what people see on the surface. I honestly think deep down, he thinks he can’t trust you to not leave him. I don’t think I blame him either. You don’t have a very good track record.” I rub the palm of my hand down my jeans while walking over and sitting by her on the bed.

Deb’s eyes go teary. “Sometimes, you feel like you don’t have a choice in the matter.”

“Deb, he’s your son. You have to be willing to fight for what you want. I want to help you, I want to help both of you find a middle ground.” I look down and whisper, “I’d give anything to have my mom back.”

She looks at me doubtfully, “Well, sweetie, it’s definitely not because I don’t want to be in his life. I’ve made my mistakes in life, and those mistakes have consequences so I don’t want to push him too hard and rock the boat.”

“Maybe it’s time for you to step up for your son, maybe you need to rock the boat so he knows he’s loved. Kane has gone through most of his life thinking horribly of himself. He thinks no one loves him, but Ruby. That no one
can
love him.” I put my hand on her shoulder. We stare out the window for a few minutes.

“What should I do?” she asks.

Dr. Fowler walks up behind us. “Sorry for eavesdropping, but maybe I can help. I do have a degree saying I can help with this sort of thing, you know.”

We turn to look at her and she gives us a kind smile. “I happen to be damn good at it, too.”

For the next hour, the three of us come up with a solution to not only help Kane, but me, too.

“That all sounds like a good plan. If it all works out Dr. Kris, we’ll name our first kid after you!” I laugh. “I’ve got to run, I need to get notes on my classes I missed today.”

“Bye, Oakley, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s going to work.” Dr. Fowler holds up her right hand with fingers crossed.