Baby, I'm Yours (Life, Love and Babies)

by Chase, Samantha

  “There’s nothing to apologize for. I love you, and I love Ellie. If I have to share the spotlight with anyone, I’m glad that it’s you.” She reached across the table and squeezed Nikki’s hand. “I’m just glad that it’s going as well as it is.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, this all could have gone in a completely different direction. Josh could have been furious about having a child and refused to have anything to do with you or Ellie. That would have made for a terribly awkward time for us all at the wedding.”

  “You don’t think that he’s just…”

  “Why are you looking for trouble? Josh isn’t that good of an actor. He is truly thrilled about Ellie, and if he were honest, he’d come out and admit that he’s crazy about you, too.”

  Lowering her lashes, Nikki quietly asked, “Did David ask him about how he felt about me?”

  “Hey,” Denise said just as softly, waiting for Nikki to look at her. “David did ask him how he felt about you, but Josh refused to give him an answer.”

  “Oh.”

  She knew her friend too well and knew that Nikki tended to focus on the negative. She needed to lighten the mood. Fast. “Then David proceeded to tell him that if he hurt you again, that he’d hunt him down like a dog and kick his ass!” That worked because another round of laughter filled the air. “I’m telling you, Nik, if anything ever happened between David and me, he’d be the first one banging down your door.”

  “I love David like a brother, and I’m glad that he’s looking out for me.” She smiled. “And Ellie.” It was the truth. In all of the years that they’d all been friends, Nikki knew that she could always count on David being there to back her up. Whenever a boyfriend had gotten out of line or did something to offend her, David was right there to straighten it all out. She had no doubt in her mind that where Josh was concerned, David would be just as diligent.

  Chapter Six

  Thursday afternoon, Nikki and Ellie arrived home with a handful of grocery bags filled with food to prepare for their dinner with Josh. Nikki bought enough food for three dinners because she couldn’t decide on what it was that she wanted to make.

  “I help, too, mommy?” Ellie asked as the groceries were put away.

  “Yes, sweetheart; you can help mommy too when it’s time. But first, we need to get this place cleaned up and all of your toys put away so that your daddy can walk in here.” It had been a hellish morning earlier. Nikki was on edge about their upcoming trip, the evening ahead, and Ellie had been slightly out of control. Toys had been strewn about for no reason at all, and now they had their work cut out for them.

  Singing the cleanup song, they got the living room put back together. The next item on the list was to put the both of them put back together. “Come on, El. Mommy’s going to take a quick shower. Grab some toys and meet me in the bathroom.” Within minutes, Ellie was there building happily with her multicolored blocks while Nikki soaped up in the shower.

  Once that task was completed, Nikki reconsidered her plan to bathe Ellie; deciding to let that wait until after dinner so that Josh could do that for himself and have that time with Ellie. Dressing in a pair of silky lounging pants and a simple t-shirt, Nikki detangled her hair and quickly blew it dry before re-applying some makeup – with a little more care than she normally did.

  Though it was left unspoken, both she and Josh knew what tonight was about. Yes, they were going to have dinner and he was going to have some time with Ellie, but she also knew that tonight they would continue what was interrupted Sunday morning. A thrill of delight coursed through her body. She felt nervous and jittery and hoped that she would be able to calm her wayward emotions enough to actually get through dinner. The thought of making love with Josh again was overwhelming.

  Over the years, she had built up their night together in her mind. Was it actually as good as she remembered? Nikki couldn’t remember being this nervous their first time. Well, maybe that was because it had all happened so naturally and so quickly that there hadn’t been time to be nervous. She knew what was going to happen this time, and now she had to wait.

  Sitting down on the edge of her newly changed bed, her mind wandered back three years.

  There were so many stars in the sky, she observed as they walked out to her car. When they reached her vehicle, Tyler placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “You are so beautiful, Nicole,” he said and lifted one hand up to gently caress her cheek. “It’s true,” he whispered. “I can’t believe that someone as beautiful as you just walked into my life today. It doesn’t seem real.”

  Nikki reached out and boldly placed a hand on his chest. All night long, she had wanted to touch him. They had held hands as they’d sat in the corner booth and talked, but now this was a deliberate touch; an invitation. A serious invitation. With her hand splayed across his chest, she raised her eyes to meet his. “This has been a perfect night.”

  “It doesn’t have to end, you know,” he said carefully. Slowly, so slowly, he leaned in and rested his forehead against hers. His body soon followed and they were touching practically from head to toe. “Can I kiss you?”

  “Oh, yes,” she sighed as she reached up and cupped her hand around his neck to finish closing the gap between them. “Please.” Nikki had been expecting the kind of wild, untamed kisses that she had gotten from other men, but this was almost chaste. Feather light. She almost thought that she’d imagined his touch.

  “God you’re sweet,” he whispered against her lips. Nikki leaned further into him. His green eyes scanned her face before he tasted her again. Now she got what she was waiting for, but for the first time in her life it felt wild, but skilled; practiced, but untamed. And for all that it was, she loved it. No one had ever kissed her like that before and in that moment, she wanted all of him.

  “Tyler?”

  “Hmm?” He reluctantly raised his head and looked at her.

  “Let’s go someplace where we can be alone.” Nikki couldn’t believe that she had been the one to say those words. Something about Tyler made her bold. And impatient.

  “I’d go anywhere with you, Nicole. Anywhere.” Taking a step back from her, Tyler reached out and took one of her hands in his. “I…I’m staying at a hotel not far from here. We can go there if you’d like.” His words were hesitant, as if he was afraid to scare her off.

  “I’d like that very much,” she said breathlessly.

  The hotel was in walking distance, and yet it seemed like it took forever to get there. Once the door to the room was closed and locked behind them, Tyler reached for her and she went willingly into his arms. It felt so right; his tall, hard, lean body pressed against her, and it gave her a thrill like she had never known. Heat flowed through her veins and pooled in her middle. His mouth was on her, possessive and gentle at the same time. He kissed her mouth tenderly; adoringly.

  “Nicole,” he said finally when his mouth left hers; it was a near moan, pleading with her. “I want to make love to you.”

  “Can we make dinner now, mommy?” Nikki’s head snapped to attention, and she quickly turned and looked at the clock. It was four-thirty. Josh would be there soon, and she had been so lost in her daydream that she had lost track of time.

  “Oh, my goodness!” She rose from the bed and scooped Ellie up in her arms. “We need to get started right away. Your daddy will be here soon.”

  “Yea!” Ellie squealed as they ran down the stairs.

  ****

  At five-thirty sharp, there was a knock at the front door. Ellie ran to open it with Nikki’s permission. Josh stood there and smiled with surprise at the sight of his daughter. “Hi, Daddy,” she said as he lifted her up to kiss her.

  “Look at you; answering the door like a big girl. Where’s your mom?”

  “In the kitchen. She said I could.” By this time they were all in the kitchen, and Josh drank in the sight of Nicole. The silky pants, the clingy t-shirt – his mouth went dry. He hoped that dinner was goin
g to be quick and that time would fly so that he could be alone with her.

  Ever since she’d left his bed Sunday morning, he had been in a semi-aroused state. Well, that wasn’t the total truth; ever since he’d first shown up on her doorstep with David and Denise and seen her again for the first time, he’d been that way. No, even that was wrong; hell, every time he’d thought about her in the last three years, he became hard. No woman had ever turned him inside out the way Nicole had and just knowing that they were going to be alone tonight had him on edge.

  He was thrilled to have found an opportunity to have dinner with both her and Ellie, and as thankful as he was to have this extra time with his daughter, tonight was truly about having time with Nicole. After all this time, the fire hadn’t died; if anything, he felt a stronger pull for her now than he had when he’d first met her. The years hadn’t dimmed what he felt for her; it had strengthened it. He hoped and prayed that she felt the same.

  If he hadn’t screwed up that night so long ago, none of this would be an issue. Josh knew for sure that if he had been completely honest with her and had told her his real name – and his last name – they would be married by now and living together, maybe with another child. Could they possibly make that happen after all this time? He didn’t want to rush her, and he certainly didn’t blame Nicole for being wary and not outright trusting him, but it still stung.

  His plan had been to take things slow and let them evolve naturally, but after having her in his arms, in his bed, and feeling her response to him, all hopes of slow went flying right out the window.

  Josh didn’t want to scare her off, but he had a sneaky suspicion that she was burning for him just as hotly as he was for her. So he’d sit and eat dinner; bide his time. He’d play with Ellie and help get her ready for bed – all the while showing Nicole how right this all was. That they could be a family together.

  Then he’d take her to bed and show her how right they were as lovers.

  With the tightening of his groin, he said a quick hello to Nikki and let Ellie lead him out of the room to go and play while dinner finished cooking. He was relieved for the chance to cool down.

  It was going to be a long night.

  ****

  Nikki was a bundle of nerves. The chicken Marsala was simmering, the potatoes were mashed and the broccoli was steamed. The sight of Josh when he had entered the kitchen had left her feeling frazzled. It was all a bit too domesticated to comprehend. There was a “Hi, honey, how was your day?” quality to it that felt surreal.

  Peeking her head into the living room, she saw that Josh had removed his coat and loosened his tie. His shirtsleeves were rolled up to expose the tanned corded muscles of his forearms. Nikki’s mouth went dry. He was doing nothing more than sitting on the sofa reading to Ellie, and yet she had never seen anything sexier in her life. As if reading her mind, Josh chose that moment to look up at her. “Dinner ready?” he asked casually.

  Nikki cleared her throat. “Actually, I’m just getting ready to serve. Why don’t you get Ellie settled into her seat?” His only response was to smile as he rose. Nikki disappeared into the kitchen before she actually started to drool. “Get a grip,” she whispered to herself. “He’s only a man.” Yeah, right. And Michelangelo was only an artist.

  Placing the dishes on the table, she was a bit shocked when Josh stood and held out a chair for her. “Thank you,” she whispered shyly. Once they were all seated and eating, she finally let herself relax.

  “Everything is wonderful, Nicole. Thank you for being willing to cook tonight. Although, it wouldn’t have been a big deal to go out.”

  “Well, with the flight so early tomorrow and all of the chaos that’s bound to go with it, I thought that a quiet night in would be best for Ellie.” She knew that sooner or later she wouldn’t be able to use her daughter as a shield or an excuse for her every move; but for right now, the means supported the ends. Without meeting his eyes, she quietly added, “She’ll probably go to bed earlier than usual.”

  Had she been brave enough to look up, she would have seen the heat banked in Josh’s eyes. He gruffly cleared his throat and turned his attention to asking his daughter how she felt about her upcoming trip, and the remainder of the meal passed quickly.

  Standing to clear the dishes, she asked Josh if he would mind bathing Ellie, who, in turn, shouted with glee at the thought of her father playing with her until it was bed time. If only she knew that her parents needed the time apart to mentally prepare for the remainder of the evening.

  ****

  It was a tense and awkward moment when they finally shut out Ellie’s bedroom light. Do we go downstairs? Do we go straight to the bedroom? Nikki watched as indecision marked Josh’s face, and she was sure she looked the same way. When he turned to go toward the stairs, she decided to be bold. Hadn’t they waited long enough? What would the purpose be for them to go all the way down the stairs only to have to climb all the way back up a short time later? She was all for being efficient.

  Taking his hand in hers, she tugged slightly and led the way to her bedroom. Once inside, she shut the door and leaned against it. Without a word, Josh leaned in and claimed her mouth in a desperately hungry kiss. Her lips were parted and waiting for him. He pressed his entire body against hers and growled deeply at the feel of her body pressed against his. He could feel her heart beating; he could feel every lush curve, and he was anxious to feel them all skin to skin.

  Tearing his mouth away from hers, he trailed kissed across her jaw and down her throat as his hand skimmed up her side and found one full breast aching for his touch. Her nipples had pebbled beneath the flimsy fabric of her shirt, and the brassier underneath was nothing more than a whisper of lace – barely there. Nikki moaned his name and arched her back, securely pressing herself into his large hand.

  “I never thought I’d find you again,” he said gruffly before kissing the hardened peak through her shirt. “I’ve dreamed of being with you again.” His words sent a thrill of pleasure coursing through Nikki’s entire body, and she twisted and squirmed until he had no choice but to pull her toward the bed. He kissed her again possessively before leaning over and helping her to lay down. She looked like an angel; blonde hair spread out against the white comforter. Her breathing was ragged and the rise and fall of her breasts kept him mesmerized.

  Without breaking eye contact, he began to unbutton his shirt. He reveled in the fact that Nicole seemed unable to look away. When at last the last button was undone, he toed off his shoes and then tossed his shirt onto the desk chair that stood not two feet from him. When he reached for his belt, Nikki raised herself onto her elbows and licked her lips. He paused briefly and was surprised that she came to sit fully up. Reaching forward, she placed her hands on his hips and guided him to stand between her spread legs. Without a word, she began to kiss his flat stomach. Josh’s head fell back in abandon. Her hot breath on his skin felt incredible.

  As she kissed and licked his skin, her hands went to work on his belt. Once it was opened, Nikki focused her attention on getting his pants off. It didn’t take long to accomplish. Standing before her in nothing more than a pair of dark colored briefs, Josh pulled her to her feet. “Your turn.”

  Without waiting for instruction, Nikki pulled her t-shirt up and over her head. She was beautiful. Her breasts were full and flushed with desire, and as much as Josh ached to reach out and touch them, taste them, watching her strip was far too erotic to stop at the moment.

  Nikki liked the flash of heat in Josh’s eyes as she stood before him in her bra. Empowered, she bent and shimmied out of her pants. In nothing more than skimpy red lace, she moved forward until they were touching from head to toe.

  “God you feel so good,” he hissed.

  “You, too.”

  “Want to feel even better?” he asked thickly, his hands going to her shoulders and slowly pulling the bra straps down her arms.

  “Oh, absolutely.” In a flash, she found herself down on the bed, her
bra gone, and all could she think was that she had finally come home.

  ****

  Much later, they were facing one another by moonlight in Nikki’s bed. Josh couldn’t stop touching her; still in awe that she was really here in his life, in his arms, after all this time. He let out a contented sigh. Three years ago, he knew that he had fallen in love with her, but had thought that it would have faded after so many years apart. Looking at her now, however, he knew that what he felt for her was real; it would never fade no matter how long they were apart. Nicole was unique; she was wholesome and caring and everything that he wanted in his life. That thought brought a smile to his face.

  As Nikki watched the smile spread across his face, she couldn’t help but match it. She didn’t try to speak yet; she didn’t want to ruin the moment. She felt a peace and contentment that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Reaching out slowly, she placed a hand on his chest, over his heart. Moving closer, they shifted until Josh was lying on his back and she had her head on his shoulder. His arm wrapped around her and held her close, and now it was her turn to sigh.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured after several long moments. “So absolutely breathtaking.” He stroked a hand up and down her arm and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I missed you.”

  Slowly, Nikki raised her head. “I missed you, too.” Leaning in, she kissed him softly on the lips and lingered there.

  Josh settled her back against his side. “I just can’t believe that I’m here with you, that we have a daughter, and that you’ve let me be a part of her life. I mean, you could’ve denied me my right to see Ellie, and you would have been completely within your rights. I behaved so horribly back then, and you had no reason to trust me.” He placed another kiss on her head. “I’m just so grateful to you; I want you to know that.”

  It wasn’t the kind of pillow talk that she was expecting and it wasn’t particularly a subject that she wanted to be discussing. Right now Nikki was thinking about their future and didn’t want to rehash their past. Deciding to just keep quiet, she waited to see if Josh had anything else to say.