“You couldn’t have mentioned that before? That’s something I would have liked to see coming.”
He ran his lips across mine before stepping away to stand at the windows. He looked out in silence. I could see the tension working into his shoulders. He was probably thinking about the last time he’d told her about knocking up a woman and then proposing. How badly that had gone was probably rolling around in his head.
“At least she’s happy about it,” I said in a qualifying tone. “That’s something, at least.”
“She seemed happy?”
“The woman practically pressured me into getting knocked up. She didn’t even know me then and she wanted—” I cut off when Hunter turned toward me quickly. Those sexy, smoldering eyes were trained on me. “What?”
“What did she tell you?”
I made a duckbill with my mouth in thought. Did I not tell him that little peccadillo? “It was at that party a while ago. Seriously, did I not tell you this? Because I thought I had…” At his continued, intense look, I said, “Yeah, she hinted I should give you a baby. She showed me your paintings, said you should’ve gotten outdoors more often, and then said you could live again through a baby. It was pretty clear she was giving me the green light to get knocked up.”
“She said that?” Hunter’s voice was barely more than a whisper. His expression turned incredulous.
“Yeah. I thought it was weird. And she smiled when she looked at the ring. I think she’s happy, Hunter. Or else she hides disappointment extremely well. Which…I wouldn’t put past her, now that I think about it.”
“You’re sure?”
I tilted my head at him in confusion. I’d always thought him not wanting to tell his mother was a fear thing. Like he didn’t want to admit that he was repeating his past. I had no idea the fear was linked to him thinking his mother might not approve.
I thought back to the meeting of only moments ago. To her smile, her delight, and the glossy eyes. No, she was definitely a happy grandma.
“I think you should tell her,” I said softly, going to him and running my hands up his chest. “Let her experience being a grandma from the beginning with her only son. She’ll definitely take it better than my mom did.”
His look still intense, he glanced behind me. Then, without a word, he was striding away toward the door.
“I didn’t mean right now,” I said.
He leaned out the door and said a few words, but I didn’t catch them. A moment later, he stepped back inside and closed the door. Then locked it.
A thrill went through me.
His pace back was slow and stealthy, like a predator about to take down a sure meal. His eyes raked over me. In that commanding voice I craved, he said, “Get on your knees.”
Chapter Thirteen
My knees cracked against the floor I dropped so fast. My sexy systems roared to life, wanting him to take me with a desire so intense I couldn’t think straight. My breath came fast as his powerful strides brought him closer. He stopped right in front of me and undid his pants. His large manhood bobbed out.
“Suck my cock.”
I reached for him in fervor, loving this. Loving when he commanded me like this. It was so sexy and naughty. He’d mostly stopped doing it once I got pregnant. I’d missed it.
Dripping with desire, my smile showing my excitement, I crawled forward on my knees and took that velvety skin in my hand. I licked the tip before sucking it in, taking it deep.
“Look at me.”
I did as he said, stroking with my hand in time with my mouth, pleasuring him. I worked my other hand under my skirt and into my panties, manipulating myself in time to his small hip thrusts. My body wound up immediately.
“Hmmm,” I said as my lips glided over his hard length. My finger rubbed, my other hand stroked. I went faster as he shrugged out of his jacket and then unbuttoned his shirt. His delicious chest came into view, those defined pecs leading down into a perfect set of abs.
I worked harder, the visual fanning my arousal higher. I took him deep and then backed off, sucking as I did. Then back, my mouth taking him in greedy gulps.
“Yes, Olivia.” His words weren’t much more than an exhale.
I worked myself harder as I took him in faster. I stroked with my mouth, swirled with my tongue and then sucked him back in. Over and over. My body was getting ready, so tight. Wound up.
“Liv—”
I came at the same time he did, the orgasm crashing through my body and making me forget what I had been doing a moment before. As the waves of pleasure subsided, I realized that was probably a really bad thing.
“I’ve always said I wouldn’t let you come on my face. Ew.” I held my sticky hands in front of my face to hide the evidence of the final event. I really needed to pay more attention.
“Go to the bathroom and get cleaned up,” Hunter instructed. His voice was softer, but that hard command still rode his words. “I want to fuck you.”
“Yes, sir,” I said, giddy. I practically ran to the bathroom giggling like a lunatic. After a quick clean, I stripped out of my clothes. Why not?
When I went back in, I saw that he had done the same thing. He was completely naked, standing by his desk. “This is the last day where we’ll be alone in this office. Tomorrow I’ll be starting to hand it over to someone else. I want to fuck you on every available surface.”
Again, why not?
Smiling, I walked toward him, seeing his gaze dip to my growing belly.
“Fuck, I love you, Olivia.” His voice had significantly softened. “It’s hard to maintain the more severe tone you love when I see that baby, though.”
“Just talk dirty and tell me to do things.”
“Come here.”
The now soft command trickled down my spine. Feeling light, I stood in front of him. He palmed my breast before feeling down to my tummy, then further. His fingers turned toward the floor before sliding between my legs. I felt his fingers glide over my wet sex.
“Ohhhh.” My head fell back as he entered me, stroking. It was my turn.
I backed against the desk so I could open my legs wider. “Lick me, Hunter.”
His smile was quickly replaced by hunger as he dropped between my spread thighs. I knew what he was thinking—every time he tried to stay in control, I told him what to do. I wasn’t sorry.
I felt his hot tongue work between my lips, licking up my middle. I leaned back until I was lying on his desk, my knees falling to the side. He sucked in my clit as his fingers stroked inside of me. He licked, unfurling the pleasure like a flower.
“Oh my—” My breath started coming in pants, shallow and fast. I gyrated up into his mouth, feeling those fingers speed up. Feeling the friction. “Oh God,” I moaned, soaking it in. A knot in my stomach tightened, making my muscles flex. The pleasure built higher. He worked faster.
“Oh my— Oh my— Oh G—” An orgasm ripped through me, making my whole body vibrate. I groaned out my release, shaking.
He straightened and then scooped me up. I squealed and clutched his shiny shoulders. I licked up his neck until he stopped by the couch. He set me down gently and sat. He motioned me toward him. “Sit on my cock, Olivia.”
“Yes, sir,” I said as desire rushed through me again. I swung my legs to either side of his. Then slowed down. I wanted him so badly it was starting to hurt, but I wanted to make this last.
I angled my body until his tip just lightly trailed up my sex. His breath hitched. He clutched the cushions. “If you weren’t carrying my baby, I would throw you on the ground and fuck you hard, Olivia,” he ground out between clenched teeth. His hard cock was straining.
I paused. His idea was better than mine.
I would have to make him lose control.
I leaned toward him, our bodies close but not touching. I just barely ran my tongue along his bottom lip, breathing the same air. Feeling the space between us heat up. I rose up, letting his tip trace a blazing trail up my wetness again.
His hips jerked up, making his head part my folds. I backed off and then licked his bottom lip, teasing. Heat pulsed through me in waves.
“Damn it, Olivia. Sit!” His hips swung up again, but I rose up, not letting him completely enter me.
His hands smacked my butt cheeks, giving me a jolt of pleasure. He rammed me downward, filling me up in one hard movement.
“Hmm, Hunter.” My head fell back. I let my hand fall between my legs, trailing my fingers across my nub. He lifted me and pulled down, thrusting into me. “Yes!”
And then I was weightless. I clutched his shoulders as he swung me under him, my back on the couch. He was compromising, it seemed. He thrust into me again, sending shooting sparks of pleasure through me.
I moaned as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He rammed into me, hard and fast. I clutched his back, pushing up to meet his downward thrusts. Pleasure pounded into me, stealing my thoughts. Taking my control. I held on for dear life as the sensations dragged me under.
“Yes, Hunter!” I pulled his neck down to me, locking my lips onto his. His tongue entered my mouth. His body created friction within me that spiraled outward. Everything tightened. Turned to lava.
“Yes, Hunter. Oh God, yes!” I blasted apart, convulsing. I panted, holding him tight. Riding this orgasm with him.
When we’d calmed down, he gave me a long, slow kiss. He stared down into my eyes. “I love you. I’ll take you to my mother’s this weekend. No more hiding.”
Chapter Fourteen
On Saturday afternoon I sat with Pat and Janelle in the front room, sipping a sparkling water and pretending not to feel nervous. I wasn’t worried about me. I had a pretty good idea that Trisha was on board with our life choices, no matter how unorthodox they might be. She seemed to like me, too, which was a fantastic bonus. What had been getting to me was how increasingly distant Hunter had become throughout the week until he barely talked to me or anyone else today. He’d gone into work late, spent time with the new hire, come home to get ready, and then locked himself in his study.
“This is the showdown, huh?” Janelle asked in her naturally quiet voice.
“What’s his worry again?” Pat asked. She’d just finished making me up so I looked perfect for the future mother-in-law. I loved any excuse for her to come and do my hair and makeup.
“I think he’s just thinking about the past.” I chewed my lip.
“Stop it, you’ll ruin your lipstick,” Pat said, leaning forward to check my face.
“Sorry.” I rested my hand on my belly. “He keeps rubbing my stomach with a worried face. I think this meeting with his mom is messing with his head. He’s dealing with all the old pain.”
“So…he buried the pain in the past, didn’t deal with it, and now all the ghosts are exploding out of the closet?” Pat’s mouth formed an upside-down smile. I’d come to realize that this was her thinking face, not a frown. “That’s no fun.”
Or maybe it was a frown.
“Pretty much. I’m not Dr. Phil or anything, but this seems pretty cut and dry.” I chewed on my nail. Pat sat forward and slapped my hand away from my face. “Sorry.”
“But he does know that that baby is yours, right?” Janelle asked. “He’s stopped being wishy-washy about that?”
“Of course it’s hers…” Pat scowled at Janelle.
Janelle rolled her eyes. “Duh! Sorry, I meant he knows it’s his.”
“I think that’s what is keeping him sane. He rubs my belly for comfort.”
“He should’ve gone to a shrink.” Pat sipped her sparkling wine. Just because I couldn’t drink didn’t mean she couldn’t. At least, that was what she’d said when she opened the bottle.
“I think he did, but it didn’t help all that much.” I wiped some lint off my dress. “He’s a tough nut to crack.”
“You did it.” Pat winked at me.
“I have no idea how.”
Heavy footsteps sounded down the hall. Janelle sat forward, suddenly tense even though she wasn’t on duty. Hunter made her nervous. But then, he made almost everyone nervous. Except Pat, who leaned just that little bit more into the chair and sipped her drink. Her job was done.
Hunter emerged with hard eyes and squared shoulders. He glanced at me, took in the other two, and crossed toward the door. Once there, he took his coat from the coat rack, and then mine. He paused, looking back at me. “Did you want this jacket, or another one?”
“That one is fine. Are you ready?” I heaved myself off the couch. My center of gravity was already starting to shift.
He walked back toward me, ignoring the ladies. “Yes. Let’s go.”
Pat frowned. I knew what she was thinking. His tone was curt and intense, his classic business persona meant to keep everyone at an arm’s reach. He didn’t usually use it with me. It might be a long evening.
I mouthed “Bye!” to the ladies and followed after him, quiet as a mouse. I was content to let him lead, and speak when spoken to. It was safer. I didn’t know what lurked beneath these waters.
Hunter opened the Land Rover passenger door, helped me in, and then crossed to his side. Once we were on our way, his hand came to rest on my belly.
“How are you doing?” Clearly I wasn’t great at only speaking when spoken to.
“Fine.”
“I know. But really, how are you doing? I won’t tell anyone, honest.”
We stopped at a light. He looked out his window. “I know everything is fine, but I can’t help my gut pinching. I keep thinking we’re going to get there and you’ll tell me you’re leaving me and it’s not my kid. I keep remembering how fucking shitty this all felt the first time around. I hate it. I hate feeling it.”
It wasn’t like Hunter to swear like that. Telling me to fuck him, sure. But this was more vulgar, somehow. He was using the harsher words to better define his pain.
I put my hand on his where it rested on my stomach, and for the first time, I finally understood. If I lost this baby, and Hunter with it, it would create a deep and profound wound that might never heal. I’d be in misery. My world would bleed of color and I would probably do anything to escape the pain, including burying myself so deep in my work that I could never feel emotion again.
I rubbed his hand. “I’m sorry you went through that.”
He looked over at me, the sorrow haunting his gaze. A ghost of a smile touched his lips before he looked back at the road where the light had turned green. “I’ll get through it. I’m just worried there is more pain to come. I don’t really want to deal with it.”
“I hear you. Every year on the anniversary of my father’s death, it’s like the scab is ripped off. It’s a hard day. I keep thinking it’ll dull, but so far, it hasn’t.”
“This dulled. After you came, the ache dulled. It had almost gone away…”
“And then I forced your mother on you.”
“She blindsided you. I think it’s the other way around.”
It was true, but I was trying to be nice.
We spent the rest of the ride in silence. The closer we got, the more agitated Hunter became, until we pulled up right outside. His palm was sweaty where it rested on my stomach. He turned off the car and just sat for a minute. I sat with him, trying again for the fieldmouse thing.
“Tell me you’re not going to leave me, Olivia. That you won’t take my baby from me.”
“No way would I! You can’t get rid of me even if you wanted to. Seriously. I’d hunt you down for child support if nothing else.”
Hunter huffed out a laugh, looking out the window with unfocused eyes. He thought I was kidding.
After another quiet moment, he heaved a big sigh and took the keys from the ignition. “Let’s face the music.”
He guided me up
the walk and knocked on the door. It was only four o’clock in the afternoon. This was a garden party. I would’ve called it a BBQ, but I suspected I’d be the only one in this crowd that would.
“How many did she invite?” I asked.
“She said just a few from the neighborhood—whoever was available.”
“When did you call her?”
“Wednesday.”
The door opened slowly to reveal the oldest butler in the world. Father Time had nothing on this guy. And Death was probably pissed that this butler refused to come when called. Wrinkles swathed his face and gray hair grew in patches on his head.
“Mr. Carlisle, Miss Jonston, welcome.” He stepped back with a pompous air to admit us.
I had no idea why, but I freaking loved this butler. He was such a character, whether he realized it or not.
“Hello, Mr. Smith,” Hunter responded dutifully, if in a harsh tone, and directed me inside. Hunter’s whole body was tense. I shifted from side to side with nervous energy. Mr. Smith turned back to us and led us through the somewhat dated house. It was still elegant, though, and handsomely furnished. We went to the backyard, where Mr. Smith left us with a “Here you go, sir. Miss.”
“Thank you, Mr. Smith.” Hunter directed me outside. The soft sunshine from the late afternoon sprinkled over a backyard with a pool, lawn chairs, and a patio.
“She has a pool?” I asked with a wispy voice. Just my luck I realized this after I’d gotten pregnant. I had a feeling that bathing suits would be the devil for a while.
“Hey!” Mike, the construction guy, stepped forward with a crater of a smile. “Look at you!” He put out his hand to me.
With a red face, I shook his hand. “Hi.”
“You are absolutely glowing. Congratulations!” He offered his hand to Hunter next, his smile turning up in wattage. “Here’s the lucky papa.”
Hunter’s lips tweaked, a smile threatening his previous scowl. His eyes started to glimmer as an older lady came up with a delighted smile. “Oh, how exciting! My daughter refuses to have children, and my son is hopeless. He just can’t find a girl to save his life. I can’t wait to hold him or her—do you know what it is yet?”
Forever, Please (Please #4) Page 13