by Jenna Reed
“No more!” I interrupted. “For the love of God, my feet need to rest.”
Chuckling at my outburst, Rhett gave me a rueful look. “I was thinking that we should get some dinner before unloading all of this. Let your feet rest and build up some energy. What are you in the mood for?”
“I actually get to choose?” I asked, sarcasm thick in my voice.
He’d made the final decision on just about everything we picked out today. Granted, he’d done an insane amount of research on everything from cribs to pacifiers, and I had agreed with almost everything he suggested in the end. That didn’t stop it from being incredibly irritating. Or incredibly sweet. It was clear that he really cared about making sure the baby was safe and had everything he or she needed.
“I won’t even make a suggestion,” Rhett promised. “And if you want, I can rub your feet after we haul all the baby stuff up to your apartment.’
I melted at the thought of anyone rubbing my feet. It was a weakness of mine. The idea of having Rhett do it was too much. I stiffened and pretended I hadn’t heard that last part. “There’s an Italian place near my building. Let’s go there.”
Rhett nodded and I gave him the address. I’d suggested the restaurant not only because it was one of my favorites, but as a test for Rhett. He’d insisted on paying for nearly everything today. Dinner was my treat. If he couldn’t handle that, or the fact that the restaurant was likely several stars below his normal haunts, it would only help me resist him. I was banking on the fact that slumming it with me would keep both of us from forgetting why we were spending time together.
I was almost positive I hadn’t been imagining the way he kept putting his hand on my back to guide me through crowds, or the way his gaze kept finding me and lingering when it shouldn’t have. He’d sat closer than he needed to at lunch, and I could have sworn he almost reached for my hand more than once.
Rhett parked on the street, a block away from the restaurant, and seemed surprised by how busy it was. “Ready?”
I nodded and got out of the car. He hurried around to meet me and his hand immediately went to my low back again. Trying to ignore how good his touch felt, I stayed focused on the restaurant up ahead. When I reached for the door handle, Rhett swooped in front of me and pulled the door open. He waited for me to enter, then stepped in behind me. I watched as his eyes scanned the mom and pop restaurant whose décor hadn’t been updated in at least two decades.
“It smells incredible in here,” Rhett said with a grin. “Do we seat ourselves?”
It took me a moment to shake off my disbelief and nod. “There’s an empty table over there.”
Rhett nodded and took my hand, leading me toward the booth by the window. When we reached it, he waited for me to slide into my seat before releasing my hand and moving to sit across from me. The waitress, the owner’s granddaughter, arrived a moment later and took our drink orders. Rhett leaned back against the booth, not at all put off.
“I love places like this,” he said. “They remind me of visiting my grandparents.”
“Oh really?” I asked. “Why?”
He smiled fondly. “They lived a few hours away, in a little town nobody’s ever heard of, and everything was like this there. Older, but well maintained. Not influenced by fads or trends. Simple. Honest. Peaceful.” He shrugged.
“Are they still living?” I asked.
Rhett shook his head. “Granddad passed about five years ago, and Grandma a few years after that. They started a family fairly late in life, so they were already pretty old by the time Cody and I were born.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
My own grandparents were in their seventies, but still active and having adventures. I was closest with my maternal grandparents, who lived just outside the city, but I couldn’t imagine not having either set not in my life anymore. It was obvious Rhett still missed his grandparents very much.
“Would you tell me about them?” I asked.
A soft smile settled onto his lips. He thought for a moment, then launched into some of his favorite memories about his grandparents. I became so absorbed in listening to him, dinner passed quickly, and in no time, we were standing to leave. This time, when Rhett’s hand moved to my lower back, it felt comfortable instead setting off alarm bells. In the back of my mind, I knew I shouldn’t let him get so familiar. I blamed my acceptance of his touch on being too tired to object.
When we made it to the car, Rhett opened my door and held it for me. There was an odd expression on his face, one I couldn’t quite name. He’d had it through most of dinner. Maybe it was related to talking about his grandparents. That seemed logical, but for some reason I had the suspicion that it had more to do with me than anything else. That didn’t bother me as much as it should have.
“Anywhere particular I should park?” Rhett asked as he approached my building.
I shook my head. “Anywhere you can actually find a spot.”
Not seeing anything nearby made me dread hauling all our purchases up to my apartment. It was going to take forever.
“You don’t have assigned spaces?” Rhett asked. “Or at least parking for expectant mothers?”
I glanced at the old building and scoffed. “No. I doubt the owner has ever even contemplated that. If it’s not required by law, he’s not going to do it.”
Rhett’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. It was obvious he was trying to control his irritation and hold back a plan to fix this issue for me. One thing I had learned about Rhett since telling him about the baby was that he hated not being able to solve a problem. At work, he relentlessly attacked his projects, not letting one go until it was absolutely perfect. In his personal life, he tackled issues the moment they arose. He didn’t let them go until they were solved to his satisfaction. With me and the baby, the majority of the issues that drove him crazy were completely out of his hands. It was almost comical to watch him hold back the desire to storm into the manager’s office and demand changes.
When Rhett finally found a parking space around the back of the building, he slid into it expertly, despite having barely enough room. He popped the trunk and got out. I followed his lead before he could attempt to open my door again. I didn’t need any more reminders of what a gentleman he could be. Stepping around to the trunk, I reached for a large box containing a baby monitor setup, complete with a video monitor. I’d argued that we didn’t need one yet, but Rhett had insisted. Before I could heft it into my arms, Rhett intervened.
“I’ll get most of this,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Just take some of the smaller bags, if you want. Once we get up to your apartment, you should rest.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “I’m pregnant, Rhett, not an invalid.”
He eyed me. “You’re pregnant, stressed out, and exhausted. You shouldn’t be carrying heavy things.”
“But…”
“Light bags only,” he ordered, “or I’m getting all of it on my own.”
Recognizing that he was not going to bend on this, I sighed. I really was exhausted, and my doctor had mentioned taking it easy. “Fine,” I said, “but I’m not sitting on the couch while you carry everything.”
Rhett’s mouth curved up at my stubbornness. He handed me a small bag of baby clothes and shooed me toward the building. I could definitely carry more than that, but I figured if he wanted to play Mr. Macho, I was going to let him. Had he forgotten how much stuff was in the trunk? He’d be the one who needed a nap by the end.
Swinging my little bag of baby clothes, I led the way around the building to the main entrance. I pulled the door open and stared in surprise when I realized how much stuff Rhett had managed to carry. My gaze slid to his bulging arms as he stepped past me. I couldn’t help wondering how many hours a week he worked out. When he passed me and I caught myself staring at his ass, I figured it had to be a fair amount. I’d seen Rhett naked. It wasn’t a sight I was going to forget any time soon. It amazed me that I found watchi
ng him haul baby gear up to my apartment just as sexy.
The door swung closed as I stepped forward to follow Rhett up the stairs. I tried not to stare at his muscled back and tight ass the whole way, but I was human…and hadn’t had sex in months. What was looking going to hurt? It was touching that was off limits. Of course, looking didn’t lead to thoughts of touching. Not at all.
By the third trip up to my apartment, I was leading the way. If I stared at Rhett’s ass for one more second, there was no way I was going to be able to keep my hands from following suit. It seemed like a good idea until we got to the top of the stairs and I glance back to make sure Rhett was doing all right and caught his hungry eyes on my ass. I turned away quickly and hurried toward my apartment door. If I could just get him out of my apartment fast enough, I’d have a chance of surviving this day.
Rhett set down his load next to everything else and stared at the mountain of baby supplies. “Where the hell are we going to put all of this?” he asked as he glanced around my tiny apartment.
“I told you we didn’t need so much,” I said, keeping my gaze strictly on his face.
He frowned. “We do need all of it,” he argued, “but we also need more room for all of it.”
Shaking my head, I reminded him, “I can’t afford anything bigger, and you are absolutely not paying for part of my rent to make it happen. I’ll figure out where to put everything.”
“That’s not…never mind,” he said. The irritation in his tone and features only lasted a moment. “We’ll figure it out. We don’t need to worry about it right now.”
His gaze slid down my body, stopping on my feet. A lightness sparked in his eyes. “There is one thing I can take care of right now, though.”
Grabbing my hand, he tugged me over to the couch and urged me to sit down. I did so warily, wondering what he had in mind, and nearly forgetting that I’d intended to nudge him out the door as soon as possible to keep my thoughts and hands from betraying me. I jumped when Rhett’s hands curled around my calf and slid down to my foot, gently removing my shoe. He pulled my leg up into his lap, perching it precariously close to part of his body I was absolutely not allowed to touch. Clearly, that was my rule, not his.
“You look exhausted,” he murmured.
“I am,” I said quickly, hinting that he should leave.
Either it wasn’t a strong enough hint, or he saw it as a problem he could fix. His hands slid down my foot from heel to toes, then began working their way back up slowly, expertly relieving tension and stiffness. A thought whispered through my mind that this was a very bad idea, but it felt so good that I let it slip away and didn’t object to Rhett’s fingers working their way across my flesh. Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes and let the sensations push everything else away.
When he hit a particularly tense section of the arch, I moaned and sank further into the cushions. I didn’t realize Rhett had paused until he shifted and his hands started moving again. It was a mental reminder not to get too caught up in this. His hands felt so good, though, and I slipped back into a semi-conscious state too easily.
His fingers worked at my tired muscles, slowly moving from my foot up to my calf. I forgot everything but how good his touch felt as he moved higher and higher. At some point, he switched to my other foot and started the process all over again. I stretch my leg when he found a knot, causing my foot to slide over the ridge of his thigh. I didn’t realize where my foot had landed until I felt his cock twitch against my foot. Panicked, I started to pull back, but Rhett held my foot in place. Our gazes met, and I was caught off guard by the heat in his eyes. It inspired a similar heat in me, and I could feel my willpower fading. Only when Rhett was sure I wouldn’t jerk away from him again did he resume the massage.
This time, he didn’t stop at my calf. My thoughts melted away as his fingers moved up my thigh. Every inch stole more of my focus, made me forget I was supposed to be resisting him. Instead of reminding myself that I didn’t want a relationship, even one of casual sex, memories of our first night together stole into mind. Those memories were my kryptonite.
Rhett’s hand slid up the last few inches of my thigh. My breath caught. Without conscious direction, my hips shifted, pressing against his hand. Warning bells sounded, but they were quickly silenced as his fingers brushed over the thin material that covered my clit. Yoga pants had seemed like a good idea that morning. Now, I wished I’d worn jeans…until he touched me again and I lost myself in the sensation.
I gasped when Rhett’s free hand cupped my breast, even fuller now thanks to the pregnancy. Rhett’s appreciative murmur drew an unwilling smile from me. Then I remembered what other parts of my body had enlarged and felt suddenly self-conscious of my baby bump. As if reading my mind, his hand slid upward from between my legs and moved slowly over my belly. He shifted, leaning over and kissing just above my belly button. The sweet kiss was both reassuring and sexy as hell.
When he felt my body relax again, Rhett’s fingers trailed back down and dipped under the waistband of my yoga pants. I forgot about all the reasons we shouldn’t be doing this. My body’s need took over. After months of thinking about Rhett and having no outlet for the sexual tension just looking at him created, I was desperate for his touch…desperate for release. When his fingers found the wetness between my thighs, I abandoned all hope of resisting him and moaned with pleasure.
Rhett murmured, eyes closing as his fingers dipped between my folds. “You’re so wet,” he whispered, “so ready.”
His eyes glinted with satisfaction and desire. I wanted to tell him it was just because it had been so long since I’d last had sex, that it didn’t really have anything to do with him…but I knew that would be a lie. At least, partially. Nobody else got me so wet and hot. I’d been fantasizing about exactly this for months.
Suddenly, Rhett’s hands pulled away. I reached for him, a plea not to stop on my lips. Then his hands gripped the waistband of my yoga pants and stripped them off. I froze as his gaze swept over my half naked body. It definitely wasn’t the same as before.
Instead of being turned off by growing belly, Rhett’s gaze only grew hungrier. “So beautiful,” he muttered before leaning back over me.
One hand deftly pushed my t-shirt and sports bra up over my breasts. His mouth followed, claiming my nipple and sucking it into his mouth. My eyes rolled back and I pressed my back into the couch, giving him better access. He nipped at my nipple just hard enough to make heat spark in my center. My fingers speared through his hair, gripping and pulling him closer, guiding him until I was panting.
Dropping my hands, I reached for his belt and fumbled as I tried to free him. His cock strained against his jeans, making it more difficult to maneuver. Finally, I had to push him back to manage unbuckling his belt and opening the fly of his jeans. He reached down, then, and freed his cock from his boxers, fisting it and running his hand up and down its length. I couldn’t help staring. I was sure I’d enhanced my memory of him, longing fantasies grown too wild to be real.
I hadn’t overinflated anything. God, no wonder I’d been so hung up on him since that night. Reaching for him, Rhett’s hands fell away as I wrapped my fingers around his cock. He groaned as I began stroking him. His breathing picked up, and he fell forward, one hand propping him up while the other reached for me. His fingers flicked over my clit, teasing and bringing a rush of heat and pre-cum. When his fingers speared inside me, I gasped and gripped his cock. He grunted and closed his eyes, pushing his fingers deeper.
My hips rocked against his hand as the pressure of an impending orgasm built. Just as I was about to reach my limit, he pulled back, denying me what I so desperately wanted. “No,” I begged.
A delicious smile spread across his lips. He stood, then scooped me into his arms in one smooth motion. His arms pulled me tight against his chest, but it was still covered with the fabric of his shirt. Craving the feel of his skin against mine, I began pushing it upward. I couldn’t get very far, and frustrati
on built. Rhett picked up his pace and brought me to my bed in record time. He laid me down before stripping his shirt from his body, capturing my full attention.
I was motionless as he climbed onto the bed and settled between my legs, nudging them apart with his knees. I obliged gladly, spreading them even wider, granting him access. Air hit my wet folds, reminding me of my need for him. He scooted down a little and bent over so his head was between my legs. His tongue darted out over his bottom lip, before he pressed his face to my center and dragged it over my folds. Holy, hell. I almost came then. Holding on by a thread I fisted the sheets while Rhett continuing licking, sucking and nibbling on my clit until I couldn’t hold on any longer.
My back arched off the bed and my thighs trembled as the climax wracked my body like it never had before. He caressed my little bundle of nerves through my orgasm, elongating it.
Only when he was sure I was completely done, did he straighten up, a huge grin on his swollen, wet lips. Kneeling over me his cock brushed against my still overly sensitive clit. It didn’t matter that I had just climaxed, need and unabashed desire overwhelmed me. Grabbing at his hips, I pulled him to me. His hard, hot body covered mine and his mouth claimed the soft flesh of my neck. He trailed kisses along its curve, claiming my mouth as his hips rolled. Every movement brought his cock closer to my opening. My pussy ached, and I couldn’t wait any longer.
Capturing Rhett’s face between my hands, I dragged him away from my neck and kissed him fiercely. Our tongues danced, exploring each other and tasting the desperate need that had us both nearly ready to explode.
A feral growl erupted from Rhett. “I’m trying to take this slow…be gentle,” he said between heaving breaths.
“I don’t want either,” I pleaded.
His gaze met mine, seeking reassurance, permission, something. Part of me loved that he was concerned about being too rough, but I was too far gone to think of anything but how much I needed him for long. Grabbing his hips, I brought his cock flush with my slick sex. His expression shifted from concern to something almost animalistic. Excitement rushed through me. I gasped in a breath as he plunged into me.