The Baby Mistake

by J. L. Beck

  The ding of my text messages stops my giggles abruptly. There aren’t many people who would be texting me right now, and when I push the button to open my phone, I see Ryker’s name.

  Ryker: Fallon and Reed have a son. He’s perfect :)

  I can’t help but smile at his words. I’m so happy that everything went well and Fallon now has a sweet little baby to love on. Seeing him so excited about it gives me hope that he’ll eventually feel that way about our baby too… if I ever get up the courage to tell him.

  Ryker: I need to see you. Come over?

  Am I ready for this? I contemplate ignoring him for a second, but I want to be around him too much to say no. Plus, if he’s going to fire me, I’d rather he didn’t do it at work in front of the entire office.

  Ava: Okay. One problem though …

  Ryker: What?

  Ava: I don’t know where you live, and I don’t have someone who can look up your information and give it to me.

  I watch as the three dots start bouncing, telling me he’s typing, before they stop for a few seconds and start up again. They continue to do this three more times before his next text finally comes through.

  Ryker: You’re such a smartass.

  The next message is his address, and I realize he doesn’t live that far from my mom’s house. Anxious knots fill my belly, mixed with a tiny bit of excitement. My body isn’t sure if it should be terrified or ecstatic.

  Ava: Be there soon.

  Ryker: Hurry.

  “I guess that’s him?” Her voice makes me jump. I was so focused on Ryker, I forgot she was sitting beside me. Nodding, I clutch my chest with one hand and wait for my heartrate to slow down to a normal pace. “Go,” she says, sternly. “Tell him, Ava. You don’t want to wait too long or it will drive a wedge between you.”

  She’s right, and knowing that, I push my plate away and stand, stopping briefly to hug her one more time. “Thank you,” I whisper, wishing I could tell her how much her support means to me, but I think she already knows by the look in her eyes telling me so.

  “Love you.” Her lips press against my forehead, and the quick touch fills me with warmth.

  I pause at the doorway and look back at her, conflicted about whether or not this is a good choice, and she points one finger toward the door in a “go, now” gesture normally reserved for when I was younger and got in trouble. All she had to do was point down the hall, and I knew to go to my room until she said I could come out. I grin as I pull the door shut behind me, but it falls when I remember I’m probably going to be jobless soon, and most likely heartbroken.

  Why did I agree to go to his house?

  Is it too late to back out?

  Ugh, probably.

  When Remy and I walk into Fallon’s hospital room, she’s staring down at her son like he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Reed’s expression is similar, but he’s staring at both of them that way. The two of them look over at us, and Reed starts to laugh as soon as he sees all the stuff we’ve brought with us. I don’t even care that I bought every blue stuffed animal the gift shop had. It’s fitting since Remy bought every balloon that mentioned the word “baby” to bring up here, and even a pink one managed to get lost in the mix.

  The baby makes a sound, almost a whimper, and Remy and I both shove our purchases at Reed so we can go meet the newest member of the Winston family. Standing on either side of her bed, we both lean down to kiss her cheek and congratulate her before turning our attention to the small bundle in her arms.

  He’s wrapped up in a hospital blanket, all small and doll-like, and I can’t seem to keep my eyes off him.

  “His name is Maverick,” Fallon says softly, her voice full of emotion. “Maverick Clark Winston.”

  Remy and I both struggle to control our emotions. I barely hold mine in but Remy can’t stop the single tear from falling from his eye. Brushing it away, he laughs, and with a shrug, says, “That’s a pretty epic name.”

  And it is. He’s got an entire life ahead of his and the legacy we’re paving today will someday be his.

  We both hold out a finger for the baby to grip onto and I can’t get over the fact that he’s the perfect mix of Reed and Fallon, with chubby cheeks and a button nose. His eyes are blue like Reed’s and his ears are slightly pointed just like Fallon’s. Babies aren’t something I’m really used to, but as soon as my eyes land on him I fall head over heels for the little guy.

  “I’m your Uncle Ryker,” I tell him, marveling at how he’s staring up at me like he understands every word I’m saying. “I’ll be your favorite uncle, kid. Ignore that goofy looking fucker,” I nod toward Remy, who scowls at my comment. “He doesn’t even matter.”

  Shoving a hand against my chest, Remy leans over so his head blocks out my face. “He’s stupid, Mav. You just tell him that Uncle Remy is the best uncle you’ve got. No one cares about smelly, old Ryker.” A bubble of laughter escapes me, when I shove him back while Fallon and Reed are oblivious to the two of us. They only have eyes for each other, and a few weeks ago it would’ve grossed me out, but I get it now. Ava’s changed the way I look at a lot of things—family, work, love. Everything is different since she came into my life that night at the bar.

  Just thinking about her reminds me that I never got to finish our conversation from earlier. Besides a text letting me know she was leaving early, I haven’t heard from her for a few hours and that bothers me, even though it really shouldn’t.

  So as much as I want to hang out with my brother and new nephew, I have this urgent need to see Ava, to hold her close and tell her just how much she means to me, and to convince her that she really does mean the world to me.

  With another kiss to Fallon’s cheek, and a quick hug for my brother’s, I head out, pulling my phone out of my pocket as I walk down the hall so I can text Ava.

  It takes her a few minutes to respond to my first two texts, but by the time I get out to the parking garage, she finally agrees to meet me at my place. I shoot her a text with the address and hop in my car hoping the traffic isn’t shit. She said she wasn’t far away, and I don’t want her to get there before I do.

  I feel anxious when I get to my apartment. A woman’s never had the power that Ava does over me, and the worst part is she doesn’t even realize it. The kiss we shared earlier today has been something I’ve been wanting to replay all day long. Her sugary-sweet moan is a sound I want to hear again and again and one I plan to hear this evening but before I do that I have to assure her that everything is okay between us.

  I find myself at the entrance to my apartment without really realizing it because my thoughts have been centered on Ava. I unlock the door and walk in realizing the place needs to be cleaned up. It’s not dirty in a there’s shit everywhere way, but more in a it hasn’t been deep cleaned since I fired the maid for trying to sleep with me way.

  After cleaning up the living room, I slip my shoes off, and start unbuttoning my dress shirt, so I can be comfortable when Ava gets here, when a soft knock sounds against the door. “Fuck,” I mutter under my breath.

  Padding over to the door, I have to stop every few steps to pick up random things and shove them into cabinets and drawers so the room at least looks neat, and pull it open, my eyes meeting Ava’s anxious brown ones. I can tell she’s worried from one single look at her, and that causes an ache to form in my chest. That worry is because of me. It’s my fault she feels the way she does, and I want to make it better. I will make it better.

  “Come in.” I smile, but it falls when she doesn’t smile back, looking down at the floor as she walks into the apartment. I have to fix things with her. Closing the door behind her, I wait for her to turn around and say something, anything. I’m shocked when she doesn’t say anything but instead looks around the room, taking in the apartment and all its contents.

  “This place is huge for someone who lives alone.” I slide my hands into the pockets of my dress slacks to stop myself from touching her.

  �
�You have no idea. It’s lonely as hell. Not so much during the day, but at night when the city is asleep and all you have are the city lights to surround you.” I blink, startled that I just said that out loud.

  Ava nods her head, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. I want to touch those silky locks and see if they’re as soft as they look, but with as anxious as she’s acting, I don’t want to scare her away.

  “Well, should we get it over with?” Her smile is sad, and I step closer to her, my brow furrowed in confusion.

  “Get what over with?” I’m confused and I’m sure my expression shows it.

  She looks away from me, then whispers, “The firing. The job ending…” When I don’t say anything for a long second, she scrubs a hand down her beautiful face in frustration.

  “I just don’t want you to fire me at the office, so if you’re letting me go, please just tell me here and now because I can’t handle any more drama.”

  The sadness reflecting back at me grips me by the balls, and I find my feet moving of their own accord stopping only once I’m directly in front of her.

  “I’m not firing you, Ava.” I tip her chin upward, that same electric feeling coursing through my veins when I touch her skin. Unreadable emotions swirl in her amber eyes, and I have to shut this shit down. I have to make her secure when it comes to whatever this, is between us.

  “I didn’t invite you over to fire you.” Part of me can’t believe she would even think that’s why I asked her to come. “I invited you over to get to know you better. You have no idea how much you’ve consumed my every thought since that night at the bar.” She nibbles on her bottom lip, and I can’t help myself.

  I have to taste her. I just hope she doesn’t run away from me when I do. Pressing my lips against hers, I feel her melt into my touch after only a few seconds, her body succumbing to the same need swirling inside of me. Her hands grip onto my biceps, and suddenly we’re moving, her legs wrapping around my midsection as I lift her against my body, the heat of her core radiating through me.

  The feel of her against me makes it seem like my bedroom is miles away. I don’t have the patience to wait, not even long enough to spread her out on my bed. The table in my dining room is almost too far, but I manage to carry her over to it and set her ass on the very edge.

  Her mouth breaks away from mine when I do, and she looks up at me with so many questions in her eyes. Not wanting to give her the chance to overthink this, I cover her mouth with mine once more and press my torso against hers, trying to get as close as possible.

  Once she relaxes and starts to kiss me back, I release my hold on her waist and bring my hands up to start unbuttoning the silky shirt she wore to work today. Ava’s hands tighten around my arms, but she doesn’t stop me. I’m so lost in her taste, in the feel of her tongue rubbing against mine, it takes way too long to get to the last button, but when I do, I push the shirt off her shoulders and down her arms.

  She doesn’t let go of me, so the shirt is trapped at her elbows, but I can’t bring myself to care. I’ve only seen her body once, and I was so drunk at the time, the memory is fuzzy. I’m finally going to see her sober, and knowing that, I use every bit of willpower I still have to pull my mouth away from hers and look down.

  Her mouth is swollen from our kisses, and when I look into her eyes, they’re a deep chocolate color, full of lust and an emotion I can’t quite read. The flush covering her creamy white cheeks extends down her neck to the top of her breasts, and I follow it down until all I can see is the way her tits are straining against the white satin.

  Jesus. My mouth waters when I see the way her puckered nipples are pressing against the thin fabric, and I trail a finger across first one, then the other, loving the way she gasps at my touch. Knowing I affect her this way makes me want to puff out my chest with pride, but I tamp down the urge.

  My gaze doesn’t leave her chest as I use my hand to pop the front clasp on her bra, unable to take my eyes away from the way her tits bounce free. I take one into each palm, then lift my gaze back up to her to ensure she’s still with me.

  Ava’s teeth are worrying her bottom lip so hard the flesh is almost white, but she nods her head almost imperceptibly, telling me she wants this too. She’s just afraid to ask me for it.

  I keep my eyes on hers as I lower my head to lap gently at her nipple. The taste of her consumes my senses, and it takes everything I have not to squeeze my eyes shut and savor it. There will be plenty of time for that next time. And there will be a next time. That much I’m sure of. There’s no way I can have just one more time with her.

  The moment my tongue touches her flesh, Ava’s mouth drops open and she moans low in her throat. The heat in her eyes grows hotter the longer I torture her. I want to make sure she’s damn good and ready for me this time.

  “Please,” she begs with a whimper, squirming on the edge of my table in a futile attempt to get closer to me. I keep one hand firm on her hip so she can’t rub herself against me, because if she does, I won’t last long enough to make this good for her. She’s got me so damn keyed up right now, it’s taking all I have not to shove up her skirt and yank off what I’m sure are tiny little panties. The kind designed solely to make men insane.

  The first time I suck her nipple into my mouth, her hands fly up to grip my hair. She pulls me closer, almost smothering me in her chest. What a way to go though. I nuzzle between them, pressing soft kisses against her silky flesh.

  Her breath is coming in pants now, and soft pleas come from her lips. Hearing her beg me to take her, to give her pleasure breaks the fragile hold I have on my control, and I pull her up off the table so I can undress her the rest of the way.

  She’s just as frantic as I am, pulling at the rest of the buttons on my shirt and sending them all over the room in her haste to bring us skin to skin. The way she’s jerking at my clothes makes it hard for me to get a grip on hers, and I’m trying to find the zipper I know must be on her skirt, while she’s pulling my belt out of my pants.

  Ava makes a frustrated sound when she realizes I’m struggling and pushes my hands away so she can grab the hidden zipper on the side. Not wanting to fall behind, I unbutton my own pants with shaky fingers, then shove them down my hips at the same time she steps out of her skirt. The only thing separating our bodies now is her tiny thong, and I watch her eyes widen when she realizes I’m completely naked.

  She starts to drop to her knees, but I have zero patience left. Gripping her by the waist, I turn her so she’s facing the table. Ava doesn’t waste any time, she lies flat on the table while I use my foot to spread her thighs farther.

  I can see her arousal glistening on her thighs as I position myself. Wrapping one hand around my base, I slide it through her wetness before I start to push inside. She’s so wet and tight, my eyes almost roll back in my head at the feeling.

  That’s when I realize I’m not wearing a condom, and when I step back, she whimpers in protest, looking over her shoulder at me. “I need to grab a condom,” I explain, wishing I kept one in my wallet and vowing to do so from here on out.

  “No,” she murmurs, “it’s okay. I’m …” She trails off, and a look I don’t like at all crosses her face.

  “Are you sure, baby? I promise I’m clean. Are you—” I start to ask if she’s on birth control, but she cuts me off.

  “Please.” The expression on her face turns desperate as she pleads with me.

  I can’t stand the way she’s looking at me, like she’s about to shake apart if I don’t finish this right fucking now. My hands grip her hips, pulling her into me at the same moment I slip inside her. Her body goes rigid for barely a second, and I curse inwardly at the knowledge that right now I have no finesse. All I can think is more. Now. Fuck her. I’ve been reduced to a caveman, because of her. She drives me wild, and I fucking love it.

  Her pussy is so tight it feels like it’s strangling my cock when I pull back out. It feels wrong, and I have to thrust back in hard. Ava goes
up on her toes, trying to push herself farther onto me, and I start pounding into her hard so hard I can feel her hips hitting the edge of the table with each movement.

  The noises she’s making each time I push inside make me move faster and harder with each thrust. I can feel her walls rippling around me, and I know she’s getting close. It’s a damn good thing, because I don’t think I can hold out much longer. I don’t think I’ve ever come so fast in my life, but this is what Ava does to me. She steals every bit of control I have, and it’s addictive.

  Using two fingers, I reach around and pinch her clit, my other hand still gripping her hip to keep her steady when she bucks against me. The minute I touch her, she goes off, screaming my name in pleasure and arching her back against me.

  I wrap her long hair in my fist and keep her in that position while I thrust into her three more times before my own orgasm overtakes me and I can feel my cum shooting deep inside her channel. Once I’m empty, I release her hair and collapse against her back. I don’t know if I’ll ever move again. I’m fucking spent, and in the best kind of way.

  A few minutes pass, and our breathing finally evens out. I can feel her heartbeat slow, and once she stops trembling, I stand, pulling out of her, even though it’s the last thing I want to do. I can see my cum dripping down her thighs, and my cock immediately stiffens again.

  There’s something primal about marking a woman with your cum, and seeing my cum on her only heightens the caveman tendencies she brings out in me. I have half a mind to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to my bed, tying her to the bedpost until she admits she is mine, though I know that’d be taking it a little far.

  Taking her by the hand, I pull her up and turn her into me. Our scents coupled with the smell of sex mingle together in the air. Every breath that enters my lungs calms me, making me feel more at peace than I have been in months.