Touched (23 page)

I can tell he can hardly tear his eyes from it when his head turns to me. “Are you kidding me? That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He bends down and tries to lift me but winces and quickly covers his chest with his hand.

“Knox! Be careful!” I grab his arm and slowly lead him over to the couch, helping him sit, his eyes never leaving the picture on the wall over the fireplace. When I sit down beside him, his arm immediately moves around my shoulder, bringing me into his side.

“I don’t think you’ve ever been as beautiful as you are in this picture, Angel. I can’t get over it.” I close my eyes as his mouth finds mine and when I open them, again, he’s still staring at the picture then they finally make their way to mine and soften. “Marry me. Make me the happiest man in the world and a legal daddy to our baby. Let’s be a happy family and do things right.”

My eyes blink with wetness as I smile and don’t hesitate a second. “Yes.” His eyes grow wide and he just stares at me. My smile is huge, and I giggle. “I said, yes.”

I’m pushed down onto the couch, quickly, and his body is on top of mine in an instant. “Angel, sweetheart. Did you really say yes?” My head bobs up and down as I laugh but his lips are on mine so fast I don’t have time to take a breath. We lay there enjoying each other and then his head raises and he gives me the most loving smile. “I don’t think I can get much happier than this. I’ve waited for you all my life. What took you so long?”

My finger traces his lips and then I place my hand on his chest, careful of his injury. “I got lost but finally found my way home.”

He leans down, kisses my mouth gently and rests there. “Home. It will always be where you and our children are.”

My brow raises and I tilt my head. “Children?”

He kisses me again. “Count on it.”

I could never be as happy as I am now. To think that this man was that little boy oh so many years ago that I had fallen in love with. Yes, we were so young, but I knew in my heart, he was the one.

As the day turned into evening, Knox drove me crazy with wanting to have sex. The man will not give up. He doesn’t seem to realize that he’s still healing and could bust open his stitches if he’s not careful, not to mention how close to death he had come and could have a heart attack from too much exertion. So, I did the next best thing. I lead him to our bedroom, got his pants and boxers down and gave his cock what it needed. Major attention. That helped relieve some stress for him, but then he pulled me up to him by my arms, rolled me over and proceeded to have his own fun with my breasts, and I won’t even go into what he did with my extremely wet pussy. Let’s just say, we both were very satisfied when done. Then we had a bath together but again had to be careful of his stitches.

Once cleaned and dressed I’m finishing applying makeup when he walks up behind me, his arms moving around my waist and his hands cover my flat stomach. “How long until you start poofing?” He grins at me in the mirror as I wrinkle up my nose at him.

“Ha, poofing?” My laugh makes him smile wider.

“Yeah, poofing. You know you’re stomach poofing out. Our baby will grow and make your stomach poof. When will that happen?” He asks inquisitively.

“Um, I’m not sure. I’m going to buy a pregnancy book and read about everything. I hope not too soon though,” I laugh. Sighing I turn in his arms. “This is so surreal, ya know? I thought I’d be alone forever, was going to make sure of it. No chance for heartache, no getting hurt, no feelings to be crushed but then you found me.” My head tilts a little, my eyes squint and I whisper, “How did you find me?”

“I saw you through the window at the gym when I was walking by one day. After that, I followed you, found out everything I could about you and then I went into the club one night and I knew you were the one. My heart beat for the second time since I met you on the playground. I didn’t understand my feelings then but for the second time in my life, I was alive again. You touched my heart, my soul: forever.”

My body and mouth crush against his, my fingers threading through his hair as his hands are all over my back. I don’t think we can get close enough to each other. My mouth releases his and my face rubs up his soft skin, my teeth nipping his earlobe, eliciting a sexy moan from him. “We have to stop. I can’t take it anymore.” He bends to try to lift me, and I push back gently because I know it will hurt him. He becomes frustrated and takes my hand, his full intention to lead me to bed, when the doorbell rings. His hands run through his hair and pouts.

“Perfect timing,” he grumbles leaving me to finish in the bathroom.

I look in the mirror, my face flush and my hair looks like we did just have sex. I do damage control, smooth my dress and go to join our guests. He can’t get healed fast enough, and we may both combust before he does.

By the time I get to the living room Tabbie and Amber are already having a drink by the bar. “Jade! The picture is magnificent. You did great with that,” Tabbie screeches as I walk up to Knox, putting an arm around his waist as he does mine.

Amber looks at us and smiles. “You two are too cute together. And to think, you knew each other as kids and then found each other again. It’s like a romance movie.” She sighs and takes a sip of her drink. “Oh! And there was a huge mob of paparazzi out front when we got here. Thank goodness Ralph and Emmy came and helped us get into the house.” My eye brows raise into my hair and I give her ‘the look’. “Em… Um… I mean Emerson.”

“Amber. Emmy? Really?” I smirk. She looks down at her feet and then raises her eyes to me and a slight smile on her pretty face. “Oh, girl you and I have some talking to do.”

My head turns when Knox chuckles and then snaps his mouth shut when he figures out he’s busted. “Why don’t you and Amber go get the food while Tabbie and I have a little chat?” I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss his full lips and then turn and walk over to Amber, threading my arm through hers, and we head out for the kitchen.

“What’s that all about?” Amber asks as we walk.

“Who knows? He’s full of surprises.” We smile at each other, and my walking is as light as I feel. I’m so happy.

§ § § §

“Is everything in place for tomorrow?” Tabbie smiles and giggles while nodding eagerly. “Good. Damn, I can’t wait to get her there. She’s going to be so surprised.”

“Knox, it’s a perfect place and the plans are phenomenal. I wish I could live there. You two are going to be so happy. I mean three.” She giggles again. “I’m so proud of you.”

I take a sip of my Tonic with lime and smile. “Oh, it’ll be more than three of us. That you can bet on. What time are we going? My minds a little jumbled still since the accident.”

She gives me a frown. “Around two o’clock. Is that still ok? We can go any time.”

“No! No, that’s fine.” My head turns as Jade’s voice interrupts.

“What’s fine?” She walks over to me, setting a tray of food on the bar then leans over and gives me a quick peck.

I reach over and grab a Hors d’oeuvre and pop it in my mouth. “Nothing.” She eyes me wearily and then takes one herself, and I watch as she puts it in her mouth, slowly chewing.
Damn, she even makes that look sexy. I think I need to call Phillip tomorrow to see what my sexual limitations are. I’m going to combust if I don’t have her soon.

“So you all gave your statements in the hospital but you still have to go there tomorrow?” Tabbie asks, putting our plan in motion. Jade looks over at me and I shrug, eyeing Amber over Jade’s head because I don’t trust her not to squeal.

“We do? That seems odd. Why would we need to do that when we’ve told them everything already? I thought they said we were done?” I put my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head.

“Last minute I guess. I got a call earlier today. Sorry I forgot to tell you, Angel.” She takes a sip of her water and smiles. “It’ll be over quick. I promise.” My hand squeezes her shoulder, and she relaxes.

The girls made a great dinner or more like a feast. We’ve been sitting around the table eating, talking and laughing. Best time I’ve had in a long time. “So, we would sit there almost all day and build our imaginary castle. It would have two levels and a finished basement, lots of windows and a beach right behind it.” Jade sets her elbow on the table, her chin resting on her hand and sighs, looking at me with such love. “It was our dream house that he built for me, I only helped a little. I wish I would have gotten a picture of it.”

“That’s so romantic. And you were only four and eight years old? Pretty smart for little kids and pretty romantic. I’m telling ya this could be an award winning movie,” Amber states as she takes a bite of her food. She looks over at me and winks and I quickly turn to find Jade looking at her plate, then taking a bite from her fork. Looking back at Amber, I raise a brow and smirk. She’s going to ruin the surprise, I just know it.

Finally, they leave around ten o’clock, and I’m exhausted. “Go get in bed, darling. I’ll clean up. You just got out of the hospital and are over doing it.” Jade kisses my lips and I hold onto her when she tries to leave.

“Let Bea clean it tomorrow. Come.” I take her hand, turning lights off as we go, and take her to our bedroom. Once we’ve changed and are snuggled in bed, she falls asleep quickly in my arms while I stare at the ceiling. I’m so anxious for tomorrow. Now if my plan just goes off without a hitch, and she loves it as much as I do.

I wake up bright and early this morning, anticipation getting the better of me. Letting Jade sleep in I go to the kitchen to make a breakfast feast. She’s eating for two now so she needs to eat, whether she wants to or not. Those are my rules. By the time I’m setting the last plate of food on the table, she finally walks into the kitchen looking so adorable yawning and stretching. I walk straight to her, take her in my arms and kiss the hell outta her. “Morning, Angel.” She smiles and kisses me again.

“What’s all this?” She asks as I lead her to the table, pushing in her chair as she sits.

“Breakfast for my queen and princess. You’re eating for two now and need to also build up your strength after what happened. Gotta make sure my sweethearts are well fed.” I sit across from her, reach over and take her plate and proceed to fill it full of food.

“Um. Princess?” She raises an eyebrow at me and gives me a snarky grin. “What makes you so sure it’s a girl? Pretty presumptuous wouldn’t you say?” Setting her plate down in front of her, I notice she picks up her fork and dives into her food. After pulling her fork from her luscious lips she looks up at me, rolling her eyes. “Ok, so I’m really, really, hungry. What?”

I lean my chin on my hands and smile. “You’re adorable. And yes, it will be a girl. I demand it. I’ve always wanted a little princess to spoil. So, eat up and nourish our princess.”

She sets her fork down and wipes her mouth with her napkin. “And you’re cute. You’re going to make such a great daddy.”

I reach across and take her hand, my thumb rubbing circles on the top. “And you will make the perfect mommy. This child and our children will know what it is to be happy, loved and cherished, always wanted and never knowing what it’s like to be alone or unhappy. With what we’ve both been through there’s no mistake about that.” I release her hand, and we both eat for a minute then I look back at her. “Does neither of your parents ever try to get in touch with you?”
Damn! Why did I bring that up?

Her eyes slowly rise to mine, and I can see the sadness in them. “No. Never. I haven’t heard from them since the day they disowned me and I left.” She smiles and straightens in her chair. “It’s all good though. I’m ok without them. I’ve learned to be.”

I clear my throat and take another bite. “Well, we have each other now. Let’s finish and get cleaned up. The sooner we get the visit over at the police station, the better. I’m ready to be done with all that and move on with our lives.” She nods and takes another bite, but I notice she’s eating slower.
Way to break the happy mood, Knox.

We finally finish eating, and I tell her to go take her shower while I clean up and stop to take a pain pill. I hate taking pills but I know I’m still healing, and I don’t want anything getting in our way of happiness. By the time I get done, take my shower and neck with my girl in the bathroom, we’re ready to head out. I had Ralph pack us a picnic lunch and stow it along with a blanket in the trunk of the SUV. We’re heading to our destination, and I turn off onto the street that runs adjacent to the beach when Jade looks at me. “Um, the police station was back that way.” I keep my eyes on the road and try my hardest not to smile. “Knox? Where are we going?”

My smile breaks free and I quickly look at her, keeping my eyes on the road. “Surprise.”

She looks out her window and then back at me. “What? Knox. What surprise?” Her head turns back to her window, and I can see how wide her eyes are in her reflection. “It’s so beautiful and serene here. I love the ocean and look at all that sand.”

I cover her hand that’s resting on the seat and squeeze, her head turning to me, her face glowing and her eyes sparkling. “Yes, it is beautiful. You’re beautiful.” Her gorgeous teeth appear with her sweet smile, and I’m lost in her again and hope to never be found. I look out the front window and release her hand to point. “See that there?” She turns and looks, the confusion on her face apparent.