Unconditional Love

  I stepped back and looked at Peter. “I’m sorry Peter, would you excuse me please?”

  He smiled and nodded his head, “Of course, darling. I’m going to find my bride and spin her around for a bit.”

  I laughed and then turned and headed to where I had seen Lark go. I pushed the door open and was standing in a parking lot. I looked around and saw Lark leaning against his truck.

  I took a deep breath and made my way over to him. Before I walked up to him, he began talking.

  “I’m sorry everyone keeps bringing up Nikki to you.”

  I stopped dead in my tracks. “What?” I barely said.

  He didn’t bother turning around as he just kept talking. “My family seems to feel the need to keep bringing her up. I’m sorry.”

  I shook my head even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “I’m not bothered by that. I know how much you loved her and I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for you.”

  His head dropped and he whispered something I couldn’t make out.

  My heart hurt so much for him and all I wanted to do was take away his hurt. His confusion.

  “Lark,” I whispered. I stepped closer to him and touched his arm. He quickly turned and the way his eyes moved all over my body I knew what he was wanting. I took a step back and shook my head.

  I swallowed hard and said, “If you’re thinking about her, that’s fine. I understand how everyone mentioning her is causing feelings to resurface, but if you think you’re going to use me to forget about her…” I couldn’t even finish talking. I could feel the tears burning my eyes. “I’m going back inside.”

  I turned and began walking to the door when Lark called out for me. “Azurdee, wait. My God, I would never…”

  The doors flew open and Peter and Joyce came walking out; Peter was cursing up a storm as he was limping.

  I quickly ran up to them and said, “Oh my goodness. What happened?”

  Joyce rolled her eyes and said, “This old goat got a little too wild on the dance floor. He swears he’s only sprained it but I swear I heard something break.”

  Lark came running up. “Dad, are you okay?”

  Tristan was now outside with Ryn right behind him. “Damn it, Dad. You’re not twenty anymore.”

  Peter shot Tristan a dirty look that caused both Ryn and I to chortle.

  “Boys, just help me get him to the truck so we can get to the hospital.”

  Peter started pushing Lark away. “I’m not going to any goddamn hospital. I just sprained the damn thing.”

  “Dad, we’re going to the hospital whether you like it or not,” Lark said as he grabbed him and helped him over to their truck. “Mom, do you want me to drive?”

  Joyce nodded her head and jumped into the backseat. Lark turned and looked at me. He turned back and looked at his father and pushed me away from the truck a few feet.

  “I need you to follow me in my truck. Is that okay?” Lark asked.

  I nodded my head and said, “Of course it’s okay.”

  When I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t believe what I saw. He was…scared.

  “Lark, please don’t be scared. Your Dad’s going to be okay. Even if he did break his ankle, it’s going to be okay.”

  He looked down at my lips and then back into my eyes. “I would never use you like that, Azurdee. Ever. Please know I’m not upset about people talking about Nikki or even my father being hurt. I’m upset that I made you think I only wanted you to forget about Nikki. I…I um…I care about you too much to ever do something like that to you. Please don’t ever forget that.”

  My heart began beating faster as I smiled and nodded my head. “I’m sorry I thought that.”

  He instantly relaxed and then jumped when his mother called out, “Michael! Come on!”

  Lark leaned down and kissed me quickly against the lips before pulling back and handing me his keys.

  Just a quick kiss from him caused me to lose my senses. I quickly ran over to his truck and jumped in.

  The whole way to the hospital I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that had happened today. All these people telling me how much Lark loved me, the look in his eyes when he was telling me he was scared I thought he wanted to use sex to forget about Nikki, the way he seemed like he wanted to tell me he loved me but he couldn’t. Motherfucker! I’m so damn confused.

  I slammed my head back against the seat as I followed Lark to the hospital. I thought back to the night of Scott and Jessie’s wedding.

  I’m not sure if I can be what you want me to be.

  What was I wanting Lark to be? I knew I’d fallen head over heels in love with him and I was okay that he wasn’t ready to say it back. Wasn’t I? I knew I wanted to spend every waking moment with him and I was pretty sure he felt the same way about me.

  Mi amor. I smiled as I thought about how Lark always called me my love. My smile faded as I remembered him talking in his sleep the other night and heard him repeat, “Guarda mi corazón” over and over again. What did he need to guard his heart from? Me or love?

  I wanted to ask Tristan why he thought Lark would end up hurting me, and made a mental note to try and talk to him alone again. We had almost two weeks and I was pretty sure I’d be able to talk to him again.

  I pulled up and followed Tristan into the parking lot and parked Lark’s truck. As I made my way into the hospital, the strangest feeling came over me and I couldn’t really understand what it was, but it caused my whole body to break out in goose bumps.

  As I walked in, Ryn walked up to me and said, “Let’s wait in the waiting room. Tristan or Lark will come get us.”

  I turned around and watched as Tristan, Lark, and his father all argued as their mother walked ahead of them and Lark and Tristan fought over who was going to push their dad in the wheelchair.

  When I looked back at Ryn, she was smiling and I saw something in her eyes I hadn’t seen yet…love.

  It had been a little over a week since I’d brought Azurdee home to meet my parents. As each day passed, they fell more and more in love with her. Even Tristan seemed to be falling for her…in a sister type way.

  I walked into the kitchen and looked at my mother and father sitting there. My dad looked up and said, “Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?”

  I gave him a smirk and said, “Yes. Yes sir, I did.”

  He rolled his eyes and said, “Your ass is lucky we aren’t old-fashioned or you and your brother would still be sneaking off to the barn.”

  I laughed and grabbed a glass out of the cabinet. “Speaking of. Where is Tristan?”

  “He took a few hunters out for me that were booked.”

  I glanced over toward my mother, who had a pissed-off look on her face. She hated it when my father booked hunts so close to Christmas Day. Hell, if he had it his way, he would be out guiding them on Christmas Day.

  I walked up to the window and looked out and saw Tristan, Ryn, Azurdee, and two young guys all standing there talking.

  Azurdee was dressed in jeans, boots and a tank top and the way the one fucker was looking at her was starting to piss me off.

  I set my glass down and tried to settle my nerves before I walked out there and beat the shit out of the little fucker. I felt a hand on my shoulder and my body tensed up even more.

  “She sure is a beautiful girl, Michael,” my father said.

  I turned to him and then back toward the group. I nodded my head and said, “Yes sir, she is. Inside and out.”

  “Sure would be a shame to let something like that slip through your hands, wouldn’t it?”

  I swallowed hard and remained silent.

  “Did I ever tell you how I almost lost the love of my life?”

  I snapped my head over and looked at him. He was staring out the window with a smile on his face.

  “Are you talking about Mom?”

  He looked at me and gave me a funny look and said, “Of course I’m talking about your mother.”

  I looked o
ver my shoulder and my mom was standing at the sink with a smile on her face. I shook my head and said, “No, sir. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that story.”

  “It’s a good story,” he said as I turned and just stared at him.

  “Well, are you going to tell me the story?”

  He slowly turned and faced me. “Someday I’ll tell ya, but just know this—if you let Azurdee go, you’re going to let the love of your life slip away, son. It’s okay to open your heart again, Michael. Anyone who sees the way you look at her can see how much you’re in love with her. Don’t let her slip away.”

  He grabbed his crutches and made his way out of the kitchen. I looked back at the window and watched as Azurdee laughed at something Tristan had said.

  My mother walked up next to me and let out a little laugh. “Michael, just follow your heart. It will never lead you the wrong way if you truly listen to it.”

  I looked down at my mother and smiled. “I love you, Mom.”

  She returned my smile and said, “I love you too, son. Now get on out there and show that little fucker who Azurdee belongs to.”

  I laughed as I hugged my mother and then headed toward the door. As I pushed it open she yelled out, “Muck out the stalls in the main barn!”

  “Yes, ma’am!” I yelled back.

  I walked towards Azurdee and tried to keep my hands from balling up as I watched the shorter bastard put his hand on the small of Azurdee’s back as they all made their way over to the jeep. I smiled when I noticed Azurdee move away from his touch.

  “Heading out for a day hunt?” I asked as Tristan looked at me and gave me a look. I nodded to let him know I was okay. Azurdee spun around and smiled as she walked right into my arms. I held onto her as I looked at the bastard who couldn’t seem to keep his eyes to himself.

  Tristan slapped the fucker on the back, causing him to pull his eyes away from Azurdee. “Lark, this is Jonathon and Luke. They’re looking to get them a nice buck. You up for a hunt?”

  Azurdee pulled away and smiled as she whispered, “Good morning.”

  I kissed her gently on the lips and said, “Good morning, mi amor.”

  Her eyes lit up and I couldn’t help but smile bigger. I knew how much she loved me calling her that and I made every attempt to use it all the time, not just when we were making love.

  “I’ve gotta pass on this hunt, Tristan,” I said as I continued to look at Azurdee. “I’ve got to take care of some things for Dad and Mom.”

  Azurdee smiled and bit down on her lower lip as I felt my pants grow a few sizes too small. I’d hardly been able to spend any time with her the last few days, what with trying to help out around the ranch since my father broke his ankle.

  “Probably for the best that I take this one,” Tristan said with a laugh. I looked over at him and smiled as Ryn shook her head and walked to Tristan. She reached up and kissed him and said, “Be careful. Hurry back, I’ll be missing you.” Tristan seemed shocked by what Ryn had just said. He smiled back at her and nodded his head. He watched as she walked back to the house. When he finally looked away he looked at me and attempted to smile. He looked back at Jonathon and Luke and clapped his hands and said, “Let’s do this. Let’s get us some big-ass south Texas bucks.”

  I helped them get all their gear into the jeep and then pulled Tristan off to the side and asked, “You want me to take them?” He pulled back and looked at me, confused.

  “No dude, I got this. You took the one out yesterday. Spend some time with Azurdee today. I’ve got this. Tomorrow is Christmas and you know Mom is going to want us to do the whole family bullshit.”

  I nodded and said, “Yeah, I’m surprised Ryn hasn’t fled yet.”

  Tristan nodded his head and looked away. “Yeah, well…let me get these guys out there before it gets too hot. We’re already starting out too late.”

  I watched as my brother walked away and ran his hand through his hair. Yep. He was just as fucked as I was. His problem was he was falling in love with the one girl who he didn’t think was the one he should be falling in love with, and my problem was I couldn’t tell Azurdee I loved her.

  I looked around and saw Azurdee was gone. When I walked around the corner, she was making her way down to the barn. I smiled and began jogging to catch up with her.

  “Hey, where do you think you’re going?” I called out as I came up behind her.

  She turned and smiled and said, “To the horses.”

  I grabbed her and pulled her to me as I whispered against her neck, “Did Mom tell you that you had to muck out the stalls too?”

  She laughed and said, “No, but I’d be more than happy to watch you do it, cowboy.”

  I kissed her neck and saw the goose bumps cover her body. I loved that I had such an effect on her body like I did.

  I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around me as I walked her into the barn. “Fine, but I’m not taking off my shirt.”

  I set her down and she began laughing as she said, “Damn it. I thought I would get a free show.”

  I walked over and turned on the radio and picked up a rake. I watched as she sat down on a bale of hay and pulled her knees up to her chest. She smiled and motioned for me to begin. I shook my head and started off to work.

  It didn’t take long before I was working up a sweat. I glanced back a few times and looked over at her sitting there watching me. “You wanna help?”

  She smiled as she shook her head and said, “Nope,” popping the p loudly. Her smiled faded when Selena Gomez’s song “Stars Dance” began playing. She slowly stood up and started walking towards me. When she walked up to me, she took the rake out of my hand and wrapped her hands around my neck and began moving her body against mine. I quickly was lost within her eyes.

  I grabbed onto her body and began moving right along with her. The heat from her body and the way she was looking into my eyes had my complete attention.

  What is this girl doing to me? I was totally hers, body and soul. I leaned down and brushed my lips across her neck. “Azurdee, you have no idea what you do to me,” I whispered against her sensitive skin.

  She dropped her head back and let out a whimper. “I do, because you do the same to me.”

  I kissed her along her neckline and then made my way up to her lips. I pulled her lower lip with my teeth and gently bit down on it. I felt her hands on my body as she made her way to my jeans and began unbuttoning them.

  “I want you so much,” I said as I pulled her tank top up and over her head. I looked at her white lace bra and moaned as her nipples hardened under my touch. I stepped back and watched as she began slipping her jeans off her body. She stood in front of me with nothing on but her panties and bra.

  “Take your panties off, Azurdee, and give them to me. Keep your bra on.”

  She slowly slipped her panties off as she licked her lips and handed me her panties. I took them and picked her up as I carried her into the side office and shut the door.

  I put her down and smiled as I said, “We’re going to make love and then I’m going to do the one thing I’ve been dreaming about since we got here.”

  Her eyes lit up as she asked, “What have you been dreaming about?”

  “Tying you up and fucking you in the barn.”

  She leaned against the wall and sucked in a quick breath of air and I quickly stripped myself of my boots and pants before I sat down on the chair. I smiled as I motioned for her to come to me. She smiled as she walked over and slowly began to sink down onto my body. The moment I felt myself slipping inside her warm body I let out a growl. Azurdee threw her head back and sighed in relief.

  “Nothing feels better than you inside of me,” she whispered. She snapped her head forward as she began slowly moving up and down.

  I smiled and placed my hands on her hips and moved slowly in and out of her.

  She smiled back at me and brought her lips to mine, but stopped just short of them and said, “I love you.”

  Something happ
ened in that moment and I was overcome with such a strong emotion. I closed my eyes and got lost in her lovemaking. When the song “Adore You” by Miley Cyrus began playing, I looked into her eyes.

  “Say it again,” I whispered. At first she looked confused, and then a smile spread across her face.

  She whispered to me, “I love you.”

  I closed my eyes. I needed to hear her say it. I needed to hear it from her lips while she made love to me.

  I opened my eyes and whispered, “Say my name, too.”

  She moved up and down so slowly as she said, “I love you, Lark.”

  I shook my head and looked into her eyes. “Say my name, mi amor.”

  She stopped, and when I saw her eyes filling with tears, I wanted to look away but I couldn’t. She took a deep breath and leaned down and gently kissed me.

  She pulled back slightly and her eyes moved everywhere on my face before she embraced my eyes again. “I love you, Michael.”

  I wrapped my arms around her and held onto her as tight as I could. My heart was pounding in my chest so hard I was sure she could feel it. “Say it again, please,” I said as my voice cracked.

  She let out a sob as she said it again, “I love you, Michael. I love you so much it scares me.”

  I stood up as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I walked over to the small bunk that was in the office and laid her down on it. I moved onto her and slowly pushed myself back into her as she arched her back and let out a moan.

  I placed my hands on the sides of her face as I slowly made love to her. I looked into her beautiful caramel eyes, now filled with tears, and I smiled as I whispered, “I love you, Azurdee. I love you so much. I’ll love you forever.”

  Azurdee wrapped her arms around me and held onto me as she said, “I’m going to come.”

  I pushed myself into her harder and whispered in her ear as I came, “I’ll. Love. You. Forever.”

  I lay wrapped in Lark’s arms as I silently cried. I’d never felt these emotions before in my life. There is no way to measure the love I was feeling in my heart. The moment he told me he loved me my whole world changed. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this man. No mountain I wouldn’t climb to prove to him how much I loved him.