by L. P. Maxa
“Cassie got pregnant on the pill, twice.”
“Hollie isn’t even on the pill, so there.” Wait. Why did I use that as an argument? “What I meant was, unlike you two, we use condoms, lots of them.” I unbuckled my pants, letting them fall to my ankles as I shuffled into the bedroom. “And I’m about to add two more to the pile. Gotta go, talk later.” I hung up on Declan, putting my cell on silent.
Chapter Thirty-One
Holland
I woke up to the feel of sheets being dragged slowly down my body, which made me smile. “Shouldn’t you be golfing?” I turned onto my back, making room for Brice when he settled his torso between my thighs.
“I should be, yes.” He placed kisses on my hip bones. “But the bastard brigade was really wearing on me today.” He licked his lips, taking a moment to swallow before continuing. “Turns out, I don’t like hearing them talk about your body as much as I thought I did.”
I reached down to run my fingers through his dark hair. I wasn’t sure what to say in this moment. He’d left his friends in the middle of a golf game to come home to me. Brice was serious about work, and he put in face time with those jackasses because it was good for his career. And yet they’d pissed him off, and he’d chosen me.
“Please stop looking for apartments.” He rested his forehead on my stomach, speaking softly. “I know you can’t stay here forever, but I’m not ready for you to go yet.”
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with air so I didn’t pass out. I knew he didn’t want me to leave. I knew that every time my moving out was brought up, he got uncomfortable. But never in a million years did I think he’d actually ask me to stay. I wanted to kiss him and tell him I wasn’t going anywhere. I wanted to tell him that I wanted to stay. That the thought of leaving this house, him, had made me cry all afternoon.
But I couldn’t.
Because he was right, I couldn’t stay forever. Brice Huntington certainly wasn’t looking for an eternity with anyone, let alone me. And the longer I stayed, the more time we spent playing house, the greater the chance that I was going to get my heart broken when this was over. I wasn’t naïve. I knew Declan was right. Brice and I were falling, but the problem was, we were going to land in two different places.
But I couldn’t tell him that either.
Because I didn’t want to scare him. I didn’t want to bring to light all the things that were wrong and dangerous with what we were doing.
So, in the end, I didn’t say anything.
I rolled us over, straddling his lap and kissing his mouth. His hands traveled over every inch of my body. His lips moved against mine as I sank down on him, bare.
He put his hands on my cheeks, grinning up at me with a question in his eyes. “I thought we couldn’t…”
I licked the seam of his lips, stopping the words coming from his mouth. “It’ll be okay, this one time.”
He groaned, kissing me with more passion than I’d ever felt before. He flipped us over, moving inside me. Every thrust felt like ecstasy, like it was loaded with emotion and feelings. There was no joking, and there was no laughter. There was nothing between us, and it didn’t matter. This was real. For the first time in Brice’s life, he was making love.
“Fuck, baby.” His words were whispered, his body starting to shake on top of mine. “It’s never… I’ve never…”
I brought his mouth back to mine, needing the sentiment behind what he was trying to say to stop. I knew I’d start to cry again, and I didn’t want to do that. Not right now. Not when my whole body felt like it was catching fire.
We came together, his forehead resting against mine while we tried to catch our breath. I could feel him emptying inside me. He didn’t pull out, and I knew he wouldn’t.
Because deep down, he knew what I knew, that it was too late.
I was already pregnant.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Holland
We were in the shower and Brice was washing my hair. He was surprisingly really good at it. I’d even gotten a scalp massage.
“You still want to go get drinks before dinner?” He moved us both under the spray of the water, all the shampoo dripping out of my hair and down our bodies.
“I don’t think we have time for drinks now.” I’d made sure of it. I’d kept him in bed, playing and laughing long enough for us to be running behind enough that drinks weren’t an option. “Someone kept me prisoner for too long.”
He chuckled, smoothing conditioner into my long hair. “I’m pretty sure you put my dick in your mouth, Hollie baby.” He wrapped his arms around my middle, resting his chin on my shoulder. “And I had to return the favor, that’s just good manners.”
We finished our shower, then stayed in the bathroom together, getting ready side by side like we had been for the last two weeks. I’d blow-dry my hair while he shaved. He’d take the blow-dryer from me while I brushed my teeth. He’d put gel in his hair while I started my makeup. Then he’d rest against the counter, watching me until I was done.
It was our routine, and I was really going to miss it when it was gone.
I’d learned something about Brice over the last couple of weeks, something I’d have never in a million years thought possible. He was a good man. And he was going to be a really great father. I knew he’d never turn his back on this baby. I knew it like I knew the sky was blue or the grass was green. His initial reaction would probably be a little shaky, but I wasn’t scared to have his child. This wasn’t some baby that resulted from a torrid one-night stand. This child came into existence because its parents genuinely cared for each other. He or she was created from kindness and friendship, and laughter.
I moved from the bathroom into the closet, taking the short black cocktail dress off the hanger and sliding it up my body. It was tight, but not inappropriately so. Another few months, and it would no longer fit me. I bit my lip to keep the tears in my eyes from spilling over.
I needed to go to the store and get a pregnancy test. Make it official and all that. But I knew it would be positive. I’d thrown up then promptly fell back asleep. When I woke up, I’d felt fine, so I’d gotten out of bed and started looking for apartments. But then it became really hard to see the computer screen through all my tears.
I’d laughed out loud, wiping my eyes and asking the empty house what was wrong with me.
And then, it was like the house answered me back. I’d tossed the computer aside, thankfully not breaking it, and lunged for my phone. I pulled up my calendar and then I had to sit down because I was three days late. That’s when I knew the truth. I was pregnant. And I knew it was Brice’s. Trevor and I hadn’t been together in over a week before I caught him cheating. He’d had a big gallery show he’d been working on nonstop. He’d sleep while I was working, and then he’d be at the studio by the time I got home.
Stupid me, I’d been proud of his work ethic. I thought the fact that we could go a week without sex meant our relationship had reached a new, more adult, plane of existence. But he’d probably been fucking random chicks in his studio while I slept peacefully and in love upstairs.
“Baby, your phone is going off.” Brice called from the bedroom. Baby. He’d been calling me that more and more lately. It made me smile when it used to make me want to junk punch him. Idiotic hormones.
I took a deep breath, smoothing my dress down and carrying my heels into the next room. I went to reach for my phone but Brice stepped in front of me, his eyes wicked.
“You look fucking edible.” He ran his hands up my thighs, gripping my ass under the short dress. “How am I supposed to concentrate on anything other than how badly I want to slide inside you? You’re bad for business, Hollie baby.” He scraped his teeth over my jaw, squeezing my ass tighter as he moved against me. “Do you feel what the mere sight of you does to me?”
“Mmmm, I do.” I reached down, palming his rigid cock with a smirk on my face. “But if you don’t get dressed, we’re going to be late. And I’m guessing tardi
ness is frowned upon by the men who hold your promotion in their hands.”
He groaned, his shoulders slumping. “You’re right.”
Brice went back to getting dressed and I unplugged my cell from the charger. I had a text from Cassie, which wasn’t really all that unusual. Not that we talked every day like most girls did with their friends, but we kept up with each other’s lives.
Cassie: How’s it going? Does Bricey seem nervous? Don’t let him drink too much before the dinner, okay?
Aw, well, that was super sweet. She was worried about her big brother. I wiped at my eyes when more stupid tears started to pool.
Holland: We didn’t go for drinks. I was sick this morning, and then we were kind of running behind. He’s getting dressed now, but he doesn’t seem nervous.
Horny, as always. But not nervous.
Cassie: You were sick? Are you feeling okay?
Holland: Totally fine.
Most likely pregnant AF, but otherwise totally fine.
Cassie: Wait. Are you pregnant?
Oh. Was she fucking psychic? I hadn’t even said it out loud, or taken a test to mentally see that second pink line. How in the ever-loving hell did she know?
Holland: Why would you automatically jump to that conclusion? Maybe I ate bad seafood last night.
Cassie: Did you eat bad seafood?
No. I ate cheese-and ranch-covered popcorn, which makes a lot more sense now than it did while I was asking Brice to make it around midnight.
Holland: No.
Cassie: Oh my god. You are pregnant.
Holland: No I’m not.
Cassie: You’re lying.
Holland: How could you possibly know if I was lying? We’re texting. You can’t see my face.
Cassie: I can tell by your tone. You are so completely knocked up.
“Hey, you ready?” Brice came out of the closet, adjusting the sleeves of his white button-down. He looked classically handsome, and I wanted to mount him.
“Yeah.” I shut off my cell phone and shoved it in the tiny little bag I was going to use as a purse tonight. “You look quite dashing, Mr. Huntington.”
He crossed the room and placed a kiss on the side of my neck. “And you look sexy as fuck, Hollie baby.” He winked as he took my hand and led me out of the house.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Declan
I threw open the front door and called out for my wife. “Cassie.”
“Dec.”
“Cass?”
“Declan.”
I rounded the corner and came to halt. My adorably pregnant—seemed the pill didn’t really work for us—perfect wife was standing in the kitchen with her hands on her hips, looking pissed.
“There you are.”
“There I am? No. There you are.” I was equally as pissed. “Where is Wyllie?”
She poked me in the chest. “He’s napping. Which is a good thing because I’m about to kick your ass.”
My eyes got wide. “Kick my ass? Your brother knocked up my best employee.”
Cassie shook her head. “Oh no you don’t. Your stupid friend knocked up my only female friend.”
We stood there, staring at each other, both pissed at a bad situation. But not really mad at each other. Cassie started to smile, which caused me to start laughing. “Brice is a moron.”
She shrugged. “He’s a moron who’s in love, and terrified.”
I pulled her into my arms, kissing her sweet lips. “He helped us when we were too stupid to see what was right in front of our faces.”
Cassie snorted. “You mean when you were too stupid?”
I nodded. “Yes, princess, when I was too stupid.” I took a step back. “So what do you say?”
She smiled. “I say, payback’s a bitch.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Brice
Hollie looked hot as hell, like so good it was literally distracting. We were sitting beside each other at Mr. Klein’s massive dining room table. His wife was friendly and engaging, but Mr. Boston’s wife was not. I was pretty sure she was high, probably pills of some sort. She was slurring her words a bit, which by itself wouldn’t be comical, but the fact that no one was acknowledging it was making me want to laugh every time she spilled her martini while she was gesturing with it.
“Holland, how long have you and Brice been together?” Mr. Klein’s wife was smiling at us with little hearts in her eyes. She’d instantly taken to Hollie when we’d arrived. Ushering her into the sitting room and making her a drink.
“A couple months now.” Hollie glanced at me, smiling and playing the girlfriend part perfectly. “But I’ve known him for, what, seven years?”
I chuckled, kissing the back of her hand. “It’s been a long time, that’s for sure.”
“Seven years? And you only now started dating?” Mr. Klein reached over and wiped up another slosh of gin his partner’s wife had spilled. “What took you two so long?”
“Oh, Brice was a bit of a player.” Hollie smirked sweetly, taking a sip of her water. “I think we all know what I’m talking about.” She winked at Mrs. Klein and the woman hid her laughter behind her white napkin.
Little brat was throwing me under the bus and winning them over even more. I could tell they were enjoying her candid honesty.
“I suppose knowing someone for that long means you know all their faults.” Mr. Boston narrowed his eyes, letting me know he’d had more of a problem with my extracurricular activities than Mr. Klein.
“Yes, well.” Mr. Klein nodded. “All that’s over now, I presume.”
I put my arm around the back of Hollie’s chair, rubbing my thumb over the bare skin of her arm. “I’m a changed man, sir.”
“The love of a good woman will do that to you, son.” Mr. Klein covered his wife’s hand with his, giving it an affectionate squeeze.
Hollie turned to look at me, her eyes going soft before she moved her attention to my bosses at the other end of the table. “I don’t think I changed him. I think we changed each other.” She put her hand on my thigh. “Brice has always worked hard and played even harder.” She laughed lightly. “But he didn’t stop for me. I’d never have asked him to change. He stopped for himself. And I think that makes it all the more special.”
My heart was fluttering in my chest and I had that same urge to kiss her senseless. Hollie was making me sound way more amazing than I was. The promotion was in the bag. We’d both known that as soon as we arrived. So she wasn’t doing it to convince these people of anything. She said it because she believed it, because she wanted me to hear it, not them. She was something else, this gorgeous girl of mine.
Mr. Klein held his wineglass up with one hand. “I’d like to propose a toast.”
We all followed suit, raising our glasses in the air.
“To Brice, our newest Vice President of Mass Market.” He paused, winking at Hollie. “To his future, with our company, and with the wonderful woman at his side.”
***
We are all in the sitting room. Mr. Klein was at the wet bar in the corner making us after-dinner drinks. Hollie was next to me, and I had my hand on the inside of her thigh. I didn’t care if it wasn’t appropriate. I needed to touch her.
I wanted to bail on this last round of drinks in favor of taking my girl home and fucking her until she could no longer walk. Maybe if I could accomplish that, she’d let us skip my mother’s charity ball tomorrow night.
I was about to lean over and whisper in her ear to ask her, but Mr. Klein was heading our way with two brandy glasses in his hands. I didn’t like brandy, but the man had announced my promotion not twenty minutes ago. Which meant I was going to drink it with a smile on my face.
“Brice.” He passed me mine, and then gave one to Hollie. “Holland, have you ever had brandy before? Not many people your age can stomach the stuff.” He turned, going back to the bar as Hollie gagged beside me.
I squeezed her thigh, trying to get her attention. “Are you okay?” I was speakin
g low, trying not to draw attention to the fact that she was pale like she had been earlier that morning. “Are you going to puke again?”
She shook her head, her hand covering her mouth as she gagged a second time. “No.” She clenched her jaw, passing me her drink. “Keep this away from me and I’ll be fine.”
I took her drink, draining it before Mr. Klein could look our way. I handed her the empty glass and she took a deep inhale of non-brandy-scented air.
“Oh, did you like it?” Mr. Klein chuckled. “It’s more of a sipping drink, but that’s okay.” He had the bottle in his hand and he quickly walked over and poured Hollie another three fingers. “I like this girl, Brice.” He winked. “She has good taste.”
Hollie gagged again, this time really fucking loudly.
“Dear, are you okay?”
She smiled tightly. “I, um, can I use your…” She gagged again, covering her mouth with her hand.
“It’s the third door on the right, down that hallway there.” Mrs. Klein was on her feet, her palm rubbing circles on Hollie’s back as she helped her to the restroom.
I stood, setting my glass down. “She wasn’t feeling well this morning.” I went to follow them as Mrs. Klein was coming back into the room. “I should really get her home.”
Mrs. Klein linked her arm with mine, patting my hand kindly. “Oh, she’ll be okay, dear.” She pointed at Mr. Klein. “I couldn’t stand the smell of his brandy when I was pregnant either. It’s awful.”
I let the kind woman lead me back to my seat. And then I smiled when she put the offensive brandy back into my hands. Why did everyone think Hollie was pregnant? She couldn’t be pregnant. We were careful. We used condoms and I pulled out…well, when I remembered to pull out, I did. Although she hadn’t made me wear a condom today, had she? She’d told me it would be okay and I’d believed her.