Worth Every Risk

by Laine, Terri E.

  “B-because I have not yet gone.”

  “Better yet. I’ll make the appointment and we’ll go together. Expect a call from me. Now go home.” I watch as she gets into her car and leaves. I don’t trust her one bit. Why wait to tell me only after she finds out about Violet? She’s not pregnant. This is just a ploy to try to get me back, and it’s not going to work.

  I open the door to walk back inside and practically knock Andi over as I do. She must’ve been listening on the other side. Her expression is so comical at getting caught that I want to crack up. She stumbles as I grab her arm. That’s when I notice the wine glass in her hand.

  “Sorry, I was coming to fill my glass,” she says.

  “Uh, Andi?”

  “Yeah?”

  “The wine is in the kitchen over there.” I point in the direction of the kitchen, which is on the other side of the house.

  “Oh, yeah.” She giggles. “I must’ve gotten turned around.”

  “Yeah, you must’ve.”

  I ogle her tight little ass as she sashays toward the refrigerator. Then I have to question how much of our conversation she heard. If that damn Lucia screws anything up for me, I swear I’ll … just what will I do? And what if she is pregnant? I will not leave her alone like I did Andi. Jesus, wouldn’t that be fucked up? Knowing Lucia, she probably poked holes in all the condoms just to ensure she got pregnant. She’s crazy enough to do something like that. I ask myself for the hundredth time, what did I ever see in that woman?

  Andi has disappeared into another room, so I go to find her. She and Violet are watching TV and eating dinner at the coffee table. It looks like a meal of pizza tonight.

  “Is there any left?” I ask.

  “Oh, yes, there’s a bunch left warming in the oven. I made it myself. Well, I cheated. It’s store-bought crust, but it’s really good.”

  I fill my plate and rejoin them. Violet is done and Andi is close. Violet rubs her eyes so Andi takes her off for a bath. I finish up my pizza and join them in the bathroom. Violet splashes in the tub so I offer to finish and give Andi a break.

  “I can put her to bed, if you’d like. I leave in the morning, so I’d really like this time with her.”

  Andi smiles, leaving me alone with Violet. The kid loves the water, so she splashes around until the water cools and then I pull her out of the tub and wrap a towel around her. She’s so small, I joke about losing her in it until she pokes her head out so I can find her. I put her jammies on and let her pick out a book for me to read. I don’t even get halfway through before she falls asleep. Every minute I spend with her, I am more amazed at this beautiful child. She’s truly perfect in every way.

  When I get back downstairs, Andi is gone. I head back into the kitchen and eat the rest of the pizza, then go to my room to pack for the trip. I’m in my room when I hear Andi’s, or at least I think it’s Andi’s, door banging, so I go down the hall to see what the problem is.

  “Andi, is everything okay in there?”

  “Yeah.” She giggles. “I think so. Only I can’t get the door open.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think I locked myself in.” She full-on cracks up.

  “You can’t unlock the door?”

  “I’m not sure how.”

  “Uh, Andi, have you been drinking?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “How much wine have you had?”

  “A few glasses.”

  “Okay, turn the lock,” I say.

  “There isn’t one.”

  “Hang on.” I run into the guest room across the hall so I can check out the door. I haven’t paid attention to the locks. The lever is sort of tricky. So I head back and tell her, “Andi, push it down, then back up.”

  I hear her doing it and the door opens. “That was easy.”

  She holds an empty glass in her hand. “A few glasses, huh?”

  “Yeah. This is the best wine I’ve ever had.”

  “I’ll have to remember that.” Her mouth is so close and as sexy as ever. All I want to do is taste the wine on her lips and tongue.

  “Thanks for rescuing me.”

  “You’re welcome. Just don’t lock yourself in when I’m gone.”

  Her hand flies to her chest and she nearly turns ashen. “Oh, God, I won’t.”

  “You’ll be fine.”

  “I have to admit, I’m a little scared to be here alone.”

  I lean on the door frame and say, “Max, my agent, will be checking in on you.”

  “Oh. That’s nice. Thanks.”

  “So, I’ll leave you be, then.”

  “Yeah. Okay. And, Chase?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I, uh, hope you win.”

  I slowly nod because I get the impression she wants to say more. “Oh, I had the chance to look at the video and pictures on the flash drive. Thanks for doing that. You didn’t have to. That birth, it was … it was really something. I think I would’ve been scared, Andi.”

  “I was.” She takes a step closer to me, then stops. “I was afraid she wouldn’t be normal or healthy. And then I was afraid I would be a shitty mother. But mostly, I was really afraid of telling you. Of what it would do to your career. So I just didn’t. And I so fucked it all up. I don’t think I can ever say sorry enough.”

  “Maybe you already have.” I head back to my room, thinking about everything she just said and about the birth video I watched. How can anyone go through something like that alone? But Andi did. And then she came home from the hospital with a newborn alone too. I don’t know how she pulled it off, but she did.

  When I’m back in my room, I get ready for bed. My suitcase is packed, but then I realize I need a few Ziploc bags. I like to carry them to put my liquid items in to prevent spills, so I head back down to the kitchen and to make sure the place is locked up. I make the rounds, and when I get to the kitchen, I find a little surprise in there.

  Andi is rummaging through the drawers like a cat burglar.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Eep!” She practically jumps out of her skin at the sound of my voice.

  “Jesus, Chase. You scared me to death.”

  “What in the hell are you doing?”

  “I’m looking for batteries.”

  “For what?”

  “For this.” She holds up a vibrator. I almost die laughing, but I hold it back. “Oh, what’s that?”

  “It’s my fake boyfriend. Look, I’m not gonna lie. It’s been a while. Too damn long if you wanna know the truth. Like, well since I got pregnant with Violet. I’m super horny and my damn batteries are dead. So I’m on the hunt.”

  What the hell is she saying? Since she got pregnant? That would make it the last time we had sex. What about Owen? Wasn’t he banging her? If it’s been that long, evidently not.

  “On the hunt, huh?” I walk up behind her. If she’s on the hunt, I can certainly help in that category—if she’s willing, that is. Because I most definitely am.

  “Yeah. I need some, you know?” She finally looks my way. “Holy shit. I just ran my mouth to you like …”

  I don’t give her another minute … second … to think before I spin her around and my mouth is on hers. I don’t want to kiss Andi. I want to devour her. I want to own her. I want all of her at once. I’ve waited years just for this moment. My balls tighten to the point where my knees almost buckle. But I don’t give a fuck. She’s not pushing back. So in one swift move, I pick her up and carry her to my room. It all happens so fast, I don’t give her time to back out. She kisses me back as eagerly as I’d dreamed of. The oceans that existed between us are gone in an instant, and the only thing that remains is us—two people who desperately want and need each other.

  We both frantically tear each other’s clothes off, and when we’re both bare to each other’s gazes, I can only stare at her perfection. She’s better than I remembered. Softer and curvier instead of straight. More womanly and sexy. My hands seek what they’ve missed: her face, n
eck, breasts, nipples, and following all with my lips and tongue. I drop to my knees before her and kiss her belly, the same one that carried our child. Then I move lower until I bury my tongue in her pussy. She’s already wet—drenched, in fact. My hand seeks her sex, and her moans are the best sounds I’ve heard in ages. After she climaxes, I look up at her and ask, “Was this better than batteries or not? Because I have a lot more tricks up my sleeve.”

  Twenty-Five

  Andi

  Breathless, I can barely move, let alone answer him. My head swims as the alcohol courses through me; it’s hard to discern the difference between fantasy and reality. It had been so long, I let myself go. No matter the truth of it, it’s better than my vibrator.

  I manage to nod, responding to his question. His answering grin is priceless. I can barely breathe as the tremors pass for what feels like hours rather than minutes.

  When he lifts up to stand before me, his eyes blaze like he plans to murder my pussy with his cock. As I remember, his dick has a way of filling me like nothing else.

  The dream shatters when he asks, “Are you on the pill?”

  I narrow my eyes on him, trying to focus. “That’s not very sexy of you to ask.”

  “If you want me to get you off again, you’ll answer.”

  My body craves more of him. “No. I haven’t seen any action since you.”

  “Shit, I don’t have any condoms with me.”

  I want him so bad, I blurt out, “Have you been safe?”

  “Always, except with you, and I’ve been tested.”

  “Okay, I trust you.”

  He licks his sexy lips as if tasting me again. I moan as he frees himself. His cock is hard and thick, making my mouth water.

  “None of that. I want to be inside of you.”

  He spreads my legs and hooks his arms under my knees before he lines his cock up with my entrance. His invasion has me bending my head back. I suck in air, feeling full for the first time in years as he pushes inside me.

  He curses, his neck muscles straining as if he’s holding back.

  “Damn, baby, I’ve missed this.”

  His words warm my breasts before he sucks them.

  If I could speak, I would agree with him. But then he moves and I let the sensations take over.

  Electric impulses dance across my skin as his lips kiss their way to my other nipple.

  His tongue is hot and I’m wet. I reach for his head and scrape my nails over his scalp through his thick hair.

  “Fuck me harder,” I say, all bold and confidently.

  When he does, it only makes things ten times hotter.

  “Damn, Andi, you feel so fucking good.”

  He loses himself in me as I lose myself in him.

  When he comes, it’s with a roar as my whole body quivers with another release.

  He collapses beside me before cocooning me in his arms. I treasure his heat and close my eyes against all the emotions that run through me. It isn’t long before sleep claims me.

  Sunlight spills into the room and I blink against the light. My body feels cozy, like I’m wrapped in a blanket. It’s then I see the arm draped over my hip. Chase lies beside me, and I remember how his mouth had done delicious things to me.

  I thought for sure he’d be gone when I woke. Instead, he’s here when a tiny ball of energy bursts through the room door.

  “Mama, Dada.”

  It would have been comical for how fast we pull the sheets up to cover our nakedness.

  “Violet,” I say.

  “Hungy.”

  I glance at Chase before answering, “I’ll be right there. Why don’t you get a book to color?”

  She nods and bounds out of the room.

  “Andi.”

  “Chase,” I say at the same time.

  I still clutch the blanket to my chest, unsure about what happened last night.

  “We should talk,” he says.

  “I get it. It was a mistake.”

  “No, not that. I have to get ready to leave. But I only think it’s fair that I’m honest with you.”

  “About what?”

  I fear his next words. Does he think it was a mistake anyway? Is he going to tell me it changed nothing?

  “Lucia claims she’s pregnant.” So that’s why she was here. “I’m not sure I believe her, but if she is and it’s my kid, I’m not going to miss all the things I missed with Violet.”

  Another slap in the face. Will he ever get past what I’ve done?

  “What are you saying?”

  He runs a hand roughly through his hair. “I don’t know. Other than I don’t want any lies between us.”

  With that, he gets up. For only a second, I get a perfect view of his gorgeous ass before he covers it with his shorts.

  I bite my lip as lust flares in me. He turns and smirks as if he can read my thoughts. Had I made an audible noise?

  “I’ll see you in a few days.”

  I nod, at a loss for words. I have no idea where we stand. But the ache between my legs is real. And the feelings I have for him are too. What the hell am I going to do?

  I echo that through the phone when I call Beth while Violet takes a nap.

  “Hold up, girl—what happened?”

  “I slept with Chase.” Her yawn is loud. “I can call you later. I’m sorry for waking you.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’m on break. This conversation will keep me up for sure.”

  “So what am I going to do?”

  “The Macarena.”

  “Funny,” I say.

  “Serious, girl. You got laid. I’m so proud of you.”

  “What if I told you his fiancée is pregnant?”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah.” I tell her what I know.

  “So he doesn’t believe her.”

  “He says he’s not sure. But what if it’s true? He makes it seem like he’ll marry her or something. Where does that leave Violet and me?”

  “There’s always Owen.”

  “Beth,” I admonish. “I love him. I gave him up once. I don’t think I can do it again.”

  “Then fight for him.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think he’ll appreciate if I beat up his pregnant girlfriend.”

  “So he’s really with her.”

  “No. He says he’s not. But what do I call her?”

  “The bitch that’s in the way. Even if she’s carrying his child, that doesn’t make you irrelevant. I have a feeling he didn’t sleep with you only to end up with her.”

  I might have thought the same thing a long time ago. But Chase has changed and so have I. When he gets back, I need to just ask him the question. What does he want from me?

  Twenty-Six

  Chase

  Funny how I never minded being away from home before, but now … the short time I’ve been gone seems like forever. The worst part of all is I miss not only Violet, but Andi too. I want her lips on mine and her sweet pussy wrapped around my—

  “Wilde, you with us?”

  “What?”

  “I was just saying that you played a great game today.”

  “Oh, thanks.” One of my teammates pounds my back as we leave the locker room.

  “You must be ready to get back to Italy,” he says, laughing.

  “Yeah. I’m tired.”

  “You should be with the way you ran and fielded the ball. Nice work. Wish I had those double-footed skills of yours.”

  “Thanks.”

  We’re headed out to the bus when my phone rings. It’s Andi, and I’m a little more than surprised. She’s never called me since she’s moved here. Not once.

  “Hey,” I answer, smiling. Maybe she’s missing me as much as I’m missing her.

  “Chase.” I immediately detect the concern in her tone. A chill races down my spine.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Violet.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “I’m not really sure yet.”

  “What
the hell is that supposed to mean?” My voice levels up several notches.

  “Okay, calm down, tiger.” That’s a name she hasn’t used in years. It makes me pause and take a deep breath.

  “Right. So, why the call?”

  “She spiked another fever last night so I took her to the doctor today. You know … the one we agreed on.”

  “And?” I prompt.

  “He wants to run some tests. With as many of these fevers she keeps getting, I concur.”

  The team is loading up on the bus that will take us to the airport to fly home. This isn’t a conversation I want to have in front of everyone, so I amble off to the side where I can speak freely.

  “Is this serious?” My brain doesn’t want to go anywhere that might spell devastating illness. I won’t accept it.

  “We won’t know unless they run tests to find out.”

  “Andi.” Her name rips from my throat as I feel the burn of possibilities I don’t dare think of.

  “Chase, don’t go down that road.”

  “Right. Right.” That’s what I say, but my mind is moving in the opposite direction. How can this be? I just found my daughter, and now this? Someone calls my name and I glance up to see the team has boarded the bus, except for me.

  “Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll call when I get to the airport.”

  “No, it’s fine. She doesn’t have the tests scheduled for a few weeks.”

  “What the hell do you mean? This needs to be done now.” Again, I’m practically yelling.

  “Chase, call me from the airport. You can’t do anything from there. We’ll talk in a little while.”

  How can she be so calm? I’m ready to tear heads off of some people. I stomp up the steps of the bus and flop down on the first available seat.

  “Wow. Who stole your …”

  “Shut up. I don’t need any sarcasm right now.” I pin my closest friend and teammate with a glare that would wither a pit bull.

  “Hey, you okay?” he asks.

  “Won’t know until I get home. And, Leo, I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Okay, I got it.”

  We get to the airport rather quickly, and I collect my bags and head to check in. It doesn’t take long before I’m at the gate calling Andi.