Read Love Came Back (a Pyro-Princess Design and Style novel Book 1) Online
Authors: Stephanie Nicole Garza
..::Siddaleigh::..
I felt so warm and snug. Never have I felt my skin so hot like I was burning up. Opening my eyes, I saw Konner wrapped around me like ivy. His warmth soothed me even as I heard the oppressing sound of buzzing. What the crap? I turned my head and saw my iPhone5 vibrating and the dials on my clock. It read half past ten.
HALF PAST TEN?
Crap, I missed church. I reached and grabbed my phone to see I had a missed call from Callie and a text from Mags.
I see you are missing church, you hussy. Nice. I want deets!
Oh, no. Church. I’ll have to set aside some time out to tell God everything later. After I get Konner up and shipped off.
“Konner? Wake up! You have to make yourself scarce. I already missed morning service and the girls always come over afterwards for girlie time.”
Gosh, for someone who was usually up with the roosters, he sure was making himself comfy-cozy in my bed. And still sleeping. Nudging his shoulder once again, I did it a little bit more roughly.
“KONNER!”
“Babe. Shut it. Get back down here. It’s only ten-ish. You took such bloody damn advantage of me last night I can’t move.”
Took advantage? Yeah, I kind of did. That was fun. I’ve never been in charge before. It felt powerful and beautiful. But that didn’t mean I wanted him here when the girls came!
“Konner the girls and I get together every Sunday. We drink a few margaritas, talk about the current book we are reading; about life. It’s our catch up day. It’s only for a couple of hours. You know, Cambria will probably bring Damien. Since you’re insisting on staying, he really doesn’t have a male role model, you know? Maybe you could take him out to the park or something. His father was Air Force and his plane was shot down when Damien was about six months. It’s been over three years.”
“So, I’m in charge of the little one, huh? That’s cool. Maybe I’ll get Nathan to come along and spend some boy time together. Watch the football game. Texans should be playing today.”
He still sounded drowsy and had his face snuggled into the side of my breast. I knew what would wake him up. A little tease.
I shoved Konner until he was lying on his back and with all my might, I took a deep breath and rolled, sheets and all, to straddle his thighs.
“My little witch, now
that
is more like it.” He gripped his hands on my hips and grinded himself along my still sensitive folds.
“Nah-uh, Konner Patrick.” I pushed off his chest, jumped off the bed, and quickly skidded to the doorway, “Now get your hot butt up and get ready. They will be here at eleven.”
With that, I made my way to the bathroom, locked the door (I knew he would try something nefarious if I didn’t) and took a good quarter hour shower. It felt good scrubbing and exfoliating my body after a night of dancing and then our extracurricular activities. I got out, wiped the fog from the mirror and looked at myself. I looked…wow.
Alive.
Glowing.
Happy.
Beautiful.
I already thought myself pretty for an average woman of twenty-five. Konner, he made me feel so sexy and sinful. In a good way. My green eyes looked brighter. Like they were smiling. I was genuinely happy when my dream came to life a year ago. Owning my own place or I guess space at the mall, made me feel accomplished. I know Mikhail had something to do with the fire. Now to only prove it.
♥
I decided to wear something casual, since Konner mentioned football, I thought I’d show my inner football goddess and wear a Houston Texans jersey. Sporting of course, the 99 number jersey of JJ Watt. For a younger guy, he was doing really great on the team. Cute, too. I paired it with some shorts that went to just above my knees. (What can I say? I can’t have my thighs rubbing together when I walk! I save the short shorts for bedtime, where no one will see.) My homemade victory red flip flops that I hand sewed the same red color and navy blue sequins on the tongs, was a contrast to my purple nail color, but I didn’t care.
With mascara and lip gloss, I made my way towards the living area where I heard Konner talking to Mags.
“I see Sidda didn’t go to church this morning. She never misses. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Mags, I’m sorry she missed it.”
“You’re supposed to argue with me. Not just apologize.”
I held back a smile. Konner just chuckled.
“I won’t argue. I know she’s been to church every Sunday. Since I’ve been back in her life, I’ve shadowed her. Especially when she wouldn’t speak to me. I had to make sure she was okay.”
“Whoa, that sounds kinda stalkerish to me. The beat of ‘Every Breath You Take’ is starting to sound in my head.”
“Look, I won’t apologize for making sure the love of my life is safe. She wanted distance, I gave it to her. It did not mean I wouldn’t do any- and everything in my power to make sure she was safe. And if you had noticed, you’ve seen the toll it’s been on her. You’re her best friend and I’ve noticed her with dark circles under her eyes, and with the threatening letters-
I could tell Konner was getting irritated with her by the sound of his voice. It broke no lilt. No lyrical sound to it.
“Wait a minute. What threatening letters?”
And oh. My. God. He did not just tell Mags. There was a reason I didn’t tell her. She would over worry and hound over me like a momma bear.
“SIDDALEIGH!”
Somebody kill me please. Wait! No, someone already wants to do that.
I made my way into the living room where Konner was sitting on the recliner and Mags was looking at me with fierce anger.
“Sidda,” Mags began, but I interrupted her before she started her inquisition.
“No, Magda. Konner has decided to take care of it. It’s in his hands. My main concern is my store and getting it set back up.”
“Yeah, but Sidda.”
“We both know who the only person who hated me the most is. I only have one.”
“And that one, will have to go through me.”
I looked at Konner with a slight apprehension because, I didn’t want anything to happen to him either. We just found each other. I wanted to have our whole lives to be together.
“Do not worry yourself,
banphrionsa
, the bastard won’t hurt me.”
I was about to say something smartass and he knew it, but he was saved by the bell. My door bell that is.
“Lucky.”
Konner just smirked, stood, walked to the door and before he peaked through the eye slot, he turned to me and mouthed, ‘I know.’
I wanted to growl.
Brianne, Callie, Koralen, Cambria and Candace stood on the other side and clutched to Cambria’s side was her little boy, Damien. They made their way inside and we ended up sitting as we usually did, in a circle. I had my furniture shaped like that around the flat screen TV mounted on the wall. We could all hang out and talk or just watch movies.
“Cammy, would it be alright if Konner took Damien for the afternoon? Give him some male bonding time? He seemed to have a good time tagging behind him at the show, remember?”
I hated springing it up on her but sometimes it felt as if all she ever did was go to school, work and take care of Damien. Which I know, from my sister’s experience, being a single mother was hard on one’s self. Maybe she would allow Konner to take him, so she could relax.
“I don’t know, Sidda. Damien doesn’t know Konner and-”
“Ma’am. I know and understand. If you really don’t want me to, I won’t and I wouldn’t force it. But if you like, I’ll sit with him in another room and get acquainted with him, and we’ll see how it goes. We’ll watch football together here in Siddaleigh’s den with me.
Konner went over to Damien, who looked as if he was scared and didn’t know what to do, so he turned to his momma and gave her an unsure look.
I could sense Cambria’s reluctance but then we both looked over to the boys and Konner was talking animatedly to Damien and the boy seem to relax. Cambria noticed this and also relaxed and felt maybe a little bit relieved.
I wonder; if Konner and I had children, would he be like that? He seemed so confident, so sure of himself. I know it’s only been a short while and it’s crazy to even think about babies, but what if? We hadn’t been using protection and although I don’t think it’s the right time, it’s still there. Hidden in the back of my mind. Do I want kids? Do I want kids with Konner? If so, would I want them now?
I looked up to see Konner take Damien by the hand, and I assume was leading him into the den area where there is another flat screen, love seat and some toys that my nephews had previously left.
I knew my answer.
I settled a hand over my stomach and felt that answer whisper around my womb.
Yes. A thousand times yes.
..::Konner::..
When Sidda left to go take her shower, I felt bereft. She left me with a hard on from hell, the little wench. She also, locked the damn door. I went in her guest bath, stripped, got in and gripped my cock as the water hit my skin. I thought about everything Sidda did last night and how she wrapped her pretty lush lips around my dick. The swirl of her tongue going under the head and her hands massaging my sac until they were tight and ready to erupt. I fisted my cock until I felt my release shoot out of me.
Dear God in Heaven. What that woman does to me.
Within seven minutes, I was out of the shower and back in the room putting on skivvies, cargo shorts and a black polo. Totally going casual. If I was watching a little boy, I did not want to be too intimidating. My C.O. had a little girl and she walked all over him. No child is going to get the better of me. No way, no how.
I slipped my flops on and walked to the living room when the doorbell rang.
I looked through the peep hole and noticed Magdalene’s long black hair. Letting her in, she gave me a one up. Looked me over and analyzed me as if I committed some crime.
“Some date, huh?”
I gave her the same look, smirked and allowed her entrance. She walked past me, wearing short khaki shorts and black tank under a thin white long sleeve button up. It’s still hot and I wondered why she was wearing something long sleeved.
“Of course it was some date. I went with the best woman this world ever created.”
“Good. She is, by the way. The best. I’ve seen her at her worst too. Where were you?”
Hearing this made my back teeth clench. I knew she was just trying to protect her friend. Her cutting me as if I didn’t care, pissed me off.
“Look. You don’t know me, little girl. So don’t think you’re little Miss Judge and Jury. You don’t have to tell me about her worst. She told me and it frightened the hell out of me. I know what that mother fucker did to her. All of it. I wasn’t here. I know I made promises to her that I couldn’t keep. Eight years ago there was a war, if you had not noticed. I couldn’t control what happened. Don’t look your nose down at me. I won’t make the same mistake twice with her. She’s what I live for.”
Siddaleigh’s best friend sighed heavily but didn’t relent with her questions.
“I see Sidda didn’t go to church this morning. She never misses. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Mags, I’m sorry she missed it.”
“You’re supposed to argue with me. Not just apologize.”
I laughed, knowing
why
Sidda didn’t go to church this morning.
“I won’t argue. I know she’s been to church every Sunday. Since I’ve been back in her life, I’ve shadowed her. Especially when she wouldn’t speak to me. I had to make sure she was okay.”
“Whoa, that sounds kinda stalkerish to me. The beat of ‘Every Breath You Take’ is starting to sound in my head.”
This woman was maddening! Stalker? God Almighty. I pray for the man she marries.
“Look, I won’t apologize for making sure the love of my life is safe. She wanted distance, I gave it to her. It did not mean I wouldn’t do any- and everything in my power to make sure she was safe. And if you had noticed, you’ve seen the toll it’s been on her. You’re her best friend and I’ve noticed her with dark circles under her eyes, and with the threatening letters-
She cut me off, yet again.
“Wait a minute. What threatening letters?”
Seems like Siddaleigh left out something to her best friend. Fuck. Not promising. She screams for Sidda and although I didn’t approve of her bellowing for her, I knew they were close enough that I didn’t need to reprimand her.
Siddaleigh informed her of the situation and why she didn’t tell her. The doorbell rang and when I opened it, a hurdle of chicks stood before me.
The girls came in and the last one had a little boy that had tagged along behind me at the show.
They made themselves comfortable and after Siddaleigh offered for me to take the boy, I could tell the girl Cambria was stalling. She didn’t want some stranger taking her little boy anywhere and I fully understood. When Siddaleigh told me about the boy’s father, I figured he didn’t really have any male role figures and knew I needed to insert myself in so he could get comfortable around men. The boy’s mother was only twenty-two. When she remarried, he’d have to get used to it.
I told her we’d stay here so we could get acquainted. I’d get Nathan over and we could watch the Texans game.
She turned and looked at Siddaleigh for some reassurance, so I went ahead and introduced myself to the little boy properly. He was tall for three years, I thought and a little on the chubby side but weren’t all kids like that as toddlers? Little chubby monsters wanting to get into everything? His hair had a hippie length to it. Straight reddish brown hair that fell in layers. He looked like a little cherub. Freckles and the brightest blues eyes I’ve ever seen.
I knelt down and stuck my hand out. He looked scared and I knew I could look intimidating, but there had to be some way I could persuade him to like me.
“My name is Konner Patrick O’Brian, and I really like your boots.”
The boots in question were blue and looked worn in, like he had worn them for years.
“I’m a cowboy. Like my daddy. My name is Damien Cross.”
He shook my hand and I asked him if he liked sports.
“My dad’s favorite sport is, uh, uh, football.”
He seemed to know what his dad liked. Maybe Cambria told him stories about his dad. Sidda said he was Air Force. A fighter pilot who got shot down three years ago in one of Iraq’s insurgences. Hell of a way to go.
“Well, you’re in luck. Maybe we should let the ladies do their girlie thing and if you want, you could come with me and we could watch the football game that’s gonna play here shortly.”
“I like your accent. Where are
ye
from?”
Hearing this little boy mimic me, made my chest tighten. I snuck a peak at Sidda and thought about how she’d look with my baby filling her belly.
I really hope she was. If not, I really wanted to get her in that way. It might be too soon, but seeing as how we hadn’t been using protection, I figured if she did conceive, it would be just fine.
“I’m from the greates’ country God ever made, lad. Ireland. Lush green lands as far as the eye could see. Never ending blue skies. Even when it rains.”
“Cool.”
“So cool.”
“Okay, let’s go watch TV.”
Damien grabbed my hand, we both stood and I walked him towards the den area that held a TV, sofa and toys Sidda told me her nephews had left.
I sat down on the sofa and turned on the television. The football game didn’t come on until another hour so we had an hour to kill. I flipped channels and when a cartoon came on, Damien shouted, “This one, this one!”
The cartoon in question was an old one. Scooby-Doo reruns. Now, who didn’t love watching this? Didn’t matter how old you got, this cartoon was a classic and seeing this little guy look like an avid Scooby fan made me smile.
“Did you know Scooby is a Gweat Dane? And he and Shaggy are always hungwy. This is my favorite cartoon.” He said all this in a rush of words, half in which were sort of tangled together. And his r’s sounded like w’s.
“Yes, I did know and yes, they always seem to be, huh?”
He turned to me then and looked up with a wary expression. I wondered what was wrong now.
“Did you know my daddy?”
Holy. Fuck. I don’t know how to answer that. This was not territory I wanted to delve in.
“Do you think he was ba-bwave?”
That,
I knew how to answer.
I set aside the remote and turned to look the boy in the eyes. He became wide-eyed as if I was going to scare him somehow, but I couldn’t let that sway me.
“Yes. Your da was very brave. You see, he died for something greater than I can explain. Our freedom. Our way of life. For God and country. No, I did no’ know your da, but I know one thing if nothing else. He was brave and honor ran through his veins and pumped in his blood. It’s only the strongest ones who could take the kind of job your dad did. A very dedicated and wonderful man. Sometimes that dedication takes them away from the ones they love, but never let a doubt cloud your mind. Your da loved you. He and your mam made you by the will of God. Your da will always live on. In here.”
I placed my hand over his little chest on his heart.
“Always believe there is something greater than yourself. Even when it’s heartbreakin’ to bear.”
He looked down and I saw tears in his eyes.
“My momma cries sometimes. She scweams out loud, calling his name. It’s scawy sometimes.”
I pulled him into the crook of my arm and he wrapped his chubby little arms around the part of my waist he could reach.
“Who ever really knows women, huh, laddie? She cries because he was such a large part of her heart. Just as you are part of her heart. Don’t ever be scared. She is also grieving. Sometimes that’s how people grieve.”
“What’s gw-gw-grieving?”
“Grieving is something that one has to learn to overcome so they could learn to move forward.”
When he looked at me with confused tear stained eyes, I gave him a wink.
“You’ll understand when you’re older. Just know that your mother loves you. Your dad loved you.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. Your da did a great service. I am and many other people are in his debt.”