Wifey

By Ann Lothrop

For Molly Cantrell, a seventeen year old musician living in the spotlight, her dreams were far from falling in love. As Molly suddenly becomes intertwined with a mysterious man named Reese, one passionate night is all it took to begin the rest of her life. When Molly's guardians Wade and Trey learn of this night, they inform Reese of Molly's age and he leaves never even saying goodbye. With blackmail and danger arising into her family's secrets, tragedy in the family, and life unraveling after decisions were made to protect the ones she loves, was it to late for second chances when Reese drops back into her life suddenly? How will he take the secret hidden from him for seven years? What secrets is he hiding from her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann Lothrop
• Release date: Feb 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370493920

Ann Lothrop

Hi! I'm an older lady that has just started publishing my work. I am open minded, fun loving and nonjudgmental. I have two adult children, a grandchild, and numerous pets (three dogs and a cat). I spent years living in the California foothills, So I'm pretty much a country girl. I cook, bead, sew, and most important I write.

Book preview

Wifey

By

Ann Lothrop

For my Annie B

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2017 by Ann Lothrop

– This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

I reserve all rights to this book. Nothing may be copied or used without the author’s express permission.

Table of Contents

Part One – The Past

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Part Two – The Present

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Epilogue

Part One

The Past

Chapter One

This was the last place he expected to be Reese thought, as the big man blocking his path looked over his identification. The hall was brightly lit, noise from behind him emanated softly from behind the closed doors. Several other guards stood milling around trying to look busy. The man glanced at the papers in his hands and tipped his head to the side. The man's body language told Reese someone was speaking into the guard’s earpiece. He looked Reese over with new interest. The man nodded handing Reese back his I.D.

You can go on in Captain. Enjoy yourself. Things are just warming up. Clay opened the door allowing Reese access to the penthouse. Reese cast the man a knowing smirk as he passed by the man’s hulking frame. He’d been singled out by his commanding officer because of his history with music. His Major felt it would be an asset in interviewing the young lady. Reese rolled his shoulders as he entered the room easing the tension building between his shoulder blades. It had been too many years; if he had been able to avoid this assignment he would have. The last seven years he had avoided anything to do with music and musicians. All except for Molly Watts, he loved listening to her sing. Her voice set off memories of things he had long buried.

Making a difference in the world drove him almost as much as his love for music. He loved being in special forces as much as he had playing. That love of music his mother had almost destroyed. Her constant pushing for him to play and excel in the industry had forced a wedge between them. It was so bad he started to hate playing. The fights and arguments had almost destroyed him. He had barely been seventeen when he begged and cajoled his father into signing his enlistment papers. That was all in the past now. He did not know if his music history would help, but the off chance of saving several young girls from a life of hell was worth the try.

He was there to talk with Molly Watts. He hoped to glean some new information that may help with his mission. Molly was a member of an up and coming popular country bluegrass band. He was a definite fan. Though his visit had little to do with music. The young Miss Watts had been a victim of a white slavery ring. Reese was being covertly sent to rescue two girls who had gone missing and believed to be in the hands of that same group. They had not disappeared. They had been taken.

The room was packed with party revelers and fans, most of who were part of the band’s inner circle. Reese found a beer and made his way around the room, mingling with some of the guests. He enjoyed listening to their excitement as they waited for the band, Cantrell’s Smokey Mountain’s Raider Review, to arrive. The band was still at the awards ceremony. They had been nominated for Entertainers of the Year. Reese respected and understood what winning this would mean for the band having walked away from his own promising music career. Reese abhorred the public side of it.

Molly, the band's singer, could sing. Reese had heard her on the radio, but had never caught a live performance. Her voice always made the hair on his arms stand up. From the pictures he'd seen of her, she was stunning. He grabbed another beer and watched with the rest of the guests as they watched the award’s ceremony on the large screen TV. After yet another beer and no food, Reese was feeling the effects of the alcohol. The only food out was various trays of appetizers and cold cuts. He tried a few and found them wanting. He switched to drinking the punch. He wanted to keep his wits about him.

The band won. Reese looked again at the TV and smiled. The noise and excitement level rose in the room. Several of the guests cheered and lifted their glasses in a toast aimed at the band appearing on the screen. He had already consumed three glasses of punch and he was working on the fourth. He set his glass down feeling a bit light-headed. He went in search of a bathroom.

***

Molly looked at both men standing beside her in the elevator. She could barely contain the smile growing on her lips. She glanced at her hands holding the gleaming statue. She again glanced back and forth between the two men. This time she did giggle, her smile spreading across her face. They had won the award for Entertainers of the Year. She could scarcely believe it. She raised the statue to look at it closely, giggling again.

Wade glanced down at her smiling face, then up to the man on the other side of her. They exchanged an intimate glance. All three of them broke into laughter.

Wade was the taller of the two men. He was squared jawed with the kind of looks women found irresistible, his Nordic ancestry showing in his blonde hair and blue eyes. His face had a serious look most of the time, but Molly had always been able to see through that serious facade.

Trey, her cousin, and guardian, had almost the opposite coloring. His eyes held a bright, happy twinkle as if looking for the next adventure. His features mirrored the family resemblance to Molly. They shared most of the family coloring. He was lean and barely reached 5''10'. He had given Molly back the ability to laugh again.

Wade's long arm shot to the control panel. He pressed the button stopping the elevator and let out a rueful sigh, his eyes meeting Trey’s. Wade reached out stroking Trey’s cheek lightly. He looked down into Molly’s bright, expectant eyes.

We get so few chances for privacy these days. He paused for a moment. I wanted to tell you both how much you and this, means to me… glancing briefly at the award clasped in Molly’s tight grip. He looked up, locking his eyes on Trey, I love you Trey. Molly, without you this could not have happened

Molly had long known about the relationship between her cousin and Wade. They were quiet and discreet, protecting their public image. Their sexuality was a closely guarded secret. It had not mattered to her, both men were her world. They both were very protective of their family. She was part of that family. They all were very conscientious of their privacy and their public image.

Molly, he started his eyebrow quirking up slightly, you completed our band. You brought to it what we had been missing. She tilted her head as her eyes began to fill with tears smiling into his soft blue eyes.

Now Molly, don't you cry! Trey cut in. You'll ruin your makeup! he added with a flustered sigh. Suddenly both men smiled at each other, then at her. Molly blinked back the tears of happiness. These men had become a real family to her, how could she not love them. They had sheltered, protected and helped her heal physically and emotionally.

So whose idea was the dress? Wade asked. The color rose to her cheeks as she shot Trey a quick glance. They all knew it was Trey’s idea. The lavender and pearl concoction eluded sex appeal and elegance. The dress fit her as if it had been designed for her alone. Molly wore it with grace, unaware of the ethereal aura and glamor she created as she moved.

It’s beautiful on her, don't you think Wade? It looks like it was made for her. The lavender chiffon creation clung to her lithe body, sighing against her skin with her every move. The color was an exact match for her eyes. It was sleeveless with white pearl straps trailing down the low cut back. With her long, dark hair up in cascading curls, she looked older than her seventeen years. She looks too grown up, too sexy, Wade grumbled and sighed. Every man in the place will be eyeballing her. Trey held Wade's eyes.

Wade, an unspoken plea echoed in Trey’s voice, besides, with both of us watching over her she will be fine. The scandal sheets will have a field day with us. Trey winked at him, seeing his small victory in Wade's expression. They often used the scandal sheets to create a false wall of protection and a phony persona. Wade rolled his eyes, casting them a wary smile. Trey's smile got wider. She’s grown up Wade. Wade’s arm slipped behind Molly to give Trey a pinch on his backside.

Hey, I'm right here! I really hate it when you two talk over me! Wade shrugged and started the elevator again. Will you two stop playing grab ass it’s so annoying. Molly rolled her eyes.

Molly! they both echoed. Molly giggled looking back and forth at them. With these two men by her side she could do anything.

Well you only have yourselves to blame! You taught me to call it as I see it! Remember, I think your words were 'openness and total honesty! Molly slipped her arm through Wade's. Wade's eyebrow quirked up again and he glanced at the elevator door as it started to open. Trey rested his hand in the small of her back as all three of them stepped out.

Are you ready for this? Wade asked. Both Trey and Molly nodded. You look beautiful. His eyes traveled down the dress she wore once again. She was almost as tall as him. Frowning, he sighed again. It was her heels, another addition from Trey he realized. She was as tall as Trey. Her heels had to be at least four inches he mused silently. It was going to be a long night.

The door to the penthouse swung open and they were greeted with cheers and applause. Molly had never grown comfortable with all the attention connected to being a celebrity. She fought the rising color filling her cheeks. She marveled at the idea she was famous. She raised the statue above her head to the cheers of the people in the room. Smiling brightly, she handed Trey the statue. She was surrounded by well-wishers and friends, all looking to plant kisses on her cheeks and fold her into every kind of hug imaginable.

I need something to drink, she whispered to Trey and began working her way to the table holding the punch bowl. After being stopped, hugged, and congratulated she was almost desperate for a drink. She served a glass, cupping it in her hands like it was a valued treasure.

She had barely sipped it when Wade pulled it from her hands. She frowned, looking up at him.

The punch has been spiked he whispered into her ear. I’m having it pulled before anything more happens, Molly's eyes widened in surprise.

Chapter Two

She had been standing over the bed for some five minutes, unsure of what to do. There was a man sleeping on her bed. How he got into her room she could only guess. How to get him out was a harder solution. Molly had never been in this situation before. She had heard of fan’s sneaking into a celebrity’s house, if that was what was going on. Somehow it did not feel like a threat or a sneaky fan, after all, the entire penthouse had been full of party-goers, Clay had been very thorough with security for the party. As far as she could tell, the man was tall, lean, hard muscled, very handsome, and very much asleep. He could be one of Trey's friends. It would not have been the first time she had found one of them wandering the penthouse, but finding a man sleeping in her bed was a first. She let out a heavy sigh and cocked her head to the side pondering what she needed to do. It had been a long night and she was tired and ready to catch a few hours of sleep. Her uninvited guest had to go. At least he had most of his clothes on, she thought. He was on his stomach and her eyes slid to his backside… Very nice she noted. Most of Trey’s crowd had nice butts. Trey liked the pretty boys. He always seemed to be surrounded by a group of them.

Most of the party goers had already left. The few stragglers, along with Wade and Trey, would also be leaving any minute. All the people that were left would be leaving to make the rounds of the night’s celebratory after-hour parties and clubs.

At the sound of the closing door echoing down the hall, her shoulders sagged knowing they were gone, on their way to those parties. She had opted to stay home to get a few hours of sleep before it was time to load up the band's bus and head for the show in Reno. It would be an early call in the morning. She dropped her shoes to the floor, hoping the noise would wake the man up. He stirred, turned on his side, and settled in again. She glanced at the door wondering if she should call Clay. Then she realized Clay was with Wade and Trey. The penthouse was basically locked down when security left for the night. Clay was security. Security had slipped up, missing this reveler. He was beautiful, handsome, even model handsome. He had chiseled features yet with a certain boyish softness to his face.

Molly’s examination of the man continued. He was very good looking, but Trey’s friends usually were. She had seen way too many with that male model look to be surprised. His hair was dark and cut shorter than she thought was attractive. There was something about him that drew her to him. She cautiously reached out and touched his shoulder.

Hey, she bit her lip gently tapping him, hey, she stated a little louder, her tap becoming more insistent. Come on guy you need to wake up, still nothing from him. She debated giving his shoulder a hard shove. Hey, the party’s over guy, it’s time to move on, she stated. Reaching out and shoving him hard, her frustration grew. He did not stir. She mentally debated calling Wade, but in the same instant, realizing with the noise level in the clubs, they would not be answering their phones.

She was not afraid of him and she should have been. Her eyes traveled back over his prone body. He would not have made it past security if he was a threat. She had spent the last three years regaining her confidence and self-esteem by taking self-defense classes and tons of counseling. Handling the situation would not be hard. Being with Wade and Trey had gone a long way in helping her. With their solid love and sense of family she had healed, learned to trust again. With renewed assurance, she gave him another hard shove on his shoulder. Are you all right? It suddenly dawned on her; he was a victim of the spiked punch. A soft, rueful laugh escaped her. That was just what she needed. What had it been spiked with? Wade never said.

Suddenly, he sat up, swinging long legs over the side of the bed, startling her for a moment. She stepped back.

He cocked his head to the side. His eyes looked glazed over. His brow wrinkled with a frown of frustration. It looked like he was trying to focus. Then suddenly his eyes met hers. She sucked in her breath. She blinked several times. His eyes were beautiful, hypnotic and a very dark hazel blue. The gold surrounding his pupils was rich and deep, almost drawing her in. The blue surrounding the gold color was a brilliant blue. Molly had never seen eyes this color or so striking. She was mesmerized, and he was still trying to focus on her. Their eyes locked, a slight shiver traveled through her.

Are you an angel? his gravelly tone, barely above a whisper asked. She watched the confusion cross his face. His hand went up and traced a line down her cheek. The movement was light and gentle; Molly did not panic but stood very still. She was stunned. She swallowed hard, a knot forming in her throat, as a slight heat began to build inside her. You have lavender eyes. I have never seen lavender eyes. His voice was soft and husky, barely a grumble, sending a shiver through her. His hand traveled down her side, stopping at her waist. He drew her between his legs. At this point she could not break the lock his eyes had on her, nor did she want to. Her heart began to pound. Her breathing became labored as she struggled to take in air. The heat traveling through her raised a notch. Her mouth, suddenly going dry, she licked her lips. She bit on her lower lip. He sucked in his breath, his eyes widening. You have to be a dream, he pulled her closer, you seem so real.

I am real. She stated incredulously, her voice coming out as a soft gasp. Confusion crossed his face again. She frowned and made to step away from him. She needed to break the hypnotic pull she was feeling. His hold on her tightened just slightly. She stopped, unable to pull away. Again, he pulled her closer, laying his head on her chest. Her heart beat wildly. Tremors and a hot wave of heat shot through her body. It was crazy. Her heart rate stepped up another notch when he sighed, settling, nestling his head against her heart. Molly was completely taken aback as she looked down on his dark hair. She put her hand on his shoulder, intending to push him back and he shuddered. Something she could not describe stirred in her. She did not know what to do. A soft moaning sigh escaped from him. It set her pulse racing even harder. His hand gently brushed against the pearls on the back of her dress, tracing a path up and down her back.

Feeling each pearl brush against her bare back sent a jolt of electricity through her. She was feeling things in places she had no business feeling. She knew what her body was saying; it was hard to ignore her growing response. At the soft stroking on her back, she closed her eyes. Each pearl barely flicking against her skin, heightened her awareness of his hands. Every touch was soft, barely a whisper. Goose pimples rose on her flesh as his hands continued their path up and down her spine. It was raw, sensual and hot. She knew what was happening to her, yet she did not stop him. It felt so good. Her hormones seemed to be taking control over her body and knew what it wanted. When she touched his hair, he looked up, locking eyes with her. She moved her hand slowly along his neck tracing his jawline. He had those rugged looks that attracted women, similar to Wade’s. Yet there was a boyish charm to his features. Just as slowly, his hands moved up to the line just beneath her breasts. He began stroking her skin gently. She swallowed hard. Her nipples went rock hard waiting for him to touch them. Instead, his hands continued around and up again. They slipped under the pearl edging of the straps of her dress, traveling up then back down again. She emitted a soft groan. It felt so good. A new wave of goose bumps followed the rise and fall of the pearls on her back. She swallowed, licking her lips again. He threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling her head down to him, kissing her softly, tasting her, licking her lips almost reverently. Shock raced through her. It dawned on her this man may have been a friend of Trey's, but he was not gay. The feather light butterfly licking kisses continued along her neck. She could not stop the moan from escaping her. He nipped her neck just below her ear. She dug her nails into his neck. It set her on fire. A wave of burning heat traveled through her body. She was unable to control her body’s response to his seductive assault. The kisses continued. Molly never realized when her dress pooled at her feet. When he reached her breast and took her nipple into his mouth, she moaned again. She ran her hands over his shoulders, sliding his shirt off. His strong arms circled her, drawing her to the bed and under him. All that her mind registered was the feel of him on top of her. When he deepened the kiss, she was lost. She met his probing kiss with her own.

She had never wanted anything in her life like she wanted this man. That thought alone surprised her. Her whole body was alive with the sensations he was stirring in her. She no longer cared to stop him. All that mattered to her was what he was making her feel. She met his kiss with an equal passion that rocked them both. She had no idea where his clothes or the rest of hers went, but the feel of his skin against hers sent a new wave of heat through her. His hands gently closed around her breast and she rolled her hips against him. When she touched his nipple, he released a soft groan. It amazed her that her touch