by C. A. Harms
“Really?” She was even cuter when she was trying to maintain her composure. The corner of her mouth tipped up in a grin, though she fought it.
“So what is this?” Jay motioned toward us. “Are you two a thing now?”
“Yeah, Jade, are we a thing?” I arched a brow and both her brother and I waited. She looked like a bobblehead shifting to look at me and then him. Her lips pressed tightly together, nostrils flaring. I could no longer contain my smile, this girl was notching away every single resistance I had.
Wait, did Blake say flood?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jade
Dad: I’ll be in town on Thursday if you would like to have dinner.
I stared at the text on my phone. The same text that I’d been looking at for over an hour. It was always the same. My father would sweep through town, extend an invite, not that he’d truly express any real need to see me. For him it was more of a gesture so he’d feel like less of an ass.
I’d agree, getting excited that maybe he’d finally changed. Then the night before, or on most occasions an hour or so before our scheduled time, he would offer me some lame excuse that had him needing to cancel. No offer to reschedule, now let’s do lunch instead, just maybe next time.
The thing was there was never a next time. It was always the same repeated path. I’d be left to eat my emotions with a pint of ice cream. That or a bag of chocolate and the saltiest chips, and then the morning after I’d wake up to find a big chunk of money newly deposited in my account.
Looking down, I placed my hand over my stomach. Not this time, not anymore.
Hitting reply, I typed out a quick response and hit send, not feeling the slightest bit of regret.
Jade: Sorry, I’ll have to pass this time. Life’s busy, maybe next time.
Take that!
It felt good, so good, to not care. Instead of wallowing and allowing myself to think for more than a second about the fact that my father probably felt relieved that I declined, I scrolled through my recent messages. I smiled when I read through my last thread with Isaac. My heart raced while picturing him smiling as he typed out some of his responses.
I’d grown quite comfortable with him, almost too comfortable. Conversations were easy, the nervous energy was now gone. He was a huge part of my day, I looked forward to hearing from him, even if it was only a text. He’d surprised me, I never thought he could be the man he’s shown me. Ordering in lunch and having it delivered, showing up with my favorite flavor of ice cream at eleven at night because I told him I was craving it.
It was getting harder to resist him. I liked the friendship we’d developed but I’d be lying if I didn’t accept that I was attracted to him in a big way. He didn’t hide that he wanted more and that too was making it more difficult to not just give in and see where it goes. But fear, it’s an ugly demon on my shoulder.
***
“Fourteen weeks.” The doctor turned his chair around after placing his tablet on the counter and offered that smile that made my heart flutter. Okay, fine, my doctor was a bit of a hottie, and any girl would notice. Isaac tended to get a little flustered at my visits, which I found humorous.
“How are you feeling?” While asking this he proceeded to do an exam on my abdomen. “Any more morning sickness or has that subsided now that you are into your second trimester?”
“Better.” I looked over at Isaac and found him watching the doctor’s hands on my stomach. His nostrils were flaring and I bit my lip to keep from laughing. His jealousy was flattering and adorable.
“Great.” The doctor lifted his hands up but I remained focused on Isaac, and when he saw me watching him he narrowed his eyes. Caveman!
“Let’s listen to this little one.” Shifting my attention back to Dr. McYummy, I followed his movements. Lifting the gel from the warming tray, he carefully applied a small amount to my tiny bump and used the doppler to spread it around.
Isaac and I were both silent as we waited for what we knew was to come.
Thump, thump. The sound of our baby’s heartbeat filled the examining room and Isaac placed his hand in mine and gave it a little squeeze. I needed one of these little devices at home so I could wear it around the apartment because I had never heard another sound so sweet.
“Still a very strong heartbeat.”
The doctor continued on with the exam, telling us what to expect in the next few weeks and also explaining to us that on the next visit we should be able to find out the sex of our baby. That alone set my heart into a spastic flutter, I could barely wait.
Exiting the doctor’s office with the appointment date of our next visit, I pressed the elevator button and waited for the car to arrive. Isaac was quiet at my side and I didn’t ask what was on his mind, even though not knowing was driving me crazy.
As we stepped into the car and the doors slid closed, I was surprised when he turned his body toward mine, stepping in front of me. Lifting his hand, he cupped my cheek, and before I had the chance to register what was going on, his lips touched my own.
A kiss, so soft and sweet that it tickled my lips. Just when I thought he was going to pull away he deepened the kiss and parted my lips with his tongue. Excitement raced through me and I forgot that we were in an elevator.
A ping announced our arrival to the main lobby. Isaac stepped back and placed some distance between us. Me staring at him, him staring at me, and for the first time since we entered the elevator I remembered to breathe.
The doors slid open, he stepped to the side, allowing me to walk out before him.
My legs felt weak, but I kept walking. What I really wanted to do was turn around and go back to the elevator, hit the stop button, and carry on as we were, but I kept placing one foot in front of the other.
Our kiss was simple, but the impact, it was big.
Isaac too remained silent, walking with me, but always a few steps behind.
I heard the click of the door as he hit the fob to unlock his SUV and just as I was about to reach out for the handle, he stepped in close and did it for me. His strong arm skimmed my shoulder, making my pulse quicken.
I breathed in slowly with hopes of not bringing too much attention to that fact. One thing about Isaac I’d noticed was he always smelled incredible. Most men’s cologne was overkill but his was subtle and appealing. After he left my apartment I could smell it on my couch for hours and I loved it.
“Why are we doing this?” he whispered with his lips only a few inches from my ear.
“Doing what?” My voice was shaky.
“Pretending.” Placing his other arm on my opposite side, he caged me in and pressed his front even closer to me from behind. “Ignoring the fact that you enjoyed that kiss just as much as I did.”
I hung my head, staring down at my feet. He was right, because if I went with my gut I would be turning around in his hold and wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling his lips back to my own. That’s what I wanted, more than anything else.
The warmth of his body pressed to mine disappeared and immediately I missed it.
I took in a deep breath and allowed Isaac to open the door for me before I climbed up inside and not so patiently waited for him to walk around the front and climb in on his own side.
Why fight it? It was something I’d been asking myself often. So many questions I had no answers to.
“You hungry?” Looking toward him, I see him smiling at me though I know it’s more for show than a reflection of how he truly feels. His happiness or lack there of could be seen in his eyes.
Unbuckling my seatbelt, I noticed the way he watched me with his brows wrinkled in confusion. My heart began to race and I turned my body and started to move across the center and crawled onto his lap.
“What are you doing?” His words were strained. “Jade.” Gliding my hands over his chest, I slid forward and our eyes met.
“I am scared,” I confessed, and when he tried to say something in return I pressed my finger to his lips. “Ter
rified, actually, because I’ve never had what we have right now. I actually look forward to spending time with you. I wake up and immediately look at my phone and hope there will be a message waiting there from you.”
Tears clouded my vision but I didn’t give him the chance to respond. I needed him to understand how I felt because none of this was easy for me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Isaac
I could feel the way she was trembling against me, and all I wanted to do was hold her close and ease her worries. Only I didn’t make a move, because I knew whatever it was on her mind she needed to get it out without interruptions.
“You walk into a room and suddenly it feels safer, happier.” My chest grew tighter.
“I’m so afraid of losing that.” It gutted me when a single tear fell from her eye and slowly ran along her cheek. I could no longer stop myself―I had to comfort her.
“You’re not gonna lose that, baby, I promise you.” Lifting my hand, I cupped her cheek and with my thumb I wiped away the tear.
“What if we take this step and it backfires?” She averted her eyes. “What if you find out that I’m not what you want and then it’s too late, we’ve crossed a line we can’t rebuild?”
“Hey.” Gaining her full attention, I encircled her waist with one arm and pulled her body even closer. I didn’t care that we were sitting in the parking lot outside her OB/GYN, none of that mattered. The only thing of importance was that she heard every single word I was saying to her. “You’re not the only one who looks forward to hearing from someone. There are so many nights I lie awake wishing I could hear your laugh, or see your smile. I’ve never wanted that before, never felt such a strong pull toward another. You make my days better, Jade, and that’s not gonna change. Hell, every single day it gets stronger. I want you, I’ve wanted you, and that’s not gonna change.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“I know that you’ve not had the best luck in relationships but that was because you’ve been with all the wrong guys. I’m not the wrong guy, I’m the one who’s gonna make you forget all about the others. I’m the one who’s gonna give you everything you deserve and more.”
More tears fell, but a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“But you have to let me, and that means you have to trust me when I say that I won’t hurt you.” Tilting my head so I could get a better view of her, her gaze locked on mine. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” Jade took in a slow, shuddering breath as she leaned in and pressed her forehead to mine. I didn’t make a move, instead I gave her the time she needed to accept my words. “Okay.” A huge sense of relief filled me and I moved in and pressed my lips to hers. This time she combed her fingers through my hair and gave back.
The tip of her tongue glided over the seam of my lips. I opened and took what she had to offer without a second of hesitation. I’d waited for this moment for what had felt like forever. Waited for her trust and wished for her acceptance.
Now that I had it, I planned on showing her exactly what it felt like to be with a man who adored her.
***
“I could come over and spend the night watching movies with you on the couch.” I sat on the end of my bed and smiled at Jade. Every time she called me I would refuse to answer unless it was a video chat. She hated it, or so she said. Thing was she would always smile and laugh, so secretly I think it made her feel special, which was exactly what I was going for. All the things she wasn’t used to.
“Maybe order something for dinner.” I could only see half of her face because she had moved to the left. Her hair was tossed up on the top of her head, a mess that was spilling out in all different directions. She didn’t look like she was wearing any makeup, but to me that was when she was the most beautiful.
“Ruby’s coming over to spend the night.”
Disappointment fills my gut.
“Besides, isn’t it boys’ night at the house?”
“Yeah, but I was gonna skip it.” I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be doing than holding her, and kissing her too.
“You can’t skip it, Isaac, you’re president.”
“That’s why I can skip it.” She leaned back just in time to catch me pouting about not seeing her.
“Aww, you’re cute when you pout.”
“So cute that now you want to see me?”
Jade laughed and I couldn’t help it, I smiled just from the sound of it. Damn, I love her laughter.
“How about you bring me donuts and a hot cocoa in the morning?” Still not what I was hoping for but it would have to do. Besides, I knew how much my girl loved her donuts. My girl, that still felt unbelievably strange, but also incredible too.
I spent the next twenty minutes carrying on with her until Ruby arrived. Once she filled the screen and told me to keep an eye on the boys and stay out of trouble, I let them go. Reluctantly, I joined the guys downstairs and before long the shenanigans began.
***
“Put that in his hand.” I heard the muffled sounds of laughter and then something hard placed into my hand. Everything was so hazy, my entire body felt so heavy but also like the world around me was spinning in every direction.
“Turn him to the left.” Again muffled words and I tried so hard o open up my eyes.
Flashes of light and I lifted my hand to cover my eyes only to have something hard collide with my forehead. More laughter and still I couldn’t see a thing.
“No,” I mumbled, though I wasn’t sure what I was saying no to.
More flashes and giggling mixed with heavy laughter. Then I rolled over and everything went black.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jade
“It seems like things are going good.” Ruby dipped her spoon back into her bowl of chocolate ice cream and I focused on mine as I remembered all the promises Isaac had made.
To make me smile daily, even if we’re mad at each other.
To never hold anything back, even if it’s something I know you may not want to hear.
I promise that I will never intentionally harm you or break your heart.
“Yeah.” I lifted my spoon and placed it in my mouth, almost whimpering as the chocolatey goodness filled my mouth. “Things are good.” Better than good, but I didn’t want to jinx it.
“What does Jay have to say about it?”
“Nothing really.” I knew that was a lie, my brother always had something to say when it came to me and my life. “Just that Isaac better not hurt me.” He would never change, I knew this, but for our entire lives he’d been that way. It didn’t matter that he was younger, he protected me always.
A ding echoed from the kitchen and Ruby jumped up to grab her phone. I figured it was my brother sexting her like he was earlier.
When I heard her laugh I spun around on the couch.
“Oh my God!” She covered her mouth but it did nothing to hide her laughter. Looking up at me, she waved her hand in front of her. “Jade, seriously.” She bounced around like she had to pee holding her phone out in front of her. “Oh hell!”
“What?” I could almost imagine what type of crazy she was witnessing.
Then my own phone vibrated with the announcement of a new message and I leaned over and grabbed it.
It was a video.
With Ruby still laughing hysterically, I tapped the play button and watched closely.
“Put that in his hand.” I heard the muffled sounds of laughter.
“Turn him to the left.” Leaning in a little closer, I did my best to get a clear visual of what exactly I was seeing. Someone was laughing from behind the camera. It was dark, but something white was moving around.
“No…” A rough mumble of the word no is belted out and then more laughter.
“Wait…” The camera becomes steadier and that’s when I see him. “Aw, he looks cute. Put his thumb in his mouth, it will looked more realistic.”
“Realistic? Seriously, he’s a grown fucking guy in a diaper and a b
onnet. How fucking real can that be?”
It was exactly that. Isaac, stripped down to nothing but what looked like a pillowcase or something wrapped around him and pinned on his sides. He had a big bonnet on his head that was tied under his chin.
“Jade is gonna kill you.” I wasn’t sure which of the guys said it, but when my brother laughed, I knew for sure who was behind this prank.
“You’re streaming this, right?”
With that comment my focus shifted to Ruby, who had now joined me on the couch. “Streaming?”
“Oh yeah, at this very minute there are for sure hundreds of others watching your guy roll around in an oversized diaper.” I covered my mouth and yes, I wanted to laugh, but I imagined how pissed Isaac was going to be when he woke up tomorrow to find what they’d done to him.
“Is that a pacifier?” Ruby leaned in closer and she had me doing the same thing. “Yep, and a bottle.” She snickered.
“We should have made a cradle.” Someone nudged Isaac with their foot, he groaned and lifted his hand, only to have the bottle he was holding collide with his forehead. The sound of it echoed through the video. “He’s gonna have a hell of a time trying to piss with a bottle super-glued to his palm.”
“They didn’t.”
“I’m sure they did, your brother has told me some stories about super-glued items. Did you know they super-glued a dildo to his hands and left him on the front porch once.” I widened my eyes and looked back to the video just in time to see Isaac roll onto his side and curl his legs into his body.
“Dude is making this too fucking easy.”
And for the next couple minutes I watched as they continued to torture Isaac. When the video ended, I noticed that I had several still images in my inbox. Different views of Isaac, close up and farther away. Yes, I should feel bad for laughing, I knew this, but I couldn’t control the laughter. He was going to hate this, he was going to have to deal with the humiliation of the video and photos, but come on, it was seriously funny. I knew had it been anyone else that had this done he would be laughing too.