Five women are present, their bellies much larger than mine. He’s probably trying to imagine me that big, and the thought leaves me insecure. Will he still find me attractive? Will he not mind my body looking different afterward?
I return the filled out paperwork to the reception desk and take my seat. Placing Simon’s hand in mine, I give it a squeeze.
“Simon, what are you thinking about?”
While staring at one of the women, his head slants and he smiles. “How did I not appreciate before you what a miracle childbirth is? I was a clueless jackass before you worked your magic on me.”
“I didn’t change you.”
His head turns, and he gazes at me. The raven color is the only darkness his eyes are revealing. This isn’t the look of lust I often receive, either. They are filled with warmth and maturity. It’s an admiration a girl dreams of receiving all her life from the one she loves.
“Maybe you didn’t, but the fear of losing you did. I’ve been determined never to give you a reason to think there was someone better out there.”
“Aww, Simon … I love you.” Stroking his cheek, I smile.
“Sadie Cassano!” a woman in scrubs calls from an open door across the room.
Simon grins. “I really love the sound of that name.”
Simon
While Sadie changes behind a curtain in the examining room, I march back and forth in front of it, imagining I’m outside, away from the four small walls I feel could close in on me at any time.
Stepping out from behind the curtain, she’s wearing only a bashful smile, a paper gown and white socks. Her dark curls are piled loosely on top of her head, her lips rosy, and she’s fucking adorable.
She climbs up on the exam table, so I sit in the chair against the wall and attempt to be still. Thankfully, a doctor strolls in soon after.
“I’m Doctor Lee.” This woman can’t possibly be that much older than Sadie, and unlike my girl, she looks nerdy in the not-so-sexy way.
I need to question Sadie to ensure this woman has the credentials to give her the best care. I was hoping for someone more experienced.
I tap my foot as the doc studies Sadie’s chart and asks her questions. Can we just get to the part where she tells me my baby is definitely growing in there?
“There’s a history of miscarriages in your family,” the doctor states.
“Yes, my mother and sister have both had them.”
My head snaps to Sadie. “What? When? You never told me about this.”
“Uh, Mr. Cassano, it doesn’t mean Sadie will miscarry.”
“Then why do you ask that question on the paperwork? Can you please show us there is a baby in there and tell us if it’s healthy?”
“I don’t see a reason to do an ultrasound this early.”
“Please, doc–I mean, Doctor. Money is not a problem, and if you haven’t noticed, I’m the type of person who’s not going to sleep at night until you do.”
She smiles but regains her serious composure.
“OK, if it would ease your mind, we’ll do the ultrasound.”
“Thank you.” Wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans, I reach my hand out to shake hers again, but she looks at me as if she doesn’t understand why.
Sadie shakes her head. “Sweetie, you’re stressing me out. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Right, I’m sorry, doll.” I take my seat and shut the hell up while the doc examines Sadie.
It’s not long before we’re ushered to another waiting room. That word is fitting. Waiting … something I’m not the best at.
I play on my phone but check my watch every few minutes. Fifteen pass before a couple exits the room next to us. They’re smiling, and I hope we are, too, when we leave.
The ultrasound technician is older than the doctor. She has Sadie rest on the exam table, and once she begins, I can’t make out anything on the screen she’s staring at. It’s grey, white and fuzzy, and the room is too quiet.
Once she messes with knobs and buttons below the screen, the room comes to life with noise. She continually moves a wand around on Sadie’s flat belly, and I admit to myself that I’m going to have to grow some patience before this kid comes.
“There’s your baby,” she says, pointing to the screen.
“Is it healthy?” I ask.
“Let me take a look at everything…. Your wife is early in her pregnancy, but as of now, the development of the fetus is where it should be.”
I barely lean across Sadie’s chest to get a better look.
“We might be able to hear the heartbeat.”
She moves the wand again and turns some knobs. It’s after those few seconds I’m changed forever, experiencing the best moment of my life thus far.
“It’s beating, sweetheart,” I utter in almost a whisper. “Our baby already has a heartbeat.”
I watch the screen and listen, absorbing the sound to memory. Tears prick my eyes, and normally I’d be shutting that shit down, but I’m too happy to care. I lean down and plant a kiss to Sadie’s forehead.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
***
“Look at this, Zev,” I say, pointing at the ultrasound photo. “Stubby already has little arms and legs. Well, they’re only stubs right now, but I’m praying they turn into arms and legs.”
Zev shakes his head and smirks as he types something on his laptop.
“Don’t call it Stubby in front of Sadie. I have a feeling she won’t go for the nickname.” Standing at his desk, he takes the photo from my hand and views it.
“Damn, it already looks like a baby. That’s amazing. I had no idea they developed that fast.”
“I didn’t, either, bro. It’s the most fascinating thing. I heard its heart beating, too.”
Zev’s eyes tilt up to look into mine, and there’s something foreign happening between us. It takes a few seconds, but then I realize what it is. He’s present.
He’s living in this moment, sharin’ it with me, not half-listening like he’s been doing for so long. He’s happy, too, allowing himself to feel again.
Damn, I’d give anything to have Ma here to live through these changes with us and to hold my child. I miss her.
Handing the photo back, Zev smacks me on the shoulder.
“Jersey, I’m happy for you and Sadie. I’d like our little hellions to grow up together, so I better work harder on that.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously,” he says as he takes a seat in his chair. “Tara and I discussed it, and we’re going to let nature take its course.”
“Uh, did Adrian and Theo meet with you earlier?”
“Yeah, they did. Theo knows something the FBI is hiding. He wouldn’t share what, but he claims we won’t go to prison, so I’m going to trust him. I finally see how much I have to live for, Simon. I refuse to do that in fear.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Victoria
“That’s number three,” I say to Reggie as I stare through the binoculars. These yuppie-ass college guys thinking they’re above the law …
This is the third preptard in a polo shirt to stop in at Carl Edward’s private residence since we arrived two hours ago to spy on him.
“We don’t know they’re here for an illegal reason,” Reggie says.
“Bullshit. They have nothing in their hands going in, yet each have hauled a grey plastic container to their trunk upon leaving.” I motion toward the vehicle. “Come on; follow him.”
Keeping our distance, Reggie tails the silver Sedan. We expect it to head to an equally upscale part of the city, but instead it travels to the slums of Vegas.
“Damn, I feel like I’m back on the force riding to this part of town,” I say. “It’s exciting.”
“You would think so.”
“Hey, we have friends on this street.”
Reg shoots me a baffled look. “Friends? I wouldn’t call the thugs and prostitutes we’ve dealt with friends. Hell, I wouldn’t call them acquai
ntances.”
I roll my eyes as he rolls his Charger to a stop. He takes shit too seriously sometimes. We park at the curb near the end of the street and watch the preppy carrier deliver the grey tote to a sketchy home.
It neighbors a known meth house, and I’m now certain Reggie is in agreement with me that the professor is shady as fuck.
We’re unable to see who opens the door, but the guy we’ve been following steps inside. Leaning my head back against the seat, I yawn and wait for him to return, which we’re suspecting won’t be long. A short visit would be another indication of a drug deal going down.
After only five minutes, he exits the dilapidated house.
“After we see this guy’s next destination, let’s head home. I should ease into these late nights so as not to set Adrian off. He’s still adjusting to this new arrangement.”
Reggie smirks. “You’re probably right. He’s been extra well-behaved lately. I don’t want to push our luck.”
Kruse
Lying on the couch, my fingers play with Aggie’s hair. The TV is off as we relax and talk. She’s on her stomach, stretched out atop of my body, and the weight of her against the denim of my jeans is straining my dick and awakening it.
“Tell me about your family,” she says. With her chin resting on her hands, just below my chest, her luscious lips spread wide in a smile.
Hazel eyes, more green than brown, are trained up at me with a look of delight, and I have a strong suspicion this good mood is because I brought her to my place to spend the night with me.
“They’re normal, everyday people who don’t fit into the world we live in at Submission. Although my father manages security at another hotel on the Strip, it’s different.
“Submission has a unique, electrifying vibe. It’s like entering another realm of the unknown, especially at night. It’s dark yet colorful all at the same time. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Absolutely. I call it a playground for pleasure. It’s a taboo place to indulge in gambling, music, dancing and sinful cake.” She blushes, and it’s sexy. “The submission rooms give guests an environment to live out their fantasies.”
“Mmm … the words pleasure, taboo, and fantasies out of your mouth in the same breath turn me on.” I strain to lean up and kiss her, but I can only reach the top of her head. I get a short whiff of her lavender-scented shampoo and fruity perfume.
“Visiting Mom and Dad reminds me of all the things I enjoy and have somewhat given up.”
Her forehead scrunches. “Like what?”
“Relaxing for one. I seldom do that. Before I met you, it was almost never, but at their house I can zen out in front of the television. It’s comfortable, the silence understood between all of us.” Having expressed something personal, I direct my gaze to the ceiling.
“Uh, I love Mom’s home-cooked meals over the hoity-toity shit we serve at Submission. Dad and I like to hunt, fish, and camp, too, so we try to time our vacations together to do that.”
Aggie giggles. “You in camo. I have to see this. I mean I have to.”
“Are you making fun of me?” Gathering all her hair back in my hand, I fist it and tug downward, lifting her chin off of my stomach. She swallows and smiles shyly.
“No. I bet you look hot in camo and other earthy tones.” She snickers again, so I lift my hips to press my hardening dick against her.
“I think you’re getting awfully brave, young lady, with that smart mouth of yours. Maybe I need to fill it with something that will prevent you from speaking. Something thick and hard.”
Her eyebrows jerk upward and lips purse.
“Yeah, I said it.”
“I heard,” she whispers, “and maybe I’d like that.” Not taking her eyes off of mine, she begins to army crawl backward down my body, the pressure causing my cock to swell further.
As she unbuttons my jeans and gradually unzips them, her tongue drags down my happy trail, eliciting a groan from me.
I fist her hair with both hands and lift my hips so she can slide down my jeans and boxer briefs. Pulling free from me, she stands and begins to remove them completely.
“My mouth needs plenty of room to explore,” she murmurs.
I inhale a sharp breath and admire her in a pair of hot-pink sweats that are resting low on her hips because of the rolled down waistband. Her white tank is tight, and as she leans over, I get a fabulous view of her bunched up tits.
“Sit up,” she orders. I do what she commands and smirk from the assertive look on her face. My shirt is removed by her next, and as she lowers to her knees, she spreads my thighs wide.
It feels odd to be naked while she’s completely clothed, but I go with it because I’m certain I’m going to feel real damn good in the next few minutes.
My cock is bobbing before her, begging to be sucked by her fiery, wet mouth. Her hands splay over my pecs, and she grazes her pink painted nails down my skin at a taunting pace.
I groan over what’s to come and weave my fingers deep in her hair. “Taste my dick, baby. Take it inside your mouth.”
After giving me one last lascivious glance, she circles the tip of my cock with her velvety tongue. It glides down the front vein as her fingers play with my balls.
To keep from shoving my dick inside her mouth, I roll my feet forward, pushing my bent toes against the carpet.
“Fuck, Aggie. You’re torturing me here.”
She smiles and then her tongue glides its way back up. Cum leaks from the tip, and she licks at it, causing me to growl and grasp her hair tighter.
“Suck. Me. Now.”
Her body visibly quivers from my dominating words, and she obliges, sliding her wet lips over my length. The woman doesn’t stop until I’m at her throat, her mouth sealed around the base of my stiff cock.
“Christ!” My hips shove upward, and she starts to gag. I pull almost completely out of her mouth, worried my move has pissed her off, but she moans and takes me between her lips again.
And again …
Each stroke down to my base, where she’s gripping me tightly, is the perfect amount of pressure, and a hum vibrating from her throat leaves every inch of my length tingling.
My head is buzzing, too, the lack of blood flow to it giving me a dizzying high. Instead, it’s my cock that’s engorged, every nerve on alert, waiting for the trigger to be pulled.
“Yes … suck me just like that,” I utter breathlessly. Moaning, she smacks her lips tighter at the base of me, essentially pulling the trigger. My knees jerk and arms shake as I hold her hair.
Her mouth drags upward, my cum shooting into it until she pauses to drinks it down. A distinct swallow follows before she laps up every last drop. Grasping her shoulders, I pull, signaling for her to climb on my lap.
Aggie straddles me, and with a tilted head, she rests her cheek on my shoulder. Her hand covers my hammering heart, and the burning heat her mouth exhales on a sigh warms my neck.
“You’re so perfect, I’m beginning to doubt you’re real,” I say. My fingers lightly pinch up and down her legs to mock confirmation. She giggles and squirms but soon freezes.
The room is silent, and I’m caught off guard when one of her arms shoves behind my neck and the one over my heart stretches up and around.
I’m essentially in a headlock, her arms clutching my neck. She’s clinging to me, and I wonder if she’s afraid of the same thing; that I’m seeming too good to be real.
If she only knew how flawed I am–defective and unable to give her the minivan of kids her sweet heart likely yearns for. My god, how could she not make an amazing mother? Caring for someone else is all she’s known.
It’s not fair that I keep driving her closer to the picket fence. I sense it each time we’re together, her mind reeling with the possibility of a future with me. I’m a weak and selfish asshole who finds the attempts at staying away from her futile.
After a minute, she relaxes her grip but leaves her arms in place. I bring her closer to me and turn
my head to kiss her hair. We sit like this … in that comfortable silence I’ve only ever felt around my family.
***
“Wake up, sleepy head,” Aggie whispers. Inhaling a deep breath, I bring with it the scent of her. I lift my head, which has been buried in her hair. She’s still straddling me as she sits up straight and twists her body to take a look at the clock above my television. “Damn, we’ve been asleep for an hour. You owe me dinner and an orgasm.”
She twists back and grins, and I stare into the eyes of the beauty before me, trying to fathom how I will ever give her up.
Her gaze drifts to her lap, her smile faltering.
“I just realized something,” she murmurs.
“What’s that?”
“Please don’t run away when I say it.”
“That’d be kinda hard since you have me pinned to my couch.” I brandish a grin, but she can’t seem to look up at me. I pat her knee. “What is it, Aggie? You can tell me anything.”
“I feel safe and comfortable with you, but it doesn’t equate to dullness. Not at all. Instead, I’m a hot bed of coals during those times, smoldering and feeding off your oxygen, until you set me ablaze again.”
“Aggie,” I whisper as I graze the back of my hand down her cheek.
“What I’m trying to say is you brought me to life, and no matter what we’re doing, even when we’re sitting quietly or sleeping, that fire never stops burning. It’s growing every day, Kruse, and–and,” her eyes finally brave the distance to mine, “please, please, don’t put it out.”
“Fuck.” Yanking her to me, I cradle her head and squeeze her hard. My eyes snap shut, and I hold them closed, processing her words and all that they mean. All that they’re asking of me.
“No one has ever said something so meaningful to me. Besides my parents, no one has ever made me feel as important as you do, either. Thank you, Princess.”
What else can I say to her? The words that will have her running the opposite direction? Hell no. Not yet.
Checkmate (The Cassano Series Book 5) Page 18