Chapter 24

Posey

Greer Huxley is beautiful. Long, wavy dark hair. Whiskey-colored eyes. She really is somebody I admire. I'd met her once before when she was the lead counsel on Bane's extortion case, but after a month of working the case, Greer quit, most likely because she couldn't defend a criminal.

"I can see how much Ledger cares for you," Greer says as she hands me a bag with clothing in it.

"I care about him too," I say back, not wanting her to think this is one-sided. "I know he's risking everything for me."

"You're worth it," Greer says, beaming. "I've never seen Ledger like this before."

"I've never felt this way before either. My life is such a mess." A pit forms in the bottom of my stomach, making me feel horrible for putting these nice people through this. All for me. "I'm so sorry," I tell her.

"Don't be. This is what we do for each other. We're a family, and we take care of our family."

Tears well in my eyes at her words. "I've never really had a family before. It's always just been me and Dad."

"You have one now. Go get dressed, I'm going to check in with Chloe."

I offer a silent nod before retreating into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The mirror reflects a different woman than the one who faced me this morning, on the brink of marrying Bane. She"s transformed now, liberated and in the arms of the man she loves. The intensity of my desire for this new life nearly overwhelms me. I want to belong, to be part of this newfound family with Ledger by my side.

Once dressed in black slacks and a white button-down, I step out to find Chloe engrossed in conversation with everyone. As I approach, Ledger"s gaze captures mine, his eyes holding a mesmerizing allure. He draws me close, enveloping me in his embrace. "Vin was confident he could help?" he asks Chloe.

Chloe nods. "He mentioned that the federal authorities are already building a case against Bane Delgado. With Posey"s testimony, they"ll have enough to put him away for good."

"I don"t have much information," I confess, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth.

"But you overheard crucial details about the missing witness and Mayor Thornberg, and Bane"s intentions to sell you," Chloe reassures me. "Vin believes it'll help."

I acknowledge her words with a nod. "What"s our next move?" I inquire, aware that lingering in the club indefinitely isn"t an option.

"Vin is arranging for agents to pick you up," Chloe explains, her gaze shifting to Ledger. "May take a couple of days."

Beside me, Ledger nods in agreement, his grasp on me tightening. "Understood. We'll need to hide low until then," he replies.

"Maybe you could take her to Magnolia Ridge," Roman suggests. "Take cash from the safe, don't use the cards. Right now Bane has no idea Posey's with you at all."

I nod as Ledger tugs me tighter. "True." The weight of the situation settles heavily on me, and I voice my apprehension. "I"m scared," I admit.

"We won"t let anything happen to you," Roman says, his assurance echoed by his brother. Their unwavering support fills me with comfort, a feeling I"ve never experienced before.

Ledger leads me away from the crowd, and places his hands on my shoulders, gazing into my eyes. "Are you okay?"

I nod, nervously. "I think so. Ledger, I just know I want you to stay by my side," I say, wanting desperately to add the word, forever at the end.

"I'll be by your side for as long as you'll have me, Posey." And then he brings his mouth to meet mine. He pushes his tongue along my lower lip and I open for him, gripping him tightly in my arms.

A surge of heat courses through me, my heart pounding wildly as if threatening to break free from my chest. It feels as though I"m teetering on the edge of the world, on the brink of floating away into the unknown. Yet, Ledger"s steady presence keeps me firmly rooted, his arms enveloping me, anchoring me to the moment.

As our lips part, the interruption of a throat being cleared breaks the spell. I withdraw slightly, meeting Ledger"s intense gaze.

"Vin has reported increased activity at Bane"s estate," Chloe interjects, drawing our attention. "They"re monitoring all the key players, but the specifics are unclear."

Ledger acknowledges Chloe with a nod before refocusing on me. "This will all be over soon."

I offer a nod of agreement. "I trust you," I assure him.

Together, Ledger and I return to the others gathered in the office, where Chloe, Roman, and Greer await. Taking a seat beside Greer on the couch, I release a sigh of relief.

"Thank you all so much," I express, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "I"m deeply grateful for all of you. Knowing you"re all here for me means the world."

"That"s what family does," Chloe responds without hesitation, her words resonating with unwavering commitment.

I gaze up at Ledger. How did I get so lucky? This man has been nothing but a rock by my side. A true hero in every sense of the word.

It's late as Ledger and I arrive at a cute little bed and breakfast in Magnolia Ridge. Roman and Ledger traded vehicles, just to steer on the safe side, and we drove the forty-five minutes to the downtown of this small, cute town.

I can't see much because the sun has already set, but the street lamps illuminate the cobblestone path leading up to the front doors of the Rosewood Cottage.

Ledger opens the SUV's door, and I slide out of the leather seat. "Amazing, isn't it?"

"Have you ever stayed here?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "Never."

The cottage, with its classic Victorian architecture, is embellished with climbing roses that frame the whitewashed walls and delicate white trim that reminds me of a gingerbread house. The wrap-around front porch is lined with wicker rocking chairs.

We enter, and I'm immediately at ease with the scent of lavender floating through the air. The cackling fireplace is lit, and there's a man, reading a book, sitting in a rocker.

"Evening," he says when we pass by, and Ledger nods back at him.

We step up to the counter, greeted by an older lady with a warm, inviting smile. "Hi there. I'm Claire."

After we get checked in, Claire leads us to a room upstairs. We step inside, and I take in the period furniture, floral wallpaper, and luxurious linens.

"Wow, so beautiful," I say to Claire.

"Each room is modeled after the 1920's era, when the inn was originally built. It's obviously had some major upgrades since then," she says with a chuckle.

"Thank you so much for taking us this late," Ledger says. "We appreciate it."

"Always." Claire tells us about the room briefly, letting us know there're fresh towels in the adjoining bathroom, and shampoo if we need it.

After she leaves, I blow out a deep breath.

"I can't believe this is happening," I say to Ledger.

He wraps his strong arms around me, breathing me in. "It'll all be over soon."

"I'm worried about my father," I say, gazing up at him.

He kisses the top of my head. "He's safe with Father Carmichael."

I squeeze my arms around him. "I know." I yawn. "I'm exhausted." We've had a busy past couple of hours, and all I can think about is passing out on this queen-sized bed in the center of the room.

"Let's get to bed. Tomorrow I have a surprise for you."

I wrap my arms around Ledger. "You do?" I can"t imagine what he has planned, but knowing him, I'm sure I'll love every minute of it.

We get ready for bed, me climbing back into the sweats and t-shirt Ledger had given me when we left his condo, and him in pretty much the same attire. We lay down together, snuggling under the light, fluffy comforter, and shut our eyes. Sleep finds me quickly.

The next morning the sun shines brightly through the white-lace curtains. Ledger's pressed firmly against my back, his morning wood poking into my back.

"Let's stay in bed all day," he murmurs, his arms wrapping tighter around me.

I twist to face him. "I'm okay with that." I wrap a leg over his hip, and he presses his dick against my stomach. I want to take care of him like he took care of me last night.

I push on his chest until he's lying flat on his back.

"What are you doing?" he asks as I move down his body.

"I just want to taste you," I tell him as I rub my hand against his dick over his sweatpants.

Ledger's dark eyes meet mine. "You sure?" he asks me, his body growing harder in my hands.

I nod, over and over, pulling his sweatpants down his legs.

His dick springs free, and I wrap both hands around the base. He groans as my tongue makes contact with the tip. He's just so big.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing, but watching his reaction keeps me going. I open my mouth wide, and stick the entire head in my mouth and suck, hollowing out my cheeks, and he goes wild.

"Fuck, Posey. You're a natural at this." He glances down at me. "You sure you've never done this before?"

I keep him in my mouth, blink, and shake my head back and forth as I hum out a ‘no' along his dick.

His eyes roll into the back of his head. Both his hands fly into my hair, fisting the strands close to my scalp. And now he's guiding me up and down his long shaft. It turns me on, and my body grows needy the longer I suck along him.

I shift my legs, pushing my thighs together to quench the ache desperately flourishing there.

"You're needy. I can tell," Ledger growls out, his voice throaty and deep.

Our eyes connect, but I keep moving along him, sucking him as he guides my head up and down his hardness.

"Fuck, I'm gonna come." He tries to pull away, but I tighten my mouth along him, shaking my head no. He tasted me, I'm going to taste him. I want it. "Posey," he whispers, his voice sounding like he's in pure pain. "I can't stop."

His dick throbs in my mouth, releasing jets of come that I swallow down. I glance up at him, and the expression he's wearing is one of pure ecstasy and it makes me proud to be the one making him feel that way.

As soon as he's done, I lap at him, making sure I've got every last drop. Ledger stares at me like I'm a marvel. Like he can't quite believe I'm real, and I feel the exact same way about him.

He's still got his hands in my hair, and he brings me up to his level, crashing his lips to mine. We kiss and kiss, and my body grows hungry for more.

"We should go," I whisper. "I know you wanted to surprise me."

Ledger pulls back so his eyes can connect with mine. "That can wait. This can't." And he moves me underneath him in one simple move as he climbs over top of me. He trails kisses along my neck, pushing my shirt up as he does. He gives my breasts attention as he kneads his hands over top of them. It feels so good, and I moan along as I help him remove my shirt.

Quickly, we remove the sweatpants from my body as he gazes down at me.

"You're stunning," he says as he flips me again, this time repositioning us to where I'm straddling his chest. "Stand and take the panties off."

My eyes widen. "Stand on the bed?"

He nods, lying flat on his back, lifting one arm to rest behind his head. "Do it."

I use my hand to push off his chest as I stand over him, my feet on either side of his body. I slowly remove my panties, and fling them across the room.

He stares up at me. "Now sit on my face," he says, all husky and barely there.

I shake my head. "Umm."

"Do it," he demands. "Please do it."

"Well, because you said please." I lower myself to where I'm sitting on top of him, my vagina right over his mouth.

"I could die right now and be a happy man."