Infinite Ties (All That Remains #3) Read online

  I can’t even begin to describe the sound that escapes her trembling lips. Somewhere between a sob and a scream. Ecstasy and agony. It does them both in. With her loss of control comes his. In half a second, she’s rolled to her side and he’s behind her, hiking her leg up and plunging deep with one long stroke. When she cries out, he stills for a moment, letting her adjust. It’s taking every ounce of restraint he can muster. His teeth are gritted, his jaw clenched. The thick lines of concentration across his brow are dripping with sweat.

  “Please…no more…I can’t come anymore,” Abby begs, groaning when he grinds against her, as deep as he can get. “I can’t take it.”

  “You want me to stop, Abigail?” He rears back, pulling all the way out of her before burying himself again, displaying the poise and control of an experienced lover.

  “Oh God.”

  He plunges into her again, faster and harder, gliding through swollen, tender flesh. “Answer me, my girl. Do you want me to stop?” It’s a threat, not a question.

  “No!” she screams, reaching back to claw his hip while he fucks her faster.

  I can’t take my eyes off of them. I’ve watched them make love, but this isn’t the sweet, slow lovemaking I’ve witnessed so many times between them. This is fucking. Raw and dirty and fantastic. I’ve never seen them like this. They’ve never been like this.

  “Oh, please…Joseph…Airen,” Abby cries out, overwhelmed.

  “He can’t help you, baby. Right now you’re all mine. I’m going to make you come until your body aches from it.” His words do her in, and she screams as another nerve scorching orgasm rips through her. “Fuck yeah, Abby. Scream for me.” Never missing a stroke, he continues to fuck her with ruthless skill and incomparable stamina.

  “Joseph,” she wails, pleading for mercy.

  “One more, ladybug. Give me one more.” His voice is soft, cajoling, and compassionate.

  “I can’t,” she sobs. He reaches between her legs and with a light stroke of his fingertip, proves her wrong. They cry out in unison, climaxing together. The final orgasm smashes Abby’s emotional wall, cuts her open, bleeds her dry. I’ve never seen her so shattered, so wrung out. She’s a sweaty, tear streaked mess. It’s everything I can do not to go to her, but I need to stay out of it and let Joseph be the one to comfort her.

  When she rolls to face him, he embraces her, cuddling her sweat soaked body against his. She burrows her head into his neck as if she can’t get close enough to him, and he squeezes her tighter, wrapping his leg around hers. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.” After a few seconds, he tugs her head away, his misty green eyes gazing into hers while he brushes her tears from her face. “Did I hurt you?”

  “Jesus, Joseph. I don’t want to know how you learned to fuck like that,” she says with a shaky laugh.

  He grins. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I don’t know why I’m…it was just overwhelming…mind blowing,” she mumbles, ashamed of the crying. Her body is still trembling when Joseph hugs her again.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, my sweet girl. Sex is supposed to be emotional, and that was…intense.”

  She laughs. “All this from a man who says he can’t top.”

  “I didn’t say I couldn’t. I can top you anytime.”

  “Right now, you could cuddle me,” she murmurs with a shy smile.

  “I’ll cuddle the fuck out of you.”

  She giggles and glances toward me.

  “Still here,” I quip, climbing in bed beside her. It’s a good thing I yanked one out while I watched them. They’re done for the night.

  “You had one night to get anything you wanted, and you didn’t even get off,” Abby observes, running her fingers through my hair. “Why?”

  Because you needed to let him see you stripped bare of all your defenses. Because you needed to see the power and strength he possesses, and how strongly he truly lusts after you. He needed to be shown that you aren’t as fragile or breakable as he fears. You needed to see each other. Those are the true reasons.

  “You two are sexy when you get so worked up.” I shrug. “Besides, I can easily win that bet again.”

  “Captain Cornhole.” Joseph chuckles.

  “Go to sleep or I’ll board your vessel right now.”

  “I can’t move.”

  “That’s not a requirement.” Abby giggles and cuddles between us. “No worries, anyway.” I kiss her cheek. “I got mine while I was watching. I’m afraid your panties paid the price.”

  “Airen!”

  “They may be pregnant.” It’s the most beautiful sound in the world, Abby’s laughter.

  Chapter Two

  Joseph

  The first thing I see when I open my eyes is Abby’s sweet face resting on my chest. She’s wrapped around me like a vine, her soft hair spread over my shoulder. It’s a lovely sight to awaken to, even though she’s drooling on me. The events of the night before come flooding back. Her screams, her pleas, her body shaking and pulsing beneath me as our sweat mixed with her tears.

  Normally, I hate to see her cry. It shatters me. But they weren’t tears of pain or heartache, just a reaction to the intensity of our connection. I know just how she felt. Defenseless, exposed, and vulnerable, her carefully hidden emotions on display. My only thought was to gather her to me and never let go. She clung to me with an equal amount of fervor until we succumbed to our exhaustion.

  Airen comes from the bathroom, a towel tucked around his waist. Fuck. I swear he’s more muscular every time I see him. That cut chest and rippling abs that taper to his narrow waist have managed to set my brain to stupid before I’ve even left the bed. His smirk when he sees my reaction still isn’t enough to unglue my tongue.

  “Are you going to lie there and gawk at my ass all day? Don’t we have shit to do?” Abby stretches and moans, saving me from a reply that would have fallen far short of witty. Shit, he can fry my synapses. Her arms embrace my middle and she cuddles closer.

  Her temple is warm beneath my lips. “Time to get up, ladybug.”

  She nuzzles her nose in my chest hair. “No.”

  Airen shakes his head and stares at her fondly. “Don’t make me come over there.”

  “Joseph has my back,” she mumbles.

  “See there. Rock her world one time and now you’re her hero, not the sweet one.” His grin is equal parts satisfaction and sarcasm.

  “To be fair, it was more like four times…at least.”

  “Stop it,” Abby warns. “Besides, what’s wrong with being the sweet one?” She kisses my neck. “You are sweet.”

  “Not how a guy wants to be thought of between the sheets, darlin’.”

  “Shut it, Airen.” I could knock that grin off his face.

  Abby props her head on her elbow, gazing at me. “What’s he talking about?”

  “Nothing, baby. He’s just trying to start shit.”

  “Joseph didn’t like hearing he was the sweet, gentle one in bed.”

  “You have a big damn mouth, Airen. I’m going to have to stuff something in it.”

  “Hey, ignore him. Look at me.” Her smooth hand cups my cheek. “I didn’t mean for you to hear that. I was just…gossiping with Lexi.”

  “I know, don’t worry about it. He’s made a big deal out of nothing.”

  “It bothered you enough to tell him. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Her gaze is soft and compassionate. “I wasn’t complaining. I love how you treat me when we make love. You always make me feel special and loved.”

  “How did you feel after last night?” I ask softly. Maybe she didn’t like it like that. Maybe it was too much for her.

  “I still felt that way, just add sore and exhausted.”

  Airen chuckles. “My work here is done. I’m heading to the barn.”

  “Don’t let the door hit you,” I grumble, making Abby giggle before she snuggles into me again. She’s so affectionate this morning. I love it.

  “Tell me a secret.”

&
nbsp; “Hmm?”

  “Tell me something about you that no one else knows.”

  “I went to a NKOTB concert when I was a kid.”

  “Joseph!” She smacks me playfully. “Something that matters.”

  I can’t believe what I’m about to confess, but I think she needs to hear it. She’s searching for reciprocation, a way to even the emotional playing field after last night. “Okay.” My fingers run through her long hair. “I was nervous about being too rough with you because I have…limited experience with women.”

  Her expression is curious as she looks up at me through her lashes. “How much is limited?”

  “You’re the second.”

  “You’ve only slept with one woman before me?” she asks incredulously.

  “I was young when I fell in love with Tim, and we married right out of college. I had a high school girlfriend for a few months, and we slept together a couple times. That’s it.”

  She smiles from ear to ear. “You haven’t slept with a girl since you were a teenager?”

  “Does it show?”

  “No! You’re fantastic, Joseph! God, with that handsome face and big heart I just assumed you had plenty of practice…like Airen,” she says sourly. “I never dreamed my only competition was a teenage girl fifteen years ago.” She laughs. “I can’t believe I’m the only woman you’ve had as an adult. I love it.”

  “There’s no competition, ladybug, and we’ve had more firsts than you might think.”

  Her eyes are bright and excited when she asks, “Like?”

  I trail my fingers lightly across her thigh. “I’ve never tasted a woman before you. I love your taste, Abigail. I can’t get enough of it.”

  Her mouth forms a perfect O. “I’m the only one you’ve ever gone down on?”

  “And the only woman to ever go down on me.” Her shock and obvious joy at my admission is amusing.

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Baby, it was a few times with a high school girl. Pretty straight forward sex. Fumbling around in the dark.”

  “But, you’re so good at it. Have you ever kissed another girl, apart from her?”

  “Emma kissed me.”

  Her eyes darken. “Voluntarily,” she growls.

  “Just you.” Her soft lips take mine in a passionate kiss.

  “You made my day. Please, don’t worry about hurting me. Last night was amazing. I loved it. We can do that again anytime. But I need the sweet, slow way you take me, as well. I can’t even explain the way you make me feel when you treat me like I’m...” She hesitates.

  “Treasured?” I interject. “Cherished? Admired and held dear? The softest, sweetest thing in my life? You’re all those things, Abigail.”

  Her arms slide around my neck as she kisses my jaw. “Please don’t stop being that way with me. I love being with you. I love you, so much.”

  God, this woman can wrap around my heart and squeeze it until it bleeds. “I love you, and I’ll never miss an opportunity to show you how precious you are to me, or neglect a chance to worship every inch of that beautiful little body. You don’t know what it means to me, that I can make you feel that way.”

  “Stop. You’ll make me cry again.”

  “You started it,” I tease. “Now tell me something. Last night, was it really four?”

  She blushes. “Keep it between us?”

  “Mmm Hmm.”

  “I sort of…dreamed about you last night. You touched me and told me to come, and I did. For real. It woke me up.” She presses her pink face to my chest. “So, really, I’d have to say it was five, not counting, you know...multiples.”

  * * * *

  It’s been a lazy day. The heat wave has been broken by a line of violent thunderstorms. Abby cringes and presses closer to Airen when another bone rattling clap of thunder shakes the house. A fond smile touches his lips, and she’s pulled tighter against his body. “I’ve got you, scaredy cat.”

  “Shut up,” she replies good naturedly, pulling her legs up onto the couch and burrowing into his side. We’re all taken by surprise by a knock at the door.

  “Who the hell is out in this weather?” I exclaim.

  “Eric was supposed to come over for a game of chess, but I figured he’d changed his mind,” Airen remarks as Abby opens the door. She gasps and staggers back in shock. Airen jumps to his feet when a tall red headed man steps through the door.

  “Nice to see you again, Gail,” he says with a sardonic smile. My first thought is that he has the wrong person, or he’s mentally disturbed, but Abby obviously knows him, and Gail is short for Abigail.

  She takes another step back. All the blood has drained from her face and I can feel her body trembling when I wrap my arm around her waist. She looks like she may pass out. “Who are you?” I demand.

  “I’m Jon Needham. Carson’s father.” Oh holy shit. No wonder she looks like she’s seen a ghost. He regards me with a smirk. “Are you her boyfriend?”

  “That’s right.” My arms tighten around Abby.

  “You the one that left me the letter?” Now, I’m really confused, but before I can ask him what he’s talking about, Airen intercedes.

  “No, that was me.”

  “And you are?”

  “My husband,” Abby blurts, stepping between us.

  Jon stares at me like I just tried to trick him. “You said you’re the boyfriend.”

  “He is, and Airen’s my husband,” she replies, raising her chin defiantly, daring him to comment.

  Laughing, he obliges. “Oh Gail, some things never change.” I don’t know what the hell he meant by that, but the look on Abby’s face tells me he struck a nerve.

  She glares at him. “What are you doing here?”

  Jon produces two folded sheets of paper from his back pocket and hands them to her. “I got a letter telling me my son was alive. I want to see him.”

  “He’s not your son.” She unfolds the paper, and after recognizing Airen’s neat script, regards him with a heartbreaking expression of betrayal and disbelief.

  He sighs. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I left a note at his house when we went to Indianapolis. To tell him Carson survived the plague.”

  “I appreciate it, man. Your directions suck, though. Took forever to find the place,” Jon complains.

  “Get out,” Abby demands, her voice flat. “I don’t want you here.”

  Airen runs a hand through his hair, torn over what to do next. “Abby…” he says hesitantly.

  When her head whips around violently to face him, her voice is vitriolic. “How could you do this to me? You know what he did to us!”

  “I thought Carson deserved to know whether his father survived.”

  “That isn’t your fucking decision to make!” She’s trying to keep her voice down so she doesn’t wake the kids. Her eyes are desperate when she turns to me. “Joseph, please get rid of him. Make him leave. Please.”

  That settles it. I don’t care what her reasons are, I need to get him out of here. I don’t know the whole story or exactly what’s going on, but it’s clear she’s terrified of him. Before I can drag his ass to the door, Airen pulls him into the hall so they can speak out of earshot.

  Abby’s back stiffens and the pain reflected on her face is devastating. Not only did Airen invite him without telling her, he’s talking calmly with him and ignoring her desperate pleas to throw him out. Her protector, the man she counts on to always take her side, is acting like she’s the problem.

  “Abigail.” My hands fall to her shoulders. “I’m sure he’s just trying to get him to go without a struggle.” She shrugs out of my grasp. “Abby! Listen. He’s leaving no matter what either of them say. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Airen recoils from Abby’s venomous glare when they return to the living room. Jon regards her with a look very near disgust, and I can see the shame in her face, though she tries to hide it. “I’ll give you a couple of days to get used to the idea, and tell Carson what’s up, but I’m
not leaving without meeting him.”

  The deadbolt clicks as Abby moves quickly to lock it behind him. Fuck. She’s terrified. Why can’t Airen see that?

  He faces her uncertainly, unsure how to deal with his enraged wife. “Gail?” he asks, wondering why Jon used that name.

  “Don’t fucking call me that!” she screams, darting down the hall. The door to the guest room slams, rattling the pictures on the walls.

  “What the fuck were you thinking, Airen? Did you see the look on her face? She’s scared shitless!”

  “Carson should know who his father is,” he insists. He’s so damn obstinate.

  “You should’ve asked her, or at least told her what you did.”

  His hands drag through his hair in frustration. “Christ, Joey. I thought he was dead. I didn’t think he’d actually show up.”

  “Well, he did, and she’s devastated. What the fuck did he do to her?”

  “All I know is he left her.”

  “There’s obviously more to it than that. You have to make this right. You broke her heart.”

  “I’ll talk to her.” He sighs and sits on the edge of the couch.

  “She was so afraid and ashamed,” I whisper, hoping she can’t hear us discussing her. “Of our relationship, do you think?”

  “I don’t think so. She announced it. Used it like a shield to protect herself.” He glances up at me and anger burns in his dark eyes. “I hate the way she cowered under his gaze.”

  “Worse was the way he seemed to relish it.”

  “What if he abused her, Joey? What if he beat her and I brought him here?”

  “Then he’s a dead man.”

  Airen nods. “She always swore that he never hit her, but he hurt her deeply. That’s obvious, and I think it was way before he broke her heart by abandoning Carson. There’s something we don’t know.” He sighs. “I really fucked up.”

  “Go tell her that.”

  He does. He apologizes profusely, but only through the door since Abby won’t unlock it or respond to him.

  “Talk to her, Joseph. Just get her to let you in, and make sure she’s okay,” he pleads.

  “Wait here,” I demand. I’m in love with the two most stubborn, bull headed people in the world. He acquiesces, slumping onto the couch. They’re both so upset they overlooked the door that opens from the porch into the guest room.