by Opal Carew
She rested her hand on her stomach.
He rested his hand on top of hers. A life was growing inside her. A child that hopefully they would raise together.
She’d said she loved him, so it was just a matter of working through whatever she needed to finally accept his proposal.
“When are you going to tell Liam?”
She seemed to crumple. “Do I have to tell him?”
“He is the father. It wouldn’t be right to keep it from him.”
“But if he knows I’m carrying his child, he’ll insist I move in with him and we become a family. He won’t accept no for an answer.”
Del knew that was true. If he found out she was carrying his baby, he would do everything in his power to win her back. Maybe even threaten to sue for custody of the child if she refused to stay with him. And with his money and resources, he’d probably win.
“You can’t tell everyone it’s my baby. Liam’s good at math. He’ll figure it out. Even if we lied and told him we actually hooked up the weekend of Kurt’s wedding, he’d insist on a DNA test.”
“I know. I have to tell him. Of course I do. It wouldn’t be right. I’m just overwhelmed and worried he’ll never sign the divorce papers.” She leaned against him and he slid his arm around her. “I can’t imagine how difficult he’s going to make this for us.”
“Whatever happens, we’ll see it through together. I promise you, you and I will raise this child together.”
She cupped his cheek and gazed lovingly into his eyes.
“You’ve always been there for me. I can’t express how much that means to me.” She smiled and moved in closer. “I’m so glad we’re finally going to be together.”
She ran her hand down his chest and rested it over his heart. The glitter in her eyes took his breath away.
“I’ve yearned to be with you for so long.”
His mouth turned up in a wide smile. “I’ve wanted that, too.”
He’d allowed too many things to get in the way in the past. The fact that her brother had asked him to look out for her had forced him to stomp down his growing feelings right from the beginning, but those feelings turned out to be more than lustful stirrings. They’d grown into a deep, heartrending love.
She may be carrying Liam’s baby, but she didn’t want to be married to Liam. And Del was done with being the good guy. She wanted Del, and he wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of that now. Because they both finally had a chance at happiness.
She leaned forward and nuzzled his neck. A powerful flood of emotions surged through him.
He’d dreamed of this … of taking Abi in his arms and making her his. Completely and forever. But he wanted their first time to be special. Something they’d remember for a lifetime.
Not just pushing aside their pizza and having a quick one on the couch.
But, damn, with her lips brushing lightly against the base of his neck, her soft body pressing closer to his, and—God help him—her hand stroking down his chest heading straight for his rising cock …
“Oh, fuck, Abi,” he said, grasping her wrist mid-stomach, “don’t you want to wait until after dinner when we can put on some soft music, light some candles? Make it romantic? I want our first time to be special.”
“There’s only one thing I’m hungry for right now,” she murmured, “and it’s not pizza.”
She curled her hands around his neck and slid onto his lap, facing him, her knees on either side of his thighs. The heat of her body on him, her private womanly parts resting on his rising bulge with only thin layers of fabric as a barrier, was driving him wild.
She kissed him, her lips soft and yielding.
“And every time will be special with you.” She stroked back his hair in a gentle caress.
Then she captured his mouth again. Her tongue nudged against his lips and he opened. He groaned at the feel of her soft tongue exploring his mouth and he pulled her tighter to him, deepening the kiss.
His cock was so hard now she had to feel it against her body.
She rocked her hips, gliding over his shaft.
Oh, yeah, she felt it.
CHAPTER TEN
The feel of Del’s rock-hard cock pressing against her intimate flesh as Abi glided back and forth was intensely arousing. Her panties were wet with her need.
She slid her hand down his stomach, feeling the well-defined ridges of his abs through his shirt, then she unzipped his jeans. When she reached inside his flap and wrapped her hand around his thick, hot shaft, she was delighted by how big it was. She pulled it free.
She sucked in a breath as she stroked him. God, this was happening. She’d ached for him and now she was going to feel him slide inside her.
“Sweetheart, we’re going awfully fast,” he murmured against her ear, his breath sending wisps of hair fluttering against her temple.
“I don’t think four years is fast,” she breathed, her pulse accelerating at the thought that they’d soon be joined.
“Why don’t we head to the bedroom? Let me undress you and explore your lovely, naked body slowly.”
“Later,” she murmured against his ear. “Right now, I want you inside me.”
She pulled the crotch of her panties aside, and pushed herself up on her knees. Locking gazes with him, she pressed his cockhead to her slick opening.
“Fuck, you’re so wet.”
She murmured softly as she lowered her body onto his thick shaft. His eyes glittered with heat as he filled her, slowly, stretching her as his cock went deeper and deeper.
Finally, he was all the way inside and they stared at one another, drawing in deep breaths.
It was so intense. So intimate.
She stroked his cheek.
“I love you, Del.” Then she pressed her lips to his.
His arms tightened around her and his tongue plunged into her mouth. He thrust it deep, in and out, as his cock twitched inside her. She squeezed his shaft with intimate muscles, sending pleasure skittering through her.
Then he rocked his hips, pushing deeper inside her. Driving the pleasure higher.
She tore her lips from his. “Oh, God, Del, you feel so good inside me.”
“And you feel fucking good around me, sweetheart.”
She cupped his face in her hands, then lifted her body. She began moving. Up and down. His cock gliding along her passage, stroking her. Sending waves of delight through her.
“Fuck, Abi, I’m not going to last long.”
“Me neither.” She already felt the rising tide.
She kept riding him, taking his cock deep each time. He rocked, rising as she lowered onto him. His hands grasped her hips and he guided her faster.
“Oh, God. I’m so close,” she cried.
She trembled with the intense joy swelling inside her.
“Oh, yeah. Fuck.” His cock throbbed inside her.
She squeezed him and he groaned. Joy burst through her as she surged over the edge. She moaned, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly as she rode the wave.
“Fuck, sweetheart. You’re coming.”
She nodded, her whole body trembling with bliss. He kept guiding her up and down, stoking the pleasure as she shattered in ecstasy.
“Oh, yeah!” He pulled her tight to him, groaning in her ear.
The feel of his cock erupting inside her, filling her with his hot seed, sent her to new heights of euphoria. She clung to him, moaning at the intensity of the orgasm.
Finally, she collapsed against him. She rested her head on his shoulder as he slumped back on the couch, the two of them panting.
After a moment, he twitched inside her and she giggled.
“Do you find something funny?” he asked.
She gazed up into his glittering eyes, loving the warm glow she saw there. “No. I’m just deliriously happy.”
* * *
After eating the pizza, which they reheated, they sat back on the couch and Abi snuggled into Del’s arms.
On the d
rive here, her head had been swirling with chaotic thoughts and conflicting emotions. Delight at actually being pregnant. Worry because she was pregnant again while not in a stable marriage.
She wanted to just be able to feel the joy at regaining her dream of being a mother.
Her overriding concern was Liam. How would he react?
Of course, she knew the answer. He would double his efforts to win her back. He wanted a baby and he’d convinced himself he wanted her. Now he would believe he could have both. She was sure there was no way out.
But now, here in Del’s arms, she relaxed. She wasn’t in this alone. Del would stand by her side and together they would figure it out.
He kissed the top of her head. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking I’m glad I’m here. I’m thinking that maybe, after everything that’s happened, I can actually find my happily-ever-after.” She gazed up at him and smiled. “With you.”
He smiled. “If you keep talking like that, I’ll start to get the idea that you might eventually accept my proposal.”
“I’m just worried I’ll never get out of this marriage with Liam. And if I do…” She gazed up at Del, into his warm, green eyes. “Oh, Del, do you think he’ll take the baby away from me? If I convince him we can’t be together … You know how much he wants a baby.”
“Sweetheart, I won’t let that happen.”
She didn’t know how Del could make that promise. Liam had the money and the will to get whatever he wanted.
Almost. He couldn’t have her.
But he’d be a formidable enemy if he decided to go after custody of the baby.
“Come here, sweetheart,” Del said, pulling her closer. “Don’t stress about it. We’ll figure it out.”
She felt so protected in Del’s arms. So loved.
A buzzing sounded from her purse, and she leaned over and grabbed it from the floor, then pulled out her phone. She glanced at the display and saw a text from her sister.
“It’s from Jaime.”
As she read the text, her heart rate accelerated.
“Oh, no. I was supposed to go to her place for dinner tonight. I was supposed to be there an hour ago and now she’s worried sick.”
She realized there were other texts. She dialed Jaime’s number.
“Abi,” Jaime said, as soon as she picked up. “Where are you?”
Jaime’s voice was tight with concern.
“I’m so sorry,” Abi said. “I totally forgot.”
God, that sounds so lame.
“Something came up,” she hurried on to say, “and it totally distracted me.”
“Well, it’s not a great excuse, but because I’m so relieved you’re not dead in a ditch somewhere, I’ll let it go. So head over now. I’ll hold dinner.”
“No, I can’t. I made other plans that I can’t break.”
She could sense the tension on the other side of the line … imagine Jaime’s knuckles turning white as her hand clenched around the phone.
“We made these plans over a week ago. Now you’re blowing me off? And the kids? They were looking forward to spending time with their Auntie Abi.”
Abi felt a swell of emotion overwhelm her and she knew tears would flow soon.
Was this because she was pregnant?
She opened her mouth but no words would come.
“Abi?”
“I…” The word came out a hoarse whisper, so Abi cleared her throat. “Jaime, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you and the boys, but…” Tears swelled from her eyes and her throat closed up.
Del took the phone from her hand.
“Jaime, it’s Del.” He pressed the button to put the phone on speaker.
“Del? Are you in Maryville?”
“No. Abi’s here with me in Eldridge. She’s going to be staying with me for a few days. Maybe more.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
Abi stared at Del and she shook her head. She didn’t want her family to know about the pregnancy yet. Not until she’d had more time to get used to the idea.
“Nothing. She’s fine. Something upset her this afternoon and threw her into a tailspin. She went out for a drive and wound up here.”
“Del, what is it? What happened?”
“Jaime, Abi will tell you about it later. Don’t worry. She just needs some time to get her bearings.”
“Does it have something to do with that husband of hers?” The acid tone she used made it clear what she thought of Liam. “Is he still giving her grief about the divorce?”
“It’s not my place to say.”
“It must be pretty serious because it’s not like Abi to forget plans with family.”
Abi drew in a deep breath. She had to say something. She didn’t want to leave her sister hanging like this.
“I have good news,” Abi said, her voice a little shaky.
Del’s gaze jerked to her, his eyebrows darting up.
“Yeah?” Jaime said. “Lay it on me.”
“Del and I have talked, and we’ve decided we want to be together.”
“What? Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you. It’s certainly taken the two of you long enough. Del, are you still on the line?”
“Yes,” he answered, “we’re on speaker.”
“You look out for my little sister and take good care of her. Then send her home soon so I can find out what triggered all this.”
“Will you forgive me for missing tonight?” Abi asked.
“Under the circumstances, I suppose so,” she said grudgingly, but she used her big-sister I’m-not-letting-you-off-the-hook-that-easily tone. “But I want a full account of what happened when you get back.”
“Of course,” Abi said.
“And, Abi…” Jaime’s voice had softened. “You know whatever caused you to rush up there…” She sighed. “Well, you know you can tell me anything, right? I’m always here for you.”
“I know. Thanks, Jaime.”
Abi hung up the phone and slid it back into her purse, guilt pulsing through her that she didn’t go to Jaime first and tell her about the pregnancy. Her first inclination had been to run to Del, even though she knew her family would always be there for her.
But somehow, Del was there for her in a way that was more substantial. He was the one she wanted to spend her life with, so it made sense to go to him first.
Her heart ached and suddenly tears were flooding from her eyes. Del pulled her to him and stroked her hair. He kissed her head and held her as she sobbed. His shirt was damp with her tears and he handed her a tissue. When she wiped her eyes, he took the damp one, then handed her a new one.
Still the tears flowed.
“I feel like an idiot crying like this,” she said between sobs.
“Don’t. You’re a pregnant lady. You can’t help it.”
She lifted her head and stared at him, her jaw dropping open. Was he really minimizing her feelings like that?
“You think that what I’m feeling is just hormones and—”
He laughed. “Of course not. I was trying to make you laugh.”
“By making fun of me?”
He cupped her cheeks. “I’m not making fun of you, love. I know you’re dealing with some pretty emotional issues, and I was trying to help.” His lips turned up in a charming half grin. “Hopefully I’ll get better at it.”
The second he’d called her “love” her mood had flipped like a light switch.
She rested her hand on his shoulder, feeling her eyes tear up again, but this time from happiness.
“You’re great at it,” she said softly.
He wiped an errant tear that streamed down her cheek.
“I can see this is going to be an interesting journey. Tears when you’re upset. Tears when you’re happy. I’m going to go crazy trying to figure out whether to make a joke or hug you.”
“Always hug. Then you can joke later.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He tight
ened his embrace around her and she sighed against his shirt.
“It’s okay that you didn’t tell her,” Del said.
She nodded. “Deep down, I wanted you to be the first to know. Hoping things would wind up like this. With us together.”
She smiled and leaned back, gazing up at him.
“And now, here we are.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Del grinned. Abi’s emotional turmoil was unsettling, and he hoped he’d be able to be there for her in a way that helped her.
But now seeing her smile set his heart alight. And the gleam in her eyes reminded him that they still had a romantic interlude planned.
And there was no time like the present.
“Yes. We definitely are.” He leaned in to kiss her, anticipating the feel of her soft lips against his.
Her phone buzzed.
He drew back, knowing she’d want to check it.
As she pulled it from her purse, he asked, “Is that Jaime again?”
She glanced at the display, then frowned.
“What is it?” Del asked.
“It’s a text from Liam.”
He raised an eyebrow. Why was her husband, or rather soon-to-be-ex-husband if Del had anything to do with it, texting her?
She sighed and put the phone back in her purse.
“It’s related to the divorce.”
“I assumed.”
But he didn’t like it all the same. It still stung that she’d had sex with Liam at the wedding.
“So what does he want?” Del asked.
She sighed. “At the wedding, he told me he wouldn’t even consider signing the divorce papers until I agreed to meet with him and talk about our feelings.”
“Did you talk to him about your feelings when you were in bed with him?”
Oh, shit! The moment the words were out, he wished he hadn’t said them.
She stared at him, her brow furrowed, and he was afraid she’d start to cry again.
But she sucked in a breath, steadying her emotions.
She bit her lip. “Del … I didn’t mean to sleep with him. Please believe me. I went into his room because I thought it was yours. Jaime set us up in connecting rooms so I could go in and wait for you, then tell you how I feel. But somehow things got switched and Liam wound up with the room.”