The Princess and The Jester - A.D. McCammon Page 0,85

he demands, thrusting with more speed.

My eyelids flutter open and I lift my head to meet his gaze, those green eyes reflecting his love for me. We orgasm together seconds later, my walls clenching around his throbbing shaft as he spills inside of me.

When his movements slow, he captures my lips with his. The kiss is soft and sweet as he carefully places me back on my feet, and my heart feels full and content.

“Thank you for loving me,” he whispers.

I hold his stare, resting my forehead against his. “Loving you has always been easy.”

Chapter Forty-One

Present

COLE

My mother runs onto the front porch as I climb out of the car. Gwen must’ve called, letting her know I was on my way home. She’s wearing the same torn expression Gwen had when she laid eyes on me this afternoon—angry yet relieved.

She meets me halfway, her eyes welling up with tears while her arms circle around me. “My sweet boy. I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Sorry I made you worry, Momma.”

She loosens her hold, putting me at arm’s length to meet my stare. “Where have you been?”

“I had to go see him.”

She gasps. “Oh, baby. Why?”

“It just felt like something I needed to do. To get closure. Maybe part of me was hoping…” I shake my head as my words trail off.

“You thought he would care about you. About being a father.”

I nod, the guilt weighing on my chest. My dad was a great father. It shouldn’t have mattered if the man I share DNA with cared about me. “He didn’t show a single ounce of remorse for what he did.”

She lets out a sad sigh. “I’m so sorry, love. All I ever wanted was to shield you from this pain. I hate Brody for the things he’s done to me, to you, to your dad. There have been times I wished we never met, but then I wouldn’t have you. And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Sometimes the evils of the world serve a purpose. And sometimes we must go through the bad in life to get to the good.”

“Well, I’ve had my fill of the ugly shit,” I joke.

Her lips twist into a frown. “You’ve certainly seen more than your fair share of it. That’s why it’s so important to focus on the positive. Like Gwen. You’re lucky. Not everyone finds that kind of unwavering love in their lifetime.”

Unwavering love.

That’s exactly how I’d describe Gwen’s love. I’m still not sure I’ll ever be deserving of it, but I’ll happily spend the rest of my life trying to be.

Patrick pulls into the driveaway as I open my mouth to agree. It’s impossible not to smile at the way my mom’s face lights up when she sees him and waves.

“Occasionally though, lightning can strike in the same place twice,” I tell her.

She beams at me, giving my hand a squeeze.

The sun sets below the horizon and the streetlights in the parking lot flicker on. My mom wasn’t happy about me leaving the house again shortly after my arrival, but I assured her I wouldn’t be gone long.

There’s one more thing I need to take care of.

Shane spots me leaning against his car as he walks out of Sal’s, his eyes widening before he schools his features. It didn’t take me long to find him. The hideous yellow Tesla he drives is hard to miss.

He pulls his phone from his pocket, making his way over with a sense of arrogance on his face. “Get away from my car or I’m calling the cops, Masterson.”

Laughing, I lift my hands and push off his car. “Hey, man, I just came here to talk.”

“Yeah, right. Unless you want to join your daddy in prison, you better stay the hell away from me.”

My jaw tics. He’s certainly feeling cocky for someone who got the shit kicked out of him not that long ago. Lucky for him, I’ve decided to take a different approach with the situation this time.

The last three days haven’t been easy, but they certainly changed my perspective on a few things.

“Actually, I was thinking you might need to join him,” I retort, keeping my voice low as a couple exits the restaurant. “Gwen told me you assaulted her at the dance. Maybe I should convince her to file a report.”

I roll my shoulders as the tension builds in them. Gwen cried as she recounted the events of the dance for me, the bruises still evident on her fair skin. This time last