Cherish Me (The Protected Love Series) Read online

  Cherish Me

  Book two of The Protected Love Series

  Jennifer Culbreth

  Copyright © by Jennifer Culbreth

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission or the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Edited by Lisa Survillas

  Graphic Design by Jennifer Culbreth Designs

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  “Judith, if you think you’re too damn good for this family then I think it’s time for you to get the hell out!” Judy’s father screamed at her from the other side of the dark living room.

  “I never said I was better than y’all daddy! I just want to make something better of myself.” This was an argument she’d had more than enough times with her stubborn father. “Isn’t that something a parent is supposed to want for their children?”

  “Well forgive me if busting my ass working doubles at the mill wasn’t good enough for you.” Her father shouted as he threw his orange hardhat against the wall and stormed out of the room.

  Judy slouched down onto the green floral printed couch tracing her finger over the outline of the faded pink flowers. She knew what she had to do but knowing she would be leaving her little brother to fend for himself made a shudder rip through her body. She tried as hard as she could to hold back the tears. Unrelentingly they flowed down her cheeks as she doubled over grasping her stomach. Darkness began setting in. What the hell is happening to me? Her chest tightened as searing pain spread throughout her lungs and across her body. It was dark. She could see nothing. All she could hear were the mumbled screams coming from somewhere off in the darkness. She tried reaching toward them but she couldn’t move, and suddenly she was falling into the blackness that had begun to take over her body.

  Gasping for breath she shot up out of the bed and jumped out from under the covers, searching in the darkness for the lamp she knew was within arm’s reach. She fumbled around the nightstand knocking the lamp half off before finding the small chain and pulling it. The room illuminated with dim light as she took in her surroundings; she wasn’t totally used to waking up in this bedroom. Her nerves began to settle as she took in the muscular figure on the other side of the bed.

  “Baby, you ok?” She watched as Jace’s hand searched the bed for her, his eyes still closed, before briskly sitting up. “Baby?”

  “I’m ok. I just had another bad dream.” Judy took a deep steadying breath before making her way back into the bed and turning off the light. It took a second to adjust to the sudden darkness in the room.

  “The club?” Jace reached out for her, taking her small frame into his arms.

  “No. Well not completely.” Judy nestled into Jace’s side. The dreams hadn’t stopped since the shooting. It had really upset Jace the first night she told him about it, so she tried not to bring it up often. “It was actually a flashback from an argument I had with my dad when I was younger.”

  “He hasn’t called you back yet?” Jace asked.

  “No. Not yet.” She tried to add hope to her voice but she knew it was pointless.

  “Try not to worry about it baby. He will come around when he is ready.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head before continuing. “And if he doesn’t, well…then fuck him. I will always be here.” His arms wrapped tighter around her body.

  As she drifted off she wondered how the choice she’d made so long ago, to leave that small town, had caused her family to completely write her out of their lives. Who does that to their child? Aren’t parents supposed to always be there to love and care for their children? Support their dreams and encourage them to be better? Flashbacks of her father screaming as her mother kept quiet in the corner flickered through her mind. There was no way in hell any man would ever get her down like her father had her mother. She would never be a coward like that.

  Judy awoke to the stream of bright light peeking in through the large glass window. Her body was hot. Too hot. Her eyes squinted open focusing on the large arm wrapped around her stomach as she realized she was still wrapped up in Jace’s arms. She peered over him, the clock said eight forty five.

  “Jace. Hey, Honey? Wake up.” She gently sat up and shook his arm.

  “Hmmm?” He mumbled with his eyes closed.

  “Uh, it’s almost nine.” She smiled over at him.

  “Oh shit!” Jace’s eyes shot opened as he jumped from the bed and ran toward the bathroom.

  Judy couldn’t help but smile. Man I am an evil bitch. She slid out of the bed slowly sliding her silk nightgown from her petite frame. Stepping out of it and letting it fall to the ground. She made her way into the bathroom, the steam from the shower filled up the room from one wall to the other. She giggled as she made her way over to the shower door.

  “Mind if I join you?” She smiled as she stepped in.

  “Sure, Babe. But it’s going to be a quick one. I am late as hell.” Jace rinsed the soap off his face before looking over at her. “What are you laughing about over there?” He reached over and pulled her body up to his under the hot stream of water.

  “You know its Saturday right?” She giggled watching him rack his brain as the realization set in.

  “You evil nymph.” He smiled as his lips met hers.

  She could feel the passion radiating from his body as her hands skimmed up his tightly toned arms and around his neck. His erection pressed into her stomach as hot water cascaded around them. His hands flowed up and down her body lighting a fire that could never be extinguished. He gently traced the scar that remained on her shoulder, a reminder of just how quickly life can change. Placing a knowing kiss on the scar before his hands traveled up, tugging lightly on her hair at the back of her neck to pull her lips away from his.

  “Wrap your legs around me.” His voice was stern, igniting the flames that had already started raging inside her stomach.

  “Yeah? Are you going to punish me?” She bit into his neck.

  “Have you been bad?”

  “The worst kind of bad.” She felt his hands cover her hips and lift her onto the wall of the shower as she hooked her legs around his waist. He took one hand slowly to her clit and rubbed small circles before he slid two fingers deep inside of her. She gasped out as her head leaned back against the wall. “Yes, Jace! God yes!”

  “I love when you scream my name, Baby.” He brought her body down and onto his length stretching her, filling her, thrusting as deep as he could. “This pussy is mine.” His voice was a deep growl.

  “Yes, Jace. All yours.” Judy panted.

  “I’m gonna fuck you now Baby.” He thrust into her, feeling her body
tighten around him. “I am going to fuck you hard.”

  Judy could feel every nerve in her body light up as he slammed his length into her, pushing her body back against the wall of the shower. Every touch sparked flames across her body… his lips, his fingers. She reached around and dug her fingers into his back as she gasped, begging for more.

  “Shit! Jace!” She closed her eyes as the lighting erupted across her skin. She couldn’t control the moan that escaped her lips as the sound of skin against skin vibrated in her ears. Bliss. This man was pure bliss. When she emerged out of the waves of her climax, her eyes shot open showing a fierce hunger. She wanted every inch of this man against her, touching her. She wanted to kiss every bulge of his muscles. She wanted it all. Her hands grabbed the hair at the back of his head as she gazed into his eyes.

  He didn’t blink as he stared back at her, ravishing her body with pleasure. She could feel his body tightening alerting her of his approaching release. She panted as she found another release with his. He slowed as he leaned in and kissed her gently. For a moment they just stared at each other, the protectiveness in his eyes fueled her longing for him.

  “So, am I forgiven?” She smiled innocently at him.

  “Not until you wash my back.” He smiled back at her kissing her long and deep before he lowered her feet gently back down to the ground.

  “Ok fine. Gimme the loofa.” She put out her hand towards him as he handed it over, turning and nudging his shoulder towards her.

  After getting dressed Judy made her way out of the bedroom and down the hallway that opened into a large great room. For a one level apartment, they had plenty of space for just the two of them. She glanced over at the white leather couch as she made her way into the kitchen. Abbi’s jacket lay draped across the back cushion.

  “Good morning adopted siblings.” She said as she walked into the small kitchen finding Abbi and Ryan sitting at the small breakfast bar talking with Jace as he tried to not burn the pan of scrambled eggs on the stove. “How’s my baby? Is she kicking yet?” She wrapped her arms around Abbi embracing her in a hug before holding her back at arm’s length and giving her a once over inspection.

  “You mean he right?” Ryan smirked over at her.

  “Oh no, it’s going to be all about pink and hair bows. You better start learning how to braid hair now.” Judy chuckled over at the two of them.

  “I don’t care what the sex is, as long as our little one is healthy. That’s all that matters to me.” Abbi said placing her hand over Ryan’s on her stomach.

  “Yep. Me too. A healthy little girl, named after her auntie. We can call her Judy Jr.” Judy joked as she grabbed a stack of four plates from the cabinet. “When do you get to find out the sex of a baby?”

  “Not for another month.” Abbi grabbed the cups Judy had been balancing, helping her over to the small dining table against the large glass window.

  “Well I guess I should hold off on buying Biggie Small’s baby stuff then.” Judy smirked over at Abbi.

  “Yeah right! I know you have a growing pile in your spare bedroom. Jace already ratted you out.” Abbi patted Judy’s shoulder in comfort.

  “You bastard.” She cut her eyes at Jace who couldn’t help but laugh. “You betrayed me. What happened to a united home front?”

  “Only in cases of war, Love.” Jace laughed as he fist bumped Ryan. “Besides it’s bros…”

  “If you say what I think you’re about to say I am going to punch you straight in your gooch.” Judy cut her eyes at the two of them as she interrupted his sentence.

  “The what!” Ryan doubled over laughing. “Are women even allowed to say that word?”

  “Keep it up you two. Keep. It. Up.” Judy raised her fist to them both.

  “Scrappy little thing isn’t she?” Ryan joked towards Jace.

  “You have no idea.” Jace smiled.

  As the four sat down to breakfast Judy slowly forgot about the nightmares that so often had haunted her sleep lately. After the accident she had tried to reach out to her parents. Her mother had answered her call only to tell her not to call back and then hung up. Her brother was fighting in a war zone and she didn’t know when she would hear from him. His phone calls were few and far between. She only hoped that once he got word of the accident he would call her. As far as her family, well they were gone. However her new family sat in front of her grinning and chatting as they stuffed their faces full of over cooked eggs and half burnt bacon.

  “So, how’s the move been? You adjusting ok to the apartment?” Abbi’s voice knocked Judy from her daydream.

  “Yes it’s been nice having somewhere that I feel safe. I fought Jace in the beginning, it all felt too fast. But it only took one night in my old apartment to know I would never be able to stay there alone again. It might be stupid to worry about, but it scares the shit out of me now.”

  “I don’t blame you; hell if I didn’t already live with Ryan he wouldn’t have a choice now.”

  Judy thought back to that afternoon that they had gotten home from the hospital. She had been so worried about telling Abbi that Jace had asked her to move in with him. She worried that Abbi would have thought they were jumping the gun, and Judy wasn’t sure if she could have handled Abbi voicing her objections. Of course when Abbi was elated, Judy really felt stupid for worrying. Abbi’s words rang out in Judy’s ears, “Really Judy, I moved in with Ryan after a month and now I am knocked up… and you think you’re a floozy?”

  “I still have a few things I need to get from my old apartment, but I have another week to go by there.” Judy took another bite of her eggs.

  As she swallowed a knock at the front door caused her to shoot her head up along with everyone else’s. Jace was the first to get up and then Ryan. She could see the holster of his pistol peeking out from the bottom of his polo shirt. Both girls got up from the table and made their way to the wall. Peeking their heads around it they saw Jace standing at the door and what looked like a figure of a woman.

  “You two back up please.” Ryan looked at them sternly.

  They both took a step back looking at each other confused.

  “Who do you think it is?” Abbi whispered.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think we were expecting anyone other than you and Ryan.” Judy whispered back. A short pause radiating between the two as they strained to hear what Jace was saying.

  “Why are we whispering?” Abbi looked at Judy.

  “I don’t know, it just feels right. Go with it.” Judy looked back at Abbi with a serious look on her face. She tried to hold it until the two burst out laughing.

  “Judy?” Jace called out.

  “Oops. Busted!” Abbi laughed.

  “Yes dear?” Judy walked out past Ryan and towards the door. As she got closer she took in the figure standing in her doorway just past Jace’s large frame. “Alexis?”

  Chapter Two

  Jace watched as Judy rushed past him taking the girl into an embrace. Who the hell was this chick and how the hell did she know his address? He wasn’t quite sure how to answer that question but he knew he didn’t like this girl’s attitude.

  “I tried to tell this fool that I knew you, but he wasn’t buying it.” She hugged Judy tightly. “See. Fool! I told you I knew her.”

  “Yeah, yeah. How about you two come inside the house. Too much hugging for the doorway.” Jace tried to hide the irritation in his voice.

  With everything that had happened and Trent still at large, Jace didn’t want to take any chances. It seemed like with every effort they made, Trent seemed to be a step ahead. The fact that he was nothing but a filthy scum-bag who was so doped up he probably didn’t know his own name, didn’t make it any better. It just meant someone was helping him and he could only imagine what the bounty was that had been placed on his and Ryan’s heads after they had taken out Jose Hernandez.

  “Oh my God! Alexis how on Earth did you know where I was living?” Judy stepped back looking over the stranger.
r />   “A girl has her secrets.” Alexis motioned as if zipping her lips closed.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Alexis this is Jace my boyfriend. Jace this is Alexis.” The two exchanged an awkward hand shake as Judy motioned for Ryan and Abbi to come into the living room. “This is Abbi and Ryan. Guys this is Alexis. She and I were as thick as thieves growing up.”

  “Oh so you’re from Judy’s hometown?” Abbi came over taking the girl into a hug.

  “Well I am from New York originally. But I moved to that little shit-hole town with my mom after my parents divorced. I spent my last two years of High School there. That’s where I met Judy and it’s all history from there.”

  “Geez. I can’t believe you’re actually here. I haven’t seen you in years.” Judy ushered Alexis over to the large couch.

  “I take it everyone is done eating breakfast?” Jace made his way towards the kitchen as the collection of yes’s resounded around the room.

  “Hey man, you good?” Ryan came up helping him clear the table.

  “Yeah I’m good.” Jace said quickly grabbing two plates and taking them towards the kitchen. “You know what? No. I’m not good.” He scrapped the remaining eggs off of his plate and into the garbage disposal before roughly setting them into the sink. “Am I the only one who finds it strange that this girl shows up out of nowhere while some crazy asshole is running loose out there? The same dickbag who got my girlfriend shot and your fiancé kidnapped, saying she magically knew where I live and that Judy lives here too? Judy moved in what? A week ago? What the fuck man?”

  “I get it. But that’s your girl’s friend. I am sure she probably saw something in all the tabloids. Shit they stalked both of our front doors after the incident. I am sure she means well, and besides we can always run a background check on her. Lighten up man. You’re gonna get gray hair if you keep that up.” Ryan slapped him on the back before heading back over to retrieve the other items off of the table.

  Sure it was possible that this girl put two and two together. It just didn’t feel right to him. Something in his gut said that she wasn’t being completely honest about why she was here. He made his way back over to the doorframe of the kitchen and watched as the three girls laughed at the stories Alexis was sharing about Judy and herself from back in High School. He studied her features, caramel brown skin and bright green eyes. Her erratic kinky curly hair shot off in every direction from her head. Her high pitched northern accent resounded irritatingly in his ears. He overheard the end of their conversation as he came further into the room.