by Mia Carson
I followed them to my trailer, pulling in immediately behind them and parking next to the passenger side of Levi’s truck. “We beat you!” Abby crowed as Levi lifted her out of the vehicle.
“You sure did,” I said as I walked past them, smiling at our little game. “A kiss for the winner?” I asked after we stepped into my kitchen.
He put Abby down and pulled me to him, watching my eyes as he smiled at me. “I think I deserve that, don’t you?”
He was so warm, and having him holding me against him was starting to warm me in a way that had nothing to do with body temperature. “At least that.”
We kept it clean since Abby was watching, but he’d better be planning on staying tonight, otherwise I might have to bind, gag, and throw him on my bed so I could have my way with him. I pulled back from the kiss, but he made no move to release me, which was fine with me. Abby, apparently bored with watching us, wandered down the hall to her bedroom.
“Can you stay long enough to read her a story?” I asked.
“I can manage that.”
I smiled. “Can you stay long enough to tell me a story?”
“Maybe. What would you like to hear?”
“How about a story about how the gallant knight returns to his kingdom, rescues the princess, and she rewards him with a kiss.” I paused and brought my lips closer to his. “A kiss, and maybe a little more.”
“I like that story,” he whispered before taking my lips.
Without Abby watching us, he kissed me properly, and I could feel the desire that had been simmering rise to a boil. The next hour, while I got Abby in bed, was going to be torture.
I was propped against the door as I listened to Levi read. “Goodnight stars… goodnight air… goodnight noises, everywhere,” he read before slowly closing the book.
He stood and kissed Abby on the forehead before she grabbed him around the neck, pulled him down, and kissed him on the cheek.
“Night, Abby. Sweet dreams,” he said softly.
When she released him, he tugged at her bed linens and stepped back to make room for me. Her bedroom was so small there was barely enough room for both of us to fit in there with her furniture. I sat down on the edge of her bed.
“Night, kiddo,” I said, giving her my goodnight kiss. “You sleep good, okay?” I touched her on the nose to make her smile.
She nodded and yawned spectacularly. It wouldn’t be long before she was asleep. We slipped out, flipping off the light as we did. I wanted to take Levi straight to bed, but we needed to give Abby a half-hour or so before my bed started squeaking.
“She’s such a sweetheart,” Levi murmured as we snuck back to the living room.
“Yeah, she’s a good kid.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
When we reached the living room, he took my arm and turned me to face him. “Something’s wrong.”
“Nothing concerning you.”
“If you’re unhappy, it concerns me.”
“Not unhappy. It’s just…”
“What?”
“You’re so good with Abby. I wish you were her father instead of Steve.”
He shrugged. “I can still be her dad, if everything works out.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course. You’re a package deal, remember?”
I smiled. “I remember.”
“The fact Steve doesn’t want to have anything to do with her just proves what a moron he is. What did he say when you hit him with the paternity test?”
“I didn’t.”
“What do you mean, you didn’t?”
“Why would I? He’d been bragging all over town about how he’d bareback fucked me behind your back. When I turned up pregnant, he was hung out by his own words.”
He looked at me, his eyes wide. “You didn’t make him get tested to prove he was the father?”
I blinked at him, wondering why he was so concerned about having Steve tested. “Why would I? The only other guy I slept with was you, and you were wearing a condom.” He was staring at me, his eyes wide as he first paled and then reddened. “Levi, what?”
He shook his head. “It’s probably nothing, but our first time, in the truck, I had a problem with the condom.”
I flashed hot and the entire room wavered for a second. “What?” I murmured.
“After we made love the first time, I didn’t pull out right away. Remember?” I shook my head, my heart thudding in my chest so hard it nearly drowned out his words. “Well, I do. When Mom and Dad told me you were pregnant, I at first thought it was mine.”
“What are you saying?” I whispered. “The condom came off? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It didn’t come off, but when I started to pull out, I could tell it was slipping off, so I held it with my fingers as I pulled out. I didn’t think much about it at the time because, well, it didn’t actually come off. But I was so damn slick with my come…”
“Oh my God, oh my God,” I mumbled to myself. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t think there was anything to tell. Mom and Dad said it was Steve’s, and I didn’t think anything else about it. A paternity test is pretty standard in cases like this, and I assumed you had one.”
I shook my head, reeling from Levi’s news, but the more I thought about it, the less likely it seemed Abby was Levi’s. “You’re sure the condom didn’t come off?”
“Positive. I’d have told you if it had. I felt it slipping off, I held it with my fingers, and it came out with me.”
“Do you suppose it leaked?”
He held my gaze for a long time. “I didn’t think so at the time, but I honestly don’t know.”
I could feel my life spiraling out of control again. “What are we going to do?”
He held my gaze for a long moment. “I’m going to take you to bed and make love to you. Tomorrow, I’ll order a kit and get tested. If I’m the father, great. If not, then it has to be Steve and nothing changes. We should keep this between us until we know for sure, though.”
“And if you are?”
He smiled and his eyes welled with tears. “Then I’ll be the father of a beautiful little girl.”
“You’re not upset?”
His face softened even more. “How could I be upset? I love you. We always talked about starting a family. My only regret is that I missed being here when you were pregnant, getting to see her born, and the four years of her growing up.” He pulled me to him and kissed me gently. “I hope she is mine. There’s so much I want to do with her, so much time to make up.” He touched my face. “She’s so much like her mother, how could I not love her, no matter who her father is?”
So much had happened today I was overcome with emotion. Levi’s family had accepted me, and finding out that Abby could be Levi’s child overwhelmed me and I began to cry. Steve had rejected Abby from the start, but Levi was completely different. He was willing to be her dad, even if he wasn’t her father, but more importantly, he hoped she was his.
I fell into his arms and cried for a long time, unable to stop.
23
Levi
I might be a father! The thought kept bouncing around inside my head like hyperactive squirrel on speed. I might be a father! The more I thought about it the more excited about the idea I became. I couldn’t wait to tell Mom and Dad they were grandparents!
I forced myself to calm down and not get my hopes up. Nothing was proven. I had to be tested first, but if it turned out Steve was Abby’s father, and he probably was, I would be crushed with disappointment despite my efforts to keep my hopes in check.
“Hey! Hey!” I whispered. “Why are you crying?”
Ella looked up at me, her eyes red and puffy, but she’d never looked more beautiful. “So much has happened, and now this.”
“Shhh…” I whispered. “This could be great news. If Abby’s mine, you can kick that asshole Steve out of your life forever. That’s a good thing,
right?”
She sobbed again, holding to me with desperate strength. Not knowing what else to do, I held her, saying nothing, until her tears began to slow. She sniffed and wiped her eyes before getting up, going to the kitchen, and blowing her nose. I followed.
“What’s wrong, Ella? I thought you’d be happy.” I felt sick as a sudden thought occurred to me. “Are you angry with me for maybe getting you pregnant?”
“No. I don’t know,” she said, flailing her hands around her face. “I don’t know what I think anymore. Things are happening too fast. I feel like my life is out of control…again. You should have told me.”
“I didn’t know!” I protested. “If I thought there was a chance I’d gotten you pregnant, I would have. Why didn’t you have Steve tested?”
“You’re blaming this on me?” she asked, her tone cold.
“No. There’s no reason to blame anyone for anything. We need to just relax until—”
“Relax? I don’t even know who the fucking father of my child is!” she yelled.
“Shhh! You’ll wake Abby.” She glared at me as I made placating gestures with my hands. “I know a lot has happened in the last couple of months, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before, but I swear to God, I didn’t know there was a reason too. I hope Abby is mine, I really do, but honestly, I think it’s unlikely. If so, you’re getting upset for no reason.”
“Then why did you even say anything?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have. But if there’s even a chance she’s mine, I want to know.”
“Why? Most guys run as far and as fast as they can when they get some girl—”
“I’m not most guys, and you’re not some girl. Don’t you get that? I love you, Ella. If Abby’s mine, I want to know because I still plan to marry you some day, and I want that little girl to have a real daddy, not some piece of shit asshole of a father who doesn’t give a shit about her.”
“You still want to marry me?”
“Yes! Now that I know the truth about what happened, why wouldn’t I?”
“So much has happened. I’m damaged goods.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Nonsense. You’re as perfect now as you ever were, but I understand what you mean about so much has happened. I just found out I might be a father, but that doesn’t matter. I still love you, Ella, and I want this to work between us. I still want to do all those things we talked about with you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. No.” I paused as I gathered my thoughts. “Yes, I’m sure I want to marry you and start a family, but after all we’ve been through, I don’t want to rush into anything. I’ve hurt you enough. I want to be sure it’s what you still want, and that we can get past this fucked up shit we’re having to deal with.”
“You’re not saying that because of Abby, are you?”
“No. Even if she’s Steve’s little girl, I’ll feel the same way about you…and her. Steve doesn’t deserve Abby.”
“Do you think you can learn to love her?”
“No. I know I will love her. She’s the daughter of the woman I hope to marry…if she’ll still have me.”
Ella stepped to me and melted into my arms. “I still want you, and I still want to marry you. I just need some time to adjust. Everything is moving too fast right now.”
I nodded. “I understand. Believe me, I understand. I just found out I might be a father,” I said and smiled, indicating I was teasing her. When she smiled back I gently laid her head to my shoulder. “We’ll take this one day at a time. And when the time is right, if we still feel the same way…” I shrugged. “We’ll see what happens.”
She nodded. “I think that’s smart.”
“Are we okay?”
She nodded again. “I think so. You’re sure you’re not upset that—”
“I’m praying I’m Abby’s father.”
“Why?”
“Because…I don’t know. I just am.”
“Having a child is a big responsibility.”
“I know, but I’m ready for it, and I’m sure you’ll help me.”
She was quiet a moment. “If she is yours, I’m going to be a little jealous.”
“Why?”
“Because you get to start being a parent just when she’s starting to become fun. It’s not fair you missed all the poopy diapers, spit-ups, and sleepless nights.”
I didn’t know what to say. I was still thinking about how to answer when she looked up at me and smiled. I realized she was teasing me and let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “You had me going there.”
“Do you really hope Abby’s yours?”
“Yes, I really do.”
She nodded. “So do I.”
I held her for a long time. “I should go,” I murmured. I wanted to stay. Until the revelation, I assumed I would stay, but I wanted to give her some space if she needed it.
“I’d like you to stay.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded, her head still against my shoulder. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
“I can take it.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“Telling me I’ve upset you isn’t wrong either.”
“You didn’t upset me. Not really. Like I said, I feel like my life is out of control.” I held her for a long moment, enjoying the feel of her in my arms.
“Did Mom and Dad come talk to you?” I asked, anxious to know if she had accepted their apology.
“Yes.”
“And?” I prompted.
“And they apologized and asked me and Abby to dinner as soon as we can.”
I smiled. “Imagine their surprise when they find out they’ve invited their granddaughter to dinner.”
“If she’s their granddaughter,” she said softly.
“If,” I agreed.
“Take me to bed?”
I tipped her face up and kissed her softly. “With pleasure.”
We walked slowly to her bedroom, turning out lights as we went.
She reached for the light switch in her bedroom, but I stilled her hand before she could turn the light on. I pulled her to me and kissed her, slowly, gently, trying to show her with my touch how much I cared for her. She’d been through so much, but I was here for her now and would help her carry her burdens.
She slowly withdrew from the kiss. I turned her, pulling her back into me as I kissed her neck, my hands on her stomach holding her to me. This was no time for rough and tumble fucking. Tonight would be slow and easy love-making. She stood still, allowing me to nuzzle her neck as I untucked her shirt. I reached underneath and slowly slid my hands up her body, working her shirt up as I did. She did nothing to assist, save raise her arms so I could remove it from her body. I tossed it away and unclipped her bra, slowly sliding it from her, one shoulder at a time, chasing the straps with my lips.
She allowed the brasserie to fall away and turned to face me, a small smile playing on her lips. She kissed me and stepped back, holding my gaze as she slowly unbuttoned my shirt and slid it over my shoulders. It fell to the floor, already forgotten. Shirt removed, she unbuckled my pants and slid them down. When they puddled at my ankles she moved to the bed and knee-walked backwards, curling her pointer finger to call me to her.
As I removed my shoes and stepped out of my trousers, she slid her own pants off. I crawled into the bed after her, and she lay down and beckoned me with her arms. I moved over her, settling as she pulled me down, hooking my ass with her heels as she drew me in. I entered her with a kiss and began moving in a slow, comfortable, rhythm, our lips never far from each other.
After a time, her breathing began to speed up in a sign of her rising pleasure. I hooked one of her legs with my arm and forced it over my shoulder before I began to drive into her harder and faster. Her mouth opened in a silent cry of pleasure, her face twisting with bliss. Watching her made my own orgasm leap closer. She was the sexiest woman on the planet, and I
was the lucky bastard that had her.
She stiffened, her head tipping back as her nails dug into the flesh on my arms as she moaned softly. I thrust in deep and held myself there, waiting for her to come out from under her climax, using the break to tamp down on my own rising orgasm.
She relaxed and smiled up at me. I allowed her leg to slip from my shoulder as I lowered my lips to hers. We kissed, slowly, lovingly as she drank deep from the caress of my lips. Once she had her fill, I slowly lifted my head, holding her gaze in the dim light of the bedroom. She reached up and caressed my face, holding her palm still when I turned my lips to kiss it.
“I love you,” I murmured.
She nodded slowly. “And I love you.”
“Are we okay?” I asked. I’d already asked the question and she’d answered, but I had to be sure. I’d do whatever I needed to make it right so we’d have a chance.
“Yes,” she answered with the most beautiful smile.
“You’re not upset with me?”
“No,” she said softly as she touched my face again.
“We’ll get through this. We’ll get through it together.”
“I know.”
Her lips parted slightly as she raised her head, reaching for my lips. I met her and once again caressed her lips with my own. As we kissed, she twisted her hips and we rolled so she was on top. She slowly pumped her hips, rising to sit on me, her face a mask of pleasure as she rocked.
She was a goddess without equal, the woman I loved, and if I were lucky, the mother of my child. We moved together for many long moments, her eyes intense as she watched my face. The soft sway of her breasts as she moved, the smoothness of her skin, the passion on her face, the exquisite pleasure a woman can give a man, was becoming more than I could fight.
“You’re going to make me come,” I whispered as I teased the points of her breasts.
“I’m going to come too,” she murmured in reply. “Come with me.”
She began to rock her hips harder, faster, driving my need higher. I focused, watching her face as it began to crinkle with her rising rapture. I grabbed her thighs, gripping them tight as my climax began to surround me. I watched her, drinking in her beauty, her body exciting me, the euphoria on her face pushing me over the edge.