“You don’t know what you’re asking for, Ayden. If Izzy finds out were together and I’m pregnant, she won’t stop until she destroys everything.”
“Let her try. She’s never going to come between us again. I won’t let her. I know what’s important, Mia, and I will protect what’s mine.”
One of his hands brushed against my hip. A second later, he touched my tiny bump. The heat of his hands warmed my skin, even through my shirt. I found comfort in it and the laughter that filled my ears.
“Wow.” He readjusted his hand and pressed lightly. “I didn’t realize you were already showing.”
A mixture of excitement and disappointment played on his face. I knew he was happy about our child, but he was disappointed with what he’d missed. From finding out about my pregnancy when I did to discovering the little bump below my navel, my actions had caused him to miss out on certain milestones. Knowing as much gutted me.
How could he forgive me?
~Ayden~
The little mound below Mia’s waist made my heart stutter. All through Izzy’s pregnancy, I never touched her belly. There wasn’t much to feel anyway, and even if there had been, I didn’t want any part of it. This time it was different. This was my child growing inside Mia.
When her face came into view, my throat constricted. My hopes, fears, and love for Mia got the better of me. I didn’t want to lose it in front of her, but the moisture collecting in my eyes blurred my vision.
“You have no idea how much I love you, do you?”
“I won’t deny I’ve questioned it a time or two.”
Her response made me chuckle, though I wasn’t sure she’d meant for it to be funny. At least it kept me from making a fool out of myself. Men weren’t supposed to cry, but after what I’d almost lost, I didn’t know how to express my relief or my love for the mother of my child.
As I pulled her close and touched her silky skin, I thought of our relationship and how it had developed since we’d met. “We’ve loved and lost each other more times than we should have. It’s time for us to get our shit together, not just for this baby, but also for our own sanity.”
“How is that even possible? When Izzy finds out—”
I pressed my finger to her lips to silence her fears. “We’re not worrying about anyone else right now. This is about you, me, and our child.”
Sliding my finger down her lips, I pressed mine to them in a soft kiss. Her body lost its rigidness and she relaxed in my arms. When I pulled back this time, her eyes remained closed.
My heart took an extra beat.
“Maybe our life won’t be perfect. I’m sure there will be struggles along the way, but isn’t that what builds a strong relationship? We have to grow together, learn to compromise, accept each other at our worst, and push each other to be better. As long as we’re together, we can face what life throws at us.”
I raised her hand higher, playing with the engagement ring I gave her. She gazed at it too. As soon our eyes met again, I stroked her cheek and smiled.
“This is what has brought me through my low times. Despite how much you’ve rebuffed me, you haven’t taken off this ring. Doesn’t that tell you something?”
She nodded as her face began to pinch. I didn’t want her to cry. I just wanted her to realize what I had. We loved each other too much to give up.
“Please don’t cry.” I swiped the tear escaping down her cheek. “Talk to me.”
Her arms wrapped around my neck as she squeezed me. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been such an idiot. How can you still love me after what I’ve put you through?”
“Because I’ve put you through just as much hell. That all ends tonight.” When I eased back, I lowered her hand and kissed the diamond on her finger. Then I kissed her nose. “Is the answer still yes?”
She tugged her lower lip between her teeth and gazed at me with her gorgeous eyes. Everything about her melted my heart, especially her smile. She blessed me with it a moment later as she nodded.
It was the confirmation I needed to chase my fears away. I brushed Mia’s lips with mine again. She didn’t resist me when I parted her mouth and slipped my tongue inside.
As they swirled together, her breath beat against my face. The sweet scent intoxicated me, pushing me to the brink of insanity. She drove me crazy, had from day one. It only grew worse the longer I knew her.
Lifting her in my arms, she wrapped her legs around my waist and clung to my neck. I carried her to the bedroom as desperation pounded through me. I needed her. It had been too long since we’d made love. I craved her skin, her scent, and her taste.
After she lowered her feet to the floor, I wanted to rip off her clothes and drive myself deep, but I held back. This moment was special. It was more than reconciliation. It was a celebration. I was going to be a father.
My heart beat stronger. I slid Mia’s shirt up her body, tossing it to the floor. She said nothing as she observed my every move. I hooked my thumbs at the top of her pants and pushed them down. In one flick of my fingers, her bra loosened. I glided the straps away from her shoulders, easing them down her arms before discarding the bra.
Savoring every second of this moment, I went to my knees to remove her panties. Lace teased my fingertips as I tugged them to her ankles. Once she stepped out of them, her tiny, rounded abdomen gained my attention.
My skin prickled as I stared. I still couldn’t believe it was real. This was my kid. Mia and I created the life inside her. It didn’t get any better than this.
Her skin heated my lips as I placed them against the little bump and kissed it. “I love you, little one.”
Mia touched my cheek. I gazed up at her, noting the tears in her eyes. My sentiment to our baby had her emotions a wreck.
Standing, I cupped her cheeks and leaned my head to hers. “Please don’t cry. It rips me apart when you do.”
“I’m sorry,” she sniffled. “I just can’t believe I almost threw away what we have.”
“None of that matters now. The future does.” I teased her stomach with my fingers. “This is our future.”
When she nodded, I wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her. Then she helped me undress. Her touch was gentle as she guided my clothes off my body and discarded them. I didn’t care where they landed. Once they were gone, I led her to the bed.
Her dark hair contrasted against the light blue pillowcase as she stared at me. I couldn’t resist her. She was my breath, my heart, and my life. She completed me.
Our lips fused together as I wedged my body between her thighs. My cock slid against her, teasing her clit. She whimpered against my mouth and wiggled beneath me. Then my resolve faded.
Gripping her shoulders, I slid inside her, sheathing my cock to the hilt in her wetness. Her whimpers grew longer, louder, and sensual. It made my body come alive.
When she broke our kiss, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and whispered in my ear. “Harder . . . Oh, God, Ayden, fuck me harder. Own me.”
I couldn’t. Our lovemaking had always been intense. I enjoyed every second, but now that Mia was pregnant, I was afraid of what would happen.
“What if I hurt you . . . or the baby?”
Her lips spread into a smile. “It’s okay, Ayden. You’re not going to hurt us.” She leaned up and nipped my lower lip. Then she trailed her mouth back to my ear. “Now fucking own me. Show me who I belong to.”
This time, I didn’t hold back. I scraped my teeth across her skin and pumped my hips harder. Mia moaned louder. Her body worked with mine as she met every one of my thrusts. She raked her fingernails down my back, setting my nerves on fire. As if she hadn’t already accomplished that the second we kissed . . .
Focusing on her clit, I accentuated my movements, taking great care to apply enough friction to drive her wild. It worked. She bucked against me, bringing me back to her depths.
My cock swelled tighter. Nothing in this world felt as good as being inside Mia. I could never tire of the way she made me fe
el or the pleasure she brought me. To know I did the same for her was more than I could ask for. We were perfect together.
The next time I plunged inside her, her body tensed. Erect nipples brushed against my chest, drawing my attention to them. I took turns flicking each with my tongue and sucking it into my mouth.
Mia’s movements became frenzied. She grabbed my ass and held me deep as she rubbed her pussy against me. I groaned when I felt her contracting around my cock.
“Ayden . . . Oh, God!” She pulsed around me. I watched in awe as her face contorted in pleasure.
She was so fucking beautiful. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten lucky enough for her to fall in love with me. Now she was having my baby. I cherished every part of her and would for the rest of my life.
Kissing her once more, I gazed into her eyes and drove deep. Thrust after thrust caused my cock to thicken until it grew painful. I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I grunted against her neck as I came.
Her arms tightened around me and remained that way until the last of me spilled into her. I couldn’t move a muscle. Every part of my body throbbed in a rhythm that matched the one in my heart. I couldn’t speak or think, but I could feel Mia’s hands caressing me.
Once I settled my breathing, I flipped over on the bed, collecting her as I did. She gazed up and smiled when she caught me staring. I couldn’t help it. Despite having made love, I still couldn’t believe we were together again. No way in hell was I screwing things up this time. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t just lose Mia. There was more at stake. The little bump at Mia’s waist proved how much I had to lose.
“I love you.”
Her words made my heart swell. “I love you too, Mia. I love you both so much.” I placed my hand over hers as it lay below her navel. “No more breakups. We’re in this together. I’m where I want to be.”
“Me too.” Her lazy smile made me chuckle. Between the stress of the day and our intense lovemaking, I knew she was tired. The serenity of lying in bed in each other’s arms was enough to help her relax. My tension was definitely gone.
“As much as I hate not looking into those beautiful eyes of yours, I think you should get some sleep. We both need it.”
“I know.” She released a deep sigh then moved her hand from her belly to my chest. As it rested over my heart, I stroked the back with my fingers.
Curled at my side, her head laid on my chest as she snuggled against me. The heaviness in her eyes grew worse. I could see her fighting it. Perhaps she was worried I wouldn’t be here when she woke. If that was the case, she had nothing to fear. I was never going to leave her side.
After a moment of caressing her arm, sleep overtook her. Her breathing slowed as her body grew weightless. The sight relieved me. She needed rest. The amount of stress she’d been under wasn’t good for her, especially now that she was pregnant.
The thought of our baby made me smile. I placed my hand against the tiny bump below her waist. It was surreal. I’d wanted to share this experience with her instead of Izzy. Now it was happening.
Just the simple thought of my ex had my body tensing. I hadn’t forgotten the news Chris shared with me when I left on tour. Though the paternity test results hadn’t arrived yet, the fact that Chris suspected Izzy miscarried before she fell made me angry. I’d spent the first month of the tour speculating about what had happened.
Izzy grew defensive the night she fell when she first found Mia and me after we returned from New York. Once I mentioned that Mia and I were worried about the baby, she had this crazed look. Was it because she was afraid we’d figured out she’d already miscarried?
I wasn’t sure if Izzy came to find us just so she could start a fight with Mia. Did she think if they fought, she could blame the miscarriage on her sister? She had no idea we’d be on the staircase that night.
It’s why I didn’t feel right accusing her of falling on purpose. Then again, this was Izzy. I wouldn’t put it past her to break a couple bones just so she could make her sister look guilty.
As I caressed the skin under my hand, my instincts kicked in. This was my child. I had to protect the baby as much as I had to protect Mia. If she was scared of what Izzy would do, I couldn’t ignore her feelings. And knowing what I did about Izzy’s miscarriage, I couldn’t tell her she was wrong.
No matter what, I had to keep watch over Mia every day. I wouldn’t allow Izzy to get near her. I couldn’t. If something happened to either one of them . . .
Izzy had no clue how fast her world would crumble around her.
Chapter 9
~Mia~
“Okay, mom. See you soon.”
I listened as Ayden said goodbye to his mother before he slid his phone back into his pocket. Once it was secure, his eyes found mine. The way his lips lifted made my heart melt. He had a sexy smile, one that was contagious.
“Mom is anxious to meet you. She has been for a while, but now that she knows you’re carrying her grandchild, she’s ready to catch the next flight.”
“Do you want me to send the family jet? I can bring her in whenever she’s ready.”
Ayden shook his head. “No. Not yet. Christmas isn’t far away. We’ve already made plans to fly to Nashville then. As much as I’d love to see her, I’d rather it just be the two of us. Now that we have our marriage license, we need to decide where we want to get married and finalize a date.”
My heart raced faster. It did every time Ayden brought up the wedding. I couldn’t wait to be his wife. At the same time, I knew it would be something else my sister would have a hard time accepting. Just because Ayden and I were married didn’t mean she would stop interfering. If anything, I expected her to try harder.
I wasn’t sure what it would take to get her out of our lives for good, but I hadn’t given up hope. Somehow, someway, we would be rid of her one day. That point in time couldn’t come soon enough for me. I prayed she would be gone before the baby arrived.
“Mia, you’re too quiet. Is something wrong?”
Facing him, I pushed the thoughts from my mind and shook my head. “No. I was just thinking about our wedding day. I’m looking forward to becoming Mia McAllister.”
He caressed my face and leaned in for a kiss. “That makes two of us.”
Tender lips met mine. I drew in a breath as Ayden’s cologne made my head hazy. For the first time in a long time, I was happy. I cherished that fact. At the same time, it worried me. So much had gone wrong since Ayden and I became a couple. We’d broken up, gotten back together, and put each other through hell. Had we reached the point in our relationship where all of the negativity went away? It seemed too easy.
Maybe it was supposed to be easier than what it had been. Perfect relationships didn’t exist, but most people didn’t go through the drama Ayden and I faced. Now that Wesley was out of my life, we didn’t have to worry about him. He wasn’t allowed on the property.
Izzy was a different story. I didn’t have the proof I needed to have her arrested for drugging me. After the miscarriage she suffered, I didn’t think she needed any other punishment. All I wanted was for her to leave Ayden and me alone. If she could do that, I didn’t care if she stuck around. I refused to live in fear every day. It wasn’t healthy for the baby or me.
I was glad Ayden was hanging out with me today. He said it was because he wanted to learn more about what I did on a daily basis, especially since our child would inherit the business someday. I hoped our son or daughter would want to run this place. My father didn’t. He loved traveling and scouting new talent. He didn’t want to be tied down to one location. In truth, I thought it was because this place reminded him of my mother.
Ayden tapped the top of my laptop, distracting me from my thoughts again. “How much more work do you have left?”
“This spreadsheet is it. Once I plug in these numbers, I’ll be finished for the day.”
“Good. Looks like I’m getting you away from work early tonight. That means more time alone.”
“Damn it.”
“What’s wrong?” He placed his hand on my shoulder and leaned closer. The worry on his face made my guilt surface.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I just realized that I left the last expense report in the cart. I need to go get it.”
Ayden glanced around the bar as if he was searching for someone. Then he looked at me again. “I can grab the file. It won’t take me long.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind going to—”
“Nope.” He slid off the stool and kissed my head. “You stay put. I won’t take long.”
“Thank you.”
He waved off my sentiment as he trotted toward the front of the arena. Once he disappeared through the doors, I pinched-off a grape from the plate Shawn had brought me a few minutes ago. Over the last few days, my appetite had increased. So had my baby bump.
I glanced toward my lap, noting the way my shirt curved near the hem. I would have to get maternity clothes soon, or at least some larger sizes. It wouldn’t be long until I was showing enough that everyone around me would know. So far, the only people who knew were Andi, Bentley, and a few of my staff like Max and Shawn.
I cupped the tiny protrusion, fighting back a smile. This baby meant the world to me. I’d wanted a child for so long, I couldn’t believe I was pregnant. More than that, I was engaged to my child’s father. In a few months, I would be his wife. It was everything I ever wanted. My heart was full.
“I’d love to wipe that smug smile off your face.”
I turned toward the sound of my sister’s voice and found her standing at the corner of the bar just a couple stools from where I was seated.
“Beg your pardon?”
I managed to keep my voice from shaking, but the way Izzy glared at me gave me cause for concern. She looked awful. My sister never went out of her suite without makeup, perfect hair, and a matching outfit. The woman standing close to me was dressed in a baggy shirt and pants. Her hair was in a messy bun atop her head, and her face was void of makeup, minus the leftover mascara under her eyes. I wasn’t sure if the mascara was causing circles or if she’d lost too much sleep. Whatever the cause, she didn’t resemble the Izzy I knew.
Love Deserved (Rock N Roll Heiress Book 3) Page 8