After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(49)

“Who would want to believe that?” she adds. “Who wants to believe that anyone could treat another human being that way?”

She’s so sincere as she talks, as she speaks to the camera as if it’s the person she’s trying to reach. If only my mother could have heard someone like Evangeline, heard her share her story…who knows if that would have made a difference or not.

“You are not alone,” she says. “If you need help, please call or text this number.”

I press Stop and lower the camera to the desk. “Wow.”

“Do you think it will help?”

“I don’t think it will hurt,” I say honestly.

“Then let’s upload it, unedited footage and all.”

Once she’s done uploading the video to her YouTube channel, she turns to me. “While I wait for it to go live, I need to do one more thing.”

“Do I need to record it?”

She shakes her head. “No, but I would like for you to stay for support.”

“I can do that.”

Picking up her phone again, she dials a number and waits. I wonder if she’s calling that * to let him know that she made good on her promise.

“Momma…Can you put Daddy on the line, too? I have something to tell you both.”

Oh shit. I grab her hand, gently squeezing it.

Biting her lip, she attempts to smile at me, but tears start to run down her face. “Hey y’all. So…I just uploaded a video about—well, about how Penn…about how…” She closes her eyes. “He abused me while we were married…and the last time, he almost killed me. That’s why I left him.”

Her shoulders turn into one rigid line and I let go of her hand to rub her back. “I know…I know, but I was afraid that you’d be disappointed in me.” More tears fall. “I love you, too. Love you so much that I have to come clean about where I am. I’m not on the West Coast. I’m in North Carolina, in a town north of Charlotte.”

Nodding, she wipes at her tears until I can’t take it anymore and I pick her up and carry her to the bedroom. I lay her down in the middle of her bed and join her, keeping my touch light and comforting.

Finally, she ends the call and just looks at me.

“I’m proud of you.”

“For telling the truth?”

My heart races. “Yeah, for telling the truth. Sometimes we keep stuff inside because we’re afraid of what others might think or say…or even push us away.”

“They didn’t push me away,” she says.

“I’m glad they didn’t, but if they had—I’m all in for you. There’s nothing you can say or do to push me away. All I want to do is love you, protect you, and shield you from the bad things of the world.”

“All I want is you,” she says, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my lips.

I take my time with her, baring her bottom as I kiss every inch of her beautiful body until neither of us can take it anymore.

“Turn over for me, angel.”

While she rolls onto her stomach, I lower my pants, grab a condom, and put it on. My hands go to her hips, lifting them into the air while I press the head of my cock to the entrance of her *. I thrust forward, sinking inside of her with a groan.

She’s so tight and wet around me, so warm, that all I want to do is stay there for days. But she’s writhing under me, her hand moving to where we are joined. The tips of her fingers skate over my cock before touching her clit.

A gasp leaves her and she tightens up on me.

I start to move, in deep thrusts that leave us both moaning. My pace is slow, purposeful, to draw out the pleasure. I allow my hands to roam her body, cup her breasts and hips again. She pushes back, sending me even deeper.

Pulling her up to a kneeling position, I cup her neck and bring her mouth to me. In this position she is completely vulnerable, but I’m the one at her mercy.

She cries out, her orgasm making her inner muscles milk me and send me over the edge. I join her an instant later, my hips surging against her in a steady rhythm that I can’t stop.

Gasping, I push her down to the bed and roll to the side. I kiss her neck and caress every inch of skin in reach. I tell her how much I adore her, how damn good she feels, and how hard she made me come.

Reluctantly, I leave the bed to dispose of the condom and clean her up. Once I’m through with both, I climb under the covers, taking her with me.

With my arms wrapped tight around the woman I love, I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

—

High off my incredible night with Evangeline, the next day I sleep in and then spend the afternoon at the gym, training with Hayden while she works. I don’t think I’ve ever been so focused. I’ve never sparred so hard or hit so accurately.

Even Hayden notices. “What’s gotten into you—not complaining really, but brother, you’ve been distracted lately.”

“Had a good night with my woman.”

“You still haven’t told her.” It’s not a question.

I stop hammering the Everlast bag hanging from the ceiling. “Not yet.”

“The perfect time is now, not later.” Hayden lets go of the bag.

“Like you have any room to give advice about telling the truth.” It’s a low shot, but I feel guilty, so…