Chapter Fifteen
Everly tried not to get her hopes up, but she couldn’t help it. This had to work. They were at speech therapy that morning, and today they’d work with the implants to see if James could fully hear. It was just the first step of many in this new phase of their lives, but she could feel the intensity of the day.
Her baby was on a new path, and she was right there with him.
Thank God Storm was in the waiting room with Nathan, so she didn’t also have that on her shoulders. She knew she’d have to keep an eye on that as she couldn’t always have Storm take care of one of the twins or even both of them when the need arose. He wasn’t their father, and they were still new in this part of their relationship. Boundaries had to be made and monitored. Boundaries were important.
It was weird to have someone to rely on for situations where it would be easier if she had help. She’d never had that. Jackson hadn’t been around for a single day of his children’s lives, and she’d done everything on her own.
No, she amended; Jackson hadn’t been around for the twin’s lives. Apparently, he’d been around for his two older children, and perhaps even for a few days of his third child with Rachel.
Bile coated her tongue, and she pushed those thoughts away. She still hadn’t decided how she would handle that particular situation. It was almost as if she were ignoring it, but she had so many other things on her mind and schedule that it was easy to pretend it didn’t exist.
For now.
She let out a breath and ran a hand down James’s back. Her baby smiled up at her, and she fell in love with that sweet little face all over again.
“Are you ready?” the doctor asked. James’s speech therapist, as well as two nurses stood around them.
“Yes,” she said firmly as James put his tiny hand in hers. “We’re ready.”
“Ready,” James said, his eyes on her lips as if he were reading them. She knew he could hear out of one ear, but there were a lot of times he missed things because he wasn’t looking at who spoke, or someone started talking to the wrong side of him or too quickly. Hopefully, after all the pain and nervousness that had gone into the decision-making for the surgery, this would all be worth it.
It was times like these that she wanted someone to lean on and to talk to. Storm’s face came to mind, and she pushed that thought out. They were nowhere near that point in their relationship, and she wasn’t sure they ever would be. Nor was she sure she wanted a partner like that. She’d never had one, after all. What if it didn’t work out? What about her boys?”
She let out another breath and focused on what was going on around her instead of the thoughts in her head. Today wouldn’t be like one of those videos on YouTube where a baby heard their mother’s voice for the first time, and everyone ended up sobbing. James already knew her voice as well as his own, but now he might be able to hear a little better out of his other ear. Even if it didn’t work completely, the doctors were hopeful it would help his balance and his self-awareness.
They started the setup, attaching different things to James’s head and ear, as well as plugging things into the computer. She knew what each thing was and why it was used as she’d researched every part thoroughly on the internet and in her many books, but right then, it all went out the window. All she could see was her little boy and his bright eyes.
Then the nurse patted Everly on the arm and nodded. This was her cue to speak. They’d wanted Everly to be the first one, and now tears stung the backs of her eyes. Apparently, this might end up one of those videos after all since the other nurse had Everly’s phone and was recording just in case.
“James? Can you hear Mommy?”
James’s eyes widened, and he reached up to where the implant was. Tears fully fell down Everly’s cheeks, and she slid her finger down James’s nose.
“James?”
“Mommy! You sound strange.” Tears filled her baby’s eyes, and she held back from hugging him too close since there were still a few wires in the way.
“You sound perfect,” she said once she caught her breath. “Just perfect.”
“You’re perfect, too, Mommy,” he said with a smile, rubbing under his ear. “I love you.”
Now she was openly sobbing along with two of the nurses. Why she’d put on mascara that morning, she’d never know. “I love you, too.”
Then they let her hold her son, and someone ushered Storm and Nathan into the room. She met Storm’s eyes, and he looked down at the boy in her arms before smiling so brightly she knew she’d fallen head over heels in love with him.
And she prayed she wasn’t making a mistake.
Later that afternoon, they sat at an outdoor café that let in dogs, and she couldn’t quite believe how she’d gotten to this point. Both her boys were in their boosters sitting across from one another and in between her and Storm. Randy had curled up in Storm’s lap about half an hour ago after a wild and crazy time in the park and his lunch. Right now, the puppy lay sprawled over Storm’s lap with his tummy big and full. The boys had wanted to feed Randy some of their food, as well, but Storm had been firm that Randy didn’t eat people food and was in training.
Both James and Nathan had nodded sagely and promised not to hurt the “twain.” They were seriously adorable.
And when the waitress had remarked at how well behaved the boys were and how they were such a gorgeous family, the boys hadn’t noticed, and Storm hadn’t seemed freaked out. In fact, he’d just gone with it and continued to help Nathan with his sandwich. Apparently, Everly would be the only one freaking out today. The man had even taken the day off from a busy schedule to help her and the kids. Wes had understood, even though it meant there were more things on his schedule. Storm had told them that things would get crazy soon with Tabby on vacation, but Everly knew he could handle it. It just meant that he might not be able to spend as many afternoons with her on weekends or nights like they had been doing.
The waitress had thought them a family.
Everly swallowed hard, trying to relieve the emotion clogging her throat. What emotion it was exactly, she didn’t know.
Storm gave him a weird look. “You okay?” he mouthed.
She swallowed hard and nodded before reaching over to help James wipe his face. Storm did the same to Nathan, and she held back the sting behind her eyes. She didn’t know why she was acting this way, but she needed to get a grip. Storm had always been amazing around her children, and that hadn’t changed. It was that he was always with her that had made everything go haywire. She didn’t know how to act around him when it wasn’t just the two of them anymore. That was her problem, though, and she had to get over it.
If it weren’t for the fact that she had her place of business and the whole Rachel thing on her mind, as well, she might have been able to function. As it was, she felt like she was always a few steps behind.
Once they were done eating, Storm paid—something she tried to prevent since she still had money even if her job had literally gone up in flames, but he’d given her a look—and they drove back to her place in her SUV. He’d left his truck at her place since she had the car seats and he didn’t.
He’d driven since she had to take a phone call with the fire marshal and didn’t want to put it on Bluetooth through the car while the boys were there. Unfortunately, there hadn’t been any other news, and she still couldn’t walk through the place since it was still under investigation. The marshal had just wanted to update her with what little they had.
Yes, it was arson.
No, they weren’t sure if the note was connected, but they were still investigating.
No, they didn’t think it was her.
Yes, they were still looking for the culprit.
She had no idea what she would do if she couldn’t start rebuilding soon—if that was what she wanted anyway. There might not be enough to salvage, but damn it, it had been her dream and income. Now, it was nothing.
She swallowed hard, ignoring the pain in her belly at that thought.
Storm tapped on the steering wheel, and she looked over at him. When he smiled at her quickly before turning his attention back to the road, her heart did that pitter patter thing that worried her.
“I’m thinking about getting car seats for the truck. It would be easier in case we ever want to take my vehicle, though I don’t mind taking yours.”
She frowned. “You want to buy car seats for the boys?”
He shot her a glance before turning back to the road. She knew why he was so vigilant now about focusing on driving rather than looking at her, and she didn’t blame him. It hurt her to think that he still carried all this guilt. And though others might have been a little uneasy about how that all connected to Jackson and Rachel, she wasn’t in the slightest. Storm had spent his life atoning for sins that weren’t truly his to carry, and him feeling as if he had any part of Jackson’s adultery shouldn’t be part of that weight.
“Ev? You there?”
She blinked, pulling herself out of that mental side trip. She couldn’t quite seem to focus on anything today.
“Sorry, uh…why would you want to buy car seats?”
He frowned at her before once again turning his head to the front. “Because I’m spending more time with you, and you never know when you might need me. If that’s going to be a problem, though, just let me know.”
She heard the hurt in his voice and hated herself for it. Just because she was being cautious didn’t mean she had to be a jerk about it. He was trying to help, and she needed to figure out what to do about it.
“I think that would be sweet of you,” she said after a moment, thinking through her words.
“We can talk about it more,” Storm said after a moment. “No need to rush.”
“The boys do like your truck,” Everly said, trying—and failing—not to sound like an idiot.
Storm grinned at her, and she held back a sigh of relief when it reached his eyes. “That’s because my truck is amazing.”
She laughed quietly, trying not to wake the two sleeping boys in the back. They’d conked out with Randy between them soon after they’d gotten into the SUV.
By the time they got the boys into bed for an afternoon nap, and Randy secured in the laundry room with a chew toy, Everly’s nerves were shot. She kept saying the wrong thing and didn’t know what to think, but hell, she couldn’t really blame herself with everything that was going on. Of course, that wasn’t quite who she was, so she blamed herself a little…but still.
“Now that the boys are napping and we have a few minutes, why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Storm asked as he walked into the kitchen. She’d just pulled down two glasses for water, and she turned, her back to the counter and Storm right in front of her.
“What do you mean?”
He sighed and took the glasses from her hand and set them down. “Come on, Ev. You’re acting weird. Was it what the waitress said? Or the fact that I’ve been with you all day when you normally have the boys to yourself? They don’t know what’s going on between us or they would have said something. That’s who they are. But if my being around is going to mess things up, I need to know. Are we moving too fast for you?” He cupped her cheek, his thumb softly caressing her skin.
“I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed,” she said honestly. “And not just because you and I are finding our way together.”
He blew out a breath. “You’re going through so much, and I hate that I can’t help.”
“But you are,” she said quickly. “The fact that you’re here with me is helping.”
“Even though my being here is causing you to freak out a bit?”
She winced. “I’m not sure how to act around you. We’re friends. We were friends. Then we were a little off after Jackson died. And now we’re more than friends. Way more than friends. And you’re so amazing. But you also know so much about me and are connected to everything going on even as you’re going through your own list of problems. It’s all just a little much if I think about it all at once.”
He lowered his head to hers and sighed. “Then think about it in steps. That’s how I’ve learned to live the past twenty years. Going through it all at once will just bear down on you until you can’t breathe.”
She put her hands on his chest and leaned into him instead of pushing him away. All day, she’d slowly been doing that, pushing him away ever so slightly so she could find her control, but that hadn’t been the right way to go about it. She couldn’t keep putting her past with Jackson on Storm’s shoulders. Yes, she was afraid to trust and lean on someone fully, but Storm wasn’t Jackson, and she knew that.
“You’re not Jackson,” she whispered, and Storm stiffened.
“I know I’m not,” he said carefully as he leaned back to look her in the face. “Are you sure you know that?”
She swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, I do. My brain gets a little confused at times, but I know you aren’t him. He wasn’t ever really all the way there throughout most, if not all, of our relationship. I’d always thought it was because he loved his work and dove into it full steam ahead, but now I’m not so sure.”
“He was an asshole,” Storm bit out.
“Yeah, he was. He fucked me over, and damn it, he fucked Rachel over too, but I don’t know if that woman thinks of it that way. He screwed me up, Storm, and I didn’t even realize how much until recently.”
“If I could hurt him, I would.”
“But you can’t. He’s gone, and he left his mess for us to deal with. I’m just surprised it took this long to come out.”
“If I hadn’t found that photo…hell, if I hadn’t introduced the two of them, nothing like this would have happened.”
She shook her head, glaring. “Don’t blame yourself. He would have found another way. Another woman. That’s how men like that are, right?” She blew out a breath. “But anyway, yes, he messed me up, and I’ve spent the past three years learning how to be a single mom. I can’t change that overnight with you. And I know that sucks, and I’m being hard, but I have to think of my kids first.”
“I won’t hurt them. They’ve always mattered to me.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she angrily wiped them away. It seemed she was always crying these days and she hated it. “I know they do. And that’s one of the reasons I’m with you. You care. You put everyone else before yourself, even if it hurts. You’re my friend, Storm. My friend and my lover. And I don’t know how to put those together with the man I know. I just need time to figure it all out.”
He cupped her face before taking her lips without another word. When he pulled back, they were both breathless. “You don’t have to figure it out right now, nor do you have to do it on your own. You can’t do anything about your store right now, and you will figure out what you’re going to do with Rachel soon. I know it. But as for me? I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Yeah, I might be a little busy in the next few weeks with Montgomery Inc.’s workload, but I’m not staying away. I want you in my arms, Everly. I just want to be there. We’ll figure everything else out. Together if you want, or you can do it on our own if that’s what you think you need. I won’t force you to make decisions or make them for you. I’m not that guy, even though the growly part of me wants to be that guy.”
She laughed since he winked as he said it, and she reached up and kissed his chin. “You’re amazing, Storm Montgomery.”
“My mom thinks so. Speaking of my mom…”
She frowned. “That was an odd nonsequitur.”
He winced. “My mom wants you and the boys to come to the family barbeque at their house next weekend. And I should warn you, there will be many, many Montgomerys. All eight of us local kids, and I think she invited my cousins from Colorado Springs since it’s their turn. There are far too many of us do to a whole event with all four sets of cousins in one place. We’d overrun Denver with Montgomerys.”
Her brain hurt. “Your mom wants us to come?”
He nodded. “She’d want you to come even if you weren’t with me. You and the boys are in her web now, so that means you will be taken care of.”
“She and your dad came to the hospital for James’s surgery,” she said absently.
“Yeah, my parents are pretty great like that. I should warn you that she knows you and I are together and will probably say something and want to get to know you more, but you’re tough. You can handle her. Mostly.” He smiled as he said it, and she leaned into him, laughing.
“Just what have I gotten into with you and the Montgomerys?”
Storm grinned. “A whole lot of trouble. It’s one of our mottos.”
“You have more than one?”
“We even have a tattoo. Once you’re a Montgomery, you’re always a Montgomery.”
She couldn’t quite comprehend having that kind of family. She’d never had it, and Jackson’s parents had never warmed to her. Hell, they weren’t even speaking to her right now. But the Montgomerys? They were a whole new kettle of fish.
And she had no idea what she was doing.
“What should I bring?” she asked, blowing out a breath.
Storm smiled, his eyes dancing. “Just you and the boys. That’s all she’ll need.” His voice lowered. “That’s all I need.”
She leaned into him, and he kissed her. “The boys are asleep, you know.”
He kissed her again. “So I hear.” A kiss on her neck. Behind her ear. Then a bite on her jaw. She practically swooned into him. He slid his hands over her and she kissed his shoulder, needing more.
He pulled her into her room and ground against her, sending shivers down her spin. “I want to taste you.” They’d been tested and finally got their all-clean results back.
She shook her head. “I need to taste you first.” Before he could say anything, she went to her knees in front of him. Thankfully, he didn’t protest as she unded his belt and lowered his zipper before she pulled his cock out of his pants. He slid his hand through her hair, letting out a groan.
When she gripped the base of his cock and squeezed, he let out a raspy chuckle. “I’m going to come too quick for you, babe. I want to come inside you.”
“If you come in my mouth, it’ll still be inside me.” She winked before licking up his length. “And if I make you come now, that’ll give you more time to lick up every inch of me while you recover before you fuck me hard into the mattress.” She knew her face was bright red as she spoke but she didn’t care. She might be only slightly embarrassed, but it was sexy to dirty talk with Storm, and from the way his eyes practically rolled to the back of his head as she spoke, he liked it, too.
“That sounds like a challenge.” He gave her a feral grin. “I like it.”
Before he could somehow convince her otherwise, she sucked on the tip of his cock and flicked him with her tongue.
“Jesus Christ.”
In answer, she hummed against him while bobbing her head and working what she couldn’t get into her mouth with her hands. She cupped his balls, rolling them in her hand while sucking on the side of his dick with wet, loud kisses. She knew from the way he tightened in her hold that he liked it when she licked up the vein running along his shaft.
When she wrapped her mouth around him again and slid her free hand along the strip of skin behind his balls, he groaned, tugging on her hair even more. She relaxed her tongue and swallowed every drop of him as he came, his legs shaking against her.
As soon as he slid out of her mouth, he brought her up to kiss the breath from her. Their bodies shaking and their breaths coming in pants, they stripped out of the rest of their clothes.
“On your knees in front of me,” Storm ordered, giving her ass a quick slap as he turned her. “I’m going to bury my face between your legs and eat you until you come. Twice.”
“Sounds like a challenge,” she said, repeating his words back to him. But she didn’t protest as she got onto the edge of the bed so he could lick her from behind. She groaned as he slid two fingers inside her, licking her clit at the same time. The roughness of his beard along the inner silk of her thighs sent her over the edge far sooner than she’d planned on. And before she could even call his name, he had speared her with a third finger, twisting just right to press along that inner bundle of nerves that made her come quicker than she thought possible.
“Storm,” she panted, so close to the edge she was ready to come again.
In answer, he bit her clit, and she screamed, coming harder than she ever had before in her life. She was still coming as he slid his fingers out of her and turned her over onto her back.
“Ready for my cock?”
She blinked up at him, her body warm and fuzzy, her breasts heavy, and her nipples hard points. “You’re ready already?”
He winked at her. “I seem to never have a problem being hard when it comes to you.” He slid a condom over his length and pulled her legs up so they pressed together and lay on one of his shoulders. “I’m going to fuck you like this, but I need you to pinch your nipples. Play with those sweet tits of yours, Ev. Show me how much of a bad girl you are.”
“As long as you’re my bad boy.”
He grinned, showing teeth. “Fuck yeah, Ev. Always.”
She licked her lips and cupped her breasts. Her nipples were so sensitive that just the slight brush of her pinkies made her pussy clench. At that same moment, Storm pushed inside, and they both groaned.
“Baby, in this position, you’re so fucking tight that I’m going to come way too fast.”
“Then think of England and get to fucking,” Everly said on a laugh, blushing once again at her words. She’d only read such things in romance novels and had never thought to speak them aloud. But with Storm, she wanted to be dirty. The dirtier, the better.
“That I can do, Your Grace.” Then, he moved.
She cupped her breasts, playing with her nipples as he fucked her hard into the mattress, and when she came again, he groaned, pulling her legs apart even as he continued to move so he could lay above her, making love to her even as they fucked. Dirty words and all, this was the most romantic moment of her life—or at least one of them. Every time she was with Storm, she seemed to think it was the most passionate.
“I want you,” he rasped. “You’re everything to me, Ev. Everything.”
He was still moving as he kissed her, and she slid her hands down his sweat-slick back. She wrapped her legs around his waist, meeting him thrust for thrust, even though she was beyond exhausted.
And when she came again, he came with her, filling the condom and heating her up from the inside. His beard had scraped her in the best way possible, and she knew she’d be sore in the morning. Yet it didn’t matter. It wouldn’t.
After, she lay in his arms without a care in the world.
That would come tomorrow, she knew, but for now, she’d live in the moment.
It was the only thing she could do.