After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)

“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…

“Nice. Good to know that falling back on insulting my family is where you hit first.”

“Not your entire family. Just your dad.”

He pulls a face. “You got me there.”

“Still a low blow. Sorry, man.” I tap my gloves against his shoulder.

“Apology accepted, but you need to come clean. Lies always have a way of coming out when we least expect them.”

“Actually, I plan on telling her tonight.” If she can be brave and tell the world what happened to her, then I can man up and tell her the truth so she can decide if what I do is a deal-breaker for us.

That night, I have the fight of my life. My opponent can’t get off one single hit. I win easily in the first round.

“That was too easy,” Hayden complains as we gather our things and head to his SUV. “I feel like I didn’t earn it.”

“You don’t earn it. I do.”

Hayden pauses. “Point taken. Am I dropping you off at home or—?”

Evangeline texted me before the match began, letting me know that she would be waiting in the shower as soon as I gave the okay.

Me: Get your sweet ass in the shower, but don’t you dare wash anything until I’m in there with you.

Evangeline: But I’m so dirty.

Me: Plan to make you dirtier.

My cock stirs at the thought.

She sends me a kissy face emoji.

“Home, James,” I say to Hayden.

“I’m not your damn chauffeur.”

I smirk at him. “For twenty-five percent you are.”





Chapter 18


Evangeline


Monday morning comes far too early and I’m still rubbing my eyes when I walk inside the animal shelter.

Jake runs up to me, his tail wagging like crazy. “Jake, what are you doing here?”

Saylor joins us. “His forever family brought him back. Said Granny was allergic to him.”

“Oh no.” I drop to my knees, burying my face in his fur. “Hunter will be so happy to see you.”

“About that,” Saylor says. “I really need him to be with someone who won’t have to give him up again. The older he gets, the harder it is to adopt him out. Hunter’s schedule won’t allow for a dog.”

“I’ll take him,” I blurt.

“Jake or Hunter?”

With a smile, I say, “Both.”

Once I fill out all the paperwork, Saylor gives me the rest of the day off. “Go home and show Jake his new-old place.”

I know Hunter is off work by now. “I can’t wait to surprise him with Jake.”

“Your little family is so cute.” A raw look of pain passes over her face so quickly that I’m sure I imagined it. Besides, Saylor is such an open book that she would have told me whatever she was thinking by now.

“Thanks.”

It hits me…I am making a family. A new one. One that includes a man who cares for me, along with a dog that cares for us both.

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