Second Chances: Pleasant Grove Series Book 2 Read online

  “Coffee?”

  “Apparently, he ran out, so came here to get some.”

  She nods slowly seeming to understand. She and Jensen are a lot closer these days. I love that they are.

  “Come on. Back to bed you go.” I kiss the top of her head and lead her to our bedroom. As much as I want to lie next to her and hold her, I need to head to work soon. Since I’m taking time off soon when our son comes, I’m doing as much extra for Carter as I can.

  Once Charli’s back in bed asleep, I grab another cup of coffee and head out.

  * * *

  After what feels like the longest day, I’m finally heading home to Charli.

  Life couldn’t get any better than it is right now. Soon, I’m marrying the girl of my dreams. We’re having a son. And we’re surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.

  “Charli?”

  “Up here.” The sound comes from the only room in the house that echoes.

  She’s in the bath, a good excuse to see her naked.

  I make my way up the stairs, taking them two at a time eager to see her in a bath full of bubbles.

  Wet and naked. Yeah, she’s a sight alright.

  Slowly, I open the door. She’s lying there with her eyes closed, surrounded by bubbles.

  My cock twitches in my trousers, eager for her. I admire her for long moments.

  “Are you going to stand there and stare all night or are you going to come to rub my feet?” she asks, wiggling her toes in the air.

  I chuckle. As much as I'd love to just stay here and gaze at her, I want to make her feel good.

  Moving to the side of the tub, I kiss the top of her head, then take her foot in my hands. I start to rub slowly, massaging her foot then her calf.

  “Mmmmmm,” she groans

  I slide my hand further up her leg, caressing her soft skin.

  “Why don’t you join me?” she says, biting her bottom lip.

  “Tempting, baby, but I want to enjoy this.” Plus, I’m enjoying the view.

  I finish rubbing her leg, then take the other one in my hands. I continue to slowly run my hands along her calf and foot.

  The moans coming from her don't help the stiffness in my jeans.

  But this isn’t about me and my needs. It’s about hers.

  Once I'm satisfied she’s relaxed, I let out the water.

  Charli stands up with my help, and I can’t help but take a peek at her glorious body.

  “Eli,” she says, snapping me out of my daze.

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Can you hand me a towel. It’s kind of cold,” she says holding her hand out.

  “Oh, right sorry, baby.”

  She shakes her head and laughs. I’m pretty sure she said my name more than once.

  I help dry Charli off, not because she wants me too, but because I can. Any excuse to get my hands on my woman. I’m down for.

  I lean in and kiss our son. Charli’s hands cup my head, and her fingers pull at my hair. I lean my forehead against her stomach and sigh.

  “You okay, baby?” Charli asks me, lifting my chin making my eyes focus on hers.

  “Couldn’t be better angel.”

  “Well, if you’re okay, can you love me now?”

  I laugh out loud.

  “My girl horny?” I ask as I lead her to our room.

  Charli nods.

  “Well, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t take care of my woman’s needs?”

  “Mmmm not a very good one,” she says, pulling my bottom lip between her teeth and biting down hard.

  I grunt. “Fuck baby. You’re going to get it,” I growl.

  I slip my pants off, then grab her. She giggles as I lift her up, sliding her on the bed as my body covers hers.

  My hard cock presses against her bare pussy, making her squirm.

  I love making my girl squirm.

  She slides my boxers down with her feet, freeing my cock.

  I grind against her, kicking off my boxers as I do.

  Gently, I roll her to her side, making it more comfortable for her. I slide in between her lips and fill her slowly, making her feel every inch of me.

  “Eli, oh, God.”

  She convulses around as I slam into her from behind.

  Her orgasm sets mine off, and I follow with a strangled cry as I fill her.

  Quickest orgasm ever. Fuck what has she done to me?

  3

  Charli

  OUR WEDDING DAY IS getting closer and closer. There are a few small details to finish up, but it’s so over whelming. I guess being heavily pregnant and planning a wedding at the same time isn’t my brightest idea. As of yesterday, Eli and the guys are official fitted for their tuxes. He assures me they looked good, and there’s nothing for me to worry about on that front.

  He’s worried about me being over stressed and wearing myself out. My dress is finally picked out. The girls went with me last week. I just couldn’t find anything I wanted. It’s been really stressful even looking because I needed something that will flow with my ever growing belly. But finally, I found it. It may not be fancy because, well, I can’t have anything too tight or too heavy to carry around as I have enough to worry about with this baby belly. But my dress is beautiful. It flows and hits all the right spots on my curves. There’s a bling belt, and some lace around the top. Flaring out at the bottom, it gives me plenty of room to walk around without worrying about tripping over it.

  The ceremony is going to be small, just our friends. We don’t need anyone else. We’re going to do it on the beach where we can watch the sunset. It’s going to be magical.

  Jensen has been amazing. Eli has freaked out a few times because he’s worried, I’m going to change my mind about marrying him. Some part of him still believes he isn’t good enough for me. Foolish man think’s I’ll find someone better. What Eli doesn’t realize is there will never be anyone better than him for me. He has no idea that he’s all I ever wanted.

  We’ll get over all that though. I’m confident. He just has trouble trusting in good things happening for him. I don’t blame him It’s hard for him to believe he’s good enough for someone like me since his entire family left him. We have our whole lives ahead of us for me to make Eli see that no matter what happened in the past, he’s all I ever wanted, and the only man I can picture my life with. He is and always will be the love of my life. Life has given us a chance. I’m not going to waste it with anyone but Eli. All those times I thought we’d never get together makes times like now even more special. I refuse to take any of our moments for granted.

  I dream of growing old with Eli. Dream of one day watching our children with their own. My dreams always have Eli in the picture and nothing could change that. We’ve got a pretty good thing going. I look around the nursery, excited about the new chapters we’re about to start as a family.

  As I sit in the baby's room folding clothes, I marvel over how tiny some of them are. While I hum softly, our son kicks, and my hands go to my stomach. I smile down as I feel him roll about. I still can't believe I’m going to be a mother.

  "Baby?" Eli calls.

  "In the baby's room."

  Eli comes into view. He leans against the door frame, crossing his arms over his very impressive chest as he watches me.

  "Are you folding clothes again?" He chuckles as he makes his way to me.

  I nod. I can’t help it. I want everything to be perfect for our boy’s arrival.

  Eli bends down and kisses my head. "Wow, this room is pretty awesome, baby. You've done a great job."

  I smile because I know it’s almost just right. It is Winnie the Pooh themed and pretty adorable.

  "He's going to be one lucky little guy to have a mama like you, Charli," Eli says as he plops down beside me.

  "Thanks. You're going to be a pretty amazing daddy too."

  He grins making his dimples stick out. I really hope our son inherits those from Eli.

  "Come here?" Eli says, holding his hand
out for me to take.

  I slide over to him, sitting in his lap. He cups my cheeks with his hands, making me close my eyes. The feel of his skin on mine sends shock waves of electricity over me.

  His head leans towards mine, his lips inches from mine. I look into his eyes. He's staring deeply into mine like he's searching for my soul.

  It feels like heaven. This moment, right now, is everything I ever asked for. Just the two of us at this moment. Nothing else matters right now.

  His lips scrap against mine, making me shiver.

  "Baby, you know what it does to me when you shiver," he groans against my mouth.

  I let out a breath. Eli's thumbs brush down my cheeks.

  "You know how beautiful you are, don't you?"

  I shrug. Even though he tells me every day, it’s still nice to hear him say those words. Especially when I'm not feeling my sexiest at the moment.

  He sighs, placing his forehead against mine.

  "You have no idea what you do to me, what you’ve brought to my life. You light up my world, baby."

  Then his lips are on mine. His kiss is firm and fierce. His hands tangle in my hair as he deepens the kiss, making my insides tingle.

  "God, you make me crazy, woman," he says, breaking our kiss.

  I giggle as I bite my lip.

  He smiles at me as he watches my lips.

  "Eli?"

  "Yeah, baby?"

  "Can you love me now, please?"

  "You don't have to ask me twice, baby."

  He shifts, so I can feel just how much he wants me. I moan against him.

  "Please, Eli," I plead when he doesn’t move any faster.

  "Patience, baby," he mumbles, nipping my bottom lip with his teeth.

  This man drives me crazy.

  I grind against him, feeling how wet he's making me.

  Eli stands and lifts me in his arms. He carries me out of the room. He continues to kiss me, taking us to our room. He places me on the bed and takes his time with my body.

  The endless orgasms he gives me wear me out, and before I know it, I'm lying over him drifting to sleep.

  * * *

  I stretch my arms, feeling a warm body next to mine. I smirk as I feel Eli shift.

  "Well hello, sleepy head. " He smirks as I slowly open my eyes.

  "It's your fault."

  Eli places his hand over his heart, looking offended.

  "Whatever do you mean?" He grins.

  "You're a sex maniac, and you wear me out."

  He places a kiss on the tip of my nose.

  "I think you have that wrong, baby. It's you who’s the sex maniac. You can't keep your hands off me."

  I playfully swat his chest then run my hand over his cheek. He nips my palm with his teeth.

  He captures my lips with his, making me want to swoon. The man can kiss. His kisses are in a world of their own.

  "Want to get takeout and watch some tv?"

  I smile at his suggestion. "Sounds good to me. The Walking Dead?"

  He chuckles. "Your obsessed, aren't you?"

  I shrug. "Maybe a little."

  We spend the rest of the night eating pizza and popcorn while watching The Walking Dead.

  It couldn't be a more perfect night.

  After a night of binge-watching my new favorite show, Eli and I make our way to bed. We lie there just holding each other.

  Eli's arms always make me feel safe, I cuddle into him, and he lets out a sigh.

  "You okay?" I ask him

  "Perfect, baby. Absolutely perfect," he answers, kissing my hair and rubbing his nose against my cheek. His palm rests against my swollen belly, affectionately giving our baby some love.

  I let out my own sigh. I truly love this man. Everything he is, and everything I know he will be makes me fall more in love with him every day.

  Maybe it's being pregnant with his child or watching how he reacts to my belly and our baby, but I find him, even sexier than I normally do and that's saying something. I crave him twenty-four seven. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones.

  Eli isn't complaining though. What man would when a woman is willingly giving him as much sex as she possibly can?

  I sigh again and feel myself start to drift.

  "Night, baby, get some sleep," Eli says, kissing my cheek and wrapping me tightly in his arms.

  I close my eyes and float into a peaceful sleep enveloped in the arms of the only man I’ll ever love.

  4

  Eli

  TONIGHT IS GUYS’ NIGHT. When I stroll into the Grove Bar, I stop at the bar to grab a beer. It’s been a while since I’ve been out with the guys.

  Charli had to practically push me out the door because I didn't want to leave her. But she’s right, I need this time with the guys.

  I weave my way through the crowd to our table. I’m the last one to arrive.

  Lucas slaps me on the back when I step in next to him.

  “How’s it going man? How’s Charli doing?” he asks, taking a sip of his beer.

  “Amazing,” I simply say.

  “Shit man, I can’t imagine being married to one woman for the rest of my life. I mean one pussy and that’s it forever,” Tyler states.

  I chuckle. Even though Charli and I aren’t married yet, the guys think of us that way. Now we just have to make it official.

  I didn’t want to come, but now that I’m here, it’s great to be laughing with these guys. My family.

  “You’re pussy whipped. No way a woman will ever get to me like that,” Lucas said laughing.

  I snicker and point out to them, “You’ll see. One day a woman is going to walk into your lives and completely knock you on your asses. And I’m going to laugh my ass off when she does.”

  “Yeah right. Whatever man. Not happening,” Christian says, shaking his head. Lucas and Tyler laugh beside him.

  I smirk. They’ll see. I’m looking forward to the day each one of them gets swept off their feet by someone.

  Carter shakes his head at me, grinning because he’s thinking the same thing. He and Aria are going through some difficult times right now. He’s in love with her, but I’m not sure she feels the same. A few months ago, she left him, saying she couldn’t deal with all the stress from him, her parents, and Reed trying to force her to marry him. I told Carter to give her some time. She’ll come back. He just has to be patient.

  His smile falters. I bet he’s thinking about Aria. My heart hurt for my friend. They’ve been through so much already. Carter tried to show Aria he was serious about her, but I think she thought he just wanted sex and was playing her. He slowly sips his beer as I watch him. Discreetly, he pulls his phone out, checking it for the hundredth time already tonight. He’ll never let on, but I think he’s really hurting. Seems Aria has done a number on him.

  “You good?” I ask him. His eyes shoot up to mine, and he simply nods once.

  These guys are like my brothers, so I want them to be happy, to have what I have. Jensen goes to get another round of drinks. Max follows behind him.

  “Fuck,” Carter spits out.

  Turning, I look around to see what he’s cussing about. Off to the side stands a girl Tyler hooked up with last month. Afterwards, she accused him of rape. It caused a lot of trouble for him especially at the firehouse. It nearly ruined him.

  It was totally consensual, but she wanted more than he did. So, she went to the police and reported him. It was cleared up last week when she went back and told them he hadn’t raped her, and in fact, she’d lied.

  Tyler is so busy talking to Christian and Lucas, he hasn’t seen her yet.

  Jensen and Max notice us looking her way. They shake their heads at us like shit here we go.

  The girl, Josie I think, wanders towards us, noticing Tyler. A sly smirk appears on her face. There’s a bounce to her step like she’s happy to see him.

  Bitch is fucking looney.

  Finally, Tyler notices her then and steps back nearly ramming into the girl behind him.
r />   “Shit sorry,” he apologizes to the girl, who gives him a small smile as she brushes her hair from her face.

  “That’s okay,” she murmurs shyly.

  He grins back, his eyes staying on her longer than necessary. Then he turns and gives Josie a death glare. He’s fucking pissed. This chick has some nerve. She nearly ruined his life yet has the nerve to walk over to him like they’re old friends.

  “Hi, Tyler,” she says in a seductive voice.

  Tyler starts pacing back and forth, breathing heavily. He’d never hit a woman, but my guess is he wants to right now. Jensen steps in front of him whispering something in his ear.

  Tyler just stares at her.

  “You need to leave,” Carter tells Josie.

  “But—” she starts.

  “Bitch, get the fuck out of here. Haven’t you ruined my life enough? You coming back for seconds?” Tyler screams at her.

  Jensen and Lucas hold him back while he shouts at her. He’s caught the attention of the bouncers, so they make their way to us.

  I’ve never seen Tyler this angry before. He’s trying to shove past the guys to get to her like he wants to kill her.

  “Tyler, calm the fuck down, bro. You’re going to get arrested,” I tell him as I try to help quiet him down.

  The bouncers cart Tyler outside as the chick leaves.

  We all follow behind them urging Tyler to chill the fuck out.

  He’s so worked up, he’s having trouble breathing.

  “Dude, get a hold of yourself. You’re giving yourself a panic attack,” Jensen tells him.

  Tyler sits down on the curb, taking deep breaths. It’s understandable why he’s so upset. He nearly lost his job at the fire station because of the allegations, his reputation, everything. Yeah, he’s a player, but he’d never force a woman to sleep with him. He’s not a bad guy. He’s like the rest of us. And over the years, he’s made some stupid decisions from only thinking with his dick instead of his brain.

  We’re all sitting outside the bar with him as he calms down.

  Jackson, one of the bouncers, says, “Chill the fuck out or I’ll be forced to call the police.”