Loving Storm (Ashes & Embers 5)

I move her hair to the side and kiss the back of her neck, gently biting her warm flesh as she reaches between us to grab my cock. She pumps her hand over it before she guides it to her wet entrance. Gripping her ass, I slowly thrust in and out of her, relishing every heated stroke.

She clasps our fingers together and pulls my hand to rest with hers against her breasts. Embracing her from behind, I drive into her, burying my face into her dark chestnut hair, inhaling her scent.

“I love you so fuckin’ much, baby,” I sigh against her ear when she shudders and tightens around me. She turns her head to kiss me, and I stare into the forever of her eyes as I release into her.

Chapter Fourteen

“Maybe I should bail out and not go,” he says, throwing another shirt into his suitcase, which is lying open on the bed next to where I’m sitting.

“You have to go. The band can’t play without you.”

He chews the inside of his cheek. “It’s just an awards show. I can ask Finn to stand in for me.”

“Storm, it’s a huge awards show. You deserve to be there on that stage, and your fans want to see you, not Finn.”

“I’m worried about leaving you.”

“I’m fine. Asia is right around the corner if I need anything.”

He doesn’t look convinced. I love how protective he is, but I’m not going to let him miss playing at a live awards show just to sit home and watch me being pregnant.

“It’s only four days.”

“What if you go into labor while I’m gone? I’ll lose my shit if I’m stuck in California while you’re having our baby.”

“I’m not due for another two months. She’s not going to come while her Daddy’s away. I promise.”

He places his hand over my huge belly. “She better not.”

We opted not to officially find out the gender of the baby, because Storm is still positive we’re having a girl. I hope he’s right, because he painted the nursery lavender and hung snowflakes from the ceiling on clear strings.

Covering his hand with mine, I smile up at him. “Are you going to tell me what name you picked for her yet?”

He winks at me. “No. I’m going to tell you her name when she gets here.”

After our first ultrasound, Storm made an odd, but incredibly sweet, request. He asked if he could name the baby himself, so he could surprise me with her name when she’s born. I know most women are crazy about naming their baby—there are thousands of websites dedicated to baby names and meanings—and would never let their husbands pick the name without telling them. But I love that he wants to do something so special, and I trust he’ll give her the perfect name. That doesn’t stop me from trying to get him to tell me what it is beforehand, though.

“Can I have a hint?” I tease.

He gives me his cute crooked smile while he thinks that over. “Hmmm….it’s a cool as fuck name.”

“Of course, she’s a Valentine. You have to give me more than that.”

“It’s one of our favorite things.”

“White mocha?”

He lets out a laugh. “That’s one of your favorite things.”

“Cuddles?”

“Cute, and true, but no.”

“Jacuzzi?”

“Also true and also no.”

“Star? Moon? Snow? Filet?” I rattle off, giggling at his facial expressions.

He snaps his suitcase shut. “She’s lucky I’m the one naming her. Actually, after those awful guesses, I’m going to name all our kids.” He leans down to kiss me.

“All?” I echo. “I thought we were planning on two?” Two would be both, not all.

“We are…but I keep hearing three names in my head.”

I brush my hand across his stubbled cheek. “Then we’ll plan for three.”

I’m standing in line at Lukas and Talon’s café downtown, texting with Storm while I wait my turn.

STORM: I’ll be home tomorrow around 9 p.m. I can’t wait to see you and feel baby bean kick.

Smiling, I text back.

ME: I miss you so much. She’s a kung-fu fighter in there. She had me awake at six.

STORM: Take a nap. I don’t want you exhausted when I get home tomorrow. That’s my job ;)~

ME: I just had my hair and nails done. I’m grabbing a tea at the café then maybe I’ll take a nap.

STORM: send me a naughty selfie :-) I need some wifey eye candy. xo I’ll call you and baby bean tonight.

“Hey, Evie. You having the usual today?” Feather asks from behind the counter.

I nod, missing the times when my usual was a large white mocha with skim milk and whipped cream. Now it’s a decaf tea with honey.

“Yes, please.”

Because Lukas and Talon own the café, I never get charged for my order, so I put a twenty-dollar bill in the tip jar as Feather hands me my to-go cup.

“I’ll see you soon,” I say, turning to leave. And there, right behind me, are Michael and Juggsy. Her real name is Jill, but she’ll always be Juggsy to me.

“Evelyn,” Michael says with surprise in his eyes. Juggsy glares at me as she hangs onto his arm.

“Surprised to see you here, Evelyn. I thought you’d be at the show with your husband.” Her obnoxious insinuation strikes up my hatred for her. Amy has trained me well i

n dealing with Juggsy, though.

“And I’m surprised to see you upright and not on your knees. As you can see, we’re expecting a baby soon, and I didn’t feel up to traveling.”

“How domestic.”

I veer around them but Michael grabs my arm. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Why?”

“Because I haven’t seen you in a long time. You can’t take ten minutes to talk to me after spending almost half your life with me?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Feather watching us, and the last thing I want is some kind of scene in here, surrounded by the staff of a Valentine family business.

“Okay. But I only have a few minutes.”

“I’ll meet you outside,” Michael says to Jill, and the look of rejection on her face is priceless.

We step a few feet away, near the electric fireplace surrounded by a leather love seat and two wing chairs.

“Wow.” He reaches out and touches my stomach. “I never thought I’d see you pregnant.”

I back away from his touch. “Neither did I, but a lot has changed.”

“I see that. You look great.” His eyes rove over me, taking an inventory of my new hairstyle, clothes, and diamond wedding rings.

“Thank you,” I say politely.

“I heard you married him. I saw the pictures online. Are you happy? Does he treat you good?”

I look him right in the eye. “I’m happier than I ever thought imaginable, to be honest. And he treats me like a princess.”

He nods and shakes his head with sadness in his eyes. “I really fucked up.”

“Michael, what’s done is done. I’m not going to stand here and pin blame.”

“I miss you. I wish you had given me a chance.”

I almost drop my tea on the floor. “A chance? You were cheating on me for years. I know what I did was terrible too, but I never would have let it drag on for years, leading you on and deceiving you.”