A Whisper Of Solace

by K. J. Coakley

  "I can't thank you enough, Mr. Price. This means the world to me. I can finally be rid of him once and for all." I sigh as the realization that my past is finally behind me begins to sink in.

  "You just take care of yourself, and that's all the thanks I'll need." He gestures to my protruding belly.

  I look down, sliding my hand over my abdomen and looking back up to him with a wide smile. "Yes, sir. I most certainly will." I can't help the grin that spreads wide over my face.

  I swing by the receptionist’s desk and get my accommodations. The whole way home I'm practically floating with excitement.

  I'm finally going to be rid of him. Finally!

  Will

  I'd had a long day and was ready to relieve some stress at the gym, but when Mark called and asked if I'd meet him for drinks, I couldn't pass it up.

  Mark is one of my closest friends. He's good company on any day, but even better when I need to get some shit off my chest. Our jobs carry a heavy burden, and sometimes a night at the pub drinking with the guys is exactly what I need to blow off steam.

  And that's how I found myself sitting here with Mark and his law firm partner, Blake.

  "So tell us, how's the baby situation playing out?" Mark asks with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a smirk to confirm he knows exactly how it's playing out.

  "As if you didn't know."

  He throws his hands up in mock defense. "Abbi doesn't tell me everything, you know."

  "Liar."

  He and Blake laugh out loud. "Okay, maybe she does."

  I take a swig of my beer and then set the bottle down before casting a glare in their direction. I decide to call him on his bullshit. "You've seen her."

  He smiles at me and gives me a wink that’s accompanied by a soft wolf whistle. “Indeed I have.”

  "That ...” I point at his and Blake's knowing expressions. "Is how I'm doing."

  "Aww, it can't be that bad. I mean, she's easy enough on the eyes," he teases.

  "And therein lies the problem. She's too damn easy on the eyes."

  "Oh, no." His eyes go round with mock horror. "Are you attracted to her? Dare I say, lustful even?"

  I slam my beer down and shoot him a look that makes him and Blake burst out laughing. "It's not funny, assholes." But the corner of my mouth begins to twitch, and I eventually end up laughing along with them.

  Blake points his bottle at me. "You need to get laid, my friend. That's exactly what you need. A bonified grade A piece of ass. No strings. Just a good hard fucking to rid your system of the stick lodged firmly in your ass." He chuckles before taking a long pull from his bottle.

  "And just where am I supposed to find the time to scout the market for available one-night stands with a no strings preference? They aren't walking the streets of Chicago with billboards above their heads."

  "Why would you need to scout the market when you have a beautiful woman already living with you?" Mark waggles his brows. "And might I add that you don't have to worry about knocking that one up since she's already carrying your babies. It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned." He throws his hands up as if the matter has been settled.

  I look at them both with narrowed eyes. "Abbi has her on a no-sex order until further notice."

  "That won't last much longer. You're almost past the danger zone."

  "That doesn't help the permanent case of blue balls I'm currently suffering from." I pout.

  "Get inventive." He smirks.

  "But she's pregnant!"

  "Pregnant women run hot twenty-four-seven. Their hormones are all over the place, and let me tell you something, the sex is insanely good."

  "Gah ... I don't want to hear about pregnant sex with my sister. Boundaries, man. Boundaries." I shake my head and cast him a look.

  Mark laughs and shakes his head. "Sorry, but it's true. Their bodies are extra sensitive, and they crave affection and reassurance that you still find them attractive. Every pregnant woman needs to feel beautiful. If you give her the attention she craves, she'll reward you with the best sex of your life. Oral is always an option when actual penetration isn't."

  "I cannot believe we're having this conversation." I shake my head.

  "He's not lying. My wife was the same when she was pregnant with Ben." Blake smiles from ear to ear. "Best. Sex. Ever." He takes a swig of his beer. "Don't get me wrong, sex is always good with my wife. But when she was pregnant in those first two trimesters ...” He shakes his head, a look of bliss crossing his face. "Never better. And her body was so ripe and responsive. Trust us, don't hold back. If she's willing, give her what she wants."

  I take another long pull from my beer and then raise my hand for the waitress to bring me the check. "She's different. Hard to get a read on her sometimes. But I don't see her as the oversexed pregnant type."

  "Take her on a date. Show her the city. Give her some attention and see where it goes from there. Couldn't hurt." Mark shrugs and stands so that he can pull his wallet from his back pocket.

  We all settle our tabs and then make our way to the sidewalk outside.

  "I'll see you at the gym tomorrow," I call out over my shoulder as we part ways.

  "Yeah, see you then," Mark answers. Blake gives a nod.

  On the entire drive home, the only thing on my mind is Kara. I can't stop thinking about the hot sex we shared all those weeks ago. No matter how much I try to block it from my mind or pretend it never happened. It changed things between us, and the faster I realize there's no going back to the way it was before, the better off we'll both be.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Kara

  Strong fingers run along my spine, soothing out the kinks and stress that has my muscles coiled so tightly.

  I sigh. "That feels so nice."

  "That's the point." Abbi giggles as her masseuse hits a ticklish area on her side.

  "I've never had a massage before, but now that I have, I'll never go without again." I release a long, heavy breath as he works his way back up my spine. Soothing circling motions work out all my worries as his fingers thread around my muscles like tentacles, sucking the life from my body.

  This is pure bliss. My body is completely relaxed. Every muscle loosening to the point of liquefying. The background noise of water trickling over rocks and the light sounds of birds chirping all combined to make for one heck of a relaxed state of mind and body.

  Abbi groans beside me, and I smile to myself. This day has been one the best I've ever had. We did a little shopping before our spa appointment. Had facials, got our hair trimmed, and nails done. And then we hit the spa, and it's been nothing short of miraculous.

  She's talked all day about Will and his stubborn tendencies. Although I wanted to, I held back on mentioning that we'd already been intimate. I also didn't mention the date he asked me out on for tomorrow. I don't really know if a date is what you would call it anyway. It's more a day out in the city for sightseeing and taking in the local art museums.

  He's been really supportive lately of my painting. Just the other day, I came home from my lawyer appointment to find a stack of new canvases and a beautiful easel set up in the sunroom. He'd moved out some of the furniture to make room for everything. I nearly cried from his kindness. But heck, I cry over everything these days.

  With the trip back home looming over my head like an anvil, I've been a little depressed. Even though I know it's all for the better, I hate that I'm going to have to leave Will for three days while things are sorted out. Even worse, I haven't told him yet because I don't know what to say. I hate lying to him, and I know it's time I break down and tell him the truth, but where would I even begin?

  I shrug off the thought, trying to relax and enjoy my massage. The most important thing is taking care of myself and making sure the babies are developing as they should. Stress isn't good for the pregnancy.

  "So I hear that you and Will are going out tomorrow?"

  I turn my head to face Abbi. "He told you?"

  She l
eaves her head facing down, the hole in the table accommodating her position.

  "Of course, he told me. Why wouldn't he?"

  "I don't know. Just felt like it wasn't really a big deal. Not really worth mentioning." I turn my face back down and close my eyes. My table is specially built for pregnant women and has a groove for expanding bellies to rest in without putting pressure on the baby. It's nice being able to lie down on my stomach without being uncomfortable.

  "Trust me, it's a big deal. Will hasn't been on a date since Sophia died. It's a very big deal."

  "I don't know if that's entirely true. I saw a text on his phone from a woman one night."

  "I didn't say he's lived like a monk. Just that he hasn't dated. Trust me ... there's a difference. One-night stands are a physical release. They don't involve the mind or matters of the heart."

  "I don't think our date tomorrow involves the heart either. He's only showing me around the city and taking me to visit an art museum."

  "You're cute. Naïve but cute."

  At the masseuse's que, we both turn over. She turns her head so she's facing me.

  "I'm not that naïve." My tone comes out a little harsher than I intend.

  Her eyes narrow, looking over at me with more understanding than I care for at the moment. "Listen, I'm not trying to make you feel like less of a person by saying that your naïve. I do, however, want you to understand that life in Chicago is a much faster pace than you're accustomed to. People here experience life at one hundred miles per hour. They love fast and hard. They fall out of love just as easily. It's a city of people wanting to experience life but not really having the time to do so. People get hurt. Hearts get broken. And most of all, people change. Not always for the better."

  I listen to her, trying to keep an open mind. I know that people think I'm some small town hick, but I haven't exactly led a normal life up until this point in time. I've had to learn things the hard way. Because I was never given a second chance or a do over when I made a mistake, I'm even more cautious to get it right now.

  "Will is a really good man. I'm not just saying that because he's my brother. He's sincere. And loyal. He loves with everything he has, and he won't give up on or abandon those who love him back. All I'm asking is that you keep that in mind when he makes a gesture like the one he's making by taking you out tomorrow. He'll expect you to read between the lines. He won't come right out and say it, but he cares about you."

  I pick at the seam on my towel as the masseuse works the kinks out of my legs. Abbi's words triggering thoughts of the night together Will and I shared. Maybe she's right. Maybe he's confused about what he's feeling just as much as I am and doesn't know how to cope with it. Being in a relationship with Will would mean everything to me. The thought brings a smile to my face before I can stop it.

  "See there." I glance over at Abbi's smiling face. "That's what I'm talking about. Don't run from whatever it is that you're feeling because of the situation that put you in a place to feel that way. There's nothing wrong with the two of you growing close. In fact, I think it's perfectly natural given the circumstances."

  "But that doesn't mean he feels the same way," I whisper, barely loud enough for her to hear me.

  "A little birdie told me that he most definitely does." She winks.

  I turn my face away, hiding the blush rising to my cheeks. If Will is interested in a relationship with me, then I'll allow him to make the first move. Although, I guess the night of hot sex we shared together could be considered the first move. Albeit, a decidedly bold first move, but nonetheless, a welcome one. I just need to reconcile the oddity of having a man genuinely interested in me for who I am and not what I can do for him or becoming his possession.

  This is all so exciting yet nerve-wracking. Everything where Will is concerned is magnified times ten. I've never felt this level of connection to anyone. Something about Will feels so right.

  Will

  When Kara gets home from her day at the spa with Abbi my sister gives me a look that tells me without words that I’d better be on my game. I cock a brow at her and smirk; she knows me well enough to know that I'm always up for a challenge. Even though I'm not sure what the challenge is exactly.

  "I'm going to head up and change into something more comfortable," Kara calls out over her shoulder as she makes her way upstairs.

  My eyes flash to my sister. "What's with the look?"

  "What look?" She pulls an innocent face.

  I shake my head and begin to set the table. "You know what look. Don't be coy; it doesn't suit you."

  Abbi walks over and helps me set the table and then lay the food out. "All I know, little brother, is that you’d better be ready for whatever comes your way. I have a feeling you've met your match with that one. Shy, sweet, and timid she may be. But beneath the surface, a ball of fire is waiting to be ignited."

  The corner of my mouth pulls up. "Is that so?"

  Abbi shoots me a mischievous grin. "Yes, it is. Careful, Will. That one might be more than you can handle when she realizes the power she wields over you."

  "What power would that be?" I ask, more than a little curious as to what she's going to say.

  "The power to bend but not break." With that, she turns her back to me and saunters out of the house.

  What the hell is that supposed to mean? Bend ... but not break? I shake my head as I continue scooping out pasta onto our plates and then grab two glasses that I fill with ice water to complete our dinner.

  By the time Kara comes back downstairs, I'm already seated at the table and gesture for her to join me.

  "This smells delicious." She grins, taking her seat across the table from me.

  "Did you take your nausea medicine?"

  "Yeah. I didn't want to get sick while I was out with Abbi. It made me a little sleepy, but I haven't felt sick all day."

  "That's good to hear. We wouldn't want you becoming dehydrated."

  "Oh no, I've been reading up on pregnancy and the symptoms I need to watch out for." She stabs her fork into her pasta and begins spinning it around, collecting a tiny ball of noodles around her fork before raising it to her mouth and moaning as she takes a bite.

  Muriel's recipe for spaghetti and meatballs has become one of our favorite go-to comfort foods. If Kara isn't making it once a week, then I am.

  Yes, even I've mastered spaghetti. Hell, I'd master anything to see that smile spread across her beautiful face. She absolutely loves it when I cook for her.

  She sets the fork down and grabs her napkin to wipe the pasta sauce from the corner of her mouth. "This is so delicious. I love Muriel's spaghetti recipe. Thank you for making it. You did really good."

  I smile, enjoying the fact that she has so much enthusiasm for such a small gesture. But when she sets the napkin down and I notice she still has a splotch of red on the corner of her mouth, I can't stop myself from raising up and leaning over the table to wipe it away with the pad of my thumb.

  She freezes with eyes locked on mine as I sit back down and slide my thumb in my mouth. I suck the sauce clean from my finger before picking up my fork, continuing to eat as if nothing happened.

  Her mouth opens and then closes several times. Clearly at a loss at to what to say. Then she finally relents and starts eating again.

  I can't help it; my mouth twitches as I fight the urge to laugh. Her dumbfounded expression just makes her all the more appealing.

  "Did you enjoy your day at the spa?"

  Her eyes go wide with excitement as she tells me about her day. "It was the most amazing thing. And so relaxing ...”

  I listen to her go on and on about the spa and how nice the people were. It's the first time I've truly witnessed her telling a story with such animation. It's like watching a kid tell you about the first time they visited an amusement park. Her beautiful eyes light up with excitement as she relays the day’s events.

  Kara is usually painfully silent, but tonight, she's a chatterbox. I'm not sure if it's the day
at the spa or her becoming more comfortable around me. Either way, this is a side of her that I rarely see ... but I like it. I could listen to her talk about the weather or even stock market prices, just to hear her sexy Southern drawl and the way her voice pitches a little higher when she gets excited.

  Her skin is glowing with a sun-kissed hue, and her bright eyes are focused on mine as if there wasn't another person in the world she'd rather be talking to. Even though she's rambling on about the masseuse and how great her massage felt, all I hear is the happiness ringing through her voice and the intent focus of her eyes on mine as she tells her story.

  When she looks at me with those eyes so full of joy, it's hard to overlook the tightness building in my chest. The way my body leans forward over the table as if searching for a way to get closer to her. It's like two magnets trying to resist the gravitational pull, but the closer we get to one another, the more overpowering the pull becomes.

  I'm in so much trouble. So. Much. Trouble.

  "I have a big day planned for us tomorrow."

  She takes a drink of her water and sits her glass down, eyeing me curiously. "Really?"

  I nod.

  She raises her brows and nods, urging me to continue.

  I nod again.

  She tosses her napkin down on the table and gives me a look. "Seriously? Come on. Tell me."

  I grin. I love being the reason her cheeks flush with excitement and anticipation. "It's a surprise. I'm not supposed to tell you or else it wouldn't be a very good surprise. Now would it?"

  She huffs, sitting back in her chair and folding her arms over her chest. "That's not fair. Why would you tell me only to leave me hanging?"

  I chuckle. "Because I love the way you look when you get excited.”

  She blushes even more.

  I reach across the table and run the back of my finger down her heated cheek. "Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?"

  She swallows and looks down at the table, breaking eye contact.

  I tsk. "You should know better, Kara."