Dark Sins, page 24
When he glances over at me and smiles, I know my Dad just gave his blessing. And, dammit, I feel the prick of tears again. I’m not sure when I turned into such a big baby, but one thing is for sure-- despite all my recent tears, I have never been happier.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ryker
Avery’s parents are supposed to fly back to Ohio in the morning, but they decide to extend their trip a couple more days and stay in Avery’s guest room. And, I’m glad. While her parents are visiting, we take them around town, go to the beach and eat out. It’s so nice to see the smile on Avery’s face and to know that they’re mending their fractured relationship.
I was extremely close to my parents so I wish the same thing for her.
On their last day, Avery’s Mom helps her get ready and when she walks out of the bedroom, my stomach does this weird flutter-drop thing. She looks so pretty that I have a hard time catching my breath for a second.
I pull myself up off the couch and walk over, eyes moving down the white dress. I get the feeling it’s something Easton would describe as vintage-inspired (I know, I’ve been hanging around too many women lately). The top is a fitted corset bodice and the full skirt flares out in Swiss dot tulle that hits her mid-calf (that’s what I’m later told, anyway).
Honestly, the details don’t mean a thing to me. All I know is she looks like an angel and I’m the luckiest bastard in the world because I’m about to marry her.
“You look so beautiful,” I say in a low voice.
A blush highlights her cheeks. “And, you look extremely handsome,” she says, eyeing my Navy uniform and all the medals on my chest. It’s the first time I’ve worn my uniform since receiving my medals. It feels strange, but at the same time comforting. Like Luke and my lost brothers are right here with me for the most important day of my life.
We head over to the courthouse and, an hour later, we exchange vows and the judge declares us man and wife. Holy shit. Talk about a whirlwind. I pull Avery into my arms and kiss her.
And, nothing has ever felt so incredibly right.
We grab brunch and then drop her parents off at the airport. They cry and hug and promise to visit again soon. Then, I head back to her place, but on the way, I stop at a neighborhood bakery and we pick out a little wedding cake for later.
Well, that’s the plan, anyway. But, once Avery steps into a bakery, all bets are off. We end up leaving with the cake and a pink box full of other sweet treats including cookies, brownies and I think she also picked out a cupcake and donut.
Liberty is still hanging out with Lexi, Griff and her very angry cat, Whimsy, but we promise to pick Libs up in the morning. I tell Griff something important came up and that we’ll fill them all in tomorrow.
Because tonight is our wedding night and, as much as I love Liberty, I’d like some privacy with my new bride.
And, as much as I enjoyed her parents’ visit, it’s nice to return to a quiet apartment.
Avery kicks off her heels, drops her bouquet of pink roses on the table and turns to me with a mischievous smile. “We did it,” she squeals.
I reach her in two long strides and lift her up. Her legs wrap around my waist as I dip my head and kiss her thoroughly. We haven’t had any time alone in days and I’m looking forward to tonight like you can’t believe.
The kiss turns hot and I push her back up against the wall, slipping a hand beneath all the fluff and ruffle, sliding it up her thigh and squeezing her ass. She moans into my mouth and I feel her nails scratch against the back of my neck.
My body responds to her every touch whether it’s just the lightest flutter of her fingertips or the soft slide of her warm lips down my neck. No woman has ever had this kind of effect on me. I guess that’s what happens when you love someone.
And, every inch of me loves Avery Archer-Flynn. She bewitched me from day one and now we officially belong to each other forever.
“We need to get you a ring,” I murmur between kisses.
“You, too,” she says, gliding her hands over my medals. “You better take your uniform off, handsome. I don’t want to be held responsible for damaging it.”
I chuckle and set her back down on her bare feet. Without the heels, she barely comes to my shoulder. “Same with that dress,” I say.
“Speaking of which…” She spins around. “Can you unzip me, Mr. Flynn?”
“I’d be delighted to, Mrs. Flynn.” I reach over and tug the zipper down, completely forgetting about my uniform. The dress slides down her curves and lands around her feet like a cloud. She steps out of it and stands before me in a lacey bra and panties the same color as her light pink bouquet. Her hair is still up, strewn with pink rosebuds, and I swallow down a lump in my throat.
A part of me still wonders if I deserve her. I guess old habits die hard. “You look like an angel,” I whisper. I have this horrible feeling that if I blink she’ll disappear.
Avery walks up to me and begins to carefully undo each brass button on my double-breasted jacket. She slides it off my shoulders and then hangs it up with the utmost care. Again, her fingers brush over the medals and something inside me twists. I came so close to dying out in that jungle and missing out on what is clearly becoming the best part of my life.
When she saunters back over to me, she grabs my tie and loosens the knot. “Strip, Lieutenant Commander Flynn,” she orders with a devilish curve of her lips. I yank the tie over my head and while she works the buttons open on my stark white shirt, I unbuckle the belt and slide it off. Then, I kick off my shoes and work my navy blue, perfectly-pleated pants off.
Avery slides her hands over my chest and moves around to kiss the tattoo on my upper arm. “My hero,” she murmurs, lips trailing around and moving across my back. My heart thunders when she slips a finger into the waist of my boxer briefs and then snaps the elastic band hard.
I spin around and yank her against me, capturing her mouth in a heated kiss. We devour each other like we’re starving, trying to get our fill. But, we’re both insatiable and nothing can quench the fire that consumes us.
I pick her up and carry her down to her bedroom. She keeps sliding her hand down into my boxer briefs and if she doesn’t knock it off, I’m going to rip that pretty pink lingerie off her. Instead, I toss her on the bed and stand there, looking down at her, soaking in the image of her sprawled on the mattress with roses in her blonde hair and sheer pink lace barely covering the places that I’m about to lick.
“Come here,” she says and motions me with a come-hither finger.
But, I shake my head, enjoying the view. “If you only knew how delicious you look right now. Like a pink-frosted dessert. Fucking edible.”
I notice her breathing increases and her blue eyes take on a sultry, hooded look. When she lets her legs fall apart, I’m done just looking. I drop down on the bed between those tempting thighs and begin to kiss the tops of her breasts, skimming my tongue along the edge of pink lace. “You’re like a piece of cotton candy. So sweet and all mine.”
“All yours,” she agrees and moves her hands up and down my back.
The light scratch of her nails feels so good and I bite the edge of her bra and tug. It’s in my way and I want it gone. “Take it off,” I say. “Before I rip it off.”
While Avery slips the wisp of lace off, I get rid of the matching panties. I need to feel her naked body against mine, skin to skin, nothing between us. And, God, it feels good. She’s so soft and smooth, like silk, and I sink my face into the curve of her neck and shoulder.
I feel her long legs wrap around me, drawing me closer, and I push up, rubbing the tip of my cock against her core. She moans, arching up, and I slide a hand down between our bodies. “You’ve never felt so wet,” I murmur, sliding two fingers into her body. “So fucking tight.”
Avery’s hips grind against my palm and I drop my head down to worship her perfect, rosy-tipped breasts. I draw a nipple into my mouth and she runs her fingers through my cropped hair and down over my ears.
And, for the first time, I don’t tense up. I lift my head and she’s looking at me with inquisitive blue eyes, gauging my reaction. “Is this okay?” she asks in a tentative voice, fingers moving along the edge of my ears, circling my earlobes. “Can I touch you here?”
“You can touch me anywhere,” I say. And, I mean it. After all the things we’ve done to each other and will do to each other, there’s no reason to feel self-conscious about my hearing aids.
She smiles and her hands move away from my ears and down along my jaw. “Good. Because there are quite a few places I still want to explore.”
I start to move my fingers again, in and out, then up along her folds, trailing her wetness up to the sensitive bud and then applying just the right amount of pressure to make her thrash and cry out. It’s like a fucking magic button. Touch it just right and-
“Oh, God, Ryker,” she purrs. I watch the pleasure roll over her face, the color high in her cheeks and her hips buck. The orgasm rips a cry from her throat and then I position myself at her slick entrance.
Her legs open further and I start to slide in, slowly, not wanting to hurt her, but also wanting to take my time. Push it to the limit.
“Ryker, please,” she begs, arching up, trying to pull me deeper.
“Patience,” I whisper and position my weight better on my elbows.
“Faster,” she cries.
But, I don’t rush it. Just move in then pull back, then go deeper then slide back, teasing her until she’s writhing beneath me.
“Oh...God…”
She’s on the edge and the moment I feel her entire body quiver, I thrust the rest of the way into her. Harder and faster now. I reach down, stroking just above the place where we’re joined and our gazes lock.
Brown and blue, melting together.
Her breath comes out as little pants and passion glazes her eyes. Then, her head drops back against the pillow and I feel her inner body ripple around my cock. Every time she comes, she makes these whimpering noises and I love it. “I could watch you come all day,” I tell her.
Her eyes flutter open, she reaches down and slides her hands over my ass. “Your turn,” she says, squeezing around me hard, milking me.
The pressure begins to build and I feel my control slip. I plunge harder and after a few more thrusts, my entire body goes rigid, shudders and empties into Avery’s warmth. I collapse, still deep inside of her, and then lift my head and find her mouth. After a slow, sultry kiss, I pull out and drop down beside her. “If we’re not more careful,” I whisper and place a kiss along her jaw, “you’re going to get pregnant.”
“Would that be so bad?”
My eyes meet hers and my mouth edges up. “Actually, nothing would make me happier.”
She curls in to face me and lays a hand against my heart. “Same.”
I let out a breath and stare into her blue, blue eyes. “What did I do to deserve you?” I ask.
“You deserve every good thing that comes your way,” she says, her voice firm. “You’ve seen too many horrors. Experienced far more pain than anyone ever should in one lifetime. You’re a warrior and a hero, Ryker Flynn, and don’t you dare sell yourself short ever again.”
The fierceness in her voice makes me wonder if she’s right. Is it time to finally let go of the past and the dark sins that haunt me? Can I even do it?
As I snuggle down with Avery beneath her candy-scented sheets, I realize spending the rest of my life full of guilt is no way to live. And, it certainly isn’t what Luke or my parents would want. They would want me to be happy and to forgive myself. They would want me to focus on Avery and be a good husband to her and start a family.
I rub my nose against hers, looking into those mesmerizing eyes of hers, and smile. “Have you always been this smart?” I ask.
“Always. And, don’t you forget it, Mr. Flynn.”
“Never, Mrs. Flynn.”
Epilogue
Avery
The next morning, we all go over to Easton’s house high up in the Hollywood Hills. I still have a hard time believing I can call Easton Ross, America’s Sweetheart, my close friend. It’s kind of unreal and, at the same time, completely normal.
Everyone welcomes Ryker and me with huge hugs and Liberty can’t stop woofing and licking me. Then, Easton grabs my hand and pries me away from Ryker. I give him a little shrug as she drags me off to chat with her, Harlow and Lexi. It’s so funny to think that less than a month ago, my only friend was Liberty and now I’m sitting down next to three of the nicest, funniest and kindest women I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
They ask me a million questions about everything that happened the last couple of weeks and I start at the beginning and tell them all about our adventure in Columbia-- which gets some smirks and knowing looks-- and how we went down to meet Grayson Shaw.
Of course, the mention of a potentially good-looking bachelor instantly sidetracks them.
“He sounds mysterious,” Easton comments.
“Dark hair and gray eyes?” Lexi asks and raises her eyebrows. “Sounds like a striking combination.”
When I nod and confirm that he is handsome in a rugged, shaggy kind of way, we all sort of look at Harlow, the single girl of the group.
“Oh, for Christsake, the man’s in Columbia,” Harlow says. “Besides, I don’t do long-distance relationships. Especially when he lives on another continent.”
“But, he mentioned maybe moving back to the states, didn’t he?” Easton asks, all green-eyed innocence and curving red lips.
“He did and Ryker told him he should come work at Platinum Security.”
“Hmm, well I guess we will see what happens with Mr. Shaw,” Lexi says with a sly smile. “There’s something a little exciting about former CIA men,” she adds, her brown eyes drifting over to where Griff leans against the wall, drinking a beer with the guys. Feeling her gaze, he turns and tilts his bottle toward her with a devastating smile.
“Did you two pick a date yet?” Easton asks.
But, Lexi just lets out a dreamy sigh. “We’re not in any rush,” she says and runs a hand through her long red hair. “But, probably some time next year.”
“What about you?” I ask Easton. “The big day is almost here.”
“I could’ve married Jax yesterday,” she says. “So, yes, I couldn’t be more ready. I don’t need an extravagant affair. Just him.” She looks down at the huge diamond ring on her finger then over at her lanky, dark-haired fiancé.
“I can still do your wedding pictures, if you want,” I offer.
“I’d love that.”
“You still haven’t told us where you’re getting married,” Lexi says.
“I know. Sorry about that but my publicist insisted that we shouldn’t tell anyone until right before the ceremony if we want to make sure it stays quiet. Jax would probably leave me at the altar if any paparazzi show up.”
“I seriously doubt that,” I say. “Have you seen the way he looks at you?”
Easton blushes. “I just really hope his brother shows up to the wedding,” she says in a low voice.
“Jax has a brother?” I ask. I’d never heard anything about a brother.
“A younger brother-- Sebastian. He’s what you would call the black sheep of the family. And, a bit of a wild card. I haven’t even met him yet, but I know Jax got ahold of him last week and invited him.”
“He’ll come,” Lexi predicts. “It’s an important day and he’ll be there for his big brother.”
“I hope so,” Easton says. Then, she turns those green eyes on me. “What about you and Ryker?”
Now, it’s my turn to blush.
“Are you finally official?” Harlow asks.
“You could say that,” I say with a vague smile. We haven’t told anyone yet about getting married, but I have a feeling everyone’s about to find out.
Easton lays her perfectly-manicured hand over mine and squeezes. “I’m so glad you reached out when you did, Avery. He really needed you,” she adds in a low voice.
“I needed him, too,” I admit.
“So, tell us what happened with Castillo,” Lexi says, getting the conversation back on track. “And, who is this Freya chick?”
I tell them the rest of the story and they listen intently, interrupting with a question from time to time, and looking spellbound when I reach the conclusion.
“God, that’s almost as crazy as the adventure Griff and I had in New York,” Lexi says.
“So, where’s the emerald?” Harlow asks.
“Ryker and I decided to sell it. Then, we’re going to divide the money up and give it to the families of his fallen teammates. Some had wives, kids...It’ll help them.”
“That’s really sweet of you guys,” Easton says. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”
I nod, knowing that our decision to put Castillo’s stolen prize toward something good gives Ryker a sense of satisfaction. Even possibly a feeling of redemption.
“What is it with those three attracting danger the way they do?” Lexi asks. We all look over where they stand, so handsome in their own way.
They all look over at once and we laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Griff asks and saunters over. He grabs Lexi under the arms and she squeals as he scoops her up for a kiss.
Jax and Ryker also head over. Jax sits on the couch next to Easton and drags her into his lap, whispering something into her ear which makes her giggle.
I look up and Ryker reaches down and hauls me up into his arms. He pulls me close and presses his forehead against mine. “Do you have a kiss for me, Mrs. Flynn?”
I smile and brush my lips over his. Then, I pull back and we both realize that everyone is staring at us.
“Did I just hear that right?” Griff asks and shakes his head as though he misheard.
