One to Protect

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One to Protect Page 15

by Tia Louise


  Now I’m sorry I said anything. “Why are you doing that? Do you think something’s wrong?”

  She pats my arm in her confident way. “Not at all. It’s strictly routine. But we do have to draw blood.”

  My nose wrinkles. “How much?”

  “Three vials. We can save that part to the end. Let’s get started.”

  She measures my stomach and takes my blood pressure, checks my hands and feet for swelling, and declares me fit as a fiddle. Then we’re off to the ultrasound room. The lights are dim, and Derek is close by my side as we prepare for the scan. We’ve opted for the 3D imaging, as it’s the most likely to show what we’re looking for.

  “I’ve warmed the gel, so it shouldn’t be uncomfortable.” She spreads the clear medium across my belly and presses the probe against my skin.

  We’re all quiet. I’m holding my breath waiting, and then it appears—his little face all beige on the screen.

  “Oh!” My heart floods along with my eyes. His features are blurry, but I’m sure he looks just like Derek. Reaching over, I pull his daddy close. Derek’s eyes are shining, and he kisses me gently before turning back to the screen.

  “Hang on and let me see what we can see here.” Dr. Mel moves the gun lower on my pelvis pushing against my skin and turning it to the side. The image on the screen shifts and wobbles, what looks like bananas pass rapidly in front of us.

  “Legs… umbilical cord…” She studies the screen, brow creased, watching. We’re all fixed to the sepia-colored show. “Come on, baby…”

  We’re waiting on the edge of our seats when she finally gets the view she wants. “All right! Here we are. Can you see this area?” She circles the screen with her pen, and we nod. “This is the spot.”

  The probe moves almost imperceptibly against my skin and the doctor nods. “That’s it. Clear as a bell.”

  Derek and I look at each other, and I hold my breath, waiting for his response. It’s not a word. He only catches my face in both hands and covers my mouth with his.

  Dr. Mel laughs as our lips part, but just as fast, he’s kissing me deeply, again and again, and I can’t help laughing, too.

  Elaine decided we had to celebrate. I didn’t tell her the sex—only that we knew, and she insisted on throwing a huge “Privates Unveiling” ceremony at her house. She even invited my mother.

  By seven, the four of us are gathered in the Merritt-Knight kitchen raising glasses of sparkling wine in a toast. All except me, of course. I have my own personal bottle of sparkling apple cider.

  “Take it easy on that stuff.” Patrick teases. “You know you’re a lightweight.”

  “I’ll pace myself.” I wink as I toss back the glass and wince. It’s too sweet, and I’ll be switching to ginger ale for my next toast.

  “Your mom said to start without her. She’d already scheduled a late appointment when I called her.” Elaine’s at the stove stirring fast, sautéing vegetables in a wok. We’re having her specialty Thai-fusion tonight because it’s my favorite.

  “I’m surprised you’re doing all this. I thought you didn’t want to know.” I pick up a carrot and snap a bite off the end while I watch her work.

  “No way! I have to know! How else will I plan the shower?”

  “Are you feeling better? About your… situation?” I’d been afraid to say anything about the ultrasound since our sleepover and her big reveal. Of course, then I acknowledged she’d kill me if I stopped giving her my baby news.

  “Actually, I am.” Her tone switches to controlled problem-solver, a.k.a., normal Lainey. “You were right. One month is way too soon to know anything. It’s also possible I was suffering from baby fever, between you and Kenny—”

  “Did you say anything to Patrick?” My voice has dropped and I glance toward the living room, where Patrick and Derek seem to be having a serious conversation. They aren’t listening to us, and now I’m intensely curious to find out what they are saying. I want to know if it’s related to Derek’s mood this morning.

  “He’s been busy wrapping up details from Baltimore, so we haven’t communicated much. Outside the bedroom.” She winks and lifts the wok, shaking the julienne-sliced vegetables onto a platter. Next in the wok go the long noodles.

  I shake my head. “Has he told you anything about what happened?”

  She stirs the noodles quickly in the vegetable stock. “He said it would be better not to tell me about it. We’re not married yet, so I’m not protected by any statues.”

  “Lainey!” My voice is a cracked whisper. “That sounds really bad.”

  She shrugs, continuing to stir. “We knew it wasn’t going to be good, right? They had to play dirty to find something to stick to your slimy ex.”

  Closing my eyes, my chin drops. My brows clutch together. “I hate this so much. I can’t help feeling like it’s my fault. Derek was an honorable man before he met me, a hero—”

  “Hey.” My friend catches my chin and lifts my eyes to hers. “You didn’t make Sloan hurt you. You didn’t send him to prostitutes. This is not your fault. And Derek is honorable. He’s so honorable he would never let some criminal get away with hurting you like that.”

  Pulling my chin away, I turn back to the living room where the guys are still deep in conversation. “I was the one blind enough to marry him.”

  “He tricked you just like he tricked the rest of us. It’s not your fault.” She spoons the noodles out on top of the vegetables. “You’re lucky you have a wonderful man now. One who won’t back down from doing what needs to be done.”

  No words come to me, so I let it go. “Ready?”

  “Help me set the table.”

  Full stomachs, glasses of wine, we’re all in the living room lounging around the fire when my mother joins us. She takes a glass of red and sits on the couch next to Lainey. I’m standing in front of the warm, orange glow with Derek at my side beaming.

  “So how shall we do this?” I look from one expectant face to the next.

  Lainey pipes up. “How about two fingers it’s a girl, one finger it’s a boy?”

  A quick look up at Derek and he grins, giving me a wink and a little nod.

  “Okay… are you ready?” My hands go behind my back, and a huge smile spreads over my face.

  “I think my heart is beating too fast.” Mom laughs and sets her wine glass on the end table.

  “Just fucking tell us, dammit!” Patrick shouts, and then his eyebrows dart up. “Shit, I’m sorry, Mrs. Jones.”

  “I was thinking that exact same thing, dammit!” Mom’s voice is a loud reply, and we all laugh then.

  Derek leans close by my head. “On three?” I nod, and he counts.

  One…

  Two…

  … Elaine squeals when he pauses.

  Three!

  Squeezing my eyes closed, I shoot my hand out in front of me. The whole room explodes with screams, congratulations, shouts, and laughter, and Derek’s arms are fast around my waist in a hug.

  My arm is straight in front of me, and I’m holding up one finger.

  It’s a boy.

  Epilogue

  Patrick

  Elaine’s hands are pressed against the shelves in front of her, and she rocks her ass in a slow ride, sending my dick even deeper into her tight opening. She’s so wet and beautiful. I’m in fucking heaven.

  The entire group is waiting back at our place, and she insisted I drive her to the only bakery in Wilmington to get a cake “because she’d had too much wine.”

  Of course she knows the owner, who said we could help ourselves to the supply closet. Our excuse is needing more blue decorations. I should’ve known when I saw that wicked gleam in her eye it was a ruse. I didn’t expect it to be no panties under the skirt that’s now shoved over her backside.

  Her ass is so gorgeous and soft. I span my hands over it as she rides my cock, wishing I was flexible enough to lean down and kiss it. Instead, I give her a pinch. She lets out a squeal, and I lean toward her ear.
<
br />   “Shh…” I whisper, sliding my hands under her shirt to tease her nipples. “He’ll hear.”

  She moans again, rocking faster when the bell on the front door sounds, and loud voices greet each other out front.

  “I think we’ve got another minute.” Elaine’s voice is thick, and at this point, a minute might be all the control I’ve got left.

  I brace the door shut with my foot, and Elaine bends forward, sending me even deeper inside her.

  “Fuck me,” I groan, releasing my grip on the door in favor of her hips.

  Seven days—you’d think it had been seven years as insatiable as we’ve been since I got back from Baltimore. We’ve done it six times, in every room of the house, in the shower… I’d forgotten how fucking shitty being separated was those few weeks we tried it. I don’t know how Derek and Mel have kept it up for so long.

  God, Elaine is so beautiful riding my cock. She arches up against my chest, and her silky blonde hair spills all around me, surrounding me with the scent of little flowers. I slide my hands under her shirt again to circle my thumbs over her breasts, and we’re laughing and groaning at how risky and fucking hot this is.

  One of Elaine’s long, gorgeous legs props on a shelf, and she groans. “Harder, Patrick…”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I’m banging as hard and fast as I can, and she moans louder. I cup a hand over her mouth, because dammit, she’s too loud. And if she says harder once more, I won’t be able to wait for her to finish. Her lips part, and my finger slips inside. She gives it a suck, and I almost shoot.

  Her body begins to jerk, and I know from experience that’s the signal. She’s with me, and I can let go, ride this wave of pleasure all the way home. “Oh, god, Patrick, Oh, god!”

  Both arms braced on the shelves in front of her, she pushes back, and I finish balls-deep in her hot pussy doing my best not to groan as loud as she’s been doing.

  “Fuck.” My voice is ragged as we collapse together. She’s giggling again, and I’ve got her hugged tight against my chest. One hand’s still clutching her breast.

  “You’re insane.” She arches, turning her head to kiss me and shoving her tongue into my mouth. This fucking woman! I spin her around and kiss her good, her back is flat against the shelves now, and she’s got both hands on my neck, pulling me closer.

  My fingers thread in the length of her hair, and I gently pull down, breaking our kiss. “Damn, I fucking love the shit out of you.”

  Her green eyes sparkle. “Patrick Knight, you have a way with words.”

  We both laugh quietly. Elaine covers my mouth, and I hear a loud voice from out front calling our names. The voice gets closer, and we both scramble to put our clothes back in place. It would not do to get caught fucking in the back of the Sugar Plum Bakery in Wilmington. Or hell, maybe it would.

  “Are you having trouble finding it?” Franklin, the owner is opening the door and pulling the cord for the light just as we’re back to normal. Well, all except for the bright red marks on my fiancée’s cheeks and neck where my lack of shaving scuffed her skin.

  Yeah, we’re pretty much busted, but Franklin pretends not to notice.

  “Look, here they are.” He grabs a box off the shelf right in front of Elaine and then turns, heading back up the hall to the front of the store.

  We duck and laugh, stealing another kiss before following him.

  “Tell Melissa ‘Congratulations from Frank,’ okay?” He rings up the bag of blue flowers, blue mini presents, and little blue balloons, and just before he hits Total, I grab two “It’s a Boy” cigars from a rack by the register.

  “These, also.”

  He nods and adds them to the bag, and in less than five minutes, we’re back at the Charger. I unlock Elaine’s door and hold it. She starts to get in but instead steps up on the doorframe, putting her slightly taller than me.

  “What are you doing?” I laugh, but she wraps one arm around my shoulders. The other hand holds my face.

  “Don’t you ever leave me again, Patrick Knight.” Her lips just brush mine, and dammit if this woman doesn’t know how to get me going. “I get too sad. And a little loopy.”

  I toss the bag in behind her and grab her around the waist, pulling her even closer. “Baby, I hope I never have to leave you again.”

  She kisses me hard before dropping onto the car seat. “I guess that’ll have to do. Now hurry up, or they’ll think we’re not coming back.”

  “Hmm… Mel’s mom’s there. We could take a detour past the beach.”

  “Don’t you want cake?”

  My eyes travel from her face down to her gorgeous legs in my car. “I’d much rather have you.”

  She reaches up, and I lean in for another kiss. “What did I do before I met you?”

  “From what I’ve heard, you almost died of boredom.”

  “Patrick!” She pushes me back, and I laugh. “Come on!”

  Back at the condo, Derek and I leave the ladies inside eating cake, planning showers, and talking nursery themes to step out on the back porch and smoke our stogies.

  I can’t resist. “So. Another little Alexander Marine on the way.”

  He shakes his head and looks down at the cherry. “Maybe he’ll take after Melissa.”

  “You mean by being as stubborn as you are?” I inhale, holding the smoke in my mouth before letting it go. “Watch out USMC.”

  He takes another brief pull. “These aren’t too bad.”

  “They’re not too good either.”

  A short laugh is all I get, and I know he’s not okay. From the deflection of a little military son to the shadow covering his smiles all night, I know what’s bothering him. I’ve known it since the night we sat at that little table in the Four Seasons drinking the adrenaline away. As horny as I’d been for Elaine, I’d actually insisted we come back early for him. I’ve seen it before, guys forgetting why we’re doing what we do. He needed to see Melissa.

  Rolling the cigar in my fingers, I have an idea. “I’m headed down to Raleigh tomorrow. I need to pay Toni, and I’d planned to give her that other money as well, be sure she’s okay.”

  He still doesn’t respond, so I continue. “Heck, if she forgets Baltimore as easily as she forgot the number she pulled on me, we’re fine. Want to ride along?”

  That catches his attention. “Sure. What time you leaving?”

  “Nine?”

  He nods. “I’ll be ready.”

  We’re quiet again, watching the trees and smoking. I know he’s not one to open up, but I’ll give it a shot.

  “You did the right thing.”

  He only continues staring out at the woods around us. At some point, he’ll have to trust me, and I’m pretty sure after what happened, that point is now.

  Plus I’m right.

  “According to who.” It’s not a question, and disgust is clear on his face. “So I’m a fucking vigilante? How can I build a home around that? Dex deserves a better dad.”

  “Fuck that shit.” I’m getting pissed now. “You’re the most law-abiding guy I know. What happened was unavoidable. It had to be done, and you know it as well as me. You’ll be the best fucking dad to that kid.”

  “Vigilante justice is not what America is about. We have laws and ways of doing things.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m over here acting like the guys we fought against. What’s worse is I allowed some girl to prostitute herself for it. I stood by and let her take it.”

  “Goddammit, stop fucking over-thinking it.” Tossing the cigar on the brick floor, I grind it out with my boot. “Toni did a job. Just like she did with me. It was all business for her. You want to make it personal. Well, it’s not personal. Sloan was a threat to Melissa and your son, and we handled it. Let it go.”

  It feels quieter after my outburst, and Derek doesn’t reply. We’re back to looking out at the trees, not speaking. Only now the cicadas have started, so it’s not completely silent.

  The door slides open, and we both turn at once. It’
s Melissa, looking ethereal in her thin white top. It’s loose to allow her body to grow, and her dark hair hangs in waves over her shoulders. She really does look like a fucking angel.

  “Hey.” Her voice is soft. “I hate to break up the pow-wow, but I’m getting tired.”

  Derek’s at her side like he’s about to carry her to the car if need be. I guess I shouldn’t judge him too hard, since I’m probably the same damn way about Elaine.

  “I’ll pick you up in the morning.” I say as they head back inside. He gives me a small nod, and I look back out at the trees. I might be the younger partner, but tonight, I feel years older.

  My partner’s mood hasn’t improved when I pick him up for the drive to Raleigh. He’s quiet and brooding, and I can’t help wondering if Melissa’s noticed the change.

  She hadn’t seemed concerned when she told him goodbye this morning. The weather’s gotten warmer, and she’d followed him out wearing a smile and one of his dress shirts over her bikini.

  “Elaine’s coming over later, right?” She’d asked me.

  I’ve got to get Derek’s head back in the game. Melissa’s too cute with her baby belly just starting to extend for him to be so distracted. “Yeah, she was getting ready when I left.”

  She nods and catches Derek’s arm. “You guys don’t be gone all day, okay?”

  “We’ll be back by three.” I call to her before climbing in the car.

  Derek pulls her close, and I start the engine. Once we’re on the road, and he’s scrolling on his phone, I test the waters.

  “Good night?”

  He only nods without looking up.

  “Checking on the office?”

  That at least makes him speak. “Mel and I’ve decided to split the weeks on Wednesday. We’ll head back to Princeton in a few days, then we’ll be back next week.”

  “How long you plan to keep that up?”

 

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