by ANDREA SMITH
MEATBALL TASTER PUBLISHING
Be My Baby
Book 3 of 'Baby Series'
A. M. Smith
1/27/2013
Text copyright © 2013 by A.M. Smith. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under The U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior express, written consent of the author.
ISBN:
All characters and events in this book are fictional; any resemblance to actual persons or events, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This book is intended for adult readers only
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Once again, I would like to personally thank my readers for the helpful hints and constructive feedback given on my first two books.
I would like to thank all of the Amazon readers who took the time to leave feedback. That means so much to any writer. I want to thank all of the readers and friends on Goodreads because without you, and the comprehensive reviews that you publish, the word would never get out. You are all so great!
Thanks to Becky for the nagging to get my books marketed; and a very special thanks to Brenda Wright for all of the editing, feedback, encouragement and keeping me calm during this last and final book of the trilogy. I like the way you roll, Brenda!
CHAPTER 1
I was pacing back and forth in the visitor's lounge with my Blackberry up to my ear. I was trying like hell to reach Trey. I wanted to let him know what was going on with Gina.
The door opened suddenly and Tristan came in. His face was pale. He was scared. I hadn't pulled any punches when I had finally gotten in touch with him earlier. I had lit into him pretty good. I felt bad afterwards when he told me the reason he hadn't heard his phone before then was because he was busy sanding and staining the cradle he had made for the baby. He had been working on the nursery furniture in his spare time in the basement at the club. It was to be a surprise for Gina.
"How is she?"
"I don't know anything more, Tristan. They took her for an emergency C-Section. It seems like it's taking too long. I'm scared."
Tristan came over and pulled me to him. We both loved Gina.
"How are you feeling, Tylar?"
"I'm holding up okay. This pregnancy is certainly different than with Preston's. I'm just so tired all of the time. When my doctor increased my vitamins then I was nauseated all of the time. I'll get through it."
"Where's Trey? Have you called him?"
"I've tried several times. Tonya said that he and the new junior partner are in depositions and can't be interrupted."
"Oh. Amber, huh?"
"Who else?"
Just then the nurse came out to the lounge and asked who was here for Gina Hatton. Both Tristan and I answered at once.
"Well only one of you can come back. She's in recovery now."
I turned to Tristan.
"Call my cell and let me know as soon as you talk to her doctor or her?"
"I promise," he said, squeezing my hand. He headed out the door, right behind the nurse.
I sat back down on one of the stuffed chairs. I was glad that Gina and Tristan had worked things out. I never doubted that they would. Surprisingly, it was Trey that had talked some sense into Tristan about the situation. That had shocked the hell out of me.
Trey had been furious with me the night all of this had gone down. Ian had presented some lab report to Tristan at the club showing him that he had a normal sperm count of all things. Tristan immediately jumped to the conclusion that Gina had been trying to pull one over on him by not telling Tristan that she and Ian had hooked up one last time right before Gina and Tristan became involved.
It had been a real mess for about a week. Trey had calmed down sooner than Tristan. Gina had simply told Tristan that he could believe what he wanted to believe. She didn't give a shit. She would raise the child with or without him. They eventually worked it out but Gina was better at forgiving than forgetting. She told Tristan she was having the DNA testing done as soon as the baby was born. She also told him once she had the results she was going to personally shove them up his ass.
I giggled as I remembered standing there at the club and watching her as she had lit into him. She had jabbed her finger into his chest to drive the point home. Tristan had simply watched her calmly. When she had finished her tirade, he had pulled her against him and held her tightly. He had told her that it was fine; that he deserved it, and that he loved her.
He had treated Gina well during the rest of her pregnancy. They had moved her furniture into Trey's old apartment once we had moved out. It was their home now. Gina had re-done Preston's nursery preparing for a boy. She had wanted to know the sex of the baby. Both she and Tristan were going to be great parents. I just wished that he would call me. I needed to know they were okay.
My Blackberry chimed just then; it was Tristan.
"Hey," I said.
"She's fine; the baby is fine."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
(Thank God.)
"Apparently there was a separation of the placenta and tearing of something else. I don't know all of the technical terminology involved but her doctor said she will be fine. She needs to stay in the hospital for a few days. Our son weighs six and a half pounds and he is beautiful, Tylar."
"Oh Tristan, I am so happy for you both. Congratulations, Daddy. When can I see them?"
"She can have visitors tomorrow. She's pretty groggy right now. Hey - do you need me to drive you home or anything?"
"No. I'm good. I've got my car here, so no worries. Tell Gina that I love her?"
"I'll do it, Tylar. See you tomorrow."
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Jean had Preston fed and in her pajamas by the time I made it home. I had still not heard from Trey. I filled Jean in on Gina's status. She assured me that those things, while not all that rare, are not all that common, either. I knew that Jean was worried about my pregnancy. She knew how sick and tired I had been. I don't know how I would have managed had it not been for her.
I walked out to the barn to check on Derringer. Marcus was still out in the paddock area when I got there. Derringer had strained a ligament earlier in the week and I wanted to make sure that Marcus was still putting the liniment on it and wrapping it. I hadn't gotten out to the barn yesterday. It had not been one of my good days.
"Hey there, Tylar," he greeted me with a smile. "Are you feeling any better today?"
"A little; thanks. Just wanted to check on Derringer, Marcus."
"Don't trust me to take care of that spoiled horse of yours, huh?"
"You know me," I replied with a wink. I checked on Derringer; he had a fresh wrap on.
"See?"
"Okay, okay. Yes, I am a worrywart about some things. I appreciate your tolerance of that, Marcus."
The truth was, I don’t know what I would have done without Marcus looking after the horses and keeping up with ordering supplies and scheduling stud services. My father had sent two gorgeous Arabians to us shortly after we had moved to the ranch. The stud fees we collected from those were a small fortune alone.
"I'm sorry I haven’t done more around here to help, Marcus."
"Hey now," he said, leading 'Majestic Maverick' out of his stall, "I know you haven't felt well, Tylar. Don't you worry a thing about it, okay? The important thing is to take care of yourself and that baby. We'll manage out here for the time being."
He clicked his tongue and walked the horse out into the arena area for exercise. I liked Marcus regardless of Trey's feelings about him. Trey always seemed to think that any male working with me or around me had some ulterior motives for trying to get
into my 'knickers' as he put it. I had hired Marcus several months after we had moved out here. The stud service and boarding had grown significantly. Trey had told me that I needed to financially justify hiring a full-time hand which I easily did. I think even Trey was surprised at how lucrative our facility had become. Still, he had made the occasional comment about how much time I spent with Marcus. He hadn't made those comments in awhile. Probably since my pregnancy had become so obvious.
I could have raised a stink about how much time he spent with Amber these days. Ever since they brought her into the firm as a junior partner several months back, Trey had been tasked with mentoring her. Not that he complained of course. She had been out to the house several times working with Trey on various cases. I didn't like her. I knew she knew that as well.
I walked across the pasture back up into the house. I saw the headlights of Trey's car as he came up the driveway; another car was right behind him. Shit! That was Amber's little two-seater BMW. Of course, I would totally look like shit at the moment. Trey might have shown me the common courtesy of advance notice, but no, he never did where she was concerned.
He had told me I should appreciate the fact that when he has to work late, he does so at home. That part I was used to; I just didn't appreciate him having Amber right next to him working in our home. She wanted him. That was very obvious to me.
I pulled my muddy boots off and dropped them to the floor of the back porch. Hopefully, if I went in through the back I could avoid the prissy bitch. No such luck. She and Trey were in the kitchen getting coffee made.
"Well Tylar, hello," Amber greeted, taking off her coat and putting it on the back of a kitchen chair. "Trey tells me that you've not been feeling well."
"Hi Amber. You know, just the pregnancy stuff I guess."
"Well actually, I wouldn't know about that yet. I've not been blessed but I fully intend to have children some day. Just as many as my man wants."
Amber was perfectly made up and coiffed. Her make-up and nails were always impeccable. I couldn't remember the last time I had indulged in a manicure or pedicure. She had chestnut brown hair that was but just above the shoulders. Her eyes were a dark, chocolate brown. They were very intense.
Trey handed her a mug of coffee and she sat down at the table.
"Trey - do you have a minute?" I asked.
"Sure baby."
I rolled my eyes at him indicating it was of a private nature. (Duh!)
"Oh - excuse me for a moment Amber; you can go ahead and get started marking up the depositions if you want."
"Sure Trey," she gushed, flashing him her signature, flirty-ass smile.
"See you later, Tylar."
"Uh huh," I replied leaving the room.
Trey followed me out of the kitchen and down the hall to the living room where we were out of earshot.
"Trey, I have been trying to reach you all day. I must've left three messages with Tonya."
"I'm sorry, Tylar. We were taking depositions all day at the offices of opposing counsel. I haven't even been back to the office."
"What? You don't check your Blackberry, either?"
"I'm sorry, babe. It's been a crazy day. What can I say? I'm here now. What is it?"
"Gina had the baby today. Emergency C-Section. She nearly bled to death."
(I threw the last part in to make him feel really bad.)
"Oh God, Tylar! Is she okay? What about the baby?"
"Yes - they are both fine. I couldn't reach Tristan for the longest time so he didn’t get there until she was out of surgery. I couldn't get in touch with you at all which I find unacceptable being that I am significantly pregnant right now. What if I can't get in touch with you when it's time?"
"Honey, honey. I think you are going a bit overboard here. You're not even due for a couple of months. Don’t worry. This case should be winding down by then."
"Well don't rush it on my account, Trey," I snapped at him turning away.
He reached for me pulling me back to him.
"Hey, why don't you go up and take a nice, relaxing bath? We should be finished down here in an hour, tops. I'll come up and give you a back rub, okay? Does that sound nice?"
I melted against him just like I always did. The truth was, it sounded like heaven.
"Mmmm," I sighed, "Yes, it does."
"That's my girl. I'll see you in an hour, baby."
"It's a date."
He gave me a quick kiss and headed back to the kitchen. Back to Amber with the full, pouty lips.
CHAPTER 2
I checked on Preston who was sleeping peacefully in her crib when I went upstairs. Jean had retired to her apartment for the night. I gave my baby girl a soft kiss on her check and pulled her blanket up around her. She was getting so big; growing up so fast. She was excited about the prospect of having a new baby brother or sister. Jean and I made sure we kept explaining about why Mommy's tummy was getting big. She liked to put her hand on my stomach and feel the baby kick.
I had stopped breast feeding Preston right before she turned a year old. Trey had insisted. He didn't think it looked right for a pregnant woman to be breast-feeding another child. He said it looked 'hill-jack' whatever that meant.
I ran a warm bath and got clean pajamas out. My long soak in the tub felt wonderful. I washed my hair and shaved my legs. Trey was right. I worried too much. I knew that he would be there when the time came. My hormones were making me overly emotional again.
I slipped under the clean, warm sheets of our bed. I looked at the clock. It had been an hour and twenty minutes. I was so looking forward to my back rub. The baby was relatively quiet now. The past few days he (or she) had been doing gymnastics within the confines of my uterus - at least it felt that way. Tonight it was very calm. I would probably sleep much better.
I drifted off to sleep. I wasn’t sure how much later it was when I felt Trey beside me in bed. He smelled fresh from the shower. I could feel his damp hair as he lowered his face to mine, capturing my lips with his own. He kissed me softly, the passion building.
(What about my back rub?)
"Mmm-Trey," I started, "What about?"
"Hush baby," he whispered, "I need to be inside of you; it's been so long, Tylar."
I wasn't sure if it was my imagination or not; but it seemed like Trey was always horny after a late work night with Amber. It was difficult to tell though because we hadn’t been having sex on a regular basis for quite a while. I just never felt good. I knew that Trey was getting tired of my excuses. There was no way I was going to make an excuse tonight. As much as I wanted to simply forego the back rub in favor of him allowing me to roll back over and go to sleep without having sex, I knew it would not bode well. It wasn't his fault I was never in the mood.
(Whatever, I suppose.)
I laced my arms around his neck, pulling his face closer to mine. He lips and tongue hungrily devoured me. His breathing was already getting faster. Perhaps it wouldn't last too long tonight.
I lay on my back; my eyes had adjusted to the darkness of our room. It was if I was someone else watching a bad porn film. Trey was doing all of those things to me that I used to love. His lips and tongue were doing magical things to my breasts and below. His fingers were gently probing the folds of my sex; I felt myself get wet for him. My body was responding; why wasn't I?
"Does that feel good, baby?"
"Mmmm - oh yeah, Trey."
"Tell me what you want, Tylar?"
(To roll over on my side and go to sleep; to not be so tired and sick all of the time . . .)
"I want you, Trey; I want you inside of me right now."
He lifted his weight up and off of me; his hand gently guided his manhood into me. He flexed in and out of me a couple of times. I felt myself get even wetter.
"Ummm, Tylar - you feel so good. I've missed this so much baby."
(What the hell is wrong with me? This is my husband. This is who I love. Why do I feel like a corpse?)
I felt a tear
run down my cheek; and then another. Trey was busy, rocking in and out of me. He didn't notice.
I wrapped my arms around him tightly. I needed to feel something different than what I was feeling now.
Trey was moaning; his pace and rhythm had picked up. I tried to meet his thrusts but at this point, I wasn't sure if he would even notice. He was almost there. . .
"Ummm. . . oh yeah," he groaned as I felt him stiffen; followed by the familiar throbbing as he emptied his climax into me.
He rolled over onto his back; he threw his arm over his forehead. He was winding down; his breathing normalized.
"I love you Trey."
"I love you too, baby."
Several minutes later I heard his deep, even breathing. He was asleep. I turned on my side, hugging my pillow in my arms against me and wept softly until I finally fell back to sleep.
___________________________________________________
When I awoke the next morning the sun was streaming in through our bedroom window. Trey was already up and gone for the day. I didn't believe that I had slept through his morning ritual. My back ached something fierce. It would have been nice if I had gotten that back rub I was promised. I looked at the clock on the nightstand.
(Holy shit! It was 10:32 a.m.)
My cheeks felt flushed. I sat up quickly. I needed to get going and get to the hospital to see Gina and the baby. Wow - I felt dizzy. Maybe I needed to lay back down just for a bit. I sank back down into the pillows and pulled the blankets up under my chin. I was shivering now.
When I awoke again I couldn't read what the clock on the nightstand said. My vision was all blurry. I put my hand up to my face; my forehead and cheeks were damp with perspiration. What the hell was going on?