The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (58 page)

“Bill, stop corrupting the boy,” Joan scolded, rolling her eyes smiling at me. I could tell she was equally enjoying the banter while trying to rein Bill in.

“I think they’re like two peas in a pod,” I remarked, smiling at the two men stood before me.

“Couldn’t agree more.” Bill grinned and patted Joel on the back. “Couldn’t be any prouder. We’re here for the next few days if you want to meet up?” He hesitated, looking unsure, but Joel quickly smiled back.

“Would love to show you my local and where I work. First one is on the house.”

Bill’s face broke out into one almighty grin. “Now you’re talking. Right, best be going, give your old Nan a kiss.”

Joel smiled, bending down as she pulled him in for a hug, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “My beautiful boy.”

Joel blushed as he stood up, and then I was quickly dragged into a hug with an equal share of kisses. I stepped back, feeling slightly overwhelmed. Joel walked them both down the path while I tended to Ruby.

I was just beginning to tidy up when Joel came back in, I’d barely got any words out before his mouth sought out mine, and he lifted me into his arms.

Ruby barked beside us as I laughed in confusion. “Joel . . . what are you doing?

“I’m taking you upstairs.”

“But what about Ruby?” Who was now halfway climbing up Joel’s leg to get at us, he sighed, dropping me down.

“Pick her up, she can come too.” She more than eagerly leapt into my arms as Joel lifted me back up, making our way up the stairs to our room.

He lowered me onto the bed and Ruby jumped out of my arms, now skipping around the bed in excitement. He hovered over me before placing a soft, sweet kiss against my lips.

I pulled back slightly in confusion. “Joel, we can hardly do anything with Ruby here.”

He smiled at my words. “I didn’t bring you here for that.”

“You didn’t?” I asked frowning, feeling suddenly deflated.

“Are you disappointed?” He chuckled looking at my face.

“Kind of.”

He kissed his way along my jaw as his lips nuzzled against my ear. “Baby, I will rock your world later, but now I just want to hold you.”

My face dropped at his words. “Are you okay?”

He manoeuvred himself so he was now lying beside me. “I think so, I just need this time out to lay back and let it all soak in.”

“Do you want to be on your own? We can leave you in peace.” I made to move away, but he grabbed me, pulling me down beside him.

“No, I need you here with me, Iz. You are the calm in my storm. You bring me so much relief just having you here. I need you baby, stay with me.”

“Joel, there is no other place I want to be.” I snuggled into his chest while his fingers soothingly stroked my hair. Ruby eventually settled down, flopping down beside us as Joel gently curled his arm around her.

“This is what I need, both my girls.”

I smiled, kissing his jaw, placing my cheek on his chest once more. Ruby let out a small yawn before she softly sighed. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.

* * *

I awoke to complete darkness and an empty bed, the cold sheet sat pooled beside me. Ruby was still curled up in her basket, snuggled into her teddy as I crept out the room in search of Joel. The faint glow streamed out into the hallway, I crept through to find Joel curled up on the sofa with a picture frame in his hand. The crumpled paper that sat beside him was enough to indicate it was the gift Joan had handed to him earlier.

“Hey, I was wondering where you’d gone,” I said, sitting down slowly trying to gauge his reaction. I didn’t want to think I was intruding a private moment.

His sad eyes flicked up to mine as I watched a lowly tear roll down his cheek. “I opened Joan’s gift.” He smiled softly before handing me the frame.

I gasped the moment I saw it. It was beautiful. It was a picture of Joel who must have been about a year old in his mother’s arms. His small hand was placed lovingly against her cheek while they both stared deep into each other’s eyes, their smiles conveying the true love they held inside. Just one picture spoke a thousand words. I could tell from Joel’s tears that the picture had done its job in making him believe that his mother’s love for him truly did run deep.

“Joel, it’s perfect, are you okay?” I asked, looking concerned.

His fingers laced with mine, manoeuvring me over onto his lap. “It’s just been so overwhelming but yes, I feel much lighter, like this weight I’ve carried around for so long has slowly evaporated. It’s almost like I’m free of the past.” He smiled, and I could no longer see the guilt that always seemed present in his eyes the moment his mother was brought up.

“The guilt should never have been put on you in the first place. I guess it was your dad’s way of turning his grief into hatred. I hate him for doing that to you.” I despised the man and was only grateful that he was now no longer a part of our lives.

“Iz, he lost the love of his life, he should have been mad.”

My eyes widened at his words. “Yes, but to put the blame on you? He should have been mad at the fact that life can be cruel and that sometimes bad things happen. Not place all the blame on his baby boy, to let you carry that around for the last eighteen years. Look at this picture, how much love you can feel in that one shot. God, Joel, she loved you with all her heart. Please take all the good things from today, keep them in mind when the darker days come and you feel the need to sink back into your old ways. Just remember how we all love you so very much.”

He leaned in and pulled me in close. “I know, Iz, today has shown me a lot. I guess the warped view I had inside my head was just something I’d got conditioned to over the years. The things he would say and the looks he would give me. I’ve never seen such hatred in one person’s eyes.”

“You only have to look at the photograph to see how much she loved you, that’s what a parent does. You have this as a reminder. We’ll hang it up tomorrow so it will take pride of place.

“What did I do to deserve you?” he asked, looking bewildered as I smiled.

“I think I should be saying the same myself. You are my life, Joel. You complete me in ways I never thought possible and every moment we share is just an added bonus.”

“You complete me too, the light to my dark, you give me hope when it feels like all is lost.” He ran his thumb along my lower lip, his touch sending shivers throughout me. I stopped his thumb mid-stroke and placed a soft kiss on the end.

“You’ll never be lost without me; I’ll always guide you safely home.”

He smiled, and I pressed my lips against his as his tongue gently slipped inside and twirled with mine. We dropped down onto the sofa, our bodies melded together as we lost ourselves in the moment. Well, until the door creaked.

My eyes immediately snapped open. “Oh my god, Joel, what the hell was that? Please tell me this house isn’t haunted.”

He bit his lip like he was reluctant to answer. “I don’t know, Iz. I heard something the other night, and I didn’t want to say.”

“Oh my god, what?” I asked, as my fingers curled around his T-shirt. A level of fear ran down my spine, I would literally cry if a ghost were to reveal it self right now.

I squealed the moment I felt something brush against my back. I turned around slowly, almost hesitant to look, only to find a pair of brown eyes peering at me. “Ruby, you scared me half to death.” She barked almost in amusement as Joel chuckled lifting her up.

“That’s my girl, Rubes.” He gave her a playful tickle, and I pursed my lips in disapproval.

“Don’t encourage her.”

“We are partners in crime, me and Rubes, aren’t we girl?” He laughed when she barked in reply.

Traitor.

“I had no chance, did I?” I huffed. I’d known from the start where her loyalties lay.

“What’s that?” He looked confused by my words.

“She was always destined to be a daddy’s girl from the start.”

He turned her so she was facing him, brown eyes staring into blue. “Are you Daddy’s girl, Rubes?” Without hesitation, she barked again in confirmation.

“See I’m outnumbered.” I huffed, while Joel smiled hard.

“I can’t help it if I’m popular.”

I rolled my eyes. “When are you not?”

He pulled me in closer, his eyes scanning my face and frowned at the look of insecurity I wore. “There’s only two girls I need in my life, and they’re both right here,” he soothed, running his fingers across my cheek so I leaned into his touch.

“Promise?”

His fingers stopped at my words. “With all my heart.”

I grabbed his hand, placing a soft kiss against his skin. “Well then, let’s go to bed.” I stood up, picking up the frame, walking over to place it on the table.

Joel came up behind me, his arms drawing me in tight. “It’s perfect,” he whispered. We both stared in wonder at the picture that had done so much in helping to heal old wounds.

“It is.”

It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

The familiar knock at the front door brought a smile to my face. Each rap had almost a musical tone to it, which could only belong to one person.

“Hey, Elijah,” I said, opening the door to find him grinning, leaning against the doorframe, looking like his usual self styled to perfection.

“Hey, sweetie.” He gave me one of his cheeky smiles, placing a kiss on my cheek as I breathed in his familiar intoxicating scent. The sound of barking brought an even bigger smile to his face. “Oh, where’s my princess at?”

Ruby was running in circles, almost making herself dizzy at the sound of Elijah’s voice. When we walked in she charged at him, trying to scamper up his legs. “Oh my beautiful girl, I’ve missed you.”

It seemed she totally agreed by the way she over zealously licked his face. It was hard not to like Elijah. He was just one of those people that had that instant charm about him.

“Now is my little princess going to come for another sleepover? We have lots of doggy treats, and we’re going to watch Ruby’s favourite film Marley and Me.”

Ruby barked to reply, and I shot Elijah a look. “Don’t worry, Iz, we knock it of before you know what.”

I had to smile at the fact he covered Ruby’s ears before silently mouthing the words. She looked up, and her eyes stared deep into mine like she was pleading to go.

“Fine, you can take her.”

Elijah’s smile stretched wide, snuggling into her. There was an unstoppable bond from the moment they met. I knew he needed time alone with her and from the way Ruby acted whenever he made an appearance, she more than needed him too.

“I know she’s not mine, Iz, but a tiny part of me feels like she is.”

“Elijah, I think we knew from the start you would always play a big role in her life, she is one lucky dog to be blessed with so much love.”

He pulled me into a hug while Ruby looked on in bewilderment. “Love you, Iz, thank you for sharing this precious little angel with me.”

Ruby tilted her head in amusement, and I couldn’t help but smile. She was far from an angel. She’d already gnawed her way through several pairs of my shoes. I made sure my Kindle and precious paperbacks were kept away from those little destructive teeth.

“Let’s do a selfie!” Elijah shrieked, almost scaring us all to death. There were times when he was a little too over enthusiastic for his own good. He moved Ruby in closer, and we smiled into his phone. He took several snaps before choosing his favourite.

An hour later they were both gone. Ruby was slightly too over enthusiastic to leave, which made me feel sad and my heart slightly ached. I knew I was being silly and made myself feel better by opening my Kindle and losing myself in the hot guy that was currently getting all my attention.

Joel walked in a while later, his eyes flicked around the room before returning to mine. “Where’s Rube?”

“Elijah took her for the night.” My eyes barely looked up from the Kindle as I was mid-way into a hot sex scene that I didn’t want to be distracted from.

“Why are you looking flushed?”

My eyes quickly flicked up to his. “I’m not.”

I was now.

“Yes, you are, you have that cute little blush.” His eyes automatically dropped to my Kindle. “You’re reading something sexy, aren’t you?”

“NO.”

Yes.

“You so are.” A huge smile stretched over his face and before I had the chance to hit the home button, he had the Kindle yanked out of hand and began reading what was on screen. “Now I know why you smile so much when you’re reading. God, it’s making me hot, you filthy porn reading girl.”

“It’s not porn, it’s eroticism.”

“Do you want to read about it? Or do you want me to show you just how much better I am than any book you’ll read?”

“Promise you’ll make me scream?”

“I won’t promise, I can guarantee it.”

Holy shit.

He placed the Kindle on the table and walked over, slowly dropping down so his body covered mine while he supported his weight on his elbows.

“Your eyes are dilated, you are so turned on.”

He had me there. I rolled my hips to find some friction against the ache deep inside. He duly obliged rocking his hips into me, and I softly moaned as a rush of heat filled me.

He kissed me slowly and we fell deeper and deeper, his fingers wandering down until they rested on my jeans.

I gasped when his hand reached inside my underwear and his eyes flashed to mine, feeling my need for him.

“Wow baby, that book has got you all riled up.”

“Yes,” I breathed. “Joel, I need you so much.” I pushed on his hand so he worked his fingers deep inside me, and I arched my back in appreciation to the magic those fingers were providing right now.

“That’s it, baby, let me know how good it feels.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, feeling the familiar rush as my body sprinted towards the finishing line. I tightened around his fingers as my climax hit me hard, and I shouted Joel’s name out loud before his mouth was back on mine.

“Bloody hell, Iz, that was beautiful. I love watching you come apart.”

I smiled at his words, now feeling slightly dizzy from my overwhelming orgasm. “What about you?” I asked, my fingers running along the seam of his jeans, feeling his mighty erection underneath.

“Oh god,” he breathed as I continued my sweet torture. “Iz, I need to be inside you right now.”

I could hear his need, and I smiled loving the hold I had over him. My fingers came to a standstill, and his eyes quickly opened. “Then take me, I’m yours.”

“Fuck, when you say things like that I nearly come in my jeans.”

“Now we don’t want that to happen.”

He pushed off me and quickly dragged my jeans down, so I slipped along the leather.

“Joel,” I squealed, laughing at his over eagerness, managing to dig my heels in so he could strip away the denim fabric. His own clothes followed, so he was stood buck-naked. I was grateful I’d closed the blinds earlier against the brightness of the sun, else half the neighbourhood would be seeing more than what was acceptable of my sexy boyfriend. I sat up dragging off my T-shirt while Joel stared at my red and black matching bra and thong set.

“Iz, are you trying to kill me?” he asked, looking amused as his eyes filled with lust.

“Nope, just trying to tease you.”

“Well as much as I love these, they have to go.”

I lifted my hips as the lacy thong was dragged lightly down my legs. I let my legs fall open, and his eyes widened taking me all in.

“Seriously, I’m about to blow.”

I giggled at his frustration as he stood slowly rolling on the condom. I swiped my tongue over my lips in anticipation. He moaned when his body pressed up against mine. His eyes were ablaze as he stared into mine before pushing himself deep inside.

“Oh fuck, Iz, so good every goddamn time.”

“Joel,” I breathed, as my fingers skimmed along his back to rest on his tight, hard bum cheeks. I lightly squeezed them, and he groaned into my neck as he lightly sucked on the spot that drove me wild.

He thrust in deeper, beginning a torturous rhythm that slowly pushed me over the edge.

“Joel,” I panted.

“Oh god, Iz, hang on I just need you to . . .”

“I can’t . . . oh god, please, please.”

“Baby, just hold on.”

I screwed my eyes closed, trying to concentrate and stop my body from tipping over the edge. I needed it so bad. “Joel,” I squealed in frustration as he frantically thrusted between my legs.

“Fuck, Izzy . . . oh god.”

“Please, I’m so close.”

“Oh god . . . oh god.”

The orgasm hit me, and I rolled my eyes tight, squeezing the life out of him.

“Fuck,” he yelled, letting out his release, flopping down on top of me.

We both panted hard, our bodies slick with sweat. I swiped back his hair that clung to his forehead as our breaths mingled together, both too tired to even move.

He dropped his head down and kissed the spot between my breasts. “Baby, you are going to kill me one of these days.”

“And what a sweet death it would be.”

His chuckle vibrated against my skin as he lifted himself back up onto his elbows, his eyes staring deep into mine. “Now tell me is that better than any book you’ve ever read?”

“Absolutely, but I might need reminding.”

His eyes filled with amusement, and his face broke out into a sexy smile. “Oh baby, I am more than happy to keep reminding you over and over.”

And I was more than happy to be shown.

* * *

The sweet smell of jasmine filled the air, I sighed leaning back against Joel’s naked torso. We were both covered in bubbles, leisurely laying together in the bath, relaxing after the last hour, which had more than exerted us leaving us thoroughly tired.

“Will you promise me, Iz, you’ll never tell Mike about our bubble baths together?”

I grinned at how much he loved them, even more than I did, but he seemed to have a problem letting other people know like he would automatically lose his manly card.

“What’s it worth?” I asked, shuffling around in the tub so I was now straddling him.

He frowned like he was thrown by the fact I was now bartering with his secret. “An unlimited supply of great sex.”

“Purlease, I get that already.”

“Errrr, I could refrain and leave you frustrated.”

“Joel, I’d like to see you last a day without breaking your vow. You are so weak, I can feel you getting hard already, and we’ve done it three times this afternoon.”

“First of all I’m getting hard as you’re grinding your sweet little naked body against me, it would take a saint not to react to this kind of teasing.”

It was true I was slowly grinding up against him so he would see his little act was nothing but meaningless words.

“And second of all I could if I wanted to. I choose not to, there’s a difference.”

“Well bring it on, but let me tell you now, I don’t play fair. I have plenty of sexy lingerie you’ve yet to see, I am so going to drive you mad.”

“Fuck.” He blew out, while I carried on my sweet torture. Now my hand had come into play as it disappeared under the soapy bubbles and was now working his length.

He pressed his forehead against mine. “Iz, you don’t play fair,” he choked out as I worked him even harder.

“Agree to my conditions then.”

“Which is?”

“You’ll read to me like you did in the hospital, you know I love hearing your sexy voice.” I swiped back his damp hair, and his eyes darkened in response to my touch.

“Not Archer,” he bit out in between pants.

“No, baby, I won’t put you through that again.” It would be a while until I ventured back there. I didn’t think my heart could take it.

“Or any other sad ones and not Kellan either.”

His response made me smile, the look of jealousy he was shooting me did seriously strange things to me. “No, I don’t want you reading Kellan either, I like to keep that book strictly between him and me.”

He scowled at my words. “You know he’s not real.”

“He is in here.” I pointed to my heart as he pouted at my response.

“Baby, stop making me jealous, you know I don’t like it.”

“Do you like this?” I asked, cupping his balls as my hand moved faster.

“Oh god, Iz, you play dirty.”

“Uh uh, I believe I’m squeaky clean.” I bit on his lip and he let out a soft moan, his eyes were heavy, staring straight into mine. His fingers dug into my hips, and his breath came out in short pants.

He hesitated slightly so on purpose I slowed my hand right down. “Iz, what the hell?” He gasped, looking confused that the pleasure I had been giving him had now ceased.

“Agree and I will give you what you want.” I bit down harder on his lip, watching his will power waver right in front of me. I knew it would be seconds before he agreed.

“Fine,” he snapped. “I’ll read to you, but no sad books or Kellan.”

“Do you want to shake on it?” I asked, trying to bite back the grin as I held out my hand.

“I’d rather you were shaking something else.”

He gasped when my hand began to work his length again. This time I was taking no prisoners and bringing it home. He panted hard with his forehead pressed against mine, his warm breath tickling my face. He closed his eyes concentrating on my touch as I brought him slowly to the brink.

“Fuck, Iz, don’t stop.” I cupped his balls harder, and he whistled loudly through his teeth. “Oh fuck, yeah, just like that.” He threw his head back when the orgasm hit him, and he quickly came all over his stomach and my hand.

I washed him clean and he leaned back against the tub, panting hard. I smiled in delight, loving the way he had completely come undone right in front of me. I leaned forward, slowly pressing a kiss against his lips. He poked an eye open and give me a look. I smiled back acting all sweet and innocent.