by KyAnn Waters
Chapter Thirteen
The Baby Bond
Johnny maintained an outward show of composure. Inside, his heart throbbed, his stomach tightened, and his nerves stretched to near snapping. He took in her figure. If pregnant, he couldn't tell. But then, she couldn't be that far along. If she was pregnant. This could all be part of getting her game on.
“Are you ready?”
He refocused on her face. Ready for what, fatherhood?
“I'll drive,” she said. “I haven't had anything to drink.”
Johnny reached out and clasped his fingers around her elbow bringing her to a stop. He swallowed the excess saliva in his mouth. “Are you pregnant?”
The texture of her soft skin under the pads of his fingers stirred confusing emotions. Instant tenderness replaced uncertain motivations. He stared into eyes harboring the same fears roiling in his gut.
Her teeth gnawed on her lower lip. They'd done a grand job of fucking with each other's feelings. She didn't trust him anymore. He let go of her elbow. The fact that he questioned her statement of pregnancy reflected that he didn't trust her either.
Reaching into his pocket for the keys, he handed them over. Their fingers touched when she took the keys from his hand, and a slight tremor traveled up his arm. Intimacy hadn't brought them closer together but made them uncomfortable with each other.
He marveled at the realization that Krissy might be the future mother of his child. She'd balk at relinquishing her independence. But if he'd learned anything in the past weeks, it wasn't so much the message as the delivery. He couldn't pamper her. She'd call him controlling. Bringing about changes in their relationship needed done gradually. Life was about to change again.
He smiled thinking about Krissy, about sex, about how she laughed when he filled her with his cock. In bed was the one place they communicated perfectly. Taking it slow wouldn't be a problem. He liked taking it slow.
Over the past weeks, both he and Krissy, mostly Krissy, had focused too much on the baby. He thought about the sex more than making a baby. All that would change if she was pregnant.
Krissy unlocked the truck doors. “Do you want to drive around or go to my place?”
He put his hand on the door, keeping her from opening it. “First, I want the truth.” He sandwiched her body between him and the truck. “Are you pregnant?”
“I think so. The test was positive. I've been sick for a couple days, and if you touch my breasts, even an accidental brush, I'll scream.”
Johnny nodded. Then a slow smile spread across his lips. The tightness in his stomach eased. Warmth started in his chest and radiated out to the rest of his body. His fingers burned to touch her.
“You look pleased.”
A breeze lifted a wisp of her hair. He captured the golden strands between his fingers. “Unless you tell me it isn't mine, then, yes, I'm very pleased.” His finger trailed to her jaw. “Ecstatic.”
Quick, shallow breaths blew against his cheek as he leaned in close to her face. “I know you,” he whispered. “You don't fuck around.” His lips grazed her jaw. A gentle kiss followed.
The familiar scent of her lavender shampoo tickled his nose. His tongue flicked her earlobe. He tasted the sweetness of her skin, blending with the essence of her perfume. “The baby is mine.” She rewarded him with a pleasured sigh. “And so are you.”
He pressed his lips to hers at the same time his pelvis rocked against hers. Her fingers clutched the front of his shirt. “Johnny, we need rules.”
He laughed. “We screwed up a good thing with rules.” He rested his wrists on her shoulders, hands dangling, and stared hard into her eyes. “We both have points we want to make. Can we agree that this thing, whatever it is between us, doesn't have a name, a label, or expectations?”
“But— ”
He stopped her protests with another kiss. She moaned when he slipped his tongue past her teeth and into her mouth. The kiss was hot, erotic, and promised of more. Reaching behind her, he opened the truck door. “Talk at home.”
Krissy slid behind the wheel. He closed the door and walked around the front. He smiled as she stared at him through the passenger window. “Unlock the door.”
She pressed the power lock button. Johnny opened the door and slid in. He cocked a brow. “Ready?”
“Okay.” She started the truck.
Truth struck him hard. Realization that what he thought was the biggest mistake of his life, actually felt like a dream come true. He never would have bore the news that she carried a child that wasn't his. His baby. His future. From this moment forward, they worked for at least one common goal.
Krissy drove the truck on autopilot. Her thoughts drifted from Johnny to the baby. How did she ensure they stayed friends and build a relationship? Yikes, just thinking the word made her look to the sky for a lightning bolt.
She entered the apartment complex lot, drove around to her building, and pulled into her slot careful not to wrap Johnny's truck around the cement pole supporting the carport.
From past conversations, she had a good idea how he'd want to progress from here. Her bottom lip found its way between her teeth. If he asked her for a commitment tonight, she'd give him one. That thought struck fear into her heart. She took a deep breath. Time to remind herself that she would trust in their foundation of friendship even though she had a shaky past when it came to commitment. She took responsibility for her culpability in failed romances. No one had been Johnny.
She shifted her stare, taking a quick glance at him. She regretted pushing him away when he wanted to get closer. Tonight, he could get as close as he wanted. She hoped it was very close.
They walked to the apartment. Krissy unlocked the door. Her heart raced. A torrent of emotions swirled in her center, blood pounded through her ears, and her palms were damp.
“Can I get you something to drink?” She tossed her keys, purse, and phone on his throne.
Johnny tracked her movements through the house. He stared, his eyes searching. He probably expected to see the telltale belly bulge. Well, she'd have a pooch soon enough. She hurried from the room so he wouldn't see her. She needed to think, breathe, and regroup. She entered the kitchen and took two glasses from the cupboard with shaking hands.
“Krissy.”
She hadn't noticed him. With a shoulder propped against the wall, he leaned on the doorjamb. He straightened and slipped his hands into his front pockets. “It's just me. All we need to decide tonight is when we tell our friends and family.”
“I believe I already took care of telling our friends. I think we need to talk about us.”
“No. No talk about relationships. Where we go from here will take care of itself.”
But she wanted him to ask her for forever. If she didn't gain some control over her raging emotions, she was going to hyperventilate in the kitchen.
“I'm going to take another test in the morning.” She didn't need to. With the symptoms, she didn't doubt the first one's accuracy. “Would you like to stay tonight? I think you should be here for the confirmation.”
There, she'd done it. She'd put out her desire to have him stay over. He should be able to make the connection. If he didn't, he'd figure it out when she jumped his bones.
He came fully into the kitchen. “I'll stay.” He put his hand on her stomach. “How sick have you been? I want to know everything.” His hand wrapped around her waist and slid up her ribs. Her nipples tightened with awareness, but he didn't touch her breasts. He trailed his fingers over her shoulder and across her collarbone. Then he touched the throbbing pulse point in her neck. Finally, he cupped her face. She closed her eyes when his thumb stroked her cheek. “Most likely, this will be our only baby.” Her eyes flew open. “I don't want to miss a day.”
“I'm sorry.” She stepped into his arms. “I'm not scared anymore.” She chuckled. “Okay, that's a lie. I'm scared as hell. No labels and no limits. I want us to be like we've always been.” She pulled back and looked in his eyes. �
�No sappy love sick shit like Shelby and Ryan, or pessimism from Drew to interfere.”
“Drew plays both sides. He knows. He heard us when we made love on the washing machine.”
“Had sex,” she interrupted, and then smiled.
Johnny rolled his eyes. “Either way, he thanked me for making laundry a pleasant and uplifting experience.”
“Oh, Johnny, don't tell me details. I know enough about Drew, his equipment, who he uses it on and how.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I hope there isn't a confession coming on.”
“Yikes! Drew? Give me a break.” The tightness in her chest eased. However, now her nipples responded to Johnny's nearness. He grazed the pebbled peaks with his chest. Getting turned on was starting to hurt.
“I'm tired, Krissy.” His voice lowered. “Where do you want me to sleep?”
His voice sent heat spiraling to her core. Her heavy breasts ached, yet her nipples hardened for his touch. She craved his mouth on the crested peak. She desperately wanted him to stay. She needed him to hold her and assure her that the new development, although thrilling, wasn't the reason he stayed.
“You won't hurt my feelings if you ask me to sleep on the couch, and nothing has to happen if we share your bed.” He touched her arm, trailing his finger along the sensitive underside.
She smirked. “You can't get me pregnant.”
He chuckled. “God, I missed you.”
Krissy wrapped her arms around his waist. “I want you to sleep in my bed.” She lifted her face, staring into his smoldering eyes. “And when I get up in the morning, I want you to be there. Don't leave in the middle of the night again.”
He brushed a kiss against her cheek with tenderness. “I almost couldn't do it. I watched you sleep for a while. Thought about kissing you awake. In the end, you only want friendship, and I'm trying very hard to stay uncommitted. So I promise not to mention love and devotion and focus on fun and friendship.” Her tummy swooned when he put his hand on it. “And family.”
She'd changed her mind. She wanted to make love. The just sex sign flashing in the corner changed into a glaring, red warning light. “Then all we are is friends having a kid?”
Her heart hammered, the pounding of her pulse loud in her ears. She hadn't opened up, just for him to close the door.
“We're much more than that.”
She let out the breath she held.
“Can I take you to bed now?” The gentle pressure of his lips pushed her backwards a step. And then another.
He tugged on the hem of her shirt, breaking the kiss long enough to lift it over her head, dropping it to the hallway floor.
His knuckles grazed the swell of her breast. She sucked in sharply.
“I love your breasts.” He bent his head taking one of her nipples into his mouth, pulling a moan of both pleasure and pain from her lips. “I'm hurting you.” His warm breath on her flesh soothed.
“Yes, but don't stop.”
Johnny backed her into the bedroom. Facing each other, he unsnapped his pants, letting them fall from his hips to the floor. He stepped out of them and tugged down his boxers. She missed the sight of his glorious cock jutting out from the thatch of dark, springy hair. Moisture pooled in her mouth, thinking about the swollen head crowning his thick, silken shaft. She could almost taste the musky essence.
His hand wrapped around the base and stroked it once. Her mind clouded with images of him in the shower, steam creating an ethereal mist between them as they self- satisfied. The room spun. She reached out to grab the dresser, but it was out of reach. She stumbled.
Before she could fall, Johnny had her in his strong arms. “Are you okay?”
“Just dizzy.” She held his forearms as he maneuvered her to the bed.
“No theatrics tonight,” he whispered. “You need to rest.”
“But I want to be with you.” She pulled on his arm.
He leaned down and kissed her temple. “It's late.” Walking to the wall switch, he turned off the light, plunging the room into blackness. “Damn, but your apartment is dark. Ouch!”
“What?”
“Stubbed my toe on the dresser.”
The mattress dipped. She smiled when he tugged on the sheet. “If you didn't keep the air on, you wouldn't need this many blankets.”
Johnny pulled the comforter over their naked bodies. She snuggled close to his side. “Heavy blankets have always made me feel safe.” Her fingers traced over the smooth divide of his chest. “I won't be afraid with you here.” With his arm wrapped around her shoulders, her head pillowed perfectly against him.
“Then go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere.”
Krissy sighed and tried to lie perfectly still. Johnny's heavy breathing took on a relaxed tempo. She didn't know if he slept. How could he? They were naked. She couldn't believe it. He sighed, relaxing even more. A live wire didn't carry as many volts of current as was shooting through her system. Every nerve frayed.
Blinking didn't help. Her eyes were wide open. Her body waited for the slightest signal that he couldn't sleep. The hum of the alarm clock competed with the hum of the refrigerator. Soon the air conditioner would drown out both. And she'd still be wide- awake.
Wetness seeped from her pussy, trickling between her legs and onto her thighs. Wanting a connection to Johnny, a throbbing awareness in her body kept her from controlling the clenching spasms of her core. He wasn't holding her as close, yet his fingers still curled around her shoulder. He couldn't be sleeping. To check, she shifted. Her breasts might be sore, but she still sought his touch. If awake, he had to feel her nipples brush his skin.
She sliced her leg between his, enjoying the texture of his leg hair against her smooth skin. His breathing changed, no longer deep and steady, but quick and shallow. Her breast pressed against his side. The achingly hard nipples tightened further.
Sexual tension radiated between them. She knew he wanted her. The strength of that desire caused the sheet to shift. She trailed fingers down his chest. His pulse leapt to life beneath her ear. She turned her head and placed feathering kisses along his sternum. Desperate for a taste, her tongue slipped out from between her parted lips and flattened against his pectoral. Her fingers wrapped around his upper arm. Leaning up, she gave his nipple a soft nip.
“Johnny,” she whispered into the darkness. Her hand wrapped around his cock. “You're up, too.”
The crack of his grinding teeth filled the room. “You should rest.”
“I will.” She slid her body over his. Spreading her thighs to accommodate his hips, she rubbed the fleshy part of her pussy along the length of his cock. He groaned, gripped her hips and rocked against her. He didn't penetrate, allowing only the pressure to stimulate.
He leaned up and turned her onto her back. “Will I hurt you?” He braced his weight with outstretched arms. In position to penetrate, he waited.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, combing the hair at his nape with her fingernails. “I'm learning, Johnny. You'd never hurt me.”
She angled her hips, allowing the knob of his cock to slip between her dewy folds, rub against her aching clit and nudge her entrance. With a growl, he plunged into her. She sighed in contentment at finally having him stretching her taut passage. Cream slicked her walls and gloved his shaft in wet heat. Rearing back until just the tip remained within her pussy, he thrust deep, filling her again. Swollen labia wrapped along his length and internal spasms contracted against him.
Krissy discovered they could make love without laughter. His slow deliberate strokes, built a steady, intense fire. She pressed her fingertips into his back. His body rolled like a wave, crashing into her core. He braced above her, keeping his full weight from resting on her tender breasts.
“You feel amazing.” His tempo increased. “Come on, baby, come for me.” Holding himself with one arm, he used the other hand to take her thigh and lift her leg higher. Shifting his angle, he stimulated another area deep inside.
“Oh, yes. More.
” Her toes curled. Lightness numbed her thoughts. Her core contracted, and an orgasm washed over her with the same rhythm of Johnny's thrusts.
“That's it.” His muscles tensed, but he didn't follow her with a release of his own.
He stilled and pulled from her body. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything is perfect. You're beautiful.”
“You didn't come.”
“Not to worry, I will. We're not done.”
This Johnny she adored. He made her smile, made her heart happy. Funny, yet sensitive. With Johnny she felt safe to express her most intimate needs. Desires having nothing to do with sex, physical expression wasn't a problem. He exposed her heart.
Tears threatened. Grateful for the depth of the darkness, she blinked them away. “Where do you want me?” she asked.
“On your knees.”
She knew. “You're such an ass man.”
“With you, I'm a tit man, too. Your breasts are tender, and I don't want to hurt you. I want to pound into you. Hard. Until you're ready for a frontal assault, this is the best way.” His hands caressed wherever they touched.
“Tear it up, baby,” she whispered.
He pushed the covers off the end of the bed. She took position on her hands and knees close enough to the top of the bed to brace her hand against the wall.
“Will I hurt you?” His hand rubbed a small circle on her ass cheek.
“No, but if you don't hurry, I might hurt you.”
He chuckled. Then she couldn't speak. Johnny slammed his cock, full hilt into her. Arching her back, she cried out.
“You have the best ass.” He held her still.
She savored the sensation of his cock stretching, filling, and pressing to the top of her channel. “You can talk dirty to me now. It's not breaking the rules anymore.”
“We'll talk about rules tomorrow,” he said. With powerful thrusts, he plowed up into her cunt. Wet slick heat burned, consumed, had her crying out for more. This wasn't making love, sex, or simple fucking, Johnny dominated, wringing all he needed from her honeyed core. She couldn't speak, could barely breath. Each plunge of his rigid rod stroked her hotter. She melted and shivered. Pleasure flowed as easily as breath.