“Are you seriously getting turned on from this?”
“I'm pregnant, Nico. Imagine yourself at around 14. That's me. A horny boy goin’ through puberty and you're touchin’ me,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Just...stand still, okay?”
She nods and I run the razor slowly over her, cleaning it each time, careful not to go too fast or put too much pressure. She's breathing through her nose and I get to the last spot, the top, by her clit.
“I don't know about up here, Blondie. Too close to the gold.”
“Just...I'll help.”
Her voice is hoarse as she reaches down to put a finger over her clit as I shave around one side, then the other.
“Move it,” I demand my own voice raspy, my dick hard.
She slowly moves her finger and I dip my head, her clit so swollen I can wrap my lips around it.
“Fuck, Nico!” she gasps bracing her hands above my head against the tile wall.
“I need my fill, Blondie. Two nights without the taste of your pussy on my lips is gonna be torture.”
She sighs at my words, her hand gripping the shower wall, the other going to the back of my head.
“Yesss...so close, baby. So. Close.”
Her teeth are clenched, her breathing is frantic, and I grab her ass pulling my face further into her. I feed on her, her juices, her lips, her clit, all of it hungrily getting taken by my mouth, my teeth, my tongue.
She drops her hand from my head, and I hold her up as I feel her legs wobble.
“Easy, Blondie. You okay?” I say getting to my feet still holding her.
She nods, her eyes closed as I lift her and wrap her in a towel, bringing her to the bed.
She rolls to her side, her eyes heavy and she smiles.
“A lifetime of that, Hulk? Let's elope right now.”
“No decisions while angry, hungry or horny, remember? Let the endorphins from that mind-blowing orgasm I gave you subside before you start talking crazy.”
“Fine, but I'm still gonna wanna marry you sooner, rather than later.”
Her voice trails off as her breathing evens out and I watch her sleep. She's so peaceful and beautiful, not that she isn’t when she's awake, she's just more rowdy and sexier then. I love every single shade of this woman and I look down and still can't believe my ring is right there on her finger.
------
We spend the rest of the day in pure happiness, teasing each other, kissing, eating and just being the two of us we've missed for such a long time, then her mood changes as I pack up to leave.
“What's the matter, Lace?”
“I just...now that I have you back, it's gonna take some adjustin’ to this constant leavin’, is all. I don't know how Bella does it,” she says softly, dropping her head to the ground.
“Hey,” I say cupping her cheeks to look up at me. “It's a quick trip. I'll be back Sunday night. You don't have to worry about a thing, okay? I'm not leaving my apartment except to go to the games.”
“I don't mean that,” she says shaking her head. “As crazy as it is, I trust you, I just...when the baby's here, it's gonna suck.”
“The season is more than halfway over. I'll try not to smash the shit out of the ball so much so we don't make the playoffs, how's that?” I say smiling.
“Don't do that,” she laughs. “I'm just hormonal and bein’ weird, I'm sorry.“
“Blondie, don't ever apologize for wanting me around more. I love that, I love you, okay?”
She nods and I kiss her forehead then bend down on my knees to kiss her belly, then her lips.
“I love you baby girl, and you too, Mama. I'll see you Sunday.”
“Love you too, Daddy Hulk. Don't you dare come back home without smashin’ four homers this weekend. I'll be watchin’,” she points at me.
“You got it, Blondie.”
Chapter 20
Lacey
I hop out of my car and run towards the field for our Second Chances/Louisiana Cajuns event, as well as I can with a basketball for a belly. Normani and Devin are standing on the side, Normani sporting a belly almost the size of mine. I see my mama, Aunt Charlotte and Alessandra walking over to them and I pick up the pace a little bit.
“Sorry I’m late. My alarm didn’t go off,” I say out of breath.
Truthfully, I haven’t gotten much sleep since Nico left. My appointment the other day freaked me out a little bit, baby girl measuring 43 weeks. They scheduled me for a c-section next week and it’s all I’ve been thinking about.
“No worries, we have it handled. Gonna have to get used to not havin’ our shark for six weeks,” my Aunt Charlotte says hugging me. “How are you feelin’?”
“Good. Tired. Hungry. Pissed. Scared. Happy. Everything.”
My aunt laughs and Normani hugs me.
“Me and you both woman, me and you both,” she laughs.
“I could have told you right from the start my grandbaby was gonna give you a run for your money, Mani,” my aunt says laughing.
“Hey, I was a good boy,” Devin protests.
“Was,” Normani laughs.
I feel a sharp cramp and grab my belly, my grip on Normani tightening. I don’t know if this girl is even gonna make it until next week and that scares me even more.
“You okay?” she asks with concern.
“Yeah,” I croak. “I just...am havin’ a little more pain than usual.”
“Contractions?” my mama asks. “Are you timin’ them?”
“No. It's okay, I’m fine. I can’t go into labor today. Nico doesn’t get back until tomorrow. It’s nothin’, I’ll drink more water. I have my c-section next week, she won’t come this early.”
“Lacey, that baby is gonna come when she wants to come, whether Nico is here or not. You need to start timin’ them,” my mama says gripping my shoulder.
“Okay, okay. I’ll time them.”
The pressure subsides and I grab my water bottle from inside my bag and drink half it down before putting it back.
“Good as new. Now what’s the big news y’all had to tell me? Should I check on anything first?”
“Nope, we have it handled. Don't worry about anything, okay?” Alessandra says.
I nod and give her a small smile. She's growing on me. Now that I know the truth behind that picture, I feel sorry for her. We haven't really gotten to know each other on a personal level yet, she's harder to crack than Normani was, but I think it's only a matter of time before she does.
“We uh...we’re the ones with some news,” Normani says smiling.
“You’re already pregnant, the weddin’ is in three months, what else could it be?” I ask confused, then it clicks. “Wait...here? It’s one of these kids?” I smile looking around.
“He is. The tiny one over there. His name is Cooper. He’s three,” Devin says proudly.
“Oh my God, I’m so happy for y’all. Does he know?” I ask.
“He does,” Devin answers. “He’s gonna come and stay with us the weekend. He doesn’t know that yet, though.”
Devin runs over to him and picks him up, bringing him over to us.
“Coop, this is Aunt Lacey. Aunt Lacey this is Cooper.”
“Hi Cooper! It’s so nice to meet you,” I say shaking his little hand.
His smile is adorable as he buries his face into Devin’s chest shyly.
“Nice to meet you,” he whispers.
“What good manners you have.”
“Thank you,” he responds.
“Come here, buddy. Let Daddy Dev talk with Aunt Lacey, okay?” Normani says reaching for the little boy.
He reaches for her and Normani carries him away, Aunt Charlotte, Alessandra and my mama following them.
“What’s his story?” I ask softly.
“He was dropped at the church last year and they brought him to Second Chances. No note, nothin’. Normani found him in the corner of the rec room one day when she was volunteerin’. They said he didn’t speak a word
since he was left. Didn’t have a name or anything. First thing he does when he sees her is shake her hand and tell her his name. She fell in love and I went to meet him and couldn’t even keep it together,” Devin says swallowing, his voice breaking. “I’ll never understand it.”
He shakes his head and I pull him in for a hug.
“Y’all are doin’ somethin’ amazin’. That little boy is gonna be so happy to have you as parents. I mean a new baby and a three-year-old? Path straight to heaven if you ask me.”
“Thanks, Lace. We’re excited. Stressed and nervous, but so happy.”
“Well we’re all in the chaos. We’ll help y’all, if you help us,” I laugh.
“How’s everything between you and Nico?”
“Good,” I smirk.
I can’t tell Devin before I tell Normani and Bella. They’re already having dinner at our house tonight and I’ll spill the news then. I look over to the women and decide to turn over a new leaf, I walk over and pull Alessandra to the side.
“Do you have plans tonight?”
“I...me?” she asks confused.
“Yeah, you,” I laugh.
“N...no I...no plans,” she stutters.
“Wanna come to my place for dinner tonight? Normani and Bella are gonna come too. If you can't find a sitter, you can bring Peter.”
“Are...are you sure you want me there?”
“Yeah, I'm sure,” I say putting a hand on her shoulder.
“Okay,” she says smiling back.
-----
“Good job today. The event raised close to $100,000 for Second Chances,” my mama says as we walk towards the parking lot. “Make sure you sit with your feet up tonight, you’ve been on them all day.”
“I know, the girls are comin’ over tonight. I’m gonna tell them about the engagement,” I say smiling.
“I’m happy for you baby. Your daddy...he feels bad about how it all went down. We were both just so shocked, we knew you were workin’ things out, we just didn’t know it went from back together to engagement so fast.”
“What would he feel bad about?”
“Nico didn’t tell you?” she says confused.
“No?”
“Jesus. Well he came to ask for your hand and your daddy and I just...kind of sat there. We didn’t say no but...we didn’t say yes.”
“Oh God, was this the other day? Before therapy?”
She nods her head.
“Dammit! That’s what he was so upset about? And I pushed him. Uhhh, I’m a bitch sometimes,” I groan.
“You’re not, we should have...reacted differently. Don’t beat yourself up about it, okay? Y’all are happy, movin’ on, right?”
“Yes,” I say confidently. “We are.”
“Any more word on-”
“No, and I don’t care,” I snap. “I...I’m sorry,” I say shaking my head. “I’m puttin’ it in the past. Even if somethin’ happened, I believe that he didn’t know what was goin’ on. Weston screwed with him, so it wasn’t really him. I may be a fool, stupid, blinded by love, whatever, but I’m standin’ beside him on this. I don’t need the lecture, okay?”
“I ain’t gonna lecture,” she says holding up her hands. “I’m happy you’re stickin’ with a decision. If you’re happy, I’m happy. Your daddy too.”
“Good. Love you, Mama.”
“Love you too, baby.”
-------
“So, what’s the news? You have the ‘I have a secret’ face on,” Bella says walking past me into the house.
“I do, but wait until Mani and Alessandra get here,” I say clapping my hands.
“Alessandra, huh?” Bella smirks.
“I'm gonna be a mama soon. I need to keep the petty in the past.”
Bella nods as she walks towards the kitchen and I stop her. I kept my ring on the counter, trying to hide it from them today and I can’t wait to put it back on.
“Don't go in there! Stay here until the girls come!”
“Here!” Mani says pushing the front door open followed by Alessandra.
“Nico and I are engaged!” I say quickly.
“Oh my God!” the girls all say at the same time.
They wrap me in a hug, and we laugh together, jumping up and down, me and Mani’s bellies rubbing, which makes us laugh harder.
“I’m so happy for you, Lace. I knew y’all would work it out. He loves you way too much to let you go,” Bella says grabbing my hands.
“I know. I...we’re good. I’m so happy,” I smile.
“Well let’s open this sparklin’ cider since nobody can drink in this damn house,” Bella grumbles.
“Wait...Alessandra can and so can you,” I say pulling her hand so she faces me.
“Well not anymore, you asshole. You made Damon knock me up!” she snaps putting her hand on her hips.
“You’re not! On the first try?” I yell laughing.
“Yesssss,” Bella exhales dropping her head back. “It’s fresh, like I just took a test the other day fresh, so...don’t say anythin’.”
“Oh my God, Bella! You could have said no!” I laugh.
“Have you seen my husband? On what planet do you say no to a man like that? Let me answer that for you...none.”
Mani and Alessandra laugh as I pull her in for a hug and I run to the kitchen to grab my ring before going back into the living room.
I take all the goodies out of the bag that the girls brought and we all sit around the living room.
“So are you pregnant too, Ali?” I laugh.
Her cheeks turn red and I shake my head.
“Sorry, we're...super open in this group. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable,” I say sipping my cider.
“No, it's okay. I usually am too, I just...haven't had girlfriends in a while.”
Mani, Bella and I look at each other as Alessandra drops her head in embarrassment from the confession.
“Well you have them now. Don't think we haven't noticed those looks you and Miguel give to each other,” I smirk.
“PG please, he's my brother,” Normani grumbles.
“Hmmm, funny how that works, huh?” Bella says arching an eyebrow at her.
“Hey, you trespassed. No one told you to go walkin’ through the backyard gate,” Normani says putting her hands up.
“It was open,” Bella seethes.
“What are we talkin’ about?” I ask.
“Nothin’,” Normani says quickly. “So back to my brother?”
“He...nothing is going on between us. He's been a gentleman,” Alessandra sighs.
“Miguel. My brother Miguel? A gentleman? He hasn't tried anything?” Normani asks dumbfounded.
“Nope. Not a damn thing. He looks at me like he wants to have me for breakfast, lunch and dinner but won’t do a damn thing about it. I...I mean I wouldn't either. Who wants to have a relationship with a woman who's slept with men for money?”
I close my eyes and feel my heart break a little for her. She really is an amazing woman. She works so hard and she's a great mother and she's been a good friend at the office. She's been the epitome of a bad luck cloud and I really hope it leaves her alone and starts to follow someone else for a change.
“He ain't like that Ali and you shouldn't sell yourself short like that,” Normani says putting her hand on her thigh.
“Yeah, look at Lacey. She slept with half of Louisiana for free and Nico still wanted her,” Bella says pointing at me.
“You bitch!” I laugh throwing an M&M at her face.
“Don't act like you wouldn't have said it if it was me,” Bella laughs.
“Okay, fine. You speak the truth, I totally would have. Since when did you become a bigger asshole than me?” I say putting my hand on my hip.
“You girls are too much,” Alessandra laughs. “We'll see what happens.”
We eat junk food and drink cider until midnight and slowly say our goodbyes. Alessandra stops at the doorway and turns to me as Normani and Bella walk towards the stree
t.
“I just want you to know that the money that man gave me for those pictures with Nico...I...I'm making it all back and then giving it to Second Chances. I didn't feel right keeping it but I needed it in Florida for a debt but...I want to do something right.”
Walk Off (Double Play Series Book 5) Page 27