Decker (Torey Hope: The Later Years #1) (26 page)

Decker watched him with speculative eyes. “It’s been a long time since you had a relationship longer than it takes to pull your pants down and put on a condom.” He was surprised to see Kendrick look almost embarrassed at those words.

“You deserve to be happy, man. There’s a girl out there who can put up with your crass comments and crude words; once you find her, it will be true love.” Decker clapped his cousin on the shoulder. “So, just to be sure here, Kate isn’t your type at all, right? There’s no secret crush going on here?”

Kendrick smiled ruefully, “Nah, man, Kate is a beautiful girl. Fabulous rack, perfect ass, great collection of underwear, but her eyes and heart are only for you.” Kendrick gathered up the paperwork he needed to get his coaches hired, and headed out the door.

Decker heard him talking to Kate in the hallway, but he was busy replaying Kendrick’s words. He noticed his cousin never denied having a secret crush, he only pointed out that Kate wasn’t interested in him. Surely Decker was reading too much into Kendrick’s comment. Right?

Decker caught laughter in the hallway and shook from his musings to hear Kate walk into her office from her final doctor’s appointment, she laid her bag down and walked straight to his office.

“Hey, Bug. Everything go okay? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.” He gingerly touched the back of her head to examine the freshly removed stitches.

“Decker, they snipped some thread from my head, I’m pretty sure I can handle that by myself. Plus, I needed you here to take that conference call; thanks for covering for me. Did anyone notice I was missing?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed deeply at his neck.

“Nah, not really. Well, one person asked how you were doing and Kendrick told them you had diarrhea and wouldn’t be joining us today.” He chuckled at the look on her face.

“He did not! Oh, that man is going to get it.” Forgetting her anger at Kendrick, she nuzzled her nose against his throat and trailed her lips across his jawline.

“Guess what? The doctor said I’m all clear for any activity I’d like to take part in.” Smiling seductively at him, she ran her hands down his back and cupped his backside in her hands. “Do you know what activity I’d like to take part in?”

Unable to resist, he gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately. They’d been able to do a few things in that department over the last few weeks, but the doctors had wanted her to wait until all of her stitches were out and her last CT scan was clear before clearing her for anything too strenuous. And Decker had plans for them to be very
strenuous
.

“Mmmm, I’m thinking your activity ideas are the same as my activity ideas.” Running his tongue over her bottom lip, he pulled her bottom flush with him. Feeling the length and heat and solidness of him pressed into her midsection, Katie wasn’t sure how they’d wait until tonight.

As if reading her mind, Decker spoke, “Want to eat lunch at home today?” He waggled his eyebrows at her and rubbed himself against her core.

“Decker, it’s 10:30 a.m.” She giggled.

“It’s got to be lunchtime
somewhere
. Come on, let’s get out of here. The guys can cover anything we’ve got planned today; I’ll text my dad and Jeremiah too, they can help out if needed. I’m not wasting this whole day waiting to get you in my bed.” Grabbing his keys, he walked them through her office to get her bag and then out the door.

“Decker, I’ve been in your bed for the last three weeks.” Katie wasn’t really protesting, she wanted to be with him just as much as he wanted her, but she was enjoying giving him a rough time.

“Fine, let me rephrase, I’m not wasting this whole day waiting to get inside of you. Now, let’s go.” He stopped by Sawyer’s office and offered a quick explanation.

“We’re heading home for lunch, won’t be back in today. Tomorrow is questionable. You’re in charge. Let the others know.” Quickly closing the door behind him, he heard Sawyer laugh.

“You two have fun! Make him work for it Katie-girl.”

**********

Decker ran a hot bath and lowered himself down into the soothing water. Positioning herself between his legs, Katie leaned back and let the warmth of the water soak into her. The steam from the warm bath filled the room and she let her head fall back against his chest.

“I know the therapist says it’s normal, but there are days I feel guilty and days I feel glad; guilty I took a life, but glad she’s out of our life for good.” She sighed into his touch and let his whispered words warm her soul.

“Kate, she didn’t have a life. She was a sick, miserable person. At one time, she had everything going for her, but something happened to change all of that. If that gun going off hadn’t killed her, she would have been locked up in a mental hospital or jail for the rest of her life, and that would have been no life at all. Honestly, even though you didn’t intend to kill her, you did her and everyone else a favor. She’s out of her misery and we can all breathe easy.” He let his hands roam her body as he spoke. She took in the words and their meaning and felt a peace inside her heart.

All too quickly, her peacefulness was replaced by a neediness. Decker’s hands continued to caress her body, causing every nerve ending to come to life.

Minutes later, her entire body thrummed with anticipation, and she could feel his arousal pressed against her bottom. Grabbing a towel, they dried off as quickly as possible. Gathering her hair to one side, he stood behind her and gazed at her in the mirror. Kissing her shoulder, he turned her to face him. “In a minute, I’m going to lay you down in my bed, whisper sweet words to you, and make love to you all day long.” A long, slow kiss delivered delicious promises. “But right now, I’m going to sit you on this counter, spread your beautiful legs around me, and fuck you until you’re screaming my name.” Another kiss, this one harder and hotter, “If you’re okay with that.”

Lifting herself onto the counter, Katie opened her legs to accommodate him standing between them. She rubbed herself against his length and moaned, “Mmm, yeah, I’m more than okay with that.” Three weeks without him inside her was three weeks too long; he positioned himself and drove into her with one thrust.

Stopping momentarily to let her adjust, he gripped her bottom and continued his quick thrusts. Katie wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, and held on for the ride. Several more thrusts and her body tightened around him; he drove into her once more and they both moaned through their release.

Cleaning themselves just enough to make it to the bed, Decker hovered above her as she positioned her body to accept his weight.

“Before we do that again, I need to say something.” He propped himself on his elbows and stared intently into her eyes. “Kate Turner, you have completely rocked my world. I needed control; I feared I would be lost without it. But you gave me the courage to loosen my grip; instead of being lost, I was found. Letting loose allowed me to live; living allowed me to breathe; breathing allowed me to see. And when I could see, I saw you.” Kissing her, lips clinging with emotion, he continued, “You saved me from my black and white existence with your bright colors, you brought light into my world. I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

Tears in her eyes, love swelling in her heart, she took his body in with hers and vowed to spend the rest of her life loving him as well.

Beckett and Kenja

Beckett Jordan had been a precocious charmer for as long as the Deckers and Morgans had known him. He was one of the biggest reasons his father, Jeremiah, married Audrey Decker all those years ago. Beckett had faced many challenges growing up, but he also had practical wisdom and the ability to read a situation and face it head-on that surpassed that of many adults.

It was hard for Audrey and Jeremiah to let Beckett go when he left for college; they wanted to keep him home and sheltered and protected. “Mom, Dad, I’m legally an adult now. I know you want to protect me, but if I live at home forever, I’ll never get to experience all that life has to offer, and I’ll always wonder what I might be missing. What if there’s someone out there that needs me or I need them? I don’t plan on being gone forever, but I need to go out there and live.” Beckett had chosen a college a couple hours away, partly because it offered the courses he wanted to study and partly because he knew it would ease his dad and Audrey’s worries if he was within driving distance.

Within the first week of college, Beckett met Kenja. She was a beautiful, meek, Japanese girl who had escaped a life not worth living in Japan and come to America. The name Kenja meant “wise one, sage,” and she was definitely that. Beckett and Kenja clicked as fast friends; they kept each other company, helped each other navigate the new world they were inhabiting, and challenged each other to philosophical debates late into the night.

Their friendship, strong from day one, grew stronger over the next two years. Beckett brought Kenja home for every holiday as she had no family to spend time with. During their third year in college, Beckett began to realize that his feelings for his friend were possibly more than just friendly.

“Dad, remember when I was little and you and Uncle Nate and Uncle Nicky, and even Uncle Kyle, would talk about things having to do with your wives and you’d not want me to hear because I was too little? And remember the really awkward talk you had with me about how babies are made and falling in love and all those life lessons?” Beckett, not usually one to hem-haw, chattered nervously in the garage with his dad over a break from school while Kenja was in the kitchen learning how to make the best darn chocolate sheet cake ever invented.

“Yeah, Beck, I remember all of that.” Jeremiah Jordan replied with a smile and a questioning look. “Does this chatter that’s so unlike you have a point, son?”

“Well, I think I feel all those love feelings for Kenja, but I don’t know if she feels it for me. How do you know if a girl likes you the same way you like her? I’ve been wanting to kiss her, but what if she doesn’t know about kissing or doesn’t want me to kiss her? Uhhhh, this stuff is hard, I think I liked it better when I didn’t know about any of the things that made all the grownups red in the face.” Beckett put his hands on top of his head and paced the garage while his dad watched.

Jeremiah was overcome with memories of a time when doctors weren’t sure Beckett would speak or walk, and now he was asking how he could tell if a girl wanted to kiss him. True, he was about 5 years later on the girl stuff than most kids his age, but that was okay, Beckett had always been his own person.

“Well, son, first I’d say that Kenja must like you quite a bit if she comes home with you every single holiday and break.” Jeremiah ticked his first point off on his finger.

“She doesn’t have anyone else, what if she just hangs with me because I’m better than nothing?” Beckett, usually so confident, seemed to have a moment of self-doubt.

“Second, since she’s always asking Audrey to help her learn how to cook your favorite foods, I’d say she plans on being around long enough to cook meals you like.” Jeremiah’s second point was harder for Beckett to counter.

“And third, your mom and I have watched the two of you together since the first time you brought her home. That girl is gaga for you; I bet she’s wondering just how long it’s going to take you to figure out you two are more than friends. I’ve seen her look at you; it’s always with stars in her eyes and absolute adoration.” Walking to his son, Jeremiah put a hand on his shoulder. “Beck, talk to her. Let her know how you’re feeling. And then just let it go from there. You two are best friends, I’m sure you’ll get something figured out. Now, let’s go see if that kick-ass cake Kenja is baking is ready.”

That evening, Beckett had stumbled around his words, trying to tell Kenja how he felt. Much to his surprise, his beautiful, quiet, wise best friend had placed a finger to his lips and told him to stop speaking. She had leaned in and kissed him, the first for both of them, and smiled as she pulled back. “I like you too, Beckett. I want to be your girlfriend. I’ve been waiting on you to ask me.”

From that point on, Beckett and Kenja were even more inseparable than ever before. The two had gone to school to get their degrees in psychiatry; both had a passion for working with pediatric psychiatric patients. Both Beckett and Kenja had faced numerous struggles in life; both had overcome, but they wanted to help kids who weren’t able to overcome as easily.

With their medical degrees, internships, and residencies firmly under their belts, Beckett and Kenja were more than ready to get married. The wedding was a small one compared to many weddings, but it had all the people who mattered the most. Beckett’s family, now happily considered Kenja’s family as well, and their friends were there to help them celebrate.

I started writing my first book (
For Nicky
) in October 2013; I had no clue if I could do it, and even less clue about what to do when I finished it. About halfway through that book, I realized that the mean, terrible sister, Audrey, had a story to tell; I started
Because of Beckett
as soon as I finished
For Nicky
.

I had no intention of continuing the Torey Hope Series. However, readers had fallen in love with the stories and they asked for more. I created a heartwarming
Christmas novella
to lead into the third full-length novel,
Loving Josie
.

One day, in the shower (where else do great ideas come from?), I realized that the younger generation of Torey Hope had some stories to tell. I ran the idea by readers, and they loved the prospect of continuing the Torey Hope Series. So, voila,
Torey Hope:
The Later Years
was born!

One of these days, I’ll let the other characters and stories out of my head and create some new books and series; until then, I continue to fall in love with the hearts of my Torey Hope characters in each and every story.

Decker’s story is first; his twin brother’s story, Sawyer, is already started. The third book I’m planning in this series is Zach’s, and then Kendrick will round out the four book series.

Sawyer’s story will obviously be a male/male romance, but it will continue in true Torey Hope fashion with real-life issues, contemporary romance, and the love of family and friends.

I want to acknowledge that not all families/friends are as open and accepting of someone’s sexuality as Sawyer’s friends/family were. If you are in need of help for yourself or a family member/friend, here are some resources:

http://www.glbtnearme.org/

http://www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org/

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

If you’re interested in where Katie and Decker stayed, here’s the link to Cayo Espanto:

http://www.aprivateisland.com/index.html

THANK YOU FOR READING! I hope you enjoyed; please take a moment to leave a review.

A.D. Ellis