by Harloe Rae
I press a kiss to her palm. “Just a bit off the top. Someone likes me scruffy.”
Blakely nods into my hold and a single droplet escapes from her lashes. “I like a lot more than that.”
Having those baby blues pinned on me after a drought is more potent than her fist around my shaft. I shudder while bowing into her, pressing our foreheads together. “I missed you, sweetheart.”
Her eyes glitter with more unshed tears. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”
The last thread of my patience snaps faster than a matchstick. I spear my fingers into her hair, gripping at the roots. Blakely’s damp cheek is cradled in my palm when I slam our lips together. She moans into my mouth and claws at me for more. I swipe my tongue along her bottom lip, seeking the entry I’ve been denied for too many nights. The hunger in my gut is fed by her body pressing into mine. Nothing should ever taste this sweet, so potent and decadent. I inhale another dose of pure sugar as she opens wider. We’re clinging to each other without a care as to who’s watching. I almost hoist her ass off the stool and pour gasoline on our flames, but an unfamiliar voice stops me.
“Wow. I’d totally have your babies.”
Blakely jerks away from me with a gasp. There’s a moist smack as our lips are forced apart on a very premature basis. The haze of our kiss evaporates as I turn to glare at our rude interruption.
“Excuse me?”
Blakely squeaks beside me. “Uh, she’s joking. This is my friend, Casey.”
The black tint fades from the edges of my vision. That doesn’t mean I offer her a smile. “Hey, I’m Halder.”
She snorts. “Oh, I’m well aware who you are.”
“She’s all I see. Causes some sort of blinders syndrome, and I get caught in the moment. Sorry for being an ass.” But there’s zero apology in my tone.
Hers is coated in humor when she replies, “Clearly. You two are freaking adorable.”
Blakely peeks up at me from under her wet lashes, slaying me all over again. “Thanks, Case.”
Her friend stands and gives Blakely a hug. “And on that note, I’m gonna go.”
My girl’s eyes bulge as if she’s being squeezed too tight. “What? Why?”
“You have a lot to discuss.” She pins Blakely with a look that’s probably highlighted in a guidebook on how to read women.
They exchange a few rounds of hushed words that I’m not able to understand. I try to strain my ears, but all that’s audible is a jumble of nonsense. There’s plenty of flaying hand gestures thrown into the mix, too. In the end, Casey pulls away with a large grin spread across her mouth.
“Let me know how it goes.”
Blakely’s complexion takes on a ghostly hue. “Fingers crossed.”
The blonde waves at me. “Nice to meet you. Good luck with this one.”
Before I can question her meaning, she’s blending into the crowd and making an exit. I scrub over my forehead while trying to process the past five minutes. This was not how I anticipated my reunion with Blakely going. I set my sights back on the only one who matters.
“What was that about?”
“I have to tell you something. Maybe you should sit down?” The uncertainty in her voice raises my guard with a grinding tug.
“Is everything okay?” I slide onto the stool Casey just vacated.
Blakely is wringing her hands tight enough to cut off circulation. “That depends.”
I drag her seat into mine, entwining our legs together. “On what? You’re kinda freaking me out, Lee.”
Her eyes leap to mine, a fresh layer of shine coating the blue I love falling into. “I don’t mean to. This isn’t bad. Well, I don’t think it is. Some people might, I guess. It all depends on your plans and opinion and beliefs. Not that I can change anything at this point. There is a lot of responsibility involved. Unless you don’t want to be. Involved, I mean.”
“Sweetheart,” I coax. The uplifting use of that term is meant to console. “You’re rambling. Just tell me what you have to say.”
She sniffs and wipes at her cheeks. “I’m pregnant.”
A static buzz kicks on in my brain. That dull hum swallows the background noise and leaves me listening to the echo of my harsh breaths. My heart strikes with a rioting beat, the punishing jabs enough to make me flinch. I school my features before she gets the wrong idea. “How is that possible? I thought we were covered?”
Blakely smacks her forehead with a huff. “Right? That’s what I thought. Turns out I missed a shot and contraceptives have an expiration date. The methods aren’t foolproof. I’m aware this makes me flaky and forgetful. But in my defense, I hadn’t been sexually active. Birth control wasn’t a present concern for me. It was a simple decision to shove that task onto the back burner, and I never remembered to set up a new appointment. And now, there’s a bun in my oven.” Her voice has escalated in pitch throughout her explanation, ending at a near-hysterical volume.
“Hey,” I soothe. “It’s not your fault.”
She laughs, but there’s no amusement in the sound. “Uh, it actually is. I told you we were safe and protected.”
“If you knew we weren’t, would it change our time in the cavern? Would you have held off?”
Her face reveals the truth even if her mouth isn’t ready to admit it. “No,” she finally mumbles. “I still would’ve climbed you faster than a pine tree with low-hanging limbs.”
I grin and brush my thumb down her face, from temple to chin. That smooth trail is velvet against my calloused pad. “I feel the same way, Blakely. Mistakes happen. Oversights are common. Certain things are worth the risk. And the consequence of those actions is the furthest from a punishment. We’re going to have a baby.”
“Yeah, we are.” She’s trying not to cry, her face scrunching with the effort.
Scratch my earlier appraisal of our fresh start. This is most definitely the opposite of what I was expecting. That doesn’t make it bad. In fact, the panic that many might experience under these circumstances is notably absent. I prop my arm on the bar and…smile. Probably the largest damn grin I’ve ever unleashed.
Blakely cringes, keeping one squinting eye on me. “Are you losing it? This is the calm before the hysterical storm, right?”
A weightless shrug shifts my upper body into hers. “No, I’m good. Great, actually. What’s wrong, sweetheart? Aren’t you happy?”
“I am, but this somehow feels like an inconvenience for you. Or very poor timing. You haven’t even had a taste of freedom and I’m dropping a load of responsibility in your lap. What you’re already dealing with is hectic enough.”
The ease in my muscles evaporates, transforming into taut strain as I remain frozen in place. “And what is it that I’m dealing with exactly? Trying to hunt down the girl I’m crazy about who happened to be hoarding some big fucking news?”
Her expression pinches tighter. “I wasn’t planning to hide this from you. Just delaying ever so slightly.”
“Tell me why.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to send this in a text. Calling to say something ridiculous about you knocking me up wasn’t going to cut it either. You just got out of prison. Then we were abducted. They stuck you on house arrest. Ugh, this shouldn’t be a burden.”
I’m sure the look on my face is worse than if she slapped me. The sting sure as shit feels like it. Hurt reflects off the burn and plummets straight to my bruised heart. “Our child is the furthest thing from that. Do you think so little of me?”
Blakely lunges at me, practically sitting in my lap. She holds my cheeks hostage between her palms. “No! Never. I’m sorry. This is getting twisted. Please don’t think I’d ever treat this baby as less than a blessing. It’s been a lot for me to absorb. I just found out an hour ago. Does that give me an excuse to be a mess? I should’ve blurted it out when you walked in.”
I relax against her in relief, allowing us to sag into my seat. “It’s okay. I understand. Emotions are high. I’m so damn glad we’re togeth
er for this.”
Her trembling lips press against mine. “Me, too. So very much.”
I grip her hands, that electric current zapping between us recharging me. She gazes at me from under hooded lids. The smile I give her wobbles at the edges. “I love you, Blakely.”
She sniffs. “You do?”
With a quick swipe of my lips, I kiss the tear streaking toward her jaw. “Of course, sweetheart. Pretty sure I’ve loved you since that first stolen glance. Getting left in the wild with you was a reward. I don’t have much, but what I do have is yours.”
“All I need is your heart.”
“It only beats for you.” I place her hand on my chest.
Blakely nuzzles into the crook of my neck. “I love you so much, Halder.”
The thumping in my veins vibrates through both of us. “Thank Christ for that, because I can’t stand being apart from you. Promise me that we’ll be together from now on.”
She’s nodding against me, the moisture from her tears sticking to my throat. “Nothing would make me feel more complete.”
“Well, maybe one thing.” I settle my hand flat on her abdomen.
Blakely straightens enough to face me. “A little piece of us.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better gift.”
“Surprises seem to be our thing.”
A long exhale releases the tap on any leftover tension in my frame. “This is by far the best shock of my life. I’ve been getting lucky lately.”
She places a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth. “This baby news stole the show. You’ve been dealing with other life altering issues. How are you feeling? Has your name been cleared yet? Is there still a threat to your safety? Do you need to worry about the evil doers plotting a scheme from prison?”
Her fumbling questions make my grin brighten to megawatt levels. “No, that’s all been taken care of. I’ve been motivated by revenge since Stefano sent me to prison. These last two weeks, I’ve been drifting. I won’t lie and tell you all of my troubles suddenly vanished. There were years of animosity and hate simmering below the surface. Those are problems I needed to find a new outlet for. I had to find meaning again. Soul searching is a bit challenging when trapped in a room alone, but you still found me. Just hearing your voice grounds me. You’re my purpose. It all comes back to you. I don’t need vengeance or retaliation. All of that seems pitiful now. Just something I clung to in the shadows. You’ve brought me into the light. And now, the miracle we’ve been given. Thank you for giving me purpose, sweetheart.”
She wipes under her eyes. “Damn, Halder. You should write for Hallmark. That was poetic.”
“You bring out the best in me. Always.”
“So, all that bad stuff can be put to rest and left behind?”
“Yeah, that seems to be the case. I feel…gratified. Easier said than done, of course. But there is far more good heading our way. That’s definitely something we can look forward to.” I tug her fully onto my lap, burying my nose in her silky hair. There’s no doubt I look like a fool in love. I bet it brings out the color of my eyes.
“I really hope it’s that simple. Does that make me naive?”
“Nah, I think we’ve proven that together we can accomplish the impossible. I’m choosing to be optimistic.”
Her brows wiggle to a seductive beat. “I’m rubbing off on you.”
“I’d like you to be rubbing on me, too.” My hips bump into hers with their own agenda.
“That’s how we got into this predicament.” She waves across her stomach.
“We did things a bit backward, sweetheart.”
“Eh, I prefer being unique.”
“We still need to go on our first date. Will you think it’s cheesy if I romance the hell outta you?”
Blakely stares at me with longing and filthy propositions. Good to know I’m not the only one with a dirty mind at all times. “As if you even need to ask. Are we going now?”
A glance outside shows the setting sun staining every surface with a burnt orange shade. “How about tomorrow?”
“Then what happens tonight?”
I lean in and nip her bottom lip. “Practice. I’ll give you a brief preview of what’s for dessert.”
She shivers against me. “I think we’ve already proved to be pros in the art of doing it the right way.”
“There’s always room for improvement.”
“Should we get outta here? I think we need to celebrate. Alone.” She reaches for her purse from a hook under the counter.
She doesn’t have a chance to shoulder the bag before I’m scooping her up and striding for the exit. “Thought you’d never ask. Where to?”
“My place?”
“Do you live nearby?”
“Yes. Very close. It’s funny how much we have yet to learn about each other.” She giggles into my neck, the hot puff of air shooting south at a rate that almost makes me stumble.
“That’ll give us plenty to discuss during those postcoital rests you require. You know, those very short stints where you doze off.”
She gasps. “Me?”
“Let’s not pretend I don’t wear you out.” And there’s no denying how my chest puffs out at the reminder.
I can practically hear her eyes roll. “That’s because you lavish me with multiple orgasms.”
“Pretty sure that’s not a valid complaint.”
“Who said anything about complaining? I just don’t want you to push pause in delivering the man meat on some false claim of me needing a nap.”
I shove the door open and step out into the cool evening air. “Keep telling yourself that, Lee.”
“I will.” The pout in her voice is a serious turn on. It tickles some underlying urge to flip her frown into a satisfied smile. “But hey, we don’t need to worry about stopping to buy protection.”
I palm her ass, adding a squeeze for good measure. “That’s my girl. Always looking on the bright side.”
Survival tip #30: Watch out for booby-traps.
We stumble down the dark hallway with our limbs entangled in a complicated mass of delayed pleasure, ready to shred the layers separating us. I’ve never been more relieved to be on a semi-abandoned floor that only houses two other residents. Without leaving the bubble of his hold, I attempt to unlock the deadbolt. The scrape of brass against steel signals my failure. I stab at the keyhole with another blind strike. My aim misses the target once again.
Halder continues raining kisses along the curve of my neck, not seeming to mind the delay a single bit. The lava in my lower belly begins to boil. I don’t bother stifling my moan.
“We’ll never get inside if you don’t quit.”
His fingers drift across my waist, fiddling with the button on my jeans. “I can slip in right here if you let me.”
The wanton seductress rising inside of me pushes back against the bulge behind his zipper. “Not sure my neighbors would appreciate the show. Or maybe they would.”
“We need to move into the country so I can have my way with you wherever.”
“Such a caveman thing to say.”
His low chuckle has my toes curling. “You have no idea, Lee.”
I finally get the freaking knob to turn and shove the door open. We rush into my entryway with a stampede of need chasing us. I yank at my coat, the snagging of fabric warns me that a seam is about to rupture. My boots are the next victim to be carelessly tossed away. Halder’s rushing motions crack through the silence, the heavy thump of his shoes hitting the wall next to mine. When I turn to him, he’s busy drawing in a long breath. He doesn’t stop until the plains of his upper body double in size.
“It smells like our forest and campfire.”
I’m certain my eyes are twinkling with the same intensity as his. “That’s on purpose. I bought some candles.”
“Trying to keep the memory alive?”
“Precisely.”
He pounces at me, and I’m hoisted into his arms a second later. “Where’s your bedroo
m?”
I point behind me. “It’s gonna be fun to see what you can do with springs beneath you.”
Halder covers the length of my apartment’s layout in five strides. When the echoing pound of his steps on hardwood mute to a shuffle against carpet, I slap at the wall and flip on my light. The room swallows us in a swath of warm hues. That familiar comfort swaddles me tighter with the clutch of his flexing muscles. He eases his grip until I’m sliding downward in a mouthwatering descent. The bumps and ridges I knock against have me eager to begin again from the top. What’s the harm in another ride? But the emerald flames in his eyes have me changing course.
I grip his quilted thermal in my fist. He can pull off this burly lumberjack vibe without even trying. The finished product is a potent aphrodisiac I can’t deny. I prove just how powerful the pull is by smashing our mouths together. The duel of our tongues is a dance we’re fluent in, but I add a come-hither curl for extra spice. He grants me that growling rumble I’m so addicted to. His coarse beard prickles the sensitive skin of my cheeks. I nuzzle against him and get rewarded with more of that abrasive scratch against my tender skin. The fire inside of me billows to inferno proportions when his palm begins roaming under the hem of my sweater. He teases my bare skin with a gentle brush of his fingers. This blaze can easily burn out of control and be over in minutes. We need to savor the explosion and build the sparks until detonation is our only option. For the first round, at least. I wrench my mouth from his with a gasp.
“Take off your clothes, boss.”
He lifts a brow. “Not sure that name is fitting if you’re giving orders.”
That boldness he feeds from my very depths elevates to the surface. “I’ll let you take charge in a bit. Now show me all of your sexy.”
Halder attacks his jeans with a ferocity I feel thrumming through my veins. I bite the swollen flesh of my bottom lip when he shucks the denim to pool at his ankles. His talented fingers grip the bottom of his flannel. Those pearl snaps don’t stand a chance against his brute strength. The front is ripped open with a harsh flick of his wrist. He kicks the discard pile out of his path and struts forward with the suave confidence of a peacock during mating season. I find my man’s feathers far more appetizing.