Body Lock: A Bad Boy Romance

by Leah Holt

  “What?” I asked, looking around the street, watching the sidewalk. A habit I had started since that damn note showed up.

  “My phone, I want to text Mia to tell her how freaking awesome the appointment was.” Her head almost went all the way into her purse, face buried up to her brows with the zipper.

  “I'm sure it's in there, maybe it's time to clean your suitcase?” Reaching for her shoulder, my eyes walked around us. “Did you check that ti—” My voice was lost, eyes holding steady, breaking down an image off in the distance.

  “Check what?” Cadence's voice was muffled, blocked by the fabric.

  No. It can't be.

  Blinking rapidly, I squinted hard to make out the face. Against a lone tree, tucked off the curb was a silhouette. An outline I was all too familiar with, one I had pushed away.

  Nico?

  Fuck.

  Biting my lip, my eyes thinned, lids lowering in anger. Leaning against the bark, I could swear it was him. An unnerving fucking smile formed over his jaw, fingers picking at his nails with a small pocket knife.

  Meeting my gaze, his lips drew in, sneering higher on one side. A cigarette was clenched tightly between his teeth, the smoke billowing out in long smooth bursts. Pulling it out of his mouth, he flicked it into the street.

  Inside I wanted to charge him, kick him clear in that shit eating grin he was wielding. My fists balled by my sides, muscles ready to explode.

  “Quinn?” Cadence wrapped her fingers around my forearm, pulling me back in.

  “Hm?” Glancing away for a brief second, I looked over at her.

  “Check what?” she asked, head still glued to the inside of her purse.

  “That tiny pocket.” Cocking my neck up, I zoned back in on the spot he was standing, eyes trying to seek him out.

  But he was gone.

  It was as if he was never even there, a figment of my imagination... Or maybe it was just my head finally crumbling to my paranoid delusion that something bad was brewing.

  Am I going fucking crazy?

  “Got it, nice call.” Holding out her phone, she stood oblivious to what had just taken place. Running her fingers over the screen, Cadence started typing. “Ready?”

  Wrapping my arm tightly over her shoulder, I tugged her firmly into my side. “Yeah, let's go home.” Walking in the opposite direction, my head kept turning over my shoulder, looking for his ghastly image with his stupid fucking smile.

  “What are you looking at?” Cadence turned to follow my eyes, looking at everything and nothing.

  Pushing my lower lip out, I let him vanish, not wanting to worry her. Fuck, I wasn't even sure if he was there to begin with. “Nothing, I just thought I saw someone I used to know, but it wasn't him.”

  She seemed satisfied with my answer, not pressing me further, and not seeming to notice the extreme discomfort riding my spine.

  But I could feel it, tensing around the bone, turning my nerves from stagnant to alive in one quick snap.

  The last thing I wanted was to worry her, or give her any reason to stress out. It wouldn't do her or the baby any good, and Riley was the only place her head needed to be.

  He was there. I know he was there.

  The letter started to sink in, and it all made sense to me. Our past wasn't over, it wasn't held behind thick iron, fizzling down to nothing.

  Our past was still burning in the flesh, festering in the eyes of my enemy.

  And he was sent back to finish what had been left as an open wound.

  That mother fucker. I'm prepared, I'm more than prepared.

  I'm fucking ready to hand his ass to him.

  ***

  Cadence stood in the kitchen, fixing the handle of a broken mug. “Shit.” Her voice was soft, fingers rapidly tapping against each other.

  “What'd you do?”

  “Nothing...” Her hands kept clicking, rubbing together quickly.

  “Doesn't sound like nothing.”

  Turning to face me, her body slumped against the counter. “I glued my fingers.” Her voice was a whisper as she spoke into her chest.

  Laughing, I said, “You what?”

  “I glued my fingers.” Holding out her hand, she wiggled her fingers slightly, small bits of white paper poking off each tip.

  Standing to walk towards her, I couldn't shake how fucking cute she looked right then. Her big belly was pressing against the middle of her dress, tits large and plump, spilling over the neckline. Cadence's hair was pulled back into a disheveled bun, loose strands framing her face, tickling her neck.

  “Awe... You need some help?” Curling my lip down, I playfully gripped her fingers, picking at the broken paper.

  Snapping her hand back, Cadence laughed. “No, not if you're going to make fun of me.”

  Turning back to the counter, her head leaned down, exposing the back of her neck. The soft skin looked warm, tempting, easily attackable. Dipping in, I laid light kisses across her throat, gently lapping her taste.

  I loved the way she tasted, every inch was sweet and memorable. A kiss landed right at the base of her skull, and I felt her shiver. Planting another behind her ear, her head lolled on reflex. “What are you doing?” Cadence's voice came out in a single breath, her fingers gripping the edge of the counter.

  “I'm not doing anything.” Settling another kiss on the skin of her collarbone, goosebumps jumped up, rising like the peaks of mountains. My tongue danced up her throat, hand sliding into her hair.

  “And I'm supposed to believe that?” Tilting her chin up, her eyes looked like glass, flirting and sexy.

  “I don't know what you're trying to say.” Biting her earlobe, a gasp replaced her voice. Her body pushed back into my chest, lips parting with a heavy exhale.

  Digging my nails into the roots, I tipped her head back, kissing her throat with demand. Her body rocked, wrapping a hand around my head, and digging her nails into my nape.

  “Quinn.” Her voice was lost, hushed under the sexiest coos. “Fuck, Quinn.” Each nip of her body, each time my lips met her skin, she became weaker, using my frame to hold herself up.

  I fucking loved this woman, and the reaction I caused deep within her. And for some reason, with her body having changed, our baby in her belly...

  She was even sexier.

  I didn't think it was possible for Cadence to get more beautiful, but she did.

  “God, you're so fucking sexy. Say it again.” Holding her stomach, I reached around and squeezed her tit.

  Cadence's eyes snapped shut, tongue running over her bottom lip before biting down. “Quinn.”

  “Again.”

  “Quinn.”

  Biting her throat, I twirled my fingers deeper into her hair. “Louder.”

  “Quinn.” She spoke with need, pressing her ass against my hard cock.

  “I could listen to you say my name forever.” Running my fingers over her ribs, I slipped them around to her ass. “You're a naughty little thing aren't you?” Nodding yes, she couldn't speak. Her backside ground against my length, the thick muscle pushing back.

  Her skin was flushed, cheeks bright as cherries, and warm to the touch. Splaying her hands out on the counter, she leaned forward, tucking her belly under the ledge. “Fuck me, Quinn, fuck me right now or I'm going to lose it.”

  It was crazy to see her sexual desire in this stage of her pregnancy. I'd been preparing to have it turn nonexistent, for it to fade away until long after the baby was here.

  For as much research she had done about being knocked up, I also did some of my own. But she seemed to be on the opposite spectrum of what I had read.

  She wasn't losing interest in having my cock, no. Cadence was becoming more and more horny, begging me to fuck her, begging me to take her.

  And it was hot as hell.

  Slipping my hand between her thighs, I thumbed her clit, drawing gentle circles. Her thighs began to shake, back arching hard. Her sweet spot was tender, wet, dripping with desire.

  Speaking slo
wly into her ear, I said, “You're my world, Cadence, you're my life.” Wrapping my arm around her belly, I held our baby firmly. “And now this will be our life. I love you.”

  “I love you too, and I don't want to ruin the moment here... But if you don't fuck me now, I'm seriously going to just do it myself.”

  Chuckling, I undid my pants, pressing her chest down hard onto the counter. “That's one thing I wouldn't mind watching.” Tugging them down, I lifted the back of her dress.

  A thin pair of panties was all that was protecting her, all that was keeping her pussy hidden from me. Flicking the seam to the side, I pressed her opening.

  But Cadence didn't wait, she couldn't wait.

  Shoving her ass back, she forced me deep inside, a moan instantly escaping through her lips. Rocking against me, I let her ride my cock, taking it at the pace she desired.

  Her ass bounced as it hit my lower belly, her pussy greedily devouring my dick in hard, fast pumps.

  She took control, fucking me, giving her body what it so desperately craved. I felt her getting close to climax, her hips rolled, eyes fluttering under her lashes. Digging her nails into the counter, her moans came out short and powerful.

  My cock became even harder—if that was at all possible—tingles formed in my stomach, my toes curling into the floor to keep steady.

  With one final thrust, I felt Cadence go limp, her legs shaking beneath her, face laying flat on the counter. And in the same moment, I let the sparks hit my lungs, cascading through my muscles as my cock throbbed its life deep into her pussy.

  The feeling that hit my entire body was more intense than anything I had ever felt in my life.

  Because it came from a place that was made for her, a place that had room for only her.

  Cadence was the life that made my heart beat, she made the air worth breathing.

  We didn't just fuck, we made love.

  This was love.

  Chapter Twenty

  Cadence

  I couldn't figure him out, and I'd been trying.

  Quinn had spent the better half of last week looking over his shoulder, looking over my shoulder; I didn't like it.

  He wouldn't tell me what that damn note meant, but I knew it scared him. And that fear hit me hard, he wasn't someone who got nervous or freaked out.

  But he was, and I could see it, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

  “Quinn?”

  No answer.

  “Quinn?” I said again a little louder.

  Still nothing.

  “Quinn?”

  “What's up, Babe?”

  Finally... Geez. “What are you doing?”

  “I'm putting together the crib, want to help?”

  Stepping into the nursery, I sat on the rug, crossing my legs. “I can't believe he's going to be here so soon. The room's looking great, I love the jungle theme.”

  Smirking, Quinn twisted in another screw, lifting up the finished wall he created. “Well, it only seems fitting for him.”

  “And why's that? Because he's been relentless in making sure I'm bruised from the inside like a wild animal?”

  “Because...” Resting the portion down, he crawled on his hands and knees across the floor. Settling himself close to my cheek, he spoke warm words against my face. “His father is a wild animal who can't get enough.” Kissing my cheek, he rolled his tongue down my jaw line, and over my throat.

  The sensation tickled, sending prickles over my skin. Giggling, I swatted a small blue pillow at his head. “You are an animal, back off.”

  “I can't help it, you're so fucking gorgeous.” Sitting on his haunches, Quinn patted his growing cock. “Down boy, she said not now.”

  “Yeah, I'm so gorgeous... All the extra ankles, stretch marks and pot belly are a very attractive look.” Rubbing my stomach, I leaned back on one hand.

  “It is, and you don't have extra ankles. Everything else is a beautiful mask you're wearing for a little longer.” Plopping down beside me, he rested his arms on his knees.

  “A mask?”

  “Yeah, that look on you is incredible, I love it. That's my baby in there, and seeing you this way... I don't know, it just does something to me.”

  My belly growled, the noise loud and fierce. “Yeah, it does something to me too, want to go grab lunch?”

  Smiling, Quinn hopped up, holding out his hands to help me to my feet. “I really mean it, Cadence, you look incredible. Maybe it's some weird feral thing that gets me so excited, but either way, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” Cupping my cheeks, he kissed me with such passion, such love, I almost fainted.

  It wasn't just a kiss with his lips; it was felt in my body, my heart, my soul.

  As he pulled away, I fanned my face. “Whew! Did it just get hot in here?”

  “That depends, how hungry are you?” Tugging my waist into his, he pushed our most sensitive buttons together.

  And as if the world was sending us a message; the baby kicked, my stomach roared, and a cramp hit my lower back. Gripping my side, I leaned forward. “We might need to postpone this.”

  “Are you alright? Is it the baby?” The stress in his voice was apparent, riddled with anxious nerves. Lines shot up across his forehead, his big brown eyes full of worry.

  “I'm fine, it's just another false alarm, those damn Braxton Hicks.” Lifting back up, I arched my back to stretch it out. “But I am starving, can I get a rain check on your other offer?” Laughing, I elbowed Quinn in the gut.

  “You're sure it's not the real thing? I mean you are due any day now.” His hands squeezed my ribs, eyes scanning my body as if he would notice something I wasn't telling him.

  “I'm sure.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I just know, call it instinct, but it's not happening yet.”

  Nodding his head, he said, “Alright, well let's feed the little guy, maybe then he'll be happy and leave us alone so we can play later.”

  Walking wasn't something I wanted to do, but I needed food. That's all I want to say about that.

  Stepping around the corner, Quinn and I headed towards the diner we had informally decided was our place. The sidewalk was crowded as always, people shuffling like schools of fish following an imaginary ocean current to their destination.

  Quinn had become my moving wall, directing people around me so he didn't have to worry about my stomach getting hit in a way that could harm the baby. It was cute, and his protective nature made me smile.

  Letting my eyes dance around the buildings, the people, the many sights this city had to offer, I let my master deflector open a path for me to stroll aimlessly through.

  I knew baby brain had grabbed hold of my thoughts, my head was flickering between things we still needed to do, things that didn't really matter—like the ugly curtains I hated in our living room—And of course, the images of food.

  Holding my stomach, I felt the grumble grow and spread across each muscle. “I'm so hungry.”

  Thump.

  I was stopped dead in my tracks, Quinn's arm pressing against me, halting us from moving any further. “What are you doing? Why did you stop?” I couldn't see around him, he was blocking my view, but I knew we weren't at the crossroads of another street.

  Quinn's head just stayed forward, hand digging its grip into my arm. His back was firm, standing straight as an arrow, his free hand tensed and tightened, balling up.

  “Quinn, what is it?”

  No answer.

  Not again.

  Where's his head today?

  “Talk to me Quinn, what's wrong?” I tried to look around him, but other people were stopping too, sandwiching me in.

  Then he spoke, his voice low and dark. “Turn and walk the other way.”

  Who is he talking to?

  But there wasn't a separate response, no other voice came in our direction.

  Is he talking to me? Am I supposed to turn and walk the other way?

  His fingers dug into my jacket
, fisting the fabric. “There's no point in this, just leave.”

  My brain was turning, the wheel smoking trying to figure out what the hell was going on. But there was nothing to make sense of.

  Standing on my toes, I looked over his shoulder, and had the air sucked right out of my lungs.

  Nico.

  Fucking Nico.

  “Quinn, let's go home.” Tugging his jacket, I tried to pull him back.

  Ripping his arm free, Quinn wouldn't look at me, he kept his eyes right on Nico. I wasn't sure if he was afraid to break his gaze for fear he'd do something to us, or if he was just afraid to lose sight of Nico in the crowd.

  “If you don't leave right now, you're going to wish you did later.” Quinn's voice held something I hadn't heard before. His tone was thick, his words clear and concrete.

  He wasn't speaking in empty threats, he was speaking in pure blood-red rage.

  Nico grinned, tilting his head just enough to notice. “You got my letter, you knew this was coming.”

  His letter?

  “No. Not now. Not ever.” Taking a step forward, he pushed me to the side, trying to use the crowd as my protection.

  “There's still that debt, Quinn. You didn't follow the rules, you lost. Now I'm here to collect the payment.”

  “Fuck you, you're not touching her. Try, and I'll fucking kill you.” Quinn's teeth ground into his jaw, the words spilling out from the back of his throat.

  Nico let out an evil, sadistic laugh. “You think that's going to make this all go away?” Lunging forward, he held his arms open, welcoming Quinn in. “Come on, you're a big man, you're so good at what you do, let's go.”

  I wanted to stay on the sidelines, but I couldn't. I wasn't going to let him think that I would ever just give myself up for him to take. “Nico!” His head shifted to me, eyes slit tight. “Go fuck yourself, this is over, it's been over.”

  “No, Sweetheart, it isn't over, not until you come with me. We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way.” His empty eyes rolled in the sockets, washing back over Quinn. “Your boyfriend seems to want to do it the hard way.”

  “She isn't his anymore, he's lost everything, and that includes her. There's no more debt, Nico, there's no more Ground Game, there's no more Macro. It's over!”