by Mia Carson
“Damn hormones,” she blubbered, yanking off a piece of toilet paper to wipe her eyes. “Damn everything. This sucks! Just pull it together. You can do this, remember? You can do anything.”
The door opened, and she tried to quiet her crying until she spotted Sally’s booted toes and heard her knuckles rap on the stall door. “Belle, dear, you don’t have to hide, not from your family.”
Belle wiped her face on the hem of her shirt before she reached up and unlocked the stall door. She stepped out, and Sally pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as the tears flowed freely again.
“I never had… had a mom. I can’t… I can’t do this, and I know Greyson’s freaking out. I am too…and what if we suck as parents? What... what if our kid hates us?” she blubbered against Sally’s shirt. “Damn, I’m getting snot… all over your shoulder.”
Laughing, Sally smoothed back Belle’s hair and handed her a handkerchief from her jeans pocket. “Oh, my sweet girl, every new parent worries about these things. It’s not just you and Greyson. I freaked out every other night when I was pregnant with him. If Richard were still alive, he’d tell you about all my meltdowns, wondering if we’d make it as a family or not.”
Belle didn’t want to say it so she kept her thoughts to herself, but maybe Sally had been right to worry a little. “Greyson thinks he’s going to be like his dad.”
“I know, and I’ve told him time and again, Richard was a difficult man to understand, but by God, did he love his kids. He loved me,” Sally told her quietly. “He took care of us even when it didn’t appear that way. But Greyson has more of me in him than Richard anyway.”
“And me? I have no idea what type of mom I’ll be.”
“Do you have any urges to abandon your baby?” Sally asked with a critical eye.
“What? God no, never,” Belle said and wrapped her arms protectively around her belly. “I’d never do that, ever.”
Sally nodded. “Good, then you’re already better than your mom, and besides, meeting your brother might clear up a few things. Who knows? Sometimes parents make difficult choices if they think their children will be better off.”
“Better than being with their own mom and dad?” she asked, not believing it was possible.
“You never know. Sometimes, life throws you a curve ball and you do what you must do to keep on going—or, in your case, give you a chance at what might’ve been a better life.” Sally hugged her again before stepping back. She wiped the rest of the tears from Belle’s face. “Now, why don’t we go enjoy our lunch? I’m sure, by the time we’re finished, Greyson will be at home ready to tell you all about your brother and how he really is your brother.”
Belle nodded and followed her back to their table. She took Sally’s advice and pushed away her worries about the future. There were more pressing matters to deal with, like meeting her older brother named Brent and figuring out how he would fit into her new life. Would he want to be a part of the wedding?
“Oh, God,” she said and slapped her hand on the table.
“What? The baby?” Carrie asked, already pulling out her cell.
“No, baby’s fine. The wedding! I completely forgot about the damn wedding!”
Carrie pinched her arm, and Belle winced, shooting her a look as everyone else at the table let out a collective sigh of relief. “For future reference, pregnant women are not allowed to freak out like that! Jesus, I thought you were cramping or something.”
Belle rubbed the sore spot on her arm. “Sorry. With Brent coming into the picture, I haven’t even thought about it. I don’t have time for all of this and the nursery. I told Greyson we have to start doing these things, or we’ll fall behind!”
“What do you think we’re doing this afternoon?” Molly asked simply. “I already have paint and brushes in the trunk, and Mom ordered a crib when you weren’t looking.”
Sally frowned, but Molly shrugged. “Fine. Fine, she was freaking out a bit.”
“A bit? That’s full-on Belle meltdown,” Carrie muttered. “And just so you also know, there’s something Greyson told us about the wedding.”
“When did he talk to you guys?”
“When you were peeing for the umpteenth time,” she teased. “We are your new wedding planners. Happy?”
Belle thought it over for a second before she sighed and nodded. “Hell yes, I am. I can’t thank you enough for this, really.”
“You can thank us if you hurry up and eat. We have a dress fitting appointment in an hour,” Sally warned her. “After you pick out your dress, of course.”
The thought of finding her wedding dress today, before she turned into a blimp, had Belle digging into her lunch so they could make that appointment. Leave it to Greyson to know she would eventually remember they’d planned on getting married as soon as the baby was born. And knowing that somewhere along the way, Belle would completely forget about it and flip out at some point.
God, I love that man, she thought and hoped the afternoon was going as well for him as it was for her.
Chapter 34
By nine that night, the nursery was painted a wonderful shade of soft green with a border stenciled around the top of vines and budding flowers. Belle leaned in the doorway, grinning. Today could not have been any better, but when Greyson’s arms slipped around her waist and he rested his chin on her shoulder, she knew she was wrong.
“You have paint in your hair,” he murmured in her ear.
“Didn’t you know? Starting a new fashion statement,” she told him, stifling a yawn. “Green hair is the new black, or whatever they call it.”
He chuckled with her. “Are you finished panicking?”
“For the moment, at least. I didn’t realize I had a team of fairy godmothers running around and that they can paint while tipsy,” she added with a laugh. The twins had brought several bottles of wine with them, and by the time they’d left, Sally was rolling her eyes and the twins were singing Adele as loud as they could as their mom shoved them out the door, Carrie bringing up the rear. “It was a good day. We even found my dress.”
“I heard,” Greyson said. “I bet you look wonderful in it, too.”
She laughed when he tickled her sides. “You won’t get anything out of me. You’ll just have to be patient and wait. Thank you, by the way,” she told him, spinning in his arms.
“For what?”
She ran her fingers through his beard, bringing his mouth closer to hers. “For meeting Brent and for allowing your mom and sisters to plan our wedding. With the game launch, the baby. and now Brent… I don’t think I could do it all.”
“Ha! She finally admits she’s not Superwoman! Would you look at that? It only took how many breakdowns and moments of tearing your hair out?” he teased.
“Shut up and kiss me already,” she told him and pressed her lips firmly against his.
Greyson kissed her back hotly, his tongue instantly sliding into her mouth and caressing her tongue in an all too familiar way, reminiscent of other parts that enjoyed such attentions. She ground her hips against his, delighted to feel him hardening for her. Belle sucked hard on his tongue as she slipped a hand down the front of his jeans and gripped him tightly. He groaned and cursed against her mouth.
“You're playing with fire, pet,” he grunted.
“When aren’t we?” she asked.
She slid her hand down his heated length, smoothing her thumb over the crown of satin flesh when he quickly yanked her shirt up over her head. It hit the floor, followed quickly by her bra. His hands cupped her breasts, and she sighed at his touch. Her hand was pulled out of his jeans and she tried to put it back, but he captured them both and turned her so her back was against the wall, pinning her arms over her head. His hand undid her jeans easily and shoved them down enough so he could glide his fingers along wet folds desperate to feel him inside of her again. They had made love early that morning, but it still felt as if she’d been away from him for days.
Greyson’s beard tickl
ed her breasts as he kissed them each in turn, his fingers rolling and tugging her clit until her breath grew ragged and her chest tightened with anticipation of what was to come. One finger delved into her depths, and she moaned. When the other followed, twisted and turning, she arched her back, ready for more.
As his fingers moved, his mouth found her nipple and clamped down tightly around it, drawing it into his mouth and sucking hard. Sharp pains of pleasure rocketed through her body, and her back arched, her hips seeking his as his fingers moved faster, searching deeper until they pressed against her g-spot with ease. Belle cried out, but Greyson’s mouth covered hers, swallowing each cry as he pushed her further over the edge and straight into the storm. Shuddering, her body went limp in his arms. The only thing holding her up was the sturdy wall behind her.
“Do you know how beautiful you look when you come for me?” he whispered in her ear, his voice rough with his own need. “God, I could watch you all day… watch you come undone in my hands.”
His words sent shivers down her spine, but she was too overwhelmed with pleasure, his fingers still deep within her, moving again until the storm raged even stronger. She gasped his name, his other hand pinning hers, merciless as he spread her lips wider, gliding his fingers over her swollen flesh. His palm pressed into her clit, and his mouth claimed hers, swallowing the moans escaping her mouth as he ravaged it. Belle could only let go as the storm took hold and her body came apart for the second time in Greyson’s hands.
Her body shaking, Greyson scooped her up in his arms, never letting his lips leave hers, and carried her to the bedroom. He laid her back and slowly removed her jeans and panties, revealing her full naked body to his hungry gaze. He licked his lips, but Belle was quicker. She scooted back down, gripping his swollen length tightly in her hands. He growled and slipped free, but she grabbed his shirt and dragged him down to the bed beside her. As their hands roamed over each other’s bodies, Belle tore his clothes from him, needing to see him, every last naked inch… touch it, taste it. As his last bit of clothing disappeared over the side of the bed, she crawled slowly up his body, licking a trail from his navel to his nipple. Her fingertip circled the pink flesh before her teeth closed gently around it.
Greyson’s whole body clenched at her touch, and he cursed, running his hands through her hair. Belle grinned, switching to his other nipple as her hand trailed lower and lower until she massaged his hip. Her body slipped to the side of his, but her mouth never stopped its exploration of his chest, his abs, tracing each line and sinew with her finger before lips and teeth followed.
His hips shifted when she grew closer to his swollen member bobbing happily before her. He tried to drag her back up his body, but she laughed and scooted lower until her mouth closed around the crown, sucking hard until she pulled him into her mouth.
“Damn it, pet,” he groaned, and his hands fell limp to his sides.
Belle lowered her mouth over him, taking in as much as she could and closed her hand around what remained. Slowly, her lips moved up and down as her hand followed, pressing deep into his body and finding that extra length hidden within. Greyson clenched the bed, and she smirked, loving how she could make him fall apart so easily.
But he wasn’t going to let her have her fun. Belle gasped when his fingers found her wetness again, and as she lowered her mouth over his fiery flesh, he moved within her, timing it just right. The idea of him filling her this way sent her arousal into overdrive, and Belle increased her pace, licking up his length as she sucked on him. He swelled each time she brought him into her mouth, but she grew wetter with every thrust of his fingers until she could hardly stand it. His hips bucked beneath her when she moaned with him firmly in her mouth.
Greyson’s hand pulled free, and Belle was rolled over gently, her legs spread with his knee, and as he lowered his mouth to hers, he thrust home, burying himself within her hot depths. Belle sighed at being filled so fully so quickly, and her nails dug into his biceps as his hips moved, setting a fast rhythm. He shifted, moving his body lower over hers so her nipples brushed against his chest. Each pass of his body only made her squirm to be closer, needing to feel his touch everywhere. She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, changing the angle, and he growled, his eyes focused solely on hers.
Within their brown pools, Belle’s heart swelled at the outpouring of love issuing from Greyson as they made love. He loved her fiercely, loved the baby she carried, loved their lives together. It was all right there for her to see, to reach out and touch his soul. Every nerve in her body felt struck by electricity when he thrust one final time. Her body screamed to be closer to him as a cry escaped her lips, echoing around the darkened bedroom. Greyson’s fierce growl followed as he held himself deep within her until he was fully spent. His warmth filled her as the storm raged over their coupled bodies before finally subsiding.
Belle laughed quietly as he shifted to the side and dragged her against his body, curling around her and keeping her safe. He was her great big bear of a man, and God, did she love him to death. Their chests heaved in time to their labored breathing, the only sound filling the silence of the house.
When she thought she might be able to speak coherently, she rolled over in his arms and kissed his nose. “You going to tell me about your talk with Brent?”
“You want to talk about it now?” he asked. “Right now?”
“You’re the one who had to wait until everyone else went home,” she said, tugging on his beard. “So yeah, I’m asking you now. What happened?”
Greyson sighed and sat up, pulling her with them so they rested with their backs against the pillows. “He’s a good guy,” he told her and smiled. “You look alike, have the same damn quirks… He’s your brother, Belle.”
Her heart thudded in her chest. “You’re sure?”
“Saw the paperwork to prove it and spent all afternoon with him, just talking,” he said. “He’s an artist, just like you, and has the same strange habit of being a workaholic, according to his girlfriend. I didn’t realize it was a family trait.”
“He’s real… It’s all real,” she said quietly, gripping his hands. “Thanks for going.”
“You’re welcome, and he wants to meet you as soon as you feel up to it.”
Belle watched his face, waiting to hear the but, except Greyson didn’t say anything else. He simply held her hand and smiled. “You’re serious?”
“I wasn’t kidding,” he said. “Your brother found you, Belle, and I think it’s time you met your family.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” she said and hugged him close. “Guess I wasn’t so alone after all.”
Chapter 35
Three Years Ago
Belle flipped through her textbook, muttering facts under her breath between sips of coffee, and wondered what made her think she could take this many classes at a time and not drive herself crazy. Carrie, her roommate from last year and, thankfully, again this year, told her she was nuts, but Belle had to stay ahead of the pack. She had to keep her GPA up and get the hell out of school on time so she could make something of herself. It was all she wanted and all she needed in her life. That one chance to take a shot and show the world what she had to offer.
Her sketchbook fluttered open on the table, and her eyes drifted to the unfinished sketch. She glared at it mocking her and turned back to her studies. There’d be time for her drawings later, she hoped.
“Excuse me, are you Belle Hall?” a woman asked, tapping her fingers on the table in front of her.
She frowned as she glanced up and met the ice-blue eyes of a woman in her forties. “Yes. Can I help you?” she asked, a strange tugging in her chest. Those eyes… They’re exactly like mine…
“I’ve been looking for you all over,” the woman said and glanced away guiltily. “After I dumped you, I mean. Oh, Belle, I’m so sorry.”
Belle’s stomach tightened, and she gripped the edge of the table hard. “Are you… wait… are you saying you’re
… my mom?”
The woman smiled sweetly and nodded, holding out her hand for Belle’s. “I am, dear, and I’ve finally found you again. My little baby girl—”
“Bitch,” Belle mumbled in her sleep, rolling over, and nudged Greyson. He was awake, listening to her toss and turn, but the cursing was new. Her face scrunched, and when he reached over to turn on the lamp, she growled out more curses and thrashed on the bed.
“Belle,” he said sternly, gripping her shoulders. “Belle, wake up. It’s just a dream, pet, nothing more. Wake up!” He gave her a little shake, and she shot up, head-butting him in the chin. She gasped in pain, and he held his chin, feeling for a bump on her head. “What the hell is going on in that head of yours?”
“Right now, a headache,” she whined. “Ouch, why is your face so hard?”
He sighed, rubbing the sore spot on his chin. “You trying to kill someone in your sleep?”
She glanced up at him through sleepy eyes and shrugged. “It happens on occasion. Sorry about your face,” she said and leaned in close to kiss the spot.
“Tell me,” he insisted.
“About what? I’m tired, need to go back to sleep… I'm meeting Brent tomorrow, remember?”
Greyson glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “You mean today, in less than six hours.”
She groaned and fell back against the bed, her arm flung over her face. “Damn, so much for sleeping. Ice cream sounds good. You want any?”
Before he could keep her in bed, she hopped out and meandered through the house, humming. His face still sore and not ready to let her off the hook that easily, Greyson threw off the sheet and followed her, his bare chest catching the moonlight pouring in through the back windows until Belle flipped on the kitchen light and blinded him.