Penance and Promises: Chastity Falls, #5

By L. A. Cotton

Seven years ago, Ana Parry walked into Chastity Falls Academy and changed the lives of Jackson Pierce and Braiden Donohue. Her arrival set into motion a series of events that none of them could have ever predicted.

But they got out.

Escaping Chastity Falls, they left behind a life built on lies and secrets, danger and fear.

… Didn't they?

Penance will be served, promises will be made.

Welcome to the end of Chastity Falls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Delesty Books
• Release date: Jan 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386675686

L. A. Cotton

Addictive Romance Author of mature young adult and new adult novels, L A is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns. Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find L A immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.

Book preview

ONE

Ana

How are you feeling? Cara breezed into the house, air kissing me as she passed.

I closed the door and followed her. Well, waddled since that was all I’d been able to do for the last month. Tired. My feet hurt all the time, and I’m sure she’s playing hockey with my bladder.

You look good, though. She smiled, helping herself to a cookie. And you baked.

I rolled my eyes with a groan. Because Jax won’t let me do anything else. He has me holed up in the house ‘taking it easy’. I’m going out of my damn mind.

Cara stifled a laugh. He’s only worried. The doctor said you had to take it easy. Enjoy it while you can; once she arrives, life will never be the same.

My hand slid to my stomach. Cara was right. In less than six weeks, everything would change. But I couldn’t wait. Couldn’t wait to meet my daughter. I imagined her with Jackson’s green eyes and my dark hair. It was still hard to believe we were at this point ... after everything.

Hey, are you okay? Cara’s voice softened, and I nodded, forcing my lips into a weak smile.

It’s nothing.

It’s not nothing. She came around the counter. You can tell me, whatever it is.

I liked Cara, I really did. We’d hit it off when she’d arrived. I could relate to her, and over the last four months, we’d become good friends. But...

Ana, it’s okay. Her eyes shone with understanding, and I let out a resigned sigh.

I still can’t believe he’s here. I’m sorry. I know that makes me a horrible person, but I just can’t get past it. My eyes dropped away, guilt coiling around my heart.

Hey, hey, Cara soothed. Don’t apologize. You have every right to feel the way you do. But he’s trying; Braiden is really trying to make amends.

I lifted my head to meet Cara’s warm smile. It was easy to see why he’d fallen for her. Cara was feisty and took no shit from Braiden, but she also had a good heart. I’d known it from the second I’d met her. Besides, to forgive Braiden of his past, she had to be a strong person.

I know, I whispered.

That was the kicker. I knew; I just wasn’t sure it would ever make a difference.

Not to me.

The front door opened, and the deep rumble of laughter filled the house.

Almost had you that time.

You wish. I had like five paces on you.

"Whatever. Soon I’ll be all over you, Daddy."

Cara squeezed my hand, her lips pressed together, but I shrugged her off and made myself busy. It would take time to get used to hearing Jackson and Braiden like that.

Like old times. Times I’d worked hard to forget.

There you are, Cara purred, giggling when Braiden scooped her up for a kiss, or at least, I figured he did that, since they could hardly keep their hands off each other. I sliced another piece of apple, keeping my eyes on the knife. A hand slid around my waist and rested on my stomach. How are my girls? Jackson dropped his chin to my shoulder, his damp jersey sticking to me. I missed you.

We missed you too.

He turned me to face him, capturing my lips. The knife dropped out of my hand, clattering onto the cutting board, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered when Jackson kissed me. Even after all this time, his touch erased everything. He deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue into my mouth. Crowding me against the counter, he was careful enough to give my growing bump room. I love you, he murmured against my lips.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. Braiden. I silently cursed. Reluctantly, I slid my arms down Jackson’s chest and pushed hard, shooting him a glare. His eyes widened and then narrowed, searching my face.

Morning, Ana.

Braiden, I said curtly, pushing past Jackson. If you all will excuse me, I’m not feeling so great. I think I’m going to lie down.

Cara tried to catch my eye, but I kept my head down as I left the kitchen. Irritation worked its way through my body, and I felt my pulse ratchet. I’m sorry, baby, I cooed to my stomach, rubbing lazy circles over the protruding bump. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

I wasn’t always this hostile when Braiden came over. Ever since Jackson had given him some work with his company, it seemed he was over all the time. But something had changed. It was like the more Jackson let him into our lives, the more I closed down. Maybe it was my motherly instinct kicking in. But something felt... wrong. Like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop or for the storm to arrive.

I only hoped I was wrong.

Hey. Warm hands slid around my waist and rested on my stomach. The baby kicked with happiness, or that was what I liked to tell myself. Are you okay? Jackson asked, his voice quiet.

Honestly, I whispered, hating that I was even admitting this to him, I don’t know.

Jackson tucked his face into the crook of my neck, pressing a kiss to my skin. Talk to me.

I just can’t get my head around it, Jackson. I’m trying, I really am, but something feels... I stopped myself. I didn’t want to jinx things—not when things between us were so good—but Jackson had other ideas.

Hey, he said. You can tell me anything, Ana. No more secrets, remember?

With a heavy sigh, I replied, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive him.

There, I’d said it.

Jackson kissed me again. It was softer this time. Reassuring. No one is asking you to.

But...

Jackson rolled me onto my back and lay next to me, his face hovering over mine. I’ll never ask you for something you can’t give. We’ve been through too much. You want him gone, just say the word.

I— Did I want that? No Braiden meant no Cara, and she’d become a good friend. Something I didn’t have in droves. And for as much as it pained me to say, Jackson seemed to like having Braiden around. He hadn’t said it, but I’d noticed the change in him.

When we moved to Tampa, he lost so much: Otis, V, his friends, even the family who had raised him. Jackson had lost everything he’d ever known, and although he’d chosen me—chosen a better life—I knew a part of him clung to the past. It probably always would.

How do you do it? I said, unable to meet his intense gaze.

He’s family. Even after everything, he’s still family, Ana. I can’t change that. Jackson’s fingers tilted my face up to his. What I saw staring back at me sucked the air from my lungs. You’ll always be the most important thing in my life, and I’ll always choose you. You know that, don’t you?

I nodded, unable to reply over the thick lump in my throat.

I knew it. But I also knew Jackson meant every word about Braiden. They were family. Maybe not by blood, but they were connected in other ways. And for as much as I didn’t understand it, Jackson would always honor that.

Did they leave? I whispered.

Jackson smiled. Yeah, but the doctor said...

I don’t care what the doctor said. I’m not made of glass, Jax. I won’t shatter if you touch me. And I needed him to touch me. More than anything, I needed him to erase the black clouds hanging over me.

Hesitation flashed in his eyes, but I ignored it, leaning up to kiss him. Make me feel, please.

Jackson kissed me deeply, his tongue gliding against my own and igniting the slow burn between us, but I felt his reluctance. How delicately he touched me, held me. Jackson was holding back. Scared to hurt the baby or me. But I needed this. Needed him to eliminate the doubt, and the nagging feeling that something was coming.

Jackson. I moaned against his mouth, running my hand down his chest to the waistband of his jeans.

Slow down. There’s no rush. He pulled away and smiled.

My own smile slipped, the desire ebbing away. It was irrational to think he didn’t want me like this. He’d never purposely made me feel like that, but this new super protective version of him didn’t sit well with me. I still needed all of him. Loyal. Protective. Virile. Dominant.

Jackson chuckled, leaning in to press his lips to my neck, sending tiny shocks bolting through me. But when his hands ran up and over my stomach, he yanked away. Did you feel that?

Reviews for Penance and Promises

[polkijuh · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

If you read the first story don’t waste your time they skip ahead years.