Unconditional Love (45 page)

I put my hand up to my mouth and tried to hold back my tears.

“I want that kind of love for you. Now I know that no man could ever possibly love you as much as I do. And we will have to make it known to all boys who even have an interest in you that I’m a trained killer. And a damn good shot.”

I giggled and shook my head.

“Akayla, my sweet little angel. I never thought I would be able to love someone like I love your mother. And when I let her into my heart I couldn’t imagine there would be room for another until your mommy showed me her pregnancy test and told me I was going to be a daddy. I didn’t even have to see or hear you to know that I loved you so much.”

When I heard his voice crack I walked into the living room and he turned to look at me. I could never sneak up on him. I wasn’t sure if it was his military or CIA training or if he just felt my presence when I walked into a room, but sneaking up on him was nearly impossible.

I walked up to him and looked down at our baby. I kissed her on the forehead and then kissed him.

“I love you, Lark. I love you so much.”

His eyes filled with tears and it was the second time since I’d known him that I saw a tear slip from his eyes. I reached up and wiped it away.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“For what?” I asked.

“For loving me. Believing in me and standing by me, and every crazy idea I’ve had and you’ve supported. Thank you for this beautiful and precious gift in my arms.”

I ran my finger along her cheek and said, “You had a hand in that last one.”

He chuckled and looked down at our daughter who stopped drinking and stared into his eyes. The way they were looking at each other caused a shiver to run through my body.

“I’m going to make the same promise to you that I made your mommy. I promise to always protect you and love you.”

He pulled his eyes away from Akayla and looked me in the eyes as another tear traveled down his cheek and he whispered, “Unconditionally.”

Book Two in the Journey of Love Series

Coming Fall 2015

I had been sitting on the beach for the last hour just staring out at the black ocean. I tipped the beer bottle back and drank the last of my beer.

“Well hell. Looks like I have to go back,” I said as I got up and brushed the sand off my pants. I turned and looked back at the house. Lark and Azurdee had left two hours ago for their honeymoon and I couldn’t take watching Ryn another second.

I sucked in a deep breath of salty air and slowly let it out. My phone went off and I pulled it out of my pocket. I sighed when I saw it was Liberty.

Liberty: Just letting you know I’m thinking about you. If you want me to join you I’ll come down. Just text me back and I’ll be there.

Me: I think I just need some time to think, Liberty. We need this time apart.

Liberty: I didn’t mean to push you. I’m always pushing you, I know. I just really wanted to see your parents and would have loved to have seen the wedding but I understand you have your reasons for going alone. Things haven’t been so great with us lately. I’ll work on that. Promise.

Me: We’ll talk when I get back to Austin.

Liberty: Okay. I love you, Tristan.

I let out a sigh and shook my head. I’ve never told Liberty I loved her. I wasn’t sure anymore how I felt about her. All she had been doing is pushing an engagement ever since she found out Lark and Azurdee were getting married. When I thought of my future I didn’t see Liberty. I only saw…Ryn. That scared the piss out of me.

I turned my phone to silent and shoved it into my pocket. I started heading back to the house and began putting on my game face. The one I’d been wearing for the last ten months. The one where everyone thought I was happy, but deep down inside I was the unhappiest I’d ever been in my life.

I walked up the stairs to the deck and the first person I saw was Ryn. She was leaning against the railing with her head back and her eyes closed. There was no one else out here.

She looked tired. I smiled when I thought about what I had overheard earlier when Mom and Jessie were talking. Ryn had taken a two-week vacation and was renting a condo on the beach just two houses down from here. I already began planning ways to ‘run into her’ while we were both here.

She hadn’t talked to me in over ten months. No matter how many times I called and left her messages begging her to call me, she never would.

Her cell phone rang and she quickly answered it. I walked around to the other side of the deck and sat down to where she couldn’t see me.

“Hey Dodge. Are you on your way? Yes. I thought I could, but I can’t. I need you.”

Dodge? Who the fuck is Dodge?

She laughed at something he said and then she let out a sigh. “Well, considering I still need my RFB, I’d say yes…it’s been a sucky last three days.

I peeked around the corner and saw her smiling. She reached her hand up and began playing with her nipple.

What the fuck?

“That sounds like heaven. Yes. I’m going to need it a lot. I don’t know, you’d think after all this time you’d have been able to fuck him out of my head and heart. Maybe you’re not as good as you think you are?”

My mouth dropped open and I quickly turned back and stared out in the night sky.

She laughed again and said, “I’m still at the wedding. Yes. It was hard to see him. I don’t know. Maybe, I’ve thought about that. Yes. I realize I only use you for sex to forget about Tristan but maybe I’m falling for you and just want your company. You ever think of that?”

My heart started beating faster and I wanted to pound this asshole’s head in.

She let out a sigh and said, “Okay. I’ll see you then. Oh trust me. I’ll be waiting and I will most certainly be ready for you. Yes naked. Hey Dodge? Hurry please. I need to be fucked in a bad way. Bye.”

She let out a sigh and then I swore I heard her crying. I slowly stood up. She was looking out toward the ocean. Her shoulders were moving up and down and when I saw her wipe away her tears, my knees about buckled out from underneath me.

I started making my way toward her. I didn’t want to walk up on her crying, so I cleared my throat and asked, “May I join you?”

She quickly wiped her tears away and looked the other way.

“It’s your house,” she whispered.

“How have you been, Ryn?”

She turned and looked at me. If looks could kill I’d be laying on the floor right now.

“You’ve ignored me for three days and
now
you ask how I’ve been?”

I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk to me.”

She let out a small laugh. “Usually people attempt to talk to a person before they make that assumption.”

“Well, considering I’ve been calling you for months, and you ignore my calls…”

She took a step back and shook her head. “You’re seeing…another…girl.”

“It’s not like that. We are kind of off and on. I mean…I’m not seeing her right now.”

She rolled her eyes and then looked into my eyes. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me?”

I swallowed and said, “I just thought…I wasn’t planning on…” I looked away and then back into her eyes. “I thought you just wanted to have fun, Ryn. Then you started acting different and I started having these feelings and… I was confused.”

She shook her head. “The only thing that confused you is why you brought the wrong girl to meet mom and dad.”

She turned and began walking into the house. I wanted to call out for her but I couldn’t. My heart felt like it was squeezing in my chest as I stood there and listened to her retreating footsteps.

I turned and stared out at the dark ocean again.

That’s what my heart felt like.

A dark deep sea of…darkness.

I’d like to thank God for the amazing blessings in my life. There are so many people I’d love to thank, but just know you are all in my heart.

Darrin Elliott ~ I love you. You inspire me daily. You keep my life in focus and always believe in me. You let me bitch and you share me with so many people. You are my forever.

Lauren Elliott ~ I love that you read a book in a day. My heart is bursting with joy! I’m sorry you cried, but it was a good book huh?! I love you so much. You are the light that shines every day in my world. Now clean your damn room please!

Heather Davenport ~ Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It will never be enough, but know how much I truly appreciate all that you do for me. Love you girl.

Kristin Mayer ~ You truly keep me sane and your overly chipper Voxer’s in the morning really do make me smile. Okay, I’ll say it. So do the damn little icons you send. Love ya girl!!

Jovana Shirley ~ What can I say? I’d be lost without you. Your kick-ass formatting is like no other. Thank you for putting up with me and my last-minute ideas! You’re the best.

Kelly’s Most Wanted ~ Thank you for sharing my stuff y’all. You’ll never know what it truly means to me. BIG HUGS!

My HIPAA girls ~ Y’all are the true driving force behind pimping me out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for me always and doing what you do. I count myself lucky to have you has friends.

My beta readers – Jemma, JoJo, Heather, Kristin, and Nikki ~ Wow. Just wow. The fact that y’all take the time out of your busy world to help me with each one of these books blows my mind away. THANK YOU! Love each of y’all to the moon and back.

Shannon Cain ~ Your pictures bring to life what is in my head. Not many people can do that. Your talent is beyond words and you have a gift. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

My readers/friends ~ Every day you move me beyond words. Your posts, emails, and messages mean more to me than you will ever know. I’m so glad I get to share these crazy voices in my head with y’all. They scream to be heard and sometimes I feel like I can’t write them down fast enough. I not only do this for my love of writing, but y’all as well. Thank you for allowing me to share my stories with you. I hope our relationship continues for a very, very, VERY….long time!

“The One” by Static Cycle – Lark and Azurdee make love for the first time.

“Can’t Stay Away” by Kris Allen – Lark after telling Azurdee she was everything he wanted.

“Gotta Be Tonight” by Lifehouse – Lark’s song when shooting.

“My Weakness” by Kris Allen – Lark and Azurdee after have playful sex.

“Never Say Never” by The Fray – Lark and Azurdee making love in her house after he comes home from his first mission away from her.

“Desnudate” By Christina Aguilera – Lark and Azurdee dancing in the club.

“Talk Dirty To Me” by Jason Derulo – Lark and Azurdee dancing at Red 7.

“Tonight (I’m Fuckin’ You) by Enrique Iglesias – Lark and Azurdee dancing at the Red 7.

“Give it 2 U” by Robin Thicke – Azurdee dancing with Jason at Red 7.

“Must be Doin’ Something Right” by Billy Currington – Lark dancing with Azurdee at Red 7.

“Blank Page” by Christina Aguilera – Lark and Azurdee after he panics about calling her sweetheart.

“Story of My Life” by Static Cycle – Lark making love to Azurdee after he realizes he is in love with her.