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Chapter 12
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2021-10-29 11:47:43Related chapters
Reciprocity Chapter 13
I chuckled to myself, earning a quizzical look from Lila.“What?”“Your hair is a beautiful fucking mess.”She reached up and her fingers combed through it, trying to straighten it and get out the knots I’d made. My wife looked thoroughly sexed—a look I loved to see her wear. Unfortunately, we were at the office and had to at least look presentable before we opened the door to the sixth floor conference room.The quiet little corner became our occasional afternoon delight spot. With the trial closing in, we both needed the physical reassurance and calm that came from touching each other.“I was thinking about having roasted chicken breast and red potatoes for dinner.”I thought it over as I pushed the tails of my dress shirt back into my slacks. “Sounds pretty good. Maybe some salad as well. My stomach hasn’t been right since that weird Indian place Drew took us to on Monday.” She smiled, laughing to herself. “What?”She shook her head. “Nothing.”I threw my jacket back
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 14
When the alarm went off, neither of us moved to turn off the blaring sound. We stared at each other, gathering up the strength to leave the bed. Knowing that as soon as the alarm was silent, we had to get ready.She sighed and curled against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, wishing I could keep her there—that she didn’t have to go through what was coming.The volume of the alarm grew to an almost deafening level, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I slapped down on the snooze button to shut it up.Five more minutes.I went back to my position of trying to pull her inside me. When time was up, we reluctantly separated and moved to get up.A low pressure front had come through overnight, and we both groaned in pain. The first steps were rough—my leg didn’t want to move right. Another reminder of what lay beneath the scars all over my body. Lila was the same, and her hand covered the opposite wrist.My whole body ached and was stiff. Mornings like this sucked and made an
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 15
As I was led into the courtroom, I couldn’t help but look around. I locked onto Adam, and he actually looked reserved. After everything Lila told me, I scoffed at his act. It was probably advice from his lawyer—to look repentant in front of the jury.They’d dressed him up in a suit, shaved him, cut his hair—anything to make him look like a good boy. It was the way he held himself and the expressions on his face that gave him away.It was odd being on the other side of the bench. I was used to being in front of the judge, not beside him. I took a deep breath to even myself out and looked at Lawrence. My hands gripped the chair in an effort to keep me calm as I braced to go through the usual retelling of events from my eyes.Lawrence walked to the center of the floor. “Why were you going over to Delilah’s house that night?”“We were going to have dinner.”He looked around the room, trying not to focus solely on me. “Did you eat together every night?”“Yes.”“Did you notice
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 16
We sat at a table in Lila’s favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant a half hour later. I ordered her a margarita—a well-deserved drink after the morning we’d experienced. We were supposed to be having a celebration of our victory, but instead we sat in the booth with a somber aura, and I was icing my aching knuckles.She was lost in thought, but not vacant or detached. I was happy with that, and the fact she didn’t need my help but only my presence to pull her from the debilitating fear that took hold of her thanks to that asshole father of hers opening his mouth.She blew through her first drink in minutes, and I found myself shoving the chips and salsa at her before I had a drunk on my hands. After all, I had plans.“Baby, you need to slow down.”Her eyes flipped up, almost as if she was just noticing me, and her lips twitched. “Sorry, it’s just been a…day.”I nodded. “Lots of highs and lows.”She blew out a breath and dipped a chip in the queso I ordered. Her teet
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 17
Lila was not the woman I knew. No, the woman before me was a little girl—wide-eyed, smiling, full of bouncing, hyper energy and wonder.We were starting out our trip in the Magic Kingdom bright and early. Her attention was all over the place as she took in Main Street. When we were almost to the end, I pulled the map from my back pocket.I didn’t even get to ask where she wanted to go before she nearly tugged my arm out of the socket and I tripped over my feet, almost face-planting onto the stone below. Her pace was almost a run, her gaze fixed on one thing in front of her. She was practically dragging me on her quest.When I looked up, I saw what had her so excited—Cinderella’s Castle. It was the iconic Disney view. She blew past people, only to stop in front of it and stare. I wrapped my arms around her waist and stood behind her, cradling her against my chest.“It’s so pretty.” Her voice was low, reverent almost.I nodded against her shoulder. It was what had given me t
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 18
Lila was stuck in a strange state between relief and fear for the weeks following the trial. Adam had been found guilty on all charges, but there was still sentencing to go. She was teetering on an edge, and I knew things would tip when the ruling came down.Our little getaway helped, but the countdown to sentencing was excruciating. We were both ready for it to be done, over. Put the crap in the past and move on to the future.“Lunch today?” Lila asked as we rode the elevator up to the office.My face scrunched up a bit at the uncertainty in her tone. “Of course. Why wouldn’t we?”She looked down to the floor. “I just didn’t know what your schedule looked like.”“Sunny with a chance of afternoon Honeybear.” I winked at her.That got a smile to peek out and an elbow into my ribs. The damn dark cloud was washing over her again. The effect it had on her was hell to watch, and harder every day to combat.One fucking day left before Adam’s blackness wouldn’t be able to touch
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 19
Lila was different. That was the only word I could come up with to describe the change. Over the past few days, she’d shed a lot of the crap that held her back for years. It always dwelled in the back of her mind, ever since she left her father’s house—when will he come for me?The unsurmountable weight that pressed upon her was lifted. Chains that held her down released, shedding away the girl like a cocoon and opening up the woman inside. Adam was going to be in jail for a long time, and the judge had approved the restraining order on her father.It was the first time in over a year I felt like my words really penetrated her. After years of suffering, others finally saw the monster that Adam was. It was validation.Life returned to its normal pace. It was hard to believe how fast the days were passing. Even more unbelievable was how even we were—no more ups and downs. I was thankful for the change, for the monotony of getting up, going to work, and coming home with my wife
Last Updated : 2021-10-29Reciprocity Chapter 20
The next day, I was a wreck.Meeting Tom was a mistake.Granted, it wasn’t like I planned to run into him. That was what made it worse. If Marconi had someone watching us at that moment, I was screwed. It was a chance meeting that could get Lila killed.An innocent fucking errand that brought the devil down.After what Noah told me, I knew it wasn’t an “if” someone was watching. I’d recognized one of his men sitting in the corner as we talked. Marconi probably thought I was working the case.I needed to figure out a way to keep Lila safe.My mind was cracking, and the beast paced, whimpering. Everything was spiraling out of control. I was losing my grip.It was times like this the beast in me was let out. Nothing calmed it more than Lila. My body ached only for her touch. I needed it to survive. I’d die without it—without her. She let me ravage her, letting go in ways no other would. Euphoria and comfort—the soothing balm to my screaming agony.I couldn’t go hunt her do
Last Updated : 2021-10-29
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Reciprocity More books from K.I. Lynn!
Welcome to the Cameo HotelI get what I want.When I walked through the door of the Cameo Hotel I didn’t expect such a beauty to be working the front desk.The effect she has on me is intense, and I make her life a living hell because of it.I love her spirit, her internal defiance when completing the most inane task I assign her. My two week stay has turned into unending, just to be near her.She’s under my every command if she wants to keep me happy.There’s one last thing I want.Her.Find out more hereBecoming Mrs. LockwoodEvery girl has dreams of meeting Prince Charming, or at least I know I did.A fairy tale-like meeting of love at first site.Real life and fairy tales are very different.I’m just a small town Indiana girl that had a chance encounter with one of Hollywood’s golden boys. You may think you know where this story goes—not even close.Life is different. Marriage is hard. It’s even
Reciprocity About the Author
K.I. Lynn is the USA Today Bestselling Author from The Bend Anthology and the Amazon Bestsellers, Breach and Becoming Mrs Lockwood. She spent her life in the arts, everything from music to painting and ceramics, then to writing. Characters have always run around in her head, acting out their stories, but it wasn’t until later in life she would put them to pen. It would turn out to be the one thing she was really passionate about.Since she began posting stories online, she’s garnered acclaim for her diverse stories and hard hitting writing style. Two stories and characters are never the same, her brain moving through different ideas faster than she can write them down as it also plots its quest for world domination…or cheese. Whichever is easier to obtain… Usually it’s cheese.WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramGet my Newsletter
Reciprocity Acknowledgements
Special thanks to:My husband, David, for putting up with me and the madness of writing.To Massy, the voice of clarity in my chaotic mind and one who understands it all. Forever my twifey and BFF.To Crystal, my pervy twin, for everything.To Nyddi, for her support, friendship, and big heart.To all the fans. Thank you for loving Nathan and Lila, and for joining them on their journey. Your support, pimping, and love for the series keeps me going. Words can never express my gratitude and love to you all.
Reciprocity Chapter 6
Year 7…The house was an odd and eerie quiet. So much that I could actually hear the ticking of the clock above the mantle.Lila was out with Anna and Jackson in an effort to wear them down some for my parents and nephew. They were going to babysit for the night while we went out to celebrate our anniversary.Seven years.Seven years ago, I pledged my love and life to my Lila.Laying on the couch, my leg ached, stiff from being stuck in the same position for so long. I stretched it while trying not to disturb the bundle on my chest. My little Kayla was curled on me, her soft, sweet breath blowing across my skin. I leaned down and kissed the soft spot on her head and marveled at the miracle that she was. Only three months old, and she already had us all wrapped around her tiny fingers.My eyes flickered around the room, and I took stock of how much my life had changed over the prior nine years. In that period of time, I had moved from a large, quite literally empty
Reciprocity Chapter 5
Year 6…The week had been long and tiring. Then again, every week was beginning to be like that. Anna and Jackson were in so many activities there wasn’t a night in over a month we were home at a regular time.I rubbed my face and glanced over to the clock with a sigh. The day was minutes from being over, and my to-do list was barely checked off.Closing up, I settled my desk, readying it for the next day to start the cycle over again.“Night, Nathan,” Angie, my shared secretary, said as I stepped out of my office, locking the door behind me.“Night.” I set a file in her inbox. “Don’t stay too late.”“I’ve got to pick the boys up from their dad’s, so no worry there.”I swung by Lila’s office and waved to Owen. The poor guy looked swamped as usual. I was surprised that he continued on with the position for so long. Perhaps he, like Lila, found a sort of peace in the chaos. The more stringent requirements, double checking everything.He had a little one of his own
Reciprocity Chapter 4
Year 4…“Lila, have you seen my other shoe?” I asked, holding up my one running shoe.She bounced Jackson in her arms, rubbing his back to get him to burp. “No.”There was a little giggle coming from under the bed, and we both looked in the direction of the sound.I smiled and gestured with my head to the bed. “Oh, I wonder where it could be. Maybe it’s in the closet.”Another giggle.“In the bathroom?” Lila suggested with a wide smile and a shake of her head as she tried not to laugh at our toddler.A loud laugh—my daughter thought she was so sneaky.“Maybe…” I laid down on the floor and reached. “It’s under the bed!” Screeches of laughter as I grabbed hold of a toddler leg. “Gotcha!”She wasn’t very far under, and I was able to pull her out. I tickled her sides, making her squeal before reaching back under for my shoe.Anna smiled wide, little giggles coming from her. “Again!”I stood and pulled Jackson from Lila’s arms so she could finish getting dressed.
Reciprocity Chapter 3
Year Two…“Oh my God, look how adorable you are!” Caroline held Anna high up in the air, then brought her little baby belly to her mouth and blew on it, making Anna squeal in delight.Our little bundle arrived without issue, just an exhausting delivery, with my hair and Lila’s eyes. At nine months old, she was already exhibiting signs of the rambunctious child she would grow into.Lila smiled at them. “You say that every time you see her.”“Can’t blame her. She got her looks from her mom.”I turned in my seat. “Drew, are you saying I’ve got an ugly mug?”He gave a snort and shook his head. “You still have women in the office chasing your ass. So, no. Just saying Lila is beautiful.”I pointed my finger at him. “Hey, that’s my wife.”Lila rolled her eyes and swatted my arm before going over to Drew and giving him a hug.“Thanks, Drew, I needed that.”“Needed that? Is Nate falling down on the job?” He gave me a mock glare, and I flipped him off.She shook her he
Reciprocity Chapter 2
Year One…After a six-month search, Lila and I found a home in Carmel—land of the roundabouts—and had settled in to suburban living. With the lives we’d led, it was quite an adjustment. Being neighborly was a foreign concept for Lila, leaving some of our neighbors a little put off.She wasn’t the stereotypical suburban housewife like many of the nearby residents.There was a good chance we would never fit in well, but it didn’t bother me. She was all I needed.We had a beautiful lot overlooking a small lake. It made for wonderful nights sitting on the deck, watching the sun set.I stared at her, my eyes wide in surprise at her sudden burst of anger. My wife was livid—pissed beyond belief at me—and I had no idea why. Her face resembled the same shade of red as the Twizzler dangling out of my mouth. I held up my hands in surrender, never having seen the she-devil before me, and I had no idea how to handle her.“Why?” Her hands were balled into fists at her sides, sh
Reciprocity Chapter 1
Two months after the end of Reciprocity…The glare-down entered its fifth minute with neither of us backing down. My jaw twitched. Lila’s jutted forward. A bottle of wine sat between us on the counter. The kitchen was a disaster, we both looked wrecked, and we hadn’t had sex in five days.Five fucking days.Weeks of small spats were building, and the blowout was bound to happen at any moment. What bothered me, what hurt the most, was the reason why my wife and I were having such difficulties.It wasn’t because of someone coming after us, my overbearing protectiveness, or her family. No, it was us.Us.Me.Her.The reality of life without looking over our shoulders.Who were Nathan and Delilah Thorne?What did they like? What did they do in their spare time? Hobbies?The only hobby I had was fucking her, and that wasn’t happening lately because one or both of us was constantly angry at the other for sometimes unknown, irrational reasons.Sex was no longer pro
