by Jane Henry
Didn't it?
Elena pulled into the parking lot of the clinic. The day had passed in a blur, and thankfully the majority of the work she did was “business as usual.” She’d needed to throw herself into what was familiar and routine, because her mind was teeming with questions. As she’d held a tiny baby with a shock of hair, swaddled in a blanket in the nursery, she’d caught herself wondering.
Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Would he want a boy or girl? Then she’d caught herself mid-thought. God, she had to get a grip.
She’d placed the baby back in the bassinet, wheeled it to the volunteer who came every Monday, and marched herself out back to the main desk at the nursing station. Grabbing her water bottle, she’d chugged it down like somehow the cool liquid would chill her thrumming nerves.
He'd never had any children. Blake and his late wife had tried for years and finally given up. Would he be happy, at this stage of the game, to be bringing a child into the world? God! With her?
She’d grabbed a pregnancy test from the storage room, and snuck into a bathroom during her break. She couldn't take it anymore. She’d had to know. With trembling hands, she'd completed the test, flushed the toilet, washed her hands and waited. And waited. It had seemed like an eternity, but the test was negative. She'd tossed it.
Maybe too soon to tell.
She took a second test at one o'clock, during a coffee break, as if somehow two hours later her hormone levels would be ready to give her a positive.
Did she want a positive? She didn't even know.
At three, she took a third test, also negative, but three negative tests did nothing to alleviate her fears. If a woman had come to her at work or at the clinic, she'd tell her to wait, maybe her cycle was a bit off and another few days or a week before testing again wouldn't hurt anyone.
Ha! How easy that advice was to dole out when it wasn't directed at her.
She grabbed a protein bar from her bag, nibbled on it mechanically, and responded to Blake's text.
Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. See you in a few.
Off to the clinic, her phone buzzed one more time.
When you get here, march your ass straight to my office.
She frowned at the phone. Yes, SIR, she typed, hoping he'd question the level of snarkiness in her text. Even as she texted, she realized she was being a bitch, but what was a woman supposed to do when a life-changing thing might be about to happen?
She got to the clinic on time, and found it nearly empty, so she busied herself straightening up the paperwork they needed, when her phone buzzed.
You'll learn to watch your tone, honey. Oh for God’s sake.
She typed a quick reply. Whatever!
She couldn't help it, as arousal pulsed low in her belly, even as she frowned at the screen. Another text.
Did you follow up with your friend at The Star?
She grumbled as she tidied up the pamphlets and slid them into the display case by the entryway. She had contacted Gretchen about Salazar weeks ago. What was taking so long with the investigation?
I’ll follow up with her today.
She walked to her office, and on the way, nabbed two more pregnancy tests. Couldn't hurt.
She sat down, booted up the laptop, and searched out her email. It was the most reliable way to reach Gretchen, as she never knew if Gretchen was home or traveling. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to compose an email to Gretchen. Elena really had to work on compartmentalizing everything.
Hey! Just wondering if you got a chance to look into what we discussed?
Love ya,
Elena
Satisfied she'd contacted Gretchen, out of curiosity she clicked on the link for The Boston Star. She read through local political updates, local sports scores, and other headlines, until she came across an article dated just that morning.
BDSM Club under investigation after local church obtains well-supported petition.
She closed her eyes briefly before clicking open the article. Her eyes widened as she read. Had Blake seen this? She copied the link, emailed it to herself, closed her laptop, and went to the main entrance of the clinic. They were empty today anyway. Time to pay an early visit to The Club.
Her stomach twisted as she remembered Blake’s earlier text.
March your ass straight to my office.
Elena nodded to Donnie at the door of The Club, then smiled to herself as the familiar blonde she was looking for came into view behind the bar. Though Alice had returned to school, she still took on occasional shifts at The Club, for which Elena was immensely grateful. Not having had a sister, her brother’s girlfriend was a close second. She glanced quickly around. Damn Blake and his cameras. She was not ready to talk to him, face him, and face whatever the fuck he had planned for her. Fortunately, she knew that Blake was on the floor, and Alex wouldn't be around tonight, thank God. One less thing to worry about.
She sat at the furthest corner of the bar, and turned her back to where she knew the cameras would be trained, raising a hand to catch Alice's attention. Alice grinned when she saw her, and stepped quickly over her way. When Alice reached Elena, she bent down and kissed her cheek.
“Long time no see, girlie!” Alice said with a smile, sliding in to sit next to Elena. “How are things?”
Elena filled her in about passing her exam, how things were going at work, and explained that the clinic was faring well. As she talked, Alice frowned. “Honey, you don't look so good,” she said. “You look pale, and like something's troubling you. You okay? You getting enough sleep?”
Elena was dying to talk to someone, and who could she trust more than Alice? She bit her lip. “If I talk to you, Alice, will you tell Alex?”
Alice frowned. “I do tell Slay everything. But if you need a little privacy, I get that. I mean, guys don't understand everything. As long as you're safe then yeah, I could see keeping it just between us girls.” She smiled. “What's going on, honey?”
Elena sighed. “It's just something that needs to be kept quiet, for now. Not forever.” If she was pregnant, then Slay would eventually know anyway.
Alice nodded encouragingly, which gave Elena the confidence she needed. She looked over her shoulder, around the bar, and then leaned in quickly before she lost her resolve. “I think I'm pregnant.”
Alice's eyes widened, and her mouth literally dropped open, before she leaned in to whisper back.
“Whoa, have I been under a rock or something? Do you have a boyfriend I don't know about?”
Elena smiled weakly. “It was an, um, spur of the moment thing,” she said, stopping herself before she said “one-night stand.” She knew in her heart that what was growing between her and Blake wasn't just a one-night stand.
Alice nodded. “How late are you?” she whispered again.
Elena sighed. “A whole week.”
Alice grimaced. “Well, honey, you're talking to someone who's been there. You know I have. And you also know I wouldn't change anything, and that my Charlie is the world to me.” Alice's little Charlie was the most adorable little kid Elena knew, with a shock of blond hair like his mama, big eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses, and a huge, ready smile. He'd thrived being parented by both Alex and Alice together, and he called Elena “Auntie Elena.” She adored him.
“I know,” Elena whispered. “I'm just… I don't even know what to think.”
Alice nodded. “I remember that feeling well. You take a test yet?”
Elena smiled weakly. “Five. In one day.”
Alice snorted. “You know that's not gonna make the results come any sooner, right?”
“Well, fortunately in my line of work they're easy to obtain.” Then she squeezed her eyes shut with a grimace. “You know, that's what makes me feel so stupid.” She opened her eyes and threw her hands up in the air. “I give advice all day to women about being safe, and using protection, and making good choices, and then I go and do this?”
Alice shook her head. “Do not even go there, babe. You are smar
t, and you know that even when you use protection, things can happen. They just do. And it's because you're smart that you're going to handle this the very best way you can.” Elena nodded, and allowed herself to stop the self-deprecation, accepting what Alice said as true. Alice continued. “So… how do you feel about… the possible dad?” she asked.
How did she feel about him? She hadn't been prepared for the question.
“I can't say I love him… yet,” she whispered, as tears welled up in her eyes. “But I… have never felt this way about a man. He's strong, and protective, and kind. He's smart and sweet, and so damn sexy. He's so good to me.”
“Oh boy.” Alice smiled, and cleared her throat. “Do I… know him?”
Elena swallowed. “Yep.”
Alice blew out a breath. “Ohhh boy.”
Elena laughed nervously. “Um, yeah.” Anyone that both Elena and Alice knew would be someone involved at The Club, and if Alice knew him, then that meant Alex knew him, and both Alice and Elena knew her big brother was not gonna take kindly to a guy at The Club knocking his kid sister up.
“I like him, Alice, more than… well, more than any man I've ever known before. But we aren't ready for a baby, you know? I don't even know if we're ready for us.”
Alice nodded. “God, do I know, honey. Of course I know. I was there, only I was trying to pull my shit together to get my high school diploma, and all I had were my super judgy conservative parents ready to throw me out. Look at what you have. An amazing support system with friends who love you, and a brother who absolutely worships the ground you walk on.” She reached for Elena's hand. “And this isn't some loser you met at some random bar and don't know from Adam. If you know him from here? And I know him? And he's all those things you said? Then, honey, it's gonna be fine. It really will.”
What she said made so much sense. Elena nodded. “You're right,” she whispered. “I know you are.”
It was at that moment she heard the deep familiar bass of his voice, and God, was she going crazy, but did she recognize the sound of his step? He was marching past her table when he caught her eye and froze.
“Alice,” Blake said, with a chin lift, then, “Elena. When did you get here?” He folded his arms on his chest and Elena squirmed in her seat. God, he was total shit at feigning nonchalance.
“Little while ago,” she said. “Had to talk to Alice a bit.”
His gaze went from her, to Alice, then back to Elena. He didn't speak for a moment, then nodded. “Gotta hit the floor again. Meet me in my office in five?”
He was only being polite, making it a suggestion. Elena knew it was no suggestion.
She saluted him. “Aye, aye, captain.”
His eyes narrowed, but he merely nodded and stomped away. Elena sighed, turning to Alice, and was unprepared for Alice’s widened eyes and look of complete shock. “Blake,” she whispered. “Holy shit.”
Was it that obvious? Elena swallowed hard. “I didn't say it was Blake, Alice,” she hissed.
“You didn't need to,” Alice whispered back.
Elena sighed.
She sat in silence for a moment before Alice spoke up again. “Alex thinks the world of him, Elena,” she whispered. “I can count on one hand the people he loves like Blake. Actually, make that one finger, and that man is already practically married and has a kid.”
Matteo, Alex's military brother and best friend, was the only man Alex trusted like he did Blake. Elena knew this. But still. She didn't know who she was more nervous talking to, Alex or Blake.
“Babe?” Alice said gently. Elena nodded. “Blake said to meet him in five minutes four minutes ago. And I can attest from personal experience that with guys like him? He's keeping an eye on that time.”
Elena smiled, getting to her feet, and nodded. “You've got it,” she said. “Thanks, Alice.”
Alice gave her hand an impulsive squeeze. “You're gonna be fine, honey.”
It seemed Alice assumed Elena was ready to go tell Blake now.
Uh-uh. No way, no how.
But what Alice didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
Elena knocked on Blake's office door, and heard the deep, raspy, “Come in,” down to the tips of her toes. She pulled the strap of her bag up higher on her shoulder, took a deep breath, and walked in the office.
He was sitting at his desk looking at all the security feeds when she entered. He nodded absentmindedly and gestured for her to take a seat. He paused and glanced at a clock on the wall. “Cutting it close,” he said.
She nodded, as he looked more closely at the screen.
“Glad I got a firsthand look at the dungeon today,” he muttered. “Wanted to see for myself we were following protocol.”
“Were you?” she asked.
He turned to her with a scowl. “Fuck yeah, we were,” he said. “Any dominant who comes in here and doesn't follow protocol answers to me.”
She nodded, her mouth suddenly going dry at his “answers to me.” Blake ran a tight ship, and it was why lifestylers flocked to his club. It was safe, and drew a dedicated clientele who knew what they were about. There were people new to the scene, and people just exploring, but everyone was kept to high standards.
Blake put a small box on his desk and took out an X-acto knife, sliding it through the packing tape along the edge. “Tell me about your day, sweetheart,” he said before he lifted his eyes to hers. “I want to hear about it before we talk about your tone of voice on the phone.” He held her gaze for a beat, before focusing on opening the box. She felt the power of that look, and shifted on her seat, already feeling the need for him build low in her belly. Didn't help that she'd fallen asleep having climaxed at his command, and woken up after vivid dreams, only to replay the night before.
Did pregnancy make people horny?
She licked her lips, and watched as he removed bundles of rope from the box.
“Oohh,” she breathed. “Is that for bondage?”
He quirked a brow. “No, it's for tying my luggage to my roof when I go on vacation in the summer.”
She humphed at him, which just earned her a grin, the delicious wrinkles around his eyes warming her with a little pitter-patter of her heart, as he continued to unpack the box. “Hell yeah, this is bondage material. Hand-dyed organic cotton, hemp in its natural form, synthetic Zen.” He placed various bundles on his desk, then removed one with care, reverence in his voice. “And some high end tossa jute for my personal stock. We don't keep this at The Club. Awesome stuff, but way too pricey.”
“Gotcha.”
Personal stock? Her heart positively stuttered.
“You were telling me about your day,” he reminded.
“Oh. Right. Okay, so, the shift at the hospital was pretty routine, which thank God was the case because the day before sucked like you wouldn't believe.” He nodded, piling the rope together as he broke down the box and neatly folded it.
“Delivered two sets of twins, both doing fine, then headed to the clinic, but it was dead there, so I came here early. Really nothing to talk about.” Oh, except the fact that I might be pregnant with YOUR CHILD. She took in a shaky breath, hoping he didn't note her rising nerves.
“Is that all?” he asked, as he put the knife back in a drawer. She nodded.
He pushed his chair back from the desk, and patted his lap. “Come here, Elena,” he said softly.
She rose, his soft command making the need between her legs intensify. God, she was hopelessly addicted to this man. She walked slowly to him, her eyes roving over him. He wore his signature blue button-down shirt and jeans, the crisp white cotton of his t-shirt peeking out at the very top. His beard was full and neatly trimmed, the flecks of gray making her heart thrum a steady beat. The gray around his temples accentuated the stark blue of his eyes… and those eyes. So full of passion, kindness, and the sternness of an experienced Dom. When she stood within arm's reach, he took her by the waist, and pulled her to sit on his lap. It felt nice straddling his lap, and her arms instinct
ively encircled his neck.
“That’s it, baby,” he whispered. “Such a normal day, then why were you short with me on the phone?”
“Just a lot on my mind,” she said softly. God, she loved the strong, woodsy smell of him.
“Lot on your mind?” he asked. “I get it, but do you think that's reason to be snarky with me, even in a text?”
She shook her head, the desire to push him away, or mouth off, or defy him in any way, suddenly evaporating. She wanted to tell him everything. I could be pregnant with your baby… our baby.
I'm scared.
His fingers threaded through her long hair, wrapped around the base of her neck, and tugged, lifting her face. His mouth met hers, softly but possessively. Sitting upon his lap with the tingle of her hair being pulled, the kiss aroused her like no kiss ever had. His lips moved softly, then firmly, his tongue meeting hers as she squirmed upon his lap. He pulled away and whispered in her ear. “Do you need a spanking, Elena? Do I need to take you over my knee? Would that help you let go of what's on your mind?”
She swallowed. Hell, yeah, she needed a spanking. She wanted to be tied up, spanked, then fucked, in that order. Between working as nurse at the clinic and hospital, and being a frequent participant at The Club, she well knew that even if she was pregnant, with certain precautions in place, she could partake in most scenes. She yelped as his hand connected with her ass with a sharp spank. “I asked you a question, little girl, and when I ask a question, I expect an answer. Do you?”
“I think I do,” she breathed. But as he leaned in to kiss her once more, the monitor on his desk buzzed.
Swearing, he hit a button. “Boss, back-up needed in the front bar,” came the voice.
“I have to see to that,” he said with a groan. She nodded, getting up off his knee, as her phone buzzed.
“No worries,” she said. “I'll wait here.”
He nodded. “You don't leave here, got it? When I come back, we'll talk.”
He leaned in and gave her a deep, parting kiss before he left. She sighed as the door closed. God, she wanted him.