The Core Four Series

by Stacy Borel

  His large hand went back and forth. Dodger rubbed down his length, his hand twisting slightly as he stroked over the head. I wanted to make this more for him, so I reached between my own legs and touched myself. I slid my finger between my folds. I was slick and warm. Dipping the finger inside myself, my legs quaked.

  “Macie,” he warned. “Stop touching yourself, or I won’t last.”

  “I can’t.” I closed my eyes and shifted my hips to assist myself finding the spot that I needed touched.

  He rubbed himself harder and faster, his eye lids fluttered and I knew he was getting close.

  “I want you inside me now, Dodger.”

  He didn’t even hesitate. He grasped my sides firmly, and I reached back taking a hold of him, lining him up to my entrance. When the head of him slipped in, he hissed.

  “God, it’s tight.” His head dropped.

  He tried to go slow at first, allowing me time to adjust to his size. It had been a while since I’d had a cock inside of me. Dodger’s resolve broke about half way inside. He slammed into me so hard it was deliciously painful. I had to fling my hands back up onto the wall to hold myself in place. He was seated deep inside me and I could feel his restraint.

  “You doing okay? Too rough?”

  Was he kidding? “I’m pregnant, not disabled. Fuck me, Dodger.,” I growled at him.

  I didn’t have to ask twice. I looked over and watched in the mirror, seeing my wetness on his cock every time he pulled out. He’d go just to the tip, then push back in. He did it over and over, my body being used. The spot in me was building and I could feel him swelling inside me. When he let go of my hips and grasped my boobs, pinching my nipples, I toppled over the edge. My orgasm slammed into me so hard, I screamed. Dodger wrapped his arms around me, holding me up, and groaning. He came so hard that I felt his legs lock up. His body was slick with water and sweat and he panted with his forehead against my back. His cock jerked with mild mini orgasms as he came down. Come was trickling down the inside of my thighs as gravity did what it does best.

  “Fuck, Macie. I needed that.”

  I giggled, my pussy clenching around him. He groaned. “Well, don’t hold out so long next time.”

  He lightly slapped my ass. “Let’s drain this water, refill and clean up, then head to bed.”

  “Mmm, sounds perfect.”

  He pulled out of me and helped me sit back down. Once the water was refilled, Dodger lovingly used a wash rag and wiped down every inch of me. I couldn’t feel luckier. Even if he wouldn’t let me swing a sledgehammer. Maybe when the baby was out of my body, I could find another wall to knock down. That was way more fun than I expected.

  Chapter Fourteen

  THE WEEKEND WAS nearly over, and I’d just woken up to an empty bed. I had no clue where Dodger was, but my eyes had been open point zero-seven seconds and my stomach was already growling. I smelled bacon coming from the kitchen. Hmmm, my man must’ve gotten up early and made me breakfast. I got up and put on my robe and slippers. Trudging out into the kitchen, there was a food box with a note beside it, and the Keurig was on with a cup and coffee ready to be brewed. The note read:

  How he signed it made me giggle. He wasn’t full of himself at all. I leaned over the counter and breathed in deeply. I couldn’t smell the pancakes, but the scent of bacon had my mouth-watering. After brewing my coffee and adding the creamer, I grabbed a fork and syrup and sat down in my usual spot at the breakfast table. My first bite into the crunchy salty bacon had me closing my eyes and moaning. God, this hit the spot. While I downed my breakfast, I looked at the wall and the hole I’d created. The whole things made me smile. I was glad it would be gone and the house would feel more open. While it may have been a little absurd how I went about doing it, the end result was going to look fabulous.

  The house was really coming along. After the baby shower, I put away and assembled everything in the baby’s room. It was the only space that hadn’t been completed until now. I couldn’t wait to add our little guy and make him a part of everything. Dodger said we could go to the store today to get the last odds and ends we needed. Small things like a pacifier, a few bottles, a can of formula in case breast feeding didn’t go well right off the bat, and I wanted a simple but decent first aid kit to keep in the house. Never know when you’d need it.

  I heard the front door open and shut. A very sweaty Dodger came in panting, and headed straight to the sink. He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and chugged the whole thing. He exhaled loudly.

  “Whew, that was a brutal run.”

  I smiled at him. “How come?”

  “It’s still chilly in the morning, so there’s a bite in the air.”

  “Gotcha.”

  He winked at me, and came over to kiss the top of my head. “Sorry, I’d hug you, but I’m gross and need a quick shower. How was your breakfast?”

  “It was so good. Thank you.”

  He moved around the kitchen, filling another glass of water, and making himself a cup of coffee.

  “You save me any bacon?”

  “Save bacon? Is that even a thing? The bacon is currently digesting and I’m sharing it with your son.”

  He knew I’d eaten it all. “Well, better him have it, than it goes to my ass.”

  “Hey,” I scolded as I got up from the table to put my dishes in the sink. I patted his butt on my way by. “Don’t talk bad about that ass. I happened to love it.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll be right back. I need to get cleaned up.”

  When he walked out, I wiped down the table and finished making his coffee. I loved our morning routine when we were both home. We moved around each other like a perfectly synchronized dance. As I was about to walk out of the kitchen and to our bedroom to brush my hair and teeth and get dressed, Dodger’s cell phone rang. He’d left it on the counter.

  I was never the type of girlfriend that ever snooped or spied on my guy’s phone or things. I just assumed they always were honest with me, and if they weren’t, the truth always came out. Dodger had given me no reason to not trust him. Something in my gut nagged me to turn around and look at the screen. The ringing had stopped and I was still paused near the hallway. I was having an internal battle whether to be nosey or not. Not a but a few seconds after the call had ended, his phone started ringing again. It gave cause for alarm because it could have been his mother or father with an emergency. Walking over and picking it up, I gaped at the screen. It was not at all who I expected and my stomach dropped.

  It was Dana.

  I was standing in complete shock, and for the first time in my life, totally unsure what to do. The phone was in my hand and the call ended. Was I supposed to put the phone back down and act like I’d not seen anything? Or did I march into the bedroom and act like a pissed off, jealous girlfriend demanding answers? I didn’t even have time to consider my options when it started ringing again for the third time. Snapping out of my reverie, I did exactly what Macie Rosewood would do.

  “Why in the fuck are you calling my boyfriend’s phone?” I growled.

  Sniffling was on the other end. “Where’s Dodger?”

  “I’m not falling for your shit. I’m going to ask you again, why are you calling his phone when you were told not to?”

  “He told me he’d help me. I just need to talk to him.”

  “I don’t think so. Find somebody else to tell your sob story to.”

  I hung up. My adrenaline was pumping and my hands were shaking. Was that bitch serious? She’s lucky I wasn’t already in my car on my way to where she was to confront her. I startled when the phone started ringing in my hand again.

  I pressed “slide to answer.”.

  “Are you fucking dense?” I hissed.

  “Macie, I don’t care what your crazy pregnant ass is trying to do, but I need to talk to Dodger now.”

  “You’re kidding right? You realize you’re so fucking fired after pulling this stunt. You understand that, right?”

  “Macie, who i
s that?” Dodger came walking in with a perplexed look.

  Dana started screaming through the phone his name. His brows furrowed as he came toward me and tried to take the phone.

  “No.” I hung up. “You tell me why Dana is calling you when you told me she had been informed of the rules.”

  “I don’t know. She hasn’t called me since that one day.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  He held out his hand for me to give him his phone. “I’ve never given you a reason to not believe me. Why would you start now?”

  The phone rang again. I screamed and raised my arm to throw it across the room. He came forward so quick I couldn’t jerk my hand back before he snagged it from me.

  “I swear to god, Dodger, if you answer that phone, I will walk out of that door right now.” My chest was heaving up and down, and I meant every word.

  He shook his head. “Are you serious?”

  “Look at my face, do I look like I’m kidding?”

  “Macie, come on. Let me just see what she wants.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”

  “No.” I started firmly.

  He sighed. The phone stopped ringing briefly before it started again.

  “Okay, this is ridiculous. I want that girl gone. Do you understand me? I will not wait around for you to make this choice.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me. I guess he wanted to call my bluff because he put the phone to his ear and said, “Hello?”

  Unbelievable. Well, no way was I going to stick around to find out what Dana wanted. She’d been told that she was never to call his phone when he wasn’t supposed to be at work. With these calls, I drew the line in the sand and he knew my comfort level. And right now, it felt like he just punched me in the gut. I bit down on my tongue to prevent myself from crying. Instead of yelling at him, I left him to his conversation. I blocked out whatever he was saying on his end. I heard him raising his voice, but none of it mattered. It felt like he’d picked her over me.

  I walked into our bedroom, threw on some stretch pants and pulled on a shirt. Throwing my hair up, I walked out, grabbed my keys and left. I knew right where I was headed. Dodger was at the front door when I’d pulled out, but he could go fuck himself. I wasn’t stopping this car. He might as well have handed me the keys to drive away.

  When I pulled up to Keegan and Camden’s apartment, I got out and rang their bell. I heard the dog start barking. Camden answered and took one look at my face and his brows furrowed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  God, he was so much like his brother it wasn’t even funny. Tears pooled in my eyes as I stood there. Camden glanced behind me as if looking for his brother. His expression softened when he saw that I was alone and distraught.

  He took me by my arms and led me inside. “Come in.” When we were both inside, I heard Keegan yell from upstairs.

  “Who was it, Babe?”

  “Keegan, come down here please.”

  I sniffled and wiped my eyes.

  “Does my brother know you’re here?” he asked.

  “No. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him.” The dog was wagging his tail at me excitedly trying to get my attention. I patted its head.

  “Macie.” He almost sounded like he was pleading with me.

  I heard feet coming down the stairs. “Oh hey, Macie. What are you doing?”

  When she got closer to me and saw my face, she rushed to my side. Her arms automatically wrapped around me and she brought me to sit on the couch.

  “Honey, what happened? Where’s Dodger? Are you okay?”

  “He’s at home, probably still talking to that cunt.” I tried not to yell.

  Camden hung out in the kitchen giving us our space, but listening.

  “Who are we talking about exactly?” Keegan asked.

  “Dana. Who else?”

  “Okay, what happened?”

  I heard the coffee maker going, and Camden started doing dishes.

  “Dodger had just gotten home from a run and he was in the shower. His phone started ringing off the hook, so I finally went and checked to see who it was. I was worried maybe his parents were trying to get a hold of him or something. Dana was calling. And she didn’t just call once, she called over and over.”

  Keegan sat up straight. “You’re kidding. She knows that’s not allowed.”

  “I know.” I deadpanned.

  “What did Dodger say?”

  “Well, I ended up answering the phone and she asked to talk to him. She sounded like she was crying or at least fake crying. I told her to find someone else to call. But she wouldn’t let up.”

  Camden had stopped what he was doing and came around the island to sit on the ottoman next to Keegan. He was all ears and listening now.

  “Did she say what she wanted?” he asked me.

  “No. She just kept saying she wanted to talk to Dodger. He came out and saw me on the phone. ” My body quaked. My nerves were completely shot and I was struggling to come down from my anger. “Camden, I swear to god if you don’t fire her—”

  He didn’t even let me finish the sentence. “She’s gone. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. Okay?”

  “Just like that?” Keegan asked, astonished that he was so quick with that answer.

  “Look at her, Keegan. Nobody needs to be this worked up over someone. I was there when Dodger told her what his hours were and defined when it was acceptable to call him on his cell phone. Dana was reprimanded and she signed an agreement that she knew what was expected of her. So yeah . . . just like that.”

  Keegan smiled. “Oh, see, honey, you have nothing else to worry about.”

  I tried not to flip out on her, but I couldn’t help my frustration. “Keegan, are you fucking kidding me? I have everything to worry about. While she may have signed some stupid paper, Dodger is the one that is bending his own rules and allowing her to call him!”

  “What do you mean?” Camden leaned forward.

  “He took his phone from me and she called again. I told him I was leaving if he answered.”

  “And?”

  “Am I sitting here on your fucking couch?” I put my hands on my stomach.

  The stress of the morning was catching up to me. My body’s reactions were now affecting the baby. He was moving all over the place kicking me, reacting to my residual adrenaline. Poor baby. This was all Dana’s fault. How did my morning go from perfect to complete shit?

  “Okay, I get it,” Camden said. “Well, you can stay for as long as you need to, but if he calls, I’m not going to hide the fact that you’re here.”

  “Cam,” Keegan pleaded.

  “No. I feel for everyone involved here, but that’s my brother and she is carrying his child. He has a right to know where she is. I’m sure he’s already out searching all over the place for Macie.”

  “I doubt that.” I wiped at my puffy eyes. “He is probably wherever with Dana, saving her from her burning house.”

  Camden took his phone out of the pocket of his gym shorts he was wearing.

  “Who are you calling?” my best friend asked.

  “Dana.”

  Keegan snorted in disgust, while I glared at him. He shook his head at me and put his finger in the air. I flung myself back on the couch, and the dog jumped up to cuddle next to me. Probably sensed my tension and was trying to soothe me. When he set his phone down I looked at him expectantly.

  “She didn’t answer. But don’t worry, I’ll be letting her know as soon as I get a hold of her that she’s worked her last day at The Dugout.”

  I kept my mouth shut. Her being fired may have been something he thought would make me feel better, but it didn’t. I was anxious knowing that I’d left Dodger, and he likely went to help her. The very idea made me want to run to the toilet to throw up. I wished he wasn’t the type to feel like he was someone’s savior. Sure he was there for me whenever I needed him to be, but m
aking exceptions for someone that was an issue for me was more than I was willing to compromise.

  Camden got up and asked me if I’d like something to drink.

  “No, thanks.”

  “You probably should drink something, and try and settle a bit. This kind of stress is not good for you or the baby.”

  “I know. I just wish I knew where he was.”

  As if divine intervention was taking place, the doorbell rang.

  Camden strode over and answered. I heard Dodger speaking.

  “Where is she? I know she’s in here.”

  Camden blocked the entrance. “Yeah, she’s here, but she doesn’t want to see you.”

  I hadn’t actually told him I didn’t want to see Dodger, but he did well answering for me.

  “Well, that’s just too damn bad.”

  “Dodge, you really messed up, man. What in the hell happened?”

  I tried to peek around him from where I sat on the couch. The dog oddly hadn’t gotten up to greet Dodger when he showed up. He stayed by my side with his head in my lap. Animals were good at sensing things.

  “Dana called. I told her to never talk to me again.”

  “Why did she call in the first place?”

  “Camden, would you just let me in so I can talk to Macie.”

  “No can do, bro.”

  Judging from Camden’s rigid stance Dodger was doing something he didn’t like.

  “Bro, if you don’t get out of my fuckin’ way, I won’t hesitate kicking your ass until you move. Either way, I’m here for my girl. Now move.”

  I saw Camden nod. Shit, he was coming in. When Dodger came into view, the tears welled up in my eyes all over again. Keegan gave my hand a squeeze and she stood up from the ottoman and went to Camden’s side. Dodger and I made eye contact and I saw him swallow hard. I must look as rough as he did. His hair was ruffled like he had dragged his hands through it a million times.

  “We’ll be in the other room if you need us.” Camden looked at Dodger. “If you upset her, I’m not going to hesitate in throwing your ass out of here. Understand?”

  Dodger wasn’t going to answer him. He was busy staring at me, almost like he was trying to read if I was okay or not, and how he could approach me.