Falling Together (All That Remains #2) (2 page)

“Airen.”
She pants, pleading for me to put her out of her misery, but I keep her right
at the edge, drawing out her pleasure and filling my senses with her scent and
taste. I live to see this woman lose control. When I slip my finger inside her
and find her spot, she comes with barely a brush of my fingertip, shaking and
crying my name. Her hands fist in my hair, yanking until it hurts. Fuck, she
has no idea how much that turns me on. Without allowing her a chance to
recover, I pull her legs around my hips, and she clamps them around me as I
drive deep, catching her shocked cry with a tender kiss. God, she’s perfect.
Hot and tight and wet. Giving her a second to adjust and stretch is a serious
test of my restraint, but I don’t want to hurt her. “You good, darlin’?”

“Yes…
please…God you feel good.” She thrusts her hips and they slam against mine, the
slap of skin on skin filling the room. I nearly come from the look on her face,
completely uninhibited, her only focus is slaking her need, satisfying her
body’s demands. “Harder, please,” she begs, her hands digging into my ass. I
increase my rhythm and plunge deeper, losing myself in the feel of her,
surrendering myself to the overpowering compulsion to move
faster
,
thrust
harder
.

“Fuck,
Abby…so good.” Drips of sweat fall from my forehead to run down her neck.

“Don’t
stop…don’t…” A familiar little whimper tells me she’s close. A light scrape of
teeth across her nipple and another pounding stroke sends her over the top. I
bury myself inside her as she clenches around me and cries out her pleasure.
Her arms wrap around me, and hold me tight while I follow her, growling her
name and clinging to her body as if I’ll drown without it.

“I’ve
missed this,” I murmur. Shiny, chestnut hair clings to my skin while her cool
cheek rests against the damp heat of my chest, her soft body pressing against
my side.

“Me
too.” Her fingers run through my chest hair.

“Are
you hungry?”

“Yeah,
but I don’t want to get up. It feels so good to lie here with you.” I’m met
with that shy smile that urges me to corrupt her. In the heat of the moment, when
her self doubt is forgotten, she’ll cry out for what she wants, demand and beg
with no shame. But after, I get my sweet Abigail who blushes if I stare at her.
It’s a disarming combination that makes me want to dirty her up.

“Oh,
I’m not done with you,” I warn, making her giggle. “But first we need some
energy. Come on.” I tug her to her feet. “Joseph and Troy brought us a mystery
casserole.”

“That
was sweet of them.”

“I
waited for you to taste it first.”

* * * *

Abby

“I
needed the rest. I feel like a new person.”

“Are
you actually admitting that I was right?” Airen grins sarcastically, and I roll
my eyes at him.

“What
I said was…”

“I
heard you,” he gloats, interrupting.

“Fine.
You win. You were right. I needed a break,” I concede with a giggle.

A
wide smile spreads across that gorgeous face. “It’s good to hear that giggle
again. I wonder what could possibly have made you so happy?” he teases, arching
an eyebrow suggestively.

“Yes,
Airen, there are no problems that cannot be solved by your penis.”

“Thank
you.”

I
shake my head in exasperation, but he
was
right. I’ve felt half insane
the past few weeks trying to care for Lane. Even the three hours of sleep we
get on a good night are rarely unbroken, and it’s wearing on both of us. Julie
has offered to keep Lane overnight once or twice per week, and Joseph will watch
him for a few hours in the morning so Airen and I can catch up on some much
needed sleep, among other things. I swear he’s like a horny teenage boy
sometimes.

Dressed
in jeans and a form fitting black T-shirt, he looks delicious lounging on the
bed with Lane asleep against his chest. I’m just out of the shower, wrapped in
a towel and searching for my pre-pregnancy jeans. At least I’m back to my usual
size ten. When I glance at him, he gazes at me with that smoldering stare that
makes me want to tear his clothes off. He knows what he’s doing. Well, two can
play this game.

I
turn back to the dresser, drop my towel, and bend over to rifle through the
drawer, giving him an eyeful. A surreptitious glance in the mirror shows me I
have his attention. Leisurely, I paw through the drawer, choose a pair of
panties and a bra, and place them beside my jeans.

“I
know what you’re doing,” he growls. His dark eyes are intense when they find
mine and slowly travel south.

“I’m
getting dressed,” I reply as innocently as I can manage.

“You
know Joseph and Troy will be here for dinner soon.”

“I’ll
be ready.” His gaze follows me to the closet to find a shirt. Choosing two, I
hold one in front of my bare breasts. “What do you think? This one?” I ask,
grinning. “Or the blue one?” I swap the shirts quickly, giving him a flash of
my nudity.

His
tongue swipes across his lower lip, making me ache to feel it between my legs.
“I prefer you as you are, but if you insist on wearing clothes, I like the
blue.”

Casually,
I move back to the dresser, turn my back to him, and pick up the tiny white
lace panties. I’m taking my sweet time sliding them up my legs when he gently
moves our sleeping baby from his chest to the bed. I’m in trouble now. I’ve
just fastened my bra when his hands slide down my ribs and grip my hips from
behind. God, I’ll never get tired of his hands on me. It’s like an addiction.
His lips press against my ear.

“You’re
teasing me,” he murmurs, his voice thick with dark promises. “Don’t try that
innocent look with me, sweetheart,” he drawls when I glance back at him. The
sound of his voice makes me shiver. I’m so affected by him, a few words and I’m
at his mercy. His right hand runs smoothly down my belly and into my panties,
while his other arm wraps around my waist and tugs me back against him. I’m
pinned, my back to his chest while his fingers slide into me and his thumb
circles and presses.”You’re so wet.”

There’s
no hiding how much I always want him. All I have to do is think of his touch
and I’m soaked. “Airen,” I moan.

“Mmm.”
He continues his amorous assault, and I lean back against him as my legs
weaken. I tilt my head, giving him access to my neck and he takes full
advantage, licking and sucking at the sensitive skin. The front door closes
with a bang, and Carson’s voice travels down the hall as he greets Joseph. Shit.
Why couldn’t they be five minutes late? Airen’s talented fingers slow and then
cease.

Grabbing
his hand in a death grip, I press it between my legs and plead, “No, don’t
stop. I’m so close.”

I’m
left right on the edge, empty and aching, as he spins me to face him. “That’s
what you get for teasing me,” he whispers. A wicked smile spreads across his
face at my frustrated groan. “You’d better get dressed.”

“Airen,”
I breathe, desperately trying and failing to keep the whine out of my voice.

“It’s
time to entertain our guests.” He grins. “And don’t even think about it, darlin’,”
he adds catching my glance at the bathroom door. His hand darts out to give a
quick squeeze between my legs. “Mine. Don’t touch.” Bastard. I sigh and pull on
my blue sweater. My heart has finally started to slow when he grabs me and
kisses me hard, thrusting his tongue in my mouth and reigniting my need for
him. “I’m going to tie your hands to the bed tonight and lick every inch of
you,” he growls.

Oh
Fuck. I’m going to burn up on the spot at his erotic threat coupled with that
seductive voice. “Promise?” I whisper. My mouth is suddenly as dry as
sandpaper.

“Until
you beg me to stop. Every time I look at you tonight I’ll be picturing you spread
naked on this bed and at my mercy. Think about that, Abigail,” he murmurs and
leaves me standing half naked in our room, breathless, on fire, and extremely
frustrated. The next few hours are going to be hell.

* * * *

A
light kiss on my cheek wakes me the next morning, and when I force my eyes
open, I’m greeted by Airen’s smile. Is there a better way to wake up?

“I
didn’t mean to wake you. I want to get an early start planting today. Go back
to sleep. I’ll see you at lunch,” he whispers, and kisses me quickly on the
lips.

“M’kay,”
I mumble, half asleep. “Love you.”

“I
love you, too, darlin’.”

I’m
awakened a few hours later by Lane fussing for his breakfast. After changing my
little guy, I settle on the love seat to breastfeed. He’s taking his sweet time
this morning, and I have to nudge him awake to encourage him to keep eating.
Otherwise, he’ll be hungry again in an hour. It’s a struggle to get
comfortable. Airen followed through on his delicious threat and while it was
amazing, I’m sore. My shoulders are stiff from having my arms tied above my
head for so long, and there is a low, not entirely unpleasant ache in my
stomach that always occurs after a night of great sex and multiple orgasms.
Last night, I actually lost count.

After
Carson and I eat breakfast, Joseph shows up to collect Lane. “He’ll be fine
with us, honey. Go back to bed. You look tired.”

“Actually,
he slept a little better last night.”

“So,
Airen kept you up.” I’m regarded with an impish grin as he takes Lane’s diaper
bag.

“I
didn’t say that.”

“After
the way you two were looking at each other last night, it’s not exactly a
leap.”

“Sorry,
I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lie, trying not to smile. Every
time Airen came in contact with me he would sneak a squeeze or caress and whisper
in my ear the things he planned to do to me. By the end of the night, I
couldn’t make eye contact with anyone.

“Have
it your way.” He kisses my cheek and scoops up Lane’s infant seat. “Let’s go,
baby boy. Mommy needs some rest.”

“Thanks,
Joseph. Bring him back if he gets too fussy.”

“We’ll
be fine. I’ll see you after lunch.”

When
I awaken for the third time, it’s nearly noon, and Carson radios to say he’s
eating lunch with Jayla at Julie’s house. “That’s fine. Is Airen there too?” I
ask.

“No,
I haven’t seen him. He must be at Joseph’s.”

“Okay,
be sure to thank Julie for lunch.”

“Yes,
Mom,” he moans, as if I’m the most troublesome person on the planet.
Teenagers.

After
a quick bite to eat and a shower, I head to Joseph’s house. “Is my husband
hiding out over here?” I call out, letting myself in the back door.

“Hush,
you crazy woman, he just fell asleep.” Joseph grins and gestures to Troy who
lies in the recliner, dozing, with Lane sound asleep on his chest.

“Which
one?” I whisper with a giggle.

“I
believe Troy has met his match,” he replies, regarding him fondly.

“Has
Airen been here?”

“Not
today.”

A
frown settles on my face. “You haven’t seen him today?”

“No,
is something wrong?” Joseph’s green eyes darken.

“Probably
not, but it isn’t like him to skip lunch. Maybe I should go check on him.”

“I’ll
go have a look around. You watch the kids.” He ties his shoes and practically
sprints out the door. They must have had quite the morning with Lane.

Joseph
doesn’t return for nearly an hour and the expression on his face isn’t
promising. “He isn’t in the barn, the fields, or the smokehouse.”

“Perhaps
he went fishing?” I suggest half heartedly. He would have returned to tell me
and retrieve his fishing gear.

“Has
he still been driving that little red pickup?”

“Sometimes.”

“It’s
gone.”

“He
wouldn’t go to town without telling someone or taking a radio.” After all the
time he’s spent lecturing us, he better never.

“No
one has talked to him all day. I stopped by Julie’s to double check. Troy and I
will check the woods and the lake. Perhaps he just lost track of time.”

“Please,
take a radio and call when you find him. I’m taking Lane home.” I try to sound
nonchalant, but my voice is too high. It isn’t like Airen to just disappear
like this.

“Don’t
worry, I’m sure he’s fine. We’ll find his lazy ass asleep under a tree
somewhere.” Joseph’s smile is reassuring, but his face is tight and he paces
restlessly while he waits for Troy to tie his shoes.

Eric
shows up just as we’re leaving and hands them each a radio. “Let’s split up and
check the woods. We can meet at the lake,” he suggests.

“I’ll
walk Abby and Lane home first,” Joseph offers.

“Thanks
guys, and be careful.” Joseph checks my house quickly to be sure Airen hasn’t
returned.

“I’ll
call you,” he swears, and leaves me to chew my fingernails to the bone. They
search the woods for nearly three hours without a sign of him.

My
mouth is dry and my voice barely above a whisper when I plead with them to keep
searching. “Something’s wrong, Joseph. You know he wouldn’t worry us like this.”

“I
know, honey. We’re going to drive around and try to locate his truck. He must’ve
left without telling anyone.” He’s pissed, and I can’t say I blame him.

“I’m
coming along. I can’t sit here anymore. Julie, will you please watch Lane?”

“Of
course, dear.”

Troy,
Joseph, and I pile into the truck while Eric continues to search the grounds.
Joseph’s knuckles are white from his grip on the steering wheel, and his jaw is
set as his eyes scan the landscape while he drives slowly up the road. My hands
tremble and I try not to imagine the worst. Troy reaches to squeeze Joseph’s
leg and his other hand finds mine. “He’ll be okay,” he declares in a low,
soothing voice. My eyes are trained on the houses and driveways flowing by.

“What
if someone took him?” I whisper, when I can no longer resist voicing my fear.

“We’ll
find him, Abby. Airen’s smart. He’d leave a sign if he was in trouble. Plus,
the truck is missing. Maybe he tried to go to town and got a flat tire or
something,” Troy suggests. We’re five miles from home when I see a flash of
color on the front porch of a small trailer, set back from the road.

“Joseph!
Turn around! I saw something!” He looks skeptical, but puts the truck in
reverse and starts back. “Turn here!” I order.
Oh please, please
. We
start up the driveway and there’s Airen, waving and walking toward us. “There
he is!” I shout with relief, jumping from the truck before Joseph can even come
to a complete stop.

“Hey,
it’s okay,” Airen exclaims, sweeping me into his embrace.

“I
thought something terrible happened to you! We’ve been searching for you since
noon.”

“I’m
sorry, sweetheart. I went to get spark plugs for the mower and the damn truck
broke down. I think it’s the alternator. I had to walk about ten miles, and I
just stopped here to look for some water.”

“You
didn’t tell anyone! You didn’t take a radio! Airen, you scared the shit out of
us!”

“I
forgot. It was early and I only planned to be gone for an hour or so.”

Joseph
and Troy catch up with us just in time to hear his explanation. Troy looks
annoyed, but not particularly surprised. Joseph’s face hardens and his cheeks
and ears flush a deep crimson. Before Airen can speak, Joseph swings at him. He
pulls the punch at the last second, but his fist still makes contact with
Airen’s mouth hard enough to split his lip. Troy and I look on in shock.