by C. A. Szarek
She needed this, needed him. She loved him more than words.
Moving closer, her firm round tummy pushed against his hard abs. She wanted him to feel their baby. Their child.
He’d never returned her call, but could she have told him over the phone? Guilt rose up, but she ignored it, kissing him harder. Cole groaned. His erection pressed into her and her heart tripped over itself. His body wanted her, but did he? His body alone wasn’t going to be enough this time. She needed his heart.
She should’ve told him about the baby. Andi wouldn’t blame him if he was angry—he had a right to be. But his reaction on the porch had been shock.
Andi would have to answer for not trying overly hard to contact him. She would be devastated if Cole didn’t want them—her…the baby…Ethan.
Springing a child on a man was a bad idea no matter what. A guy like Cole? It was amazing he hadn’t run screaming on the doorstep after dropping that ridiculously large bear.
And now he was kissing her. Should she question it?
His hands shot down her back and around her bottom. He squeezed and rocked against her.
Andi’s stomach flipped. Confusion, hurt and desire warred as her tears slipped down her cheeks. She tasted saltiness as it mixed into their kiss.
Cole was unrelenting, devouring her mouth hungrily until his moving lips swallowed her moan and her legs wobbled with need and love for him.
She still wanted him. She always would.
“Andi.” Her name was a half-moan as he yanked away and cupped her face. Confusion clouded his steel gaze and he wiped away her tears. “I want you, but we need to talk.”
He wanted her, but he always had. She saw more in his eyes, but could she believe it? She swallowed back another rush of tears.
“I’m sorry,” Andi blurted, clinging to him. Burying her face in his neck, she was ashamed to meet his eyes. There was nothing she could say, no excuse that was adequate enough for not telling him about his baby. No magic justification. Pete had been right.
He said nothing as he held her. He rubbed her back. It was so good to be in his arms again.
But the silence was killing her.
“Let’s sit,” he whispered.
Andi bit back a gulp and nodded, slipping out of his arms. As she was about to turn away, Cole grabbed her wrist. She jumped as he laid his palm on her stomach. Her vision blurred as the baby moved and his eyes widened. He stood frozen, but his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His expression was tender.
“It’s moving?” His tone held wonder. He followed the baby’s movement with his fingers, his eyes misty. Misty.
She nodded, unable to speak.
Was he…happy? Wasn’t that too much to hope for?
“I’m so sorry, Cole. I should have told you… I…” Her voice broke on a sob. She didn’t bother accusing him of not calling her back. She should have tried harder.
He guided her to the couch and pulled her back to him as soon as they were seated. “Shhh, don’t cry. It kills me.” He kissed her cheeks and forehead before pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
There was no way Andi could hold it together with him looking at her that way, with tenderness and…love? “You didn’t even call. It hurt so badly…” Words tumbled with no thought.
“I’m a shit,” Cole said, his voice thick.
What should she make of that? She closed her eyes. Nothing but truth and hurt would pour out, but she needed him to hear it.
“You left. I know you needed to go, but you never—”
“I should have stayed.”
“Pete said I didn’t give you a reason.” She met his eyes, her breath cut off as she saw his open gaze.
“I had reason enough. I was just too pig-headed to believe it. I’m sorry.” His expression was pained, and more honest than she’d ever seen.
Andi’s heart stuttered. “You had a reason?” Her voice cracked, and more tears coursed down her cheeks.
Cole cupped her face and wiped them away with the pads of his thumbs. “Two, actually. Looks like I have three, now.” His gaze dropped to her swollen tummy, a tender smile on his lips.
“You’re not angry with me? I don’t blame you if you are.”
“I’m not angry. I was surprised. Not telling me was no less than I deserved. I understand why you didn’t say anything. My case aside, I left you… Never called… I’m…an asshole. I hurt you. I hurt myself, too. But I’m done with all that.”
“What are you saying?” She stared into his grey eyes.
Cole grabbed her hands and squeezed. “I love you, Andi. I love you, I love Ethan, and…” He threw his head back and laughed before meeting her gaze again. “I love this baby beyond words.”
She bit her bottom lip, but it couldn’t stop the sob. Cole loved her. He loved them. “You… You want…us?” Andi sniffled.
Nodding, he pulled her back into his arms, resting a hand on her tummy and his cheek against her forehead.
“The question is do you want me?” he whispered against her hair.
“I love you, too.” Pulling away from his chest, she met his gaze.
The tears in his eyes startled her. She leaned up to brush her mouth against his, but Cole slid his hand to the back of her neck and yanked her to him, crushing her lips under his. She clung to him, kissing him back with all her might.
She tugged at his tight black T-shirt, needing bare skin. “Let’s go to bed,” Andi pleaded, fisting the material with both hands.
Cole nodded, his fingers brushing her breasts through her blue tee. Her nipples peaked even though the touch had been fleeting. Continuing downward, he followed the curve of her stomach with his hand. He froze and pulled back, meeting her eyes. “Wait. Can we…is it safe to…?”
“Yes,” she breathed, kissing him again.
When they parted, she hurried to her feet, tugging on his hands.
“Are you sure? I mean, the baby—”
“Cole, if you don’t take me to bed this instant, I’m—” Andi’s statement was cut off by his mouth on hers again as he also gained his feet. She moaned. Her legs were water. Damn good thing he had her pinned to his chest.
He chuckled as their kiss ended. “Okay, babe. You’ve convinced me.”
She flashed a smile and led him to her bedroom, a tangle of fumbling touches and stumbling kisses.
Cole kicked the door shut and ripped his shirt off. Her breath caught as his muscles rippled. He was just as beautiful as she remembered. His hands froze on his zipper and their gazes locked.
“You have clothes to lose,” he growled.
She blushed to her toes. He’d seen her nude before, yes, but not when she was almost five months pregnant and awkward. Her stomach was no longer flat, her breasts were already huge. She was so…ungainly. Nerves fluttered and she stilled at the end of the bed.
Cole stepped out of his jeans and shoved down his boxer briefs, his erection jutting free. How could he even want her?
“Andi?” he whispered. “What’s wrong, babe?” He pressed a kiss to her lips as soon as he stood before her.
Her voice was gone, so she just shrugged.
Staring for a moment, he tugged on her shirt until she lifted her arms and he helped her slip out of it. The rest of her clothes followed slowly, as if he was unwrapping a present.
Andi averted her eyes when she finally stood naked before him, her cheeks burning. She made a grab for the sheet, but he stopped her, gripping her wrist gently.
“Oh. My. God. You’re so beautiful,” Cole breathed.
She shivered as he caressed her cheeks, both sides of her neck, her shoulders, and reverently followed the curve of her belly, dropping a kiss over the place where their child grew.
Cole laid her down, worshipping her body with his hands and mouth. He started a trail of warm, wet kisses down her neck and nibbled her earlobe. She moaned and arched into him as he cupped her breasts and lowered his head to kiss each one.
Andi panted his name as he added his t
ongue to the kisses. He was setting her on fire, just as he had all the other times they’d made love, but this was different. He’d finally said the words she’d longed to hear and it meant so much more now.
He was in no hurry as he continued nibbling and kissing downward, until he nudged her thighs apart with hot palms and settled his shoulders between her parted legs. The first touch of his tongue against her aching sex made her cry out, and she held him in place with her fingers buried in his hair.
Humming against her most sensitive spot, Cole pulled her into his mouth and slipped a finger, then two, inside her. Andi screamed, lifting into him. It wasn’t enough. Friction, pressure, she needed more.
“Cole,” she moaned. She wanted him inside her.
He ignored her and laved her clit, moving his tongue in circles until her hips undulated. She was so close. Cole gave her no mercy, sucking her into his mouth as he moved his fingers in rhythm.
“God, you taste good,” he said, the vibration of his words making her clench her thighs. He licked her again, then nipped.
The little nick of his tooth sent her spiralling. She threw her head back and called his name, hips bucking. Her arm flailed, but he grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers and stroking her inner thigh with sure touches, helping her ride out the orgasm.
She shivered, her chest heaving. “Cole…”
He settled his body over hers, holding his full weight back with his elbows, then sucked on her bottom lip. Andi trembled, tasting herself on his lips, and wrapped her arms around him, keeping him close.
“That was for you,” he whispered before dipping down for a deeper kiss.
The heat of his erection burned her hip and she throbbed. Climax had been intense, but she was far from done. She wiggled. “I want you,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Good, I can’t wait any longer.”
Andi lifted, rubbing against him. Cole groaned.
“Don’t wait,” she said.
He left her body cold as he pulled back, but he guided his erection to her, teasing her inner thighs with his tip, and pushing against her, but not entering. After caressing her breasts and her stomach tenderly, he slid a hand between her legs, parting the dark curls at her centre.
Andi whimpered as he moved his hands over her. “I thought you couldn’t wait,” she panted.
He grinned and pressed his swollen head into her engorged clit. They both moaned.
“Cole… Please…” She writhed against him.
Finally, he gave her what they both wanted and slowly pushed inside.
Both cried out. She gripped his biceps as he started to move and he leant down to kiss her again, his tongue mimicking his thrusts.
They made love slowly, tenderly, until it wasn’t enough. She needed more. Cole gave her what she wanted, panting heavily over her as she parried his every plunge, resting her hands on his rear end, squeezing, kneading, encouraging.
Andi cried his name, throwing her head back. Release hit her just as hard as before, her whole body tightening. He was right with her, grunting her name as he stiffened, burying his face against her neck. The warm rush of his release made her shiver along with the jerk of his penis inside her.
As soon as he lifted his head, she pressed her lips to his in a frantic kiss he didn’t hesitate to deepen. He slipped from her body and rolled onto his back, pulling her tight against his chest.
“I love you so much,” Cole whispered.
Cuddling closer, Andi panted. She rested her hand on his hard pec and looked into his eyes. “I love you too.” She cursed her tears.
He cupped her cheek, his gaze concerned. “Did I hurt you? Why are you crying?”
“No, no. I’m happy.” Shrugging, she tried to smile, but it was wobbly.
“Okay…”
“It’s a girl thing.”
“As long as I didn’t hurt you.” Cole wiped her tears, his expression worried.
She shook her head. “You didn’t. Promise.”
He flashed a smile then brushed a kiss against her mouth. Andi’s heart flipped and she nestled closer, resting her head against him. She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat.
“How’s that Jared Manning guy to work with?” Cole asked, breaking what had become a companionable silence.
“Why?” She lifted up, looking at his handsome face.
“Chief Martin gave me a job. Manning’s going to be my partner, since my wife already has one.”
She blinked.
Her heart pounded and she stared. “Wife? Job?” she croaked.
Cole chuckled and cupped her face in his hands. “I want it all. I want you to marry me. I want to be Ethan’s father.”
Andi licked her lips then opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out.
“That was my speech before I knew about our baby, of course,” he said, his brow furrowed. “So, I guess I need to add something. I love you. I want to raise Ethan and our child together. I can’t see the three of you all the time and have it any other way. I’m pretty rough around the edges without you.”
Her vision blurred with more tears and she absently swiped at them.
“No more tears, babe,” Cole whispered. He caressed her cheek.
“I’m happy, like I told you,” she insisted. Never in a million years did she think he’d want to marry her.
He grinned, flashing dimples. “Is that a yes?”
“Can you be happy here? I mean… I don’t…”
“Andi, you’re killing me. Can I have an answer?”
“Did you ask me a question?” she teased, regaining her composure with a breath. Joy washed over her and a giggle bubbled up.
He glared and she gave into the laugh. So, he wasn’t going to take her bait.
Cole kissed her hard. Just when she was getting lost in it, he pulled away. Colour spread across his cheekbones—was he blushing?
“Yes, Agent Lucas, I’ll marry you.”
“That’s Detective Lucas.” He cocked a half-smile.
“I know,” Andi said, grinning. “I just wanted to hear you say it. Are you sure about this?”
“I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“Thank God,” Cole said, squeezing her in his arms.
“I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby,” she whispered, looking away.
He rested a hand on her naked stomach, and she met his eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”
The baby moved and his hand followed, making soothing circles that shot a shiver down her spine. Andi cuddled closer. “You’re not scared? It’s a big thing to spring on a person.”
“I came here today to ask you to marry me. That decision was made before I even left my place. The baby shocked the hell out of me, yeah, but it changes nothing.”
She bit her lip to stave off tears. God, she hated the pregnancy hormones. She rested her hand next to his on her tummy. “Want to see the first ultrasound?”
“I don’t want to miss another moment,” Cole breathed. He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat, but it didn’t dissipate.
She slipped from the bed and he watched her naked body. God, she was stunning. Never had he thought he would ever be sexually attracted to a pregnant woman, but as Andi leaned slightly to dig in a bag on her dresser to get the DVD and her breasts swayed, his cock stirred. He wanted to run his hands all over her again. Taste her skin. Lavish attention on the place where his child grew. She and the baby were his. Ethan was his, too.
His family. His heart thumped.
Smiling at him over her shoulder, he had to restrain himself from grabbing her.
“Can you hand me that remote?”
“Sure.” He tossed it to her from her nightstand and scooted to the end of the bed, wrapping an arm around her when she sat beside him.
Andi kissed his cheek then leaned into him. She turned the TV on and an image popped up on the screen.
Cole froze.
&nbs
p; Sure, he’d seen those little printouts of a little white blob with a black background and a ruler on the side. Cass had sent him both Kelsey’s and Lacey’s, but this was different.
Movement on the screen ensnared him. His vision blurred as he fell in love all over again. When was the last time he’d cried? It didn’t matter.
Andi squeezed his hand. Cole couldn’t speak as love and wonder settled over him like never before in his thirty-three years.
A tear made its way down his cheek and she wiped it away. “I’m sorry it was my fault you missed this,” she whispered, looking down.
When he guided her face back up, her eyes were misty and his heart clenched. “I didn’t miss it. I’m seeing it now and that’s all that matters. And I’ll be by your side next time. I love you.” He kissed away her tears. A slight smile curved her lips and Cole tugged her into his arms.
“I told Dr Hayes I don’t want to know the sex. I want to be surprised, is that okay?” Andi said, tucking her face against his neck. Her warm breath tickled him and a shiver slid down his spine.
“That’s the best kind of surprise. I just hope he has your eyes.”
She lifted her face. Her lopsided grin made him smile. “Or she.”
Cole acted like he had to think about it, cocking his head to the side, and Andi poked him. “Okay, okay. Or she.” He chuckled and rubbed his pec. “That hurt, ya know.”
Her grin widened and he laughed as she kissed the spot with a loud smack.
“I still hope she has your eyes. And freckles, she has to have freckles,” he said, caressing her cheek.
She laughed. “What if he or she has your eyes and no freckles?”
“Then we’ll get it right next time.” Cole kissed her nose.
“Next time?”
“No more kids?” he asked.
Andi shrugged. “I hadn’t thought about it. I didn’t know you’d come back for me.” Her eyes flashed with pain and he kissed her hard.
She was it for him. A real family, a wife, two kids…maybe more. Forever. “You’re not a single mother anymore.”
“I’m glad.” Her smile was watery and his stomach somersaulted.