by M. Clarke
“And you know what else?” I started to giggle, baffling Matthew. I was sure my eyes sparkled from the excitement of telling him about the story. “There’s this part when he places his hands on Skylar’s stomach and gives her erotic tingles everywhere. How awesome is that? I bet he can make her climax just by a simple touch. What an amazing power. And of course he can kick ass and electrocute the monsters they call vultures.”
“Seriously? You like to read stuff like that?”
“It’s called a young adult paranormal romance. And yes, I do.”
“You know what I like to read?” Matthew’s tone became flirty again.
“Boring business magazines,” I replied, trying to push him away just to be a pain. Although I liked being in his arms, I wanted to give him a little challenge. I liked it when he fought back. I knew it was childish of me, but it gave me the satisfaction of knowing that he would fight for me.
“Nope. You’re so wrong.” Matthew shifted his body weight. He was now hovering over me, pinning my arms above my ahead against the pillow. “I like to read stories about Becca.” His eyes pierced into mine with heat and lust. “I’m going to read you like a book, and lick every word off your body. From chapter to chapter, I’m going to tease you and then leave you hanging like a cliffhanger. I might even give you a teaser to the next book if you beg.”
Holy shit! That was one of the sexiest things Matthew had ever said to me. I could feel my heart thumping faster, my blood pressure rising, and I was lusting for him. My lips were gravitating toward his, which were inches away, but he pulled back.
“Pretend I’m Mason,” he said. “I’m going to give you one hell of a shock. You’re going to feel the power of my electrical bolts that I’m going to shoot through you, but not just with my hands...I can do it with my tongue. When I’m done with you, book boyfriends will never cross your mind. Real boyfriends can make you feel things book boyfriends never could.”
Fuck! I almost exploded, and I was wet and ready for him. When Matthew gave me a satisfied grin, I knew he saw the look in my eyes. I wanted him...now! No matter how many countless book boyfriends I had, Matthew topped them all. He continued to show me that he was the perfect model of what a book boyfriend and real boyfriend should be.
“But before I do,” he continued, “a couple of things. We’re having dinner with my parents this Friday night. I want them to meet the woman I would do anything for.” He paused. His eyes glistened. My heart became full at that moment, expanding as I took a deep breath from his loving words. I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled. “Then you can have me all Saturday morning, but I have to go somewhere in the late afternoon. Now...no more talking.”
Rewarding me with a sexy grin, Matthew spread my legs with his knee. His animalistic wild beast side took over as he practically yanked my clothes off. Matthew’s kisses were passionate, yet filled with hunger. He was rough as he nipped and sucked on my lips. I thought he was going to swallow me up.
“I can’t get enough of you, Becca,” Matthew growled as he continued to bathe my neck down to my nipple.
I yelped in pleasure when he opened his mouth and took a mouth full of my breast while his other hand tenderly caressed the other.
“I’m going to electrify every inch of your body,” he groaned.
With his teeth, he grazed ever so slowly down my stomach, causing all sorts of tingles to every nerve, every fiber of my being. With the tickling sensation added to the pleasurable feelings, I was beyond ready for him. When I dug my fingers into his shoulders, he got the message to spread my legs. And what he did next...oh my God! Matthew was not gentle tonight for sure. He sucked the hell out of my clit, to a point he had never done before. If he wanted to prove real boyfriends were better than book boyfriends, I would have to agree: at least Matthew was.
Jenna
“I don’t know what to wear,” Becky said, pouring hot water and dumplings into the strainer. The local Chinese restaurant sold freshly made dumplings. Little did we know we could order them in frozen bundles...many thanks to Max and Matthew for giving us that information. I should be starving since I had hardly eaten all day, but it didn’t look appealing like it used to. My morning sickness was still there.
“What to wear as in...when we go to Max and Matthew’s parents’ house?”
“Yes,” Becky said, fanning the steam with her hand. She looked over her shoulder to me when I didn’t respond. I was too worried about how Max’s parents and my parents were going to respond to my pregnancy. After all, we weren’t high school kids. We were responsible adults with careers. Maybe we’d messed up on the responsible part, though.
“Well?” Becky narrowed her eyes at me, assuming things. I knew her thoughts were correct, as usual. She knew me too well; it was as if she could read my mind. “I hope you’re not thinking about whether Max’s parents are going to approve of this early marriage and the baby. They already know Max proposed to you, and he told you they were happy about it. You even had dinner together.”
“I know,” I sighed lightly, handing her two plates. “They were happy about his proposal, but having a child before marriage...I’m worried about that. Knowing them, I’m sure they’ll be fine. I don’t know why I feel so nervous.”
After running cold water on the dumplings, she used a ladle to scoop them up and place them on the plates. “Not that many,” I said. “I’m still nauseous.”
Becky nodded in understanding. “I know why you feel so nervous.”
“Why?” My eyebrows arched, already knowing what she would say.
“Because...you are a good girl. Getting pregnant before marriage is frowned upon. It’s something an irresponsible person would do, and you’re not that at all. Somehow you see it as something you did wrong, and not Max. That is the kind of person you are. You’re putting the blame on yourself when the finger should be pointing at the both of you. To tell you the truth, nobody really frowns upon pregnancy before marriage any more unless you’re a teenager.”
I knew Becky was right, I just didn’t want to admit it. Taking the plates to the table, I said, “I know. Maybe you’re right.” I went back to the kitchen to get glasses of water and walked back out with Becky, who brought out a dish that she’d heated up in the microwave.
Becky put the dish on the table and sat down. “They call this Chinese broccoli. I love this vegetable.”
“I had that before with Max. I call them long, skinny trees. But they don’t look appetizing right now.”
Becky let out a short laugh and placed some on my dish. “Try...for the baby’s sake.”
“Okay, Mom,” I joked.
I didn’t know if she heard me. Suddenly, she looked at me as if she realized something that she hadn’t before. “You didn’t tell your parents, did you?”
I stabbed a fork through one of the dumplings, dipped it into the soy sauce, and took a nibble. “No, not yet. I wanted to see how his parents would respond first. My mom is going to want to know how they reacted. She’ll want to know that they have embraced the news so that it will make it easier for her to do the same. My dad is pretty easy going, so I’m not worried about what he will say.”
Becky took a sip of water and nodded. “I understand. I really do. Just don’t think that this is your fault and don’t think there is any fault to being pregnant. You told me before that you were so worried that you couldn’t. Well …” She swallowed the bite she’d just taken. “Embrace it. You’re supposed to be glowing. It’s not good for the baby to be sulking. Happy Mommy makes happy, healthy baby.”
“Thanks.” I smiled at Becky. She was right. I just needed to hear it.
“When’s the due date?”
“November. A week before Thanksgiving day.”
Becky’s eyes twinkled with delight. “See,” her tone went up a notch, “a Thanksgiving baby.” She let out a hearty laugh. “Even your baby is trying to tell you something.”
Smiling from her words, I looked down at my stomach, which would be g
rowing soon. “Yes, my baby is.” I looked up at her again. Becky’s mouth was stuffed, chewing as fast as she could while trying to tell me something. Nodding, chewing, and pointing a fork in the air, she mumbled a few incoherent words. All I heard was “… dumplings are so good …”
I had to admit it, they were. After I nodded to agree, I spoke again. “I’m going to answer your question that you asked me earlier before you changed the topic. I think you should wear whatever you want. You’ll look beautiful no matter what.”
Becky’s head tilted in a shy manner with a smile, but it was more of a thank you gesture. She was never shy, or at least not that I knew of. When she finally swallowed, she asked, “What should we bring? This is my first time.”
“Since you’re driving us there, we can stop by the bakery and the floral shop. We can bring a bouquet of assorted flowers and stop by JJ Bakery. They make the best cake. Their frosting is the best, not too sweet. The cake melts in your mouth.”
“From your description, sounds like you’re craving a piece,” Becky said.
“Maybe my baby wants cake.”
“Baby must have food first. Eat some more. You hardly ate.”
“Yes, Auntie Becky.”
“Auntie Becky. I like the sound of that. I promise to be the best auntie.”
My eyes started to pool with tears. “Thanks, Becky. That means a lot to me. Blood is not thicker than water for sure.”
“Nope. I love you as if you were my own sister. You mean the world to me. Don’t you ever forget that.”
Becky’s words made the tears I tried to hold back fall. Wiping them away, I said, “I won’t.”
Chapter 12
Becky
My heart thumped out of my normal beat; sweat dampened under my armpits. It was difficult to concentrate on the road ahead. The closer the GPS indicated we were to Matthew’s parents’ house, the faster my blood pumped through me. What was the matter with me? I’d never been so nervous in my life.
“Becky...you missed the exit.” Jenna laughed out loud. The bouquet of flowers she was holding in her lap was practically blocking my view of her so that I had almost forgotten she was there.
“Oh shit. I’ll get off at the next one and just go local.” I paused to look at the time. “Oh no, we’re going to be late.”
“Becky, it’s okay. I already texted Max to tell him we were running late.”
My shoulders immediately relaxed. I exhaled a deep breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.
“We’re here. Turn right at the light,” Jenna directed. She must have noticed that I wasn’t even looking at the GPS. I was in my own world...again. I had to snap out of it, or I was going to make a big fool out of myself.
When we got there, Jenna rang the doorbell. I knew Matthew’s parents were well off, but holy crap! They lived in a mansion, the kind you would find in a magazine that you could only dream about. For some reason, this made me even more nervous.
Before the door opened, I quickly ran my fingers through my hair, straightened my sweater dress, and asked Jenna if I had anything on my teeth. Her lips pinched together, trying not to laugh. “Don’t worry, Becky. They’ll love you.”
Just as she said her last word, the door opened.
“Hello, Jenna,” a lean, well-dressed lady, wearing black trousers and a magenta cowl neck sweater, greeted us. She had beautiful blonde, shoulder-length hair and was a little bit taller than Jenna. After she gave Jenna a hug, she turned to me and offered one, too. “You must be Becca. I’ve heard so much about you.” I had to smile at that. I wanted to tell her my real name, but decided not to. After that hug and seeing her beautiful friendly smile, I became relaxed.
“Mrs. Knight, it’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Matthew and Jenna.” Even though I really hadn’t other than the fact that Jenna told me that she was really sweet, I fibbed. Matthew and I mentioned our parents, of course, and the topic of them came up, but we never went into details.
Mrs. Knight’s cheeks turned a little flushed. “Call me Ellen, and please...come in.” She stepped aside.
I tried my best not to gawk, but I couldn’t help it. The foyer was absolutely beautiful. From the crystal chandelier, to the table that held a tall vase, and the double staircases, I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the house looked like. Having been on her yacht, I already knew she had elegant taste.
“These are for you,” I said, “but we’ll help you carry them to the kitchen.”
“Thank you. You shouldn’t have.” Her eyes beamed with happiness. “Max and Matthew are in the backyard. They don’t know you’re here. I wanted to say hello first.”
After we set the dessert and the flowers on the counter, I was re-introduced to Carlos. He clearly remembered me from Valentine’s Day. His friendly greeting and smile indicated that he did. I didn’t know why I felt so embarrassed...maybe it was the fact that he knew Matthew and I had sex on the yacht.
“You can go out this way.” Ellen opened the door for us with a smile. Before we had a chance to take a step, a tall man appeared. At first I thought it was Max, but it was Mr. Knight. The resemblance was uncanny. With salt and pepper-colored hair, he was dashingly handsome. If this was how Max would look in his older years, Jenna was very lucky.
“Jenna.” Mr. Knight was excited to see her. After giving her a hug, he turned to me. “And you must be Becca. It’s a pleasure to meet the first woman Matthew has brought home in a very long time.” Mr. Knight reached for me with uncertainty, but when I leaned toward him, he embraced me warmly.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Knight,” I said, still in his arms.
Mr. Knight released me with a grin. “The pleasure is all mine. Please, call me Rob.”
I smiled at that and turned when I saw a body from the corner of my eyes. Knowing it was Matthew, I diverted my attention away from Rob.
“Becca.” Matthew planted a quick kiss on my lips.
Matthew kissing me in front of his dad made me feel embarrassed all of sudden. It wasn’t like he smothered me; it was just a peck. Perhaps it was the fact that his parents were a well-known couple...a couple I’d admired and read about in the newspaper.
“Good to see you, Becca,” Matthew said, his eyes piercing mine, bringing me back to attention. I could see so much affection for me in those eyes. Sometimes I wondered if he was real. Did I really get lucky this time? Was this forever?
“Time to eat,” Ellen said, walking out of the kitchen back door with Carlos.
Matthew seized my hand and took me to the table where Jenna, Max, and Rob were already seated. Had Matthew and I been staring into each other’s eyes that long? Time seemed to stand still when he looked at me that way.
The backyard was bigger than I had imagined it to be. With a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, and a section for golf, this could be a mini vacation place, especially when the palm trees and the décor made you feel like you were on a tropical island.
Most of the dishes were already displayed on the table. Carlos brought out the last one and headed back in. There was more than enough to feed the six of us. I was very grateful that they would go out of their way for Jenna and me, to make us feel welcomed.
“Please, help yourself and eat plenty,” Ellen said, handing the plates to us.
Matthew took the initiative and started scooping food on my plate. No guy had ever cared enough to put food on my plate before. This wasn’t the first time Matthew had done this, but every time he did made me feel even more blessed and special. Seeing Max doing the same thing for Jenna made me respect him as well. When I saw Rob doing the same for Ellen, I knew that Max and Matthew must have learned this simple but meaningful gesture of love from their dad.
“Thanks,” I said softly.
“Becca,” Rob started to say until Max interrupted.
“Dad,” Max chuckled. “Becca’s real name is Becky. Matthew likes to call her Becca. I thought you should know.”
“Oh.
Sorry.” Rob leaned back into his chair, looking slightly embarrassed, then took a sip of his wine.
“That’s okay,” I said quickly. I glanced at Matthew with a small laugh. “I’m getting used to it. I kind of like it.”
“Then, Becca it is.” Rob clapped his hands happily with a smile and crossed his arms on the table. Leaning forward, he looked like he was dying to ask a question. “Your job seems very interesting.”
I stopped myself from placing a piece of steak in my mouth. “I love my job. Though sometimes it can be stressful, much like any job, I get to read stories created by many talented potential authors.”
“Is there any particular genre you like to read?”
“Young adult paranormal romance,” Matthew blurted, then shoved a broccoli in his mouth. He had no idea everyone was gawking at him since his eyes were on his food. Till...it was so silent that he finally figured it out and looked up. “What?” He chuckled. “I don’t read that stuff. Becca told me about them.” He shrugged his shoulders and got back into his food.
After laughter was shared at the table, it became quiet as we dug into our food.
“Jenna and I have good news to share with everyone,” Max said all of a sudden. After he’d gotten all of our attention, he spoke again. “As you all knew, Jenna and I are engaged. We’ve decided to move up the wedding date.”
“That’s fantastic.” Ellen’s eyes sparkled. “When?”
Max held Jenna’s hand, kissed the back of it, and gave her one hell of a sexy wink. It was his way of letting her know everything was going to be fine. He was so sweet that way. Then he turned to his parents. “We didn’t plan this, but we’re happy about the news I’m about to tell you.”
“What is it?” Rob asked impatiently. “Max, you’re killing us. Stop rambling.”
Ellen’s eyes were watery. Her hands covered her mouth as if to stop saying what she wanted to say. She definitely knew what was up. At this point, I was afraid for Jenna. When Jenna placed her head down, I knew she’d seen Ellen’s reaction. I was nervous for her. Please let Ellen’s expression be a happy one. It was hard to tell.