Love Letters Boxset Volume 1: Bonus content included Page 7

  My heart is so full of joy and ready to explode with satisfaction.

  If only I don’t wake up.

  My son has smiled more in the past four hours than he has in the past four years. There’s no fear that Gage will leave him. As far as he’s concerned, the man has fulfilled his promise and will never break it again.

  My reasonable and incredibly foolish heart is terrified I’ll screw this up. Every bad decision in our lives in the past nine years were all my fault. How can I trust this will be our happily ever after?

  “Breathe, Paisley.” His whiskey-smooth voice washes over my nape as he lays a light kiss there while his arms wrap around me from behind.

  “I’m trying.” I breathe out, realizing he is right. I wasn’t breathing.

  “I could practically hear you hyperventilating from the other room.” There’s laughter and a touch of worry in his voice.

  Turning, I look up into his clear gaze, crinkles in the corners of his eyes from his smile that melts my insides. “I’m afraid you’ll leave,” I confess.

  “Seeing is believing, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Let me reassure you. My promise to you two is golden, but let me show I’ll stick around. In time, this fear will back off, and you’ll get to fully enjoy the life we’ll have.”

  My own words thrown back at me.

  “Deal.”

  He seals it with a kiss. Searing. Hot. Intense.

  His strong arms lift me into his embrace as he takes us up to my bedroom. We collapse onto the bed in a heap. His body over mine. His hands gripping my hips as he tries to control the tension I feel rolling through him.

  “Goddamn, do I want you,” he mumbles in my neck. “Since the first picture I saw, I’ve desired you with a ferocity I can’t explain.” He pulls back to look at me. “This connection, tell me it’s not just me.”

  “It’s not,” I murmur, out of breath again, only for a much better reason.

  “Good.” His grin is devilish. He strips his shirt off over his head, and my own spins. Scars litter his chest and abs. The fresh one on his bicep catches my attention immediately.

  “Is this the one?” I ask, tracing it with a finger.

  “Yes.”

  “And it could have taken you from us?” Our gazes collide again.

  “Almost did.” His honesty scares me and wakes me up from that trance I was in earlier.

  “Make me yours, Gage.” I lean up on my elbows and kiss the middle of his chest as he pulls my shirt up and over my head. Our clothes wind up in a pile to the side of the bed once we’re done.

  Naked bodies, heavy breaths, and exploring fingers have us tangled up in each other. I feel one hand slip between my legs, his fingers petting me lovingly as he gets me ready for his entrance. Wrapping one hand around his cock, I slowly stroke him in the same fashion his fingers are moving inside of me.

  Light kisses, slow touches, soft moans, and he’s got my body ready to blast off like a freaking rocket.

  * * *

  Gage

  Christ almighty, this woman. She’s going to destroy me. Her body is the perfect specimen for me to play with. She’s responsive, soft, supple. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of while staring at her pictures across the fucking world. The way she accepts me as if we’re meant to be is humbling.

  “More,” she breathes out against my neck, sending a shiver through me. Her fingers continue working their magic on my hard cock. Pulling and tightening with every stroke.

  If I didn’t want in her body so damn badly, I’d show her just how hard I really like it. “Open for me, baby.” I suck a nipple into my mouth as she does what I ask. Her thighs fall open to make room for my excited body. I can see her want as I position myself against her warm cunt.

  Her arms wrap around my biceps, nails digging into the skin as I slowly push my shaft into her wet pussy. Nothing but bliss with my girl. “So much sweeter than I ever imagined,” I mumble into her neck. My hands are flexing on her hips as I forge my way into her body.

  Her legs slowly graze my thighs as they move up to wrap around my hips, constricting as I bury myself balls deep inside of her. Her tight channel envelops my flesh; I don’t move. I savor the feeling of her warmth, the ripple of her walls as she contracts around my length.

  When she purposely squeezes around me, I bite back the groan dying to break free and grit my teeth. My body wants to take her in the most primal way. I want to leave my mark on her body, anywhere I can, everywhere I can. She’s mine, and I don’t know if she realizes what all that will entail.

  “Gage,” she whispers in my ear, “don’t hold back.”

  I push up on my elbows to look at her. Her face flush from her pleasure, a light sheen of sweat glistening on her brow, and her breathing labors. It’s then that I realize she must feel my taught muscles, the way my skin is rippling to pound into her. To take her.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Her hands glide from my back, around my ribcage, and travel up to cradle my face. “I’m yours, Gage, completely. And that means your mine as well. Take me, Gage.”

  Spurred on by her words, my fists tangle in her hair. I sit back on my heels with Paisley in my lap and my cock buried to the hilt inside of her.

  “Ohhh.” She moans like a cat in heat.

  Her hips swivel, mine buck up into her, and in that exact moment, the cage around my lust for her is broken. One hand grips onto the base of her spine while the other pulls her head back by her glorious mane, her chest is in my face as I grind the base of my cock against her swollen nub. Her frame undulates with her desire in my hold.

  My thrusts are harsh as she continues to groan, ripping a growl from my throat. I know I sound more beast than man. When I feel her body tense and a gush of liquid floods my cock, I know she’s about to come apart for me.

  Taking her mouth in a savage kiss as she screams my name, I swallow every ounce of pleasure that’s running rampant through her body as she writhes beneath me. Once she’s sated, replete of all energy, I wrap my arms around her waist and thrust relentlessly in and out of her luscious cunt, chasing my own release.

  Just as I crest my peak, she shocks me by jutting her hips up into my downward thrust, lodging my cock as deep inside her as I can get. Her nails score down my back as I come. Toes curling, I bite her neck as currents of ecstasy rush through me at lightning speed. Exhausted, I collapse on top of Paisley, our breathing harsh in the silent house as we recover.

  “Sweet mercy,” is followed by a light giggle. “That was far better than I ever imagined.”

  My chest puffs up like a fucking peacock as I trail kisses up her neck to her mouth. We’re lazy, with no rush to push for more. Simply being together is enough for us both.

  6 months later.

  “Dad, watch this!” Gage has the coolest cabin with a lake and dock for fishing, or as it is now, swimming. I hear Mom squeal as the water from my cannonball splashes up and soaks her.

  A whoosh of water covers my head as I hit the surface and see that Gage has jumped in, too, and Mom’s walking away shaking her head, soaking wet.

  “She’s not going to make us those drinks now,” Dad mutters.

  Gage lets me call him dad. He likes it. It happened by accident one day, and I thought I was going to get in trouble, but he smiled and gave me a noogie. Said it was mine and Mom’s choice, but he’d be honored.

  I don’t see or hear from Jack anymore, and right now, I think that’s best for everyone. Mom said he was never as committed to me as she was, but that didn’t mean he loved me any less than she did. Just that, sometimes, people aren’t ready for certain things in life.

  “Probably not.” We laugh together, and it feels nice.

  So far, Gage has kept his promise. He hasn’t left us other than when he had to get his house in Baltimore ready to sell. The only reason we didn’t go with him was because I had school.

  “Got a riddle for you, soldier man.” I grin. Mom has a secret, and she tol
d me if I could come up with a riddle, I got to break the news.

  “Alright, Riddler, hit me with it.”

  “What has 4 limbs, steals all the attention, and comes in 7 months?” Mom said likely anywhere between six to eight. I’m excited for her. When I found her in the bathroom crying two weeks ago, I’d been worried. Scared our life was going to come crashing down.

  Turns out we’re only adding to it.

  “You sure that’s a riddle, kid?” I have to hide my laughter at the confused look on his face.

  “I think it’s my best one yet!”

  “You forgot to mention it cries all night!” Mom calls as she dumps a bucket of ice over top of us from the dock.

  “Mom!”

  She laughs.

  Gage is quiet.

  Worry settles in the pit of my stomach as I see his face.

  * * *

  Gage

  A baby.

  She’s given me a son already.

  She’s given me purpose in my life.

  Now, she’s giving me a baby.

  Swimming past Tommy, I wink as I see he’s concerned by my silence, and he grins back. The look of a big brother excited for a new sibling.

  I climb the ladder onto the dock and see no better time than the present to make our family official. The day Tommy started calling me dad, I should have done this. I’ve been ready for six months, I just needed them to be.

  Wrapping my arms around Paisley’s waist, I whisper into her stomach, “You’re a dream come true, peanut.” Holding her hips, I push her back a step but continue kneeling. “Paisley Anderson, will you marry me?”

  My girl has to be tough on me, for sure. “It’s about damn time, Lieutenant.” Her grin takes over her face. “Yes! I will most definitely marry you!”

  Standing, she’s in my arms before I can steady myself. Tommy is cheering from the water behind us, and in my arms, is my entire world.

  Who knew a kid playing matchmaker would give me everything I wanted in life?

  7 months later.

  As I watch our newest bundle of joy sleep after feeding her, I can’t help but wonder if I’m still in a dream. Life with Gage is everything I’ve ever wanted. He’s the perfect husband, a loving father to Tommy, and now to our precious girl he insisted we name Daisy.

  With her golden hair and honey-colored eyes, I couldn’t argue with him. She came screaming into the world exactly seven months after the day at the docks. That experience is ingrained in my memory as one of the best days of our lives.

  Gage is attentive and sweet, and he treats every day like new. Like if he doesn’t savor it, it’ll be gone. Tommy is thriving at school and happier than ever. I’ve never seen my son so content. He doesn’t argue and fight anymore, and there are no more outbursts at school. In fact, he’s joined a local archery team, and Gage volunteers there as well. It’s become a real family affair.

  A knock on the door has me turning around. “Mrs. Drapper?” A woman with an envelope enters the room.

  “That’s me,” I say quietly so as not to wake my little bundle.

  “This is for you.” She smiles down at Daisy as she hands it to me.

  “What is it?” I’m confused until I see the familiar scrawl on the front.

  Without a word, the woman is gone as I tear open the large envelope.

  Paisley,

  In your arms is our world. In your heart is my everything.

  I never thought I’d get the girl of my dreams because of some class assignment. I couldn’t be happier.

  Eighteen months ago, I made you a promise to be there for you, to come for you. To make you mine. My life was grey when I showed up on your doorstep. I had no idea what I’d do if you rejected me.

  You and Tommy? You’ve made everything bright as a Daisy. Perfect as our Daisy.

  Paisley, sweet as a fucking Daisy.

  Thank you for taking a chance and giving this old guy the world.

  Yours forever, Gage.

  P.S. What’s yellow, pretty, and reminds you of sunshine?

  “Daisies,” I whisper.

  Ten years later.

  Dear Tommy,

  I feel like I can finally say this. I’ve waited years to tell you how I feel. With you gone now, it’s been lonely. My parents’ divorce has filled my house with this void of emotion and I’m suffocating.

  I love you Tomas Drapper. With my whole heart and soul, I love you.

  From the first time you pulled my pig tails to the time you kissed me on a dare. You’ve always been it for me.

  You always will be.

  When you come home, I’ll be here. Waiting. Like you asked me to without saying the words. I’ll always be here Tommy, and I hope one day, you’ll love me too.

  Love always,

  Your Cassie-bell.

  Dear Cassie-bell,

  I knew. All along, I knew you loved me. I tried my best to stay away the past few years, but when Ryan Hill broke your heart in Freshman year, I knew I couldn’t anymore. I’m the reason no one had asked you out again.

  For years, I’ve kept the asshole jocks away and I don’t regret it for a second. I’ll always protect you Cassie-bell. From everything and everyone.

  When I come home Cas, it’s you and me. Just you and me.

  Not a fucking thing will keep us apart anymore.

  I love you to the stars and beyond, Cassidy Jones.

  Yours,

  Private Tomas Drapper.

  Dear Maverick

  Whoops!... She butted in!

  Dear Maverick,

  You weren’t supposed to get my letter.

  I only needed to vent.

  But, I wouldn’t change a thing.

  Dear True,

  I thought you were fake.

  Then you rambled, and lost your filter.

  Sometimes you just need to connect with someone.

  “Please, please, please, True.”

  I shouldn’t have such heartless feelings towards my best friend Lena for begging me to write to her cousin overseas in a branch of the Navy, but I can’t help it. I’d rather stick my hand down the garbage disposal than write to a man I’ve never met.

  “Don’t you dare think about it!” Lena warns stepping in front of the sink. The glare I send her way would shut anyone else down. Not her. She’s like a bull in a china shop. Or is that dog with a bone? Maybe both.

  “I don’t want to, Lena,” I tell her for the fiftieth time this week, I’m sure.

  “I know. But you’d be doing me a huge favor. He and I never got along, and I don’t even think he likes me, why would I write to him?”

  “I can’t imagine why.” My droll comment and eye roll are missed by the other woman.

  “Puhleaseeeeeee, True!”

  “Get off your knees, you’ll scuff my floor.” I have to walk away. Her damn puppy dog eyes are beginning to work on me.

  “He can be a good guy,” she calls after me. “It’s not like you’ll ever meet him! He lives half a world away.” Her shrug isn’t comforting. At all.

  “C’mon, Lena, why do you really want me to write him?” There has to be more to this story.

  Letting out a heavy sigh, she confesses. “I’m worried about you, True. Ever since douche canoe cheated on you, you’ve been…sad. I hate seeing you like this. Ever since preschool, you’ve always been happy and chipper. Never missing a smile. Now, I can’t even remember the last time I saw you crack a grin for crying out loud!” Tears hover in her eyes, and I worry if she’s right.

  “I haven’t been that bad.” My words are muttered.

  “True, you’re twenty-one, and you haven’t been out since dick-smack left.” She refuses to use Eldon’s real name.

  “I’ve been out.” I try to defend my actions.

  “You’ve been to the grocery store,” Lena fires back. “He really is a good guy. Mav is… soft, quiet. Just write him a letter, mail it, don’t mail it. Do it for you. Connect with someone, True.”

  “I’ll think about it,
Lena.” Pacified, my friend heads home, and her words follow me into the night, leaving me tossing and turning in my stupid, lumpy bed. Creaking floors and walls make it nearly unbearable to stay still without screaming my head off with fright.

  Connect with someone.

  I can do that.

  Dear Maverick,

  You don’t know me. I’m your cousin Lena’s best friend. Wow, it feels even more awkward and desperate reading it than hearing it out loud.

  My name is True Sidero, I’m 21 years old, and a full-grown loser.

  Okay, maybe that was a tad harsh, but Lena told me I didn’t have to mail this letter, so I’m allowed to be that way, right?

  Connect to someone.

  It’s what she told me, you know. Like I can’t connect to someone in my part of the world. I can. I just don’t want to.

  I don’t even know why I’m writing this when I don’t intend to send it.

  Gah!

  This is so fucked up. My life is so fucked up. I should be planning my stupid wedding, not dishing my dirty laundry to some soldier half a world away. There should be flowers and dresses, and bridesmaids hating me because I’m making them wear ugly dresses while I get the super cute, white, off-the-shoulder one I spent over a year making!

  All those ridiculous needle pricks, back aches, and lost hours of sleep, for nothing!

  Men suck. Like really, really suck big, hairy donkey balls.

  God, I sound like some bitter, old spinster cat lady.

  Miserably, no one’s girl,

  True

  Looking around my bunker, I’m waiting to see if someone is gonna jump out laughing. When nothing happens, all I can think is, is this shit for real? Who the fuck writes this shit?