A worrying thought hit me and my head shot up to look at her. “Did I hurt you earlier? Was I too rough in the kitchen?”
I wasn’t gentle as she rode my cock. I hadn’t been inside of her for weeks, so I definitely fucked her with wild abandon, hitting her deep and hard, repeatedly. Holy shit, did I hurt her? The baby? Fuck! Panic reared to life within me at the thought.
A wistful smile flittered over her lips and she linked her fingers with mine in reassurance. “You didn’t hurt me or the baby. We can still have sex, plenty of sex. Apparently pregnant women have an increased sex drive, so it might be you that gets hurt.”
“You do realize that I’m going to be insanely protective of you now. Like overbearing, annoying, and crazy,” I admitted, knowing full well that I would be going caveman, Tarzan, everything on her.
She nodded. “I know.”
“I’ll probably piss you off . . . a lot,” I continued.
“You will have to deal with my cravings, my all-over-the-place emotions, and my complaining that my clothes don’t fit, so I think we will be even.”
I dropped my head back onto the bed beside her hips and placed my hand gently on her stomach once again. I never knew this kind of love could exist. I loved someone who I had not yet met, and I loved them unconditionally. My little one was in there; protected by mommy and cherished by daddy. My throat constricted as emotion flooded me.
“I’m your daddy, little one,” I said softly as I moved closer to Ashlyn’s stomach. “Your mommy only just told me about you, but I already love you obsessively. I wonder if you will be my little prince or princess . . . if I will be playing ball or having tea parties. Maybe both. You are going to have the best life, and your daddy is going to be your biggest fan.”
I looked up at Ashlyn and found tears streaming down her face. Her smile said 1000 words. “I love you obsessively, Joshua Crawford,” she whispered through a sob.
The love I shared with Ashlyn was like nothing I could have ever predicted. I knew our love would be intense, but this was life altering. My eyes only saw her, my heart only craved her, and the future was painted with images of so many possibilities for us. Hearing her tell me she loved me would never get old, and every time I heard it, I felt like the luckiest bastard alive.
I moved up beside her and wrapped her in my arms, providing my girl and my baby all the love in the world. Tonight Ashlyn gave me everything I could ever ask for. I always knew we had a future, but this was different. Our love had created life, and our obstacles had shown us a path to a future neither of us could have imagined.
We had won.
I was going to be a father.
And if I had a daughter, I’d have to buy a shotgun.
I WOKE TO THE sound of the ocean and the scent of salt water. When Eden’s mom announced that she was paying for us to spend the night before the wedding in an oceanfront penthouse, there was no way we would refuse. After a night of pampering and gossiping, I was now lying in bed with Eden, and we were both in a silent bliss. Today I’d be standing beside my best friend as she married the man of her dreams and became Mrs. Ky Crawford. It was an honor I didn’t take lightly. After everything that went down with Tori, Eden had surprised us all by announcing that Tori would no longer be in the wedding party and that Josh and I would be the only ones standing beside her and Ky. Tori took it better than expected and actually apologized to Josh and me. I was in an amazing place and accepted her apology without question, although I knew if she tried anything again in the future, I’d be more than willing to put her in her place…for the second time.
“I can’t believe I’m getting married to Ky Crawford today,” Eden said wistfully.
Chuckling, I rolled to my side and tucked my hands under my head to look at her. “You make him sound like a rock star.”
She rolled to her side and mirrored my body language. “Well, he does rock my world.” Eden sighed in obvious contentment.
I knew exactly how she felt. “It must be a Crawford thing.”
“Do you know how happy it makes me to see you and Josh together? I’ve always thought Ky and I were perfect for each other, but you and Josh were made for each other. The way he looks at you, Ash . . . I’ve never witnessed anything like that before. Fuck, it leaves me breathless, so I can only imagine the effect it has on you.”
“A lot of swooning, heart-stopping moments, and every single day he indeed leaves me breathless—that’s the effect he has on me. He has ruined me for all men.”
“So, I need to ask.” She smirked. “What is he like? I know it probably seems really strange that I’m asking what my future brother-in-law is like in bed, but come on, you’re my best friend, it’s best friend code to share.”
“I ache for days. He always makes sure I come first, and I’m guaranteed multiple orgasms. So he is phenomenal.”
“Wow.”
“Yep, I say that every time.”
Our giggles filled the bedroom and, after lazing around for an hour, we knew we had to get up and start getting ready. Eden’s mom was rushing around downstairs, and with the banging and blending we knew we were going to walk down to find way too much food and a nervous mother of the bride.
After showering and putting on my customized Maid of Honor gown, I headed downstairs for breakfast. An assortment of fruit, croissants, and freshly-blended juices lay before me. The nerves of standing beside my best friend on the happiest day of her life caused my stomach to flip flop, so I snacked on grapes and slices of watermelon.
As I popped a grape in my mouth, my thoughts were invaded by Josh. My Josh. My future. My forever. Mine. I protectively placed a hand over my stomach and smiled. I couldn’t wait to meet our baby, and I was already so incredibly in love with my little girl or boy. I tried my hardest to find a way for him to be here, because I didn’t want to deal with the thought of being away from him, but I knew I had to do it. My separation anxiety was insane. The thought of not seeing him again had completely unraveled me, and now with the baby coming it had stepped up a notch. When faced with the thought of never seeing the love of your life again, you reach a turning point like no other. Your life is suddenly lived, not just for you, but for them. Your every thought is consumed by them. Josh gave me the kind of love that I read about in my favorite novels. He allowed me to live my own kind of fairytale, and there was so much more to come.
A knock on the door echoed through the room, and Eden yelled from upstairs asking me to see who was there. I tightened the belt on my gown and headed to the door. The moment I opened it, the scent of fresh flowers smacked me in the face, and a burst of color was the only thing I saw.
“I have a delivery for Ms. Hart.”
Hearing my name came as a complete shock. “Um . . . ah, that’s me,” I stuttered, and he smiled at me with a cheesy grin while thrusting the luscious flowers into my hands.
“Ash, who’s at the door?” Eden sang from the dining room.
I floated back into the room like I was on cloud nine, and Eden’s gasp rung through the air.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the beauty in my hands. My heart already knew who they were from, and that thought alone caused a lump to form in my throat.
“Josh sent these,” I whispered, as I continued to get lost in their exquisiteness. My eyes started to water as soon as I held them, and now it was only a matter of time before the first tear would fall.
“You should open the card.” Eden pushed back from the dining table and was soon standing beside me.
With shaky hands, I unattached the card from the wrap and gave the flowers to Eden to hold. The usual attack of butterflies that occurred when I thought about Josh fluttered in. My eyes clouded over, and I couldn’t tell you if I was breathing or not, but I never wanted these feelings or emotions to ever leave me.
Breathing in deeply, I opened the card and let my eyes wandered over his words.
Ashlyn.
You are the meaning of love.
You are my girl.
&n
bsp; You are my happily ever after.
You are my forever.
I can’t wait to see you.
Josh x
There was no hope for me. My cheeks were wet within seconds as emotion spilled out. How had I gotten so lucky? The card was ripped out of my hand, and the instant I heard Eden sigh I knew she had fallen for Josh’s words.
“Those Crawford brothers sure know how to treat a lady.” Eden swooned, and shot me with a look of contentment. “I’m marrying Ky, and you and Josh are madly in love. I feel like things are finally right in the world.”
“It’s pretty remarkable,” I replied wistfully as I looked at the flowers again.
“Let’s go get prettied up for our guys.” Eden’s smile was infectious, and I couldn’t stop myself from bursting out into delightful laughter. Everything was perfect, and I couldn’t wait to get to the church so I could be reunited with my man and spend the entire night in his arms.
His eyes never left me. The intensity of his gaze alone made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. The purple dress I wore fit my torso like a glove and fell to the floor in waves from my hips. Josh’s heated stare and smirk told me he liked what he saw. My eyes freely roamed over him, and I sighed as I walked down the aisle toward my tuxedo-wearing knight in shining armor. The thoughts I was having of him should have had me struck down, seeing I was in the house of the Lord. Forgive me, Father, for I am going to sin.
The ceremony was stunning. It was swamped with candlelight, and the aroma of sweet vanilla saturated the air. Eden looked like a princess in her custom-made ivory dress that shimmered with beading and a pearl-covered bodice. The emotion in Ky’s voice as he declared his lifelong love to Eden was awe-inspiring, and when he said the words “I was only half a man until I found you” he set the majority of female guests into fits of sobs, me included.
I was overcome with happiness and bursting at the seams with excitement at what the future held for them. As soon as the minister informed Ky that he could kiss the bride, Josh crossed the front of the church behind the happy couple and pulled me against his body. I fell into his arms and rested my head over his heart. My arms snaked around his waist, then I grabbed hold of the back of his midnight black tuxedo jacket and held him close.
“Prettiest girl in the world,” he whispered into my ear, saying exactly what he had written on his Facebook page all those months ago. “And all mine.”
“Thank you for my flowers,” I whispered, resting my chin on his chest and looking up at him.
“You never have to thank me for showing you what you mean to me.”
God, he kills me.
“Okay, love birds, move it along. We have a photographer waiting and a reception to get to.” Ky slapped Josh on the back in jest and shot me the sweetest smile. Josh linked his fingers with mine and we walked down the candle-lined aisle. I couldn’t stop myself from considering the possibility that one day this could be Josh and I. Would I be walking down the aisle beside him after becoming a Crawford? A delightful shiver ran down my spine, because that was exactly what I wanted.
Josh squeezed my hand and encouraged me to look at him.
“One day,” he said softly, as if he could read my mind. My cheeks flushed and I dropped my eyes to the floor, but I couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Ashlyn Crawford has a great ring to it,” he continued, and I just about dissolved into a puddle of swoon right there in middle of the church.
White drapes hung from the ceiling, white and pink roses took pride of place on all of the guest tables, and the distinct scent of vanilla and lavender caressed the air at the reception house that overlooked the ocean. I sat at the bridal table, and my eyes traveled with Josh as he crossed the dance floor toward where Eden and Ky were dancing. I watched in fascination as Josh did the traditional tap on the other man’s shoulder to indicate he would like to dance with the girl. My cheeks ached from smiling as I watched Ky shake Josh’s hand before placing Eden’s hand in his.
Ky’s eyes hit mine as he made his way through the guests. When he reached me, he pulled out the chair next to mine and sat down before kissing my cheek tenderly. I rested my head on his shoulder, and we fell into silence as we watched Josh and Eden float around the dance floor.
“How’s he doing?” he asked softly.
During the worst week of my life, Ky had been my strength, along with Austin and Ben. Although it wasn’t lost on me that Ky’s fear of losing his brother was paramount. Witnessing Ky cry in that hospital room after Josh had just been taken into surgery was something I would never forget, and it cemented my love of my best friend. In the face of potential tragedy, our friendship had shown true strength.
I twisted on the seat to face him, and grabbed his hand. “Every day he heals a little more. He sleeps through the night now, and has started running again. There are times when it seems like he gets lost in his thoughts, but then he comes back to me. We are in a really amazing place right now.”
“I couldn’t wish for a better girl for my little brother, or a better guy for my best friend. All I have ever wanted was for you to get the happiness and love that someone as special as you deserves. My brother is the man for you. He will love you fiercely. It’s a Crawford thing. It’s what we do.”
“You’re going to make me cry.” I laughed.
Ky pulled me in close and we continued watching Josh and Eden. Josh and I had decided that if we found the perfect time during the night that we would tell Ky and Eden our news, as we wanted them and Austin to be the first to know. The words I’m pregnant were sitting on the tip of my tongue, and I could easily tell Ky, but I knew I would wait until Josh was by my side.
“Has he got his hand on my wife’s ass?” Ky asked incredulously. “My brother has no fucking idea what the word boundaries means.”
Sure enough, Josh had one of his hands resting suspiciously near Eden’s ass as they danced across the floor. I burst out laughing and grabbed my highly-alert best friend’s hand.
“Grab my boob. Give him a taste of his own medicine.”
Ky threw his head back and his riotous laughter echoed around the room as he chose not to grope me in the middle of his wedding. We continued watching Josh and Eden dance and, when the song changed, Josh’s gaze flashed to mine and the most delicate of smiles touched his lips.
“Should we go and dance?” Ky asked softly, holding out his hand.
I nodded and placed my hand in his, and then we crossed the floor until we were beside Eden and Josh. Josh shot me a wink before giving Ky a cheeky smirk as he twirled Eden around the dance floor.
“He is such a fucker,” Ky said with a laugh.
Ky and I danced to two songs before I found myself being swapped with Eden, and I was exactly where I wanted to be, back in Josh’s arms. His hands rested on my lower back, and mine linked behind his neck. As I pressed my body into his, I felt myself getting lost in his eyes, and he smiled down at me.
“How are my two favorite people doing? Are you feeling okay?” he asked as his Mr. Protective switch turned on. Ever since I told him about my pregnancy, he had been even more incredible then before. The morning after he found out, he went to the store and bought pregnancy magazines, vitamins, and special teas that the pharmacist told him I should drink daily. He would check in on me constantly while he was at work, and I was banned from lifting anything heavier than my laptop.
“We are a little tired, and we cannot wait to be back in bed and cuddled up with you tonight. But first I want to dance with my sexy boyfriend. Have I told you how incredibly hot you look in your tux?”
“Well, Ms. Hart, you look entirely fuckable in your dress, and I can’t wait to get you home so I can take it off of you. What kind of lingerie have you got on under there?”
“Who says I’m wearing any?”
“So, what you’re saying is that I could take you to any dark corner here and slide straight into your pussy without having to worry about the inconvenience of panties?”
His words caused a shiver to run down my spine. “I love your dirty mouth.”
“I love when my dirty mouth is on yours.”
He cupped my cheek and, as we stood in the middle of the dance floor, I lost all sense of reason. When he lowered his mouth to mine, my body reacted immediately. Reality ceased to exist, and the fact that his family surrounded us didn’t warrant a thought. I sighed in delight as he swept his tongue along the seam of my lips, and I opened willingly. My body swayed to the music that swirled around us as our tongues danced to their own tune. My body pressed against his, and my arms found their way up his back until they were resting around my shoulders.
“Fuck, you can kiss.” He sighed against our joined lips, and his words were the only encouragement I needed. I pulled his bottom lip between my teeth, and the growl that sounded from deep within his chest sent heat flooding to my panties. That one display of dominance was all that was required to entice him. The room around us faded to black as Josh’s lips bruised mine under the passion of his kiss. My nails ran up his neck and raked through his hair, and it was at that moment that I didn’t know if I was breathing of my own free will or if Josh was providing me with air.
“Would you two stop dry fucking on the dance floor? If you are really that desperate for each other at least take it to the bathroom.” Ky’s amused tone broke our kiss, and I buried my face in Josh’s chest, which muffled my laughter.
“Dance with your wife and stop paying attention to us,” Josh said, teasing. “Ashlyn and I are simply doing what’s expected at a wedding—the best man hooking up with the hot Maid of Honor.”
An hour later, I was sitting at the bridal table, my head resting on Josh’s shoulder, when exhaustion quickly hit. His fingertips swept over my bare arms, and I knew if he kept doing that I’d be asleep within minutes. It had been a perfect day, shared with the people we loved, but all I wanted now was to go home and crawl into bed with my love.
“Will you take me and our little one home so we can have a bath and then spoon all night?”
Be My Temptation Page 34