Love Crushed

by Toshia Slade

  He kisses me softly one more time then stands up.

  “Remember what I said, Gabby. No getting her upset. If something happens, you call me.”

  Whoa. Protective much? It warms my heart to know he worries about me and would even go against his sister, but I would never want to come between them, and Gabby would never do anything to hurt us. But I get why he’s worried. Today was a scary experience, one I never want to go through again.

  “I got it. She may be your baby momma, but she’s my best friend, too,” Gabby sasses back.

  “Soon, she’ll be your sister.” Josh winks, and Gabby flips out, screaming and jumping up and down.

  “Are y’all getting married? You bitch! Why didn’t you tell me?” She turns on me.

  My eyes feel as if they’re going to pop out of my head. What just happened here?

  “Umm... I think everyone needs to slow down here. We’re not getting married. We have a lot we need to work out before we jump into that, don’t you think?” I glare at Josh.

  He throws his head back and laughs.

  “Glad to see I can still freak you out, but babe, I’m just stating the facts. I’ve got you, and you’re not going anywhere. As soon as I can, I’m putting a ring on that finger and making you mine.”

  I huff out a big puff of air. Men and their macho alpha ways. “Don’t you have a bed to go buy, stud?” I cross my arms over my chest and pop a brow up.

  Cam leans down, chuckling, and hugs me. I uncross my arms and return the embrace. “I’m glad you guys are okay. Missed ya, Tiff.”

  I get a little choked up and am reminded how much I really missed our group and how close we’ve always been. “I missed you, too, Cam.”

  While Cam thoroughly kisses Gabby good-bye, Josh takes the opportunity to kiss me again, softly talking in my ear when he’s finished. “I was just teasing Gabby, but I meant what I said. You better get ready, Kitten. I’ve got what I want now, and I’m coming full force. I love you, Tiffany.”

  My heart pounds like the bass drums in a rock song. That’s the second time he’s told me he loves me. The first time, I wouldn’t allow myself to say it back. This time, nothing’s stopping me. Cupping the back of his neck in my palm, I place my forehead against his.

  “I love you, too, Josh. Thank you for never giving up on me.”

  He sucks in a sharp breath, and his eyes slide closed.

  “Anything worth having doesn’t come easy, Kitten, and you’re worth the fight.”

  “You’re kind of amazing, you know that?”

  “I know. I get that all the time.” He shrugs and loses the battle to hide his grin.

  “Get out of here before you don’t leave at all, and then you’ll be sleeping on the floor.”

  “Do you guys hear this?” Josh stands, pointing down at me. “Not even twenty-four hours into the relationship, and she’s already kicking me out of the bed.” He fakes disbelief, shaking his head as he’s walking out the door, but his smile is so bright that you can see every one of his perfect white teeth.

  “We have to have a bed to kick you out of first,” I call after him, giggling, while the weight of the world lifts off my shoulders. I take my first full breath in months.

  “I’m on it. We’ll be back in a little while.”

  As soon as the door closes, Gabby turns to me.

  “All right, hooker. Spill it. Josh told me some of what he did, but I want to hear it all. Well, not the sex stuff. He’s still my brother, and that’s just gross.” Her nose scrunches, and I laugh.

  ***

  Gabby and I spent the night catching up and resuming our friendship as if no time had passed at all, and again, I thanked my lucky stars for having such great friends. No matter what, they’re willing to forgive me and my faults.

  Gabby and Cam took off when Josh not so subtly told them he was ready for them to go so we could be alone. We made the bed and curled up in the middle, talking for hours, and I filled him in on what had been going on with my dad. I know it was hard for him to listen to, but he held back his anger and let me get it all out.

  It was hard for me to hear of his pain and what he went through while I pushed him away. I’m not sure if I’ll ever forgive myself for taking so much from him, but I know that I’ll try my damndest to make it up and be the woman he deserves.

  That night, I slept the best I had in months, with Josh wrapped around me, holding my stomach, and our son flipping and kicking Josh’s hand. Before we fell asleep, Josh had lain in bed with his head on my lap, talking to our son and telling him all the things he couldn’t wait to do with him and teach him. My heart melted, and I fell even more in love.

  Twenty-Five

  *Josh*

  It’s been a month since Tiffany moved in with me, and everything’s been better than I ever dreamed. She still has days that are rough, especially after her appointments, when she wants to call her dad and tell him what’s going on. He still hasn’t reached out to her, and even though she fights it, I see the sadness in her eyes. I would give anything to take that pain away, but no one can ever fill a void left by a parent.

  I just don’t get it. How can someone not want a person as great as Tiffany in their life? I’ve gone over it a million times in my head, and I can’t figure it out. I only come up blank. Nothing I do or say will make it any better, but I try my hardest to make sure my love makes up for the loss of his. The best thing is that she takes it—she doesn’t push me away or go inside herself. She shares her pain and her burdens with me.

  Today’s my birthday, and the girls insisted on throwing me a party. After a lot of begging on their part, I gave in. I had something quieter and more relaxed in mind, but if I get what I really want for my birthday, then nothing could bring me down.

  Sugarland’s “All I Want To Do” blares through the house, and when I round the corner, coming into the kitchen, the sight that greets me has the front of my pants tenting.

  Tiffany is standing at the counter, singing and dancing. Her hips have filled out more, and God, her ass is swaying to the beat. Pregnancy looks good on her and has done amazing things to her body. That drives me wild. Both of us lasted only a week before we were ripping each other’s clothes off. No matter how many times I have her, I’ll never get enough.

  I sneak up behind her, running my hands around her waist, pressing against her, and showing her what she does to me. Her head falls back on my shoulder as she continues to sing and move to the music.

  “You can love me all you want. In fact we have a couple of hours before everyone gets here.” I run my lips up the column of her neck and nip right below her ear.

  “As much as I want to, I have to finish this cake before everyone gets here. Besides, you got your lovin’ this morning. You’ll have to wait until tonight when everyone leaves.”

  “It’s my birthday, so I deserve extra lovin’. Now show your man just how much you love him.” I spin her in my arms and press her back against the counter as my eyes rake up and down her body. It’s amazing how much it changes each day, and knowing it’s my son growing inside her does something to me. No sexy lingerie can compare to her pregnant belly.

  She moans and drags her nails down my bare back as I kiss, lick, and suck a path down to her fantastic tits. She’s in a tube top dress, and I take advantage of the easy access and make a note to buy more of them. Pulling her top down, I suck on a taut peak through her bra.

  “I’ll be quick, Kitten. I promise.” I drop to my knees in front of her. “You don’t want me to be miserable walking around at my party, do you?” I lay it on thick, even though I know she can’t say no to me either.

  “Oh God, Josh. You know I can’t say no. You’re helping me finish all of this so I can get it done, though.”

  “Done.” I run my hands up her calves, between her thighs, and push them apart. Stroking my thumb over her panties, I suck in a sharp breath and growl, “Already so wet for me.”

  “I stay wet when I’m around you.” Her head falls back
against the counter, and she purrs as I slowly stroke her. “Now stop teasing and give me what I want.”

  “I thought you wanted to wait until tonight?” Busted. She knows I’ve got her number, and she wants me as much as I want her. Most of the time, I think I’ll die before she’s finished.

  “Josh, if you don’t shut up, I’ll go take care of myself, and you still won’t get any tonight.”

  I can’t help but laugh.

  “You’re full of shit. You and I both know it. You can’t go more than eight hours without this cock.” She growls, and I know she’s getting ready to cuss me. I love my fiery Tiffany, but right now, I need to be inside her more than I want to get her going. “You won’t be pleasuring yourself. That’s my job.” Hooking my fingers into her panties, I slide them down her long legs. “Turn around. Hands on the counter, and stick that sexy ass out as far as you can.”

  She doesn’t hesitate and quickly does what I asked. My girl’s horny and eager.

  Quickly undoing my shorts, I drop them to the floor along with my boxer briefs and step out of them. Lifting her dress up over her ass, I grab my cock in my hand. I rub it up and down her slit, coating myself in her wetness. I press into her, slowly easing myself in her warm heat. She whimpers, and I groan.

  “I’m six months pregnant, not dying. Fuck me, Josh.”

  I growl and slam into her.

  “Better hold on, Kitten. You asked for it.” I give her a second to brace her arms on the counter and then start a fast pace, plunging in and out of her.

  Reaching around, I cup one of her tits in my hands, careful not to squeeze too hard because she’s more sensitive now. My other hand holds tight to her hip, so I can pull her back onto my cock.

  “Yes! Oh my God. Don’t stop, Josh.” She bends over more, bracing herself on one arm, then she lowers her head, laying it on her forearm. Reaching down with her other hand, her fingers brush my dick as she plays with herself.

  Her body starts to shake as her pussy clenches around me harder, and I know she’s close.

  Knock. Knock.

  “Fuck!” I pump into her faster, too late to stop now. We’re finishing this. “Better hurry up, Kitten. I’m not stopping.”

  Right after the words leave my mouth, Tiffany is throwing her head back and crying out her release.

  She squeezes me so tight that my body locks up, and I join her. Growling though our orgasms, I slow to drag out the last of our release and completely empty myself into her.

  “My eyes. Oh my God, my eyes! Where’s the fucking bleach?”

  My body freezes and then quickly jumps into action, covering Tiffany as best I can. I’ll be damned if I want Cam to see her this way.

  Tiffany just stands there laughing, and I fail to see what’s so funny about this. My sister is standing in the kitchen while I’m buck-naked and was just fucking my woman.

  “Serves you right, bitch. Payback’s a motherfucker,” Tiffany snorts.

  “Cam’s not your brother. That’s something I should have never seen,” Gabby shouts from the living room.

  “He might as well be, and it was still something I didn’t want to see. Besides, you weren’t supposed to be here for another hour or so.” Tiffany fixes her dress and scoops her panties off the floor.

  “Excuse the hell out of me for trying to come help. Next time, I’ll leave you to do it alone.”

  I roll my eyes, pick my clothes up off the floor, and hurry to get dressed. I’ll never understand the way these two talk to each other.

  “Next time I’ll make sure the door’s locked,” I say against Tiffany’s lips.

  “That would probably be a good idea. Although she did deserve it since I walked in and caught her and Cam on the couch.”

  “Didn’t need to know that.” I cringe and shake my head. “That’s my sister, and I don’t need to know anything about her sex life.” I shiver and walk off as Tiffany doubles over in laughter. That’s all right. I’ll get her back later, when I tie her to the bed and torture her for hours.

  Yeah, this birthday is going to be a great one.

  *Tiffany*

  The backyard is alive and filled with people. Josh’s parents, my mom, and all of the guys from the construction company—along with their wives and girlfriends—are here, and of course Gabby and Cam. Cornhole’s set up on one end of the yard, tables and chairs sit right off the patio, and a few of the girls are dancing to the music Josh has playing on his stereo system in the shed.

  I’m sitting at a table, snacking on chips and dip, and talking to my mom and Sharon, Gabby and Josh’s mom.

  “Have you all decided on a name yet?” Sharon asks.

  “No, everything I like he doesn’t and vice versa.” I’m starting to think we’ll never agree on a name, and our kid’s going to be nameless his whole life.

  “I’m just glad Tiffany pulled her head out of her ass and gave the boy a chance. I was sick of watching her mope around,” my mom deadpans, and she takes a sip of her daiquiri.

  “Thanks a lot, Mom.” I glare at her and Gabby when they snicker, but I’m glad we can semi-joke about it now, because actually, it’s true. I was an idiot that hurt a lot of people. Plus it’s great to see my mom out doing things. She’s getting out more and more these days and doing things she hasn’t for years. She’s finally living for herself, and each day more of her happiness and shine is coming back into her eyes.

  “You make our Joshy happy. That’s all that matters. And I’m a firm believer that all things happen for a reason. Speaking of which, our boy is making his way over here now.” Sharon winks and sends me a warm smile.

  Since she’s his mom, I figured she would hate me, but she opened her arms as she always did and hugged me.

  “Are you guys having fun?” Josh asks. Everyone nods or answers yes. “I’m just going to steal Tiffany really fast.” He turns to me and holds his hand out. “Will you dance with me, Kitten?”

  He’s going to dance in front of all these people?

  “You don’t have to do that, you know. I don’t think you act like you’re forty anymore, and I don’t want you doing something you don’t want to.”

  “I want to. Now, come on.” He pulls me from my chair and leads me under the trees where people were dancing earlier. “I'll Die Tryin'” by Lonestar starts to play, and Josh pulls me into his arms.

  I lay my head on his chest and place my hand over his heart while the other goes around his waist. He does the same, one arm holding my hand, the other on my lower back. Bending his head, he softly sings to me, and it brings tears to my eyes. Josh is my rock, and he does make my life heaven. I knew that he loved me, but since I opened up to him, he’s loved me unlike I’ve ever known before. He’s come to mean everything to me, and each morning and night I thank God for him.

  “Don’t cry, Kitten.” He presses a kiss to my temple and continues to sing.

  “I can’t help it, Josh. After everything that’s happened, you’re so good to me, and it kills me knowing what I put you through. I’ll never be able to take that back.”

  “I forgave you, so you need to forgive yourself. All that matters is what the end result is. You’re here now. You and our boy are healthy. That’s all that matters.”

  The song ends, and Josh steps back but keeps hold of my hand.

  “Tiffany, that song says it all for me. I know neither of us planned on becoming parents so early, but some of life’s greatest adventures are the unexpected ones. You’ve gone through a lot of heartache in the past few months, but if you’ll give me the chance, I’ll mend your broken heart. I’ll spend the rest of my life doing anything and everything I can to make you and our son happy. I’ve been blessed with an amazing life, but before I knew what it was like to fall asleep and wake up with you by my side, I didn’t know what amazing was.” He drops to one knee and pulls out a small black box revealing a round diamond surrounded by a hundred tiny ones.

  My heart stops and then gallops so hard that I think people will see it.
/>   “Let me spend the rest of my life loving you and showing you how much you mean to me. Will you marry me, Kitten?”

  *Josh*

  I wait, with my heart in my throat and my palms sweating. Tears stream down her face.

  “Oh, Josh, yes. And you already do show me—every day.” She drops to her knees and dives in for a kiss. “Yes. A thousand times, yes.”

  Everyone starts whooping and hollering, but soon their noise is drowned out when I lose myself in the kiss. Now to talk her into marrying me as fast as possible. I’m not worried about bringing a baby into the world out of wedlock. I’m just ready to make her my wife. I know nothing is going to change, and I’ll die loving this woman, but I want to make her mine. Once and for all.

  “All right, get a room. I’ve already seen enough action for the day,” Gabby shouts, causing Tiffany to break our kiss and burst out laughing again.

  I stand and scoop Tiffany in my arms.

  “Okay then. Party’s over.”

  Tiffany swats at my chest and giggles.

  “Easy, stud. We have plenty of time for that. Enjoy your party.” A sparkle in her eyes tells me it’s going to be a long night of slow lovemaking.

  I fight the urge to ignore them all and carry her off to our room to get a start on our own celebration, but I know it would be rude after they all came here.

  Placing Tiffany back on her feet, I pull the ring from the box and slide it on her finger.

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it, Josh. Almost as much as I love you.” She brushes her lips over mine, but before I can deepen the kiss, she’s pulled away, and Gabby’s enveloping her into her arms.

  Cam comes over and slaps me on the back, whispering in my ear, “You just had to beat me to the punch, didn’t you, asshole?” He laughs.

  Gabby doesn’t know it, but Cam and I have been busting our asses to build her dream house. Everything was finally wrapped up and finished this week, so Cam’s taking her there next week to show her and ask her to marry him.