Without waiting for him to say more, Darby launched herself across the couch and pressed her lips to his, her fingers fumbling with the zipper on his jeans.
Nine
Phoenix
It was almost time.
He was bursting at the seams with excitement, hardly able to contain the joy he felt at the fact that their baby was due any day. Fatherhood had seemed like a daunting prospect, one not meant for him, but now he knew that he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Especially not since he and Darby declared their feelings for each other.
Well, it was more him blurting it out and her throwing herself at him, but afterward, as they’d lain together, soaked in a pool of sweat, she’d curled up against him, resting her head in the crook of his neck and sighed, mumbling that she loved him too before she drifted off.
After that, he’d been unable to sleep, staying awake till the first rays of morning light peaked in through the open blinds, casting Darby in a warm halo of fold, dancing across her back.
He’d spent most of the night staring at her, tracing her features carefully, afraid to wake her up, and not wanting to break the spell they were under. He’d wanted her eyes to flutter open, to regard him with openness and affection.
In the light of day, he wanted their bond to stand the test of time, and he’d been terrified it wouldn’t, proving to be nothing but a lapse of judgment on her end, and a shitload of hormones making her act irrationally.
It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.
After all, he’d been downright vile towards her in the beginning, doing everything within his power to steer clear and referring to their baby as a thing. Looking back, he felt ashamed and hardly able to look her in the eye, but he’d done his best to make up for it, going above and beyond in terms of parental duty and more.
Logically, he knew it couldn’t make up for what he’d done, it wasn’t as if he could go back and change the past, but he could at least, alter the present, blurring the edges, so it didn’t seem as bad as it was.
Luckily for him, Darby was the forgive and forget type, otherwise they wouldn’t be together, two peas in a pod from that night on. In fact, he couldn’t imagine his life without her.
He knew what it was like before, had no clue what it would be like after, but he knew that was the happiest he’d ever been, in ways he hadn’t even imagined, playing house with Darby.
And she’d miraculously reciprocated, opening herself up to him in many ways. Over the last two months, he’d discovered a wide array of sides to Darby, most of which he loved. He marveled at the strong and resilient woman she was, pulling herself up by the strap of her boots and plowing forward, determined that the world wouldn’t write her off.
There were moments when he caught her looking at him, a slight tinge of awe in the depths of her irises, but she looked away quickly, embarrassed at being caught staring at him.
He enjoyed teasing her about it, watching the flush that stole across her cheeks, and the slight squint in her eyes as she looked away, determined to be composed. Clearly, she was a woman who wasn’t used to wearing her heart on her sleeve, too busy fighting tooth and nail just to survive.
It wasn’t as if Phoenix didn’t understand that, he got it more than anyone else, the desire to prove himself and not play second fiddle. But he did wish she was more comfortable around him, accepting the fact that he wasn’t going anywhere.
He’d worked hard to prove that, going out of his way especially since they’d gotten together, and someday, she was going to look like she believed it, not as if it were a fact she needed to understand.
Because it had nothing to do with logic and everything to do with faith.
And love.
Darby moaned, bringing him back to the present day. He gave a start of surprise, smiling as she wolfed down an entire tub of ice cream, a content smile hovering on the edge of her features.
The little sounds she was making made him want to crawl across the couch, take her into his arms and take her bed, coming up with new and exciting ways to put the ice cream to good use.
After all, they’d been spending a lot of time discovering each other lately in many different ways and in a variety of places until her body was no longer an unknown island, but as familiar to him as the back of his hand, a treasure trove of secrets, unfurling at the slightest of touches.
Just one look from her, and he was putty, following her around like a lovesick puppy, and he didn’t even mind, not in the slightest. Moxley mocked him mercilessly, calling him whipped, but it didn’t matter.
Because Darby made him feel giddy, a schoolboy discovering women for the first time, and it was euphoric, exhilarating and terrifying all at once, a rush of emotions he wanted to dive into, losing himself in their waves.
And he wanted her all, all the damn time.
So much so he could barely think straight sometimes, and all he could think about was driving over to her house and losing himself in her, driving both to the point of ecstasy, over and over till nothing else existed.
At this point, he was practically living there, having moved part-time, so he could be there in case the baby came in the middle of the night, but she did insist he go home every now and again, needing some space for her life, so he wouldn’t hover.
In the back of his mind, he was aware of the fact that this was temporary. This little bubble they were in and once the baby came, it would pop, but he intended to enjoy every minute.
Especially the sex.
He knew, a little too well, that it would take a backseat once the baby came, and he wasn’t quite ready to give that up yet.
Apparently neither was Darby.
“I don’t like this baby crib,” Darby complained, huffing as she blew a strand of hair out of her face. Phoenix turned to face her, eyebrows knitted together in confusion. As far as baby cribs went, he was no expert, but he’d certainly spent enough time researching them to know all the basics.
Enough to help her make an informed decision, so he wouldn’t feel completely helpless.
“What’s wrong with it?” Phoenix asked, circling it to search for any obvious flaws, ready to dismiss it at a moments’ notice for Darby’s sake.
Darby shrugged. “I just don’t like it.”
“You’re going to have to give me more than that,” Phoenix said, trying to coax an answer out of her. It appeared she was having one of her off days, feeling particularly moody and grouchy, barely agreeing to anything he suggested, and he was doing his best to let it roll off of him without reacting.
For both their sakes actually, but it wasn’t easy, and she wasn’t making it easy.
She’s carrying your baby, Phoenix. Cut her some slack, a voice inside his head reminded him, gently.
He unclenched his hands and forced himself to take a deep breath, admitting that he needed to take a step back, a beat to get things back on track. He released some of the tension in his muscles and turned to face her, plastering a bright smile on her face.
“How about we do something else then?” Phoenix suggested.
“Like what?”
“We can get ice cream,” Phoenix offered, spotting the store across the street. A little sugar usually set things right, and he had nothing else planned for the day, so a little frozen treat ought to make things better.
“I’m not a child you can bribe with ice cream,” Darby grumbled, scowling in his general direction, brows knitted together adorably. He bit back the laugh, knowing it would only make her angrier and held out his hand.
“Does this mean you don’t want a triple scoop?” Phoenix asked.
Darby’s face lit up. “Of course I do! What’s the matter with you? You don’t turn down a triple scoop.”
Minutes later, they were safely ensconced in a booth, with ice cream dribbling down her chin and Darby devouring it like there was no tomorrow. He watched her as he ate his own cone, thoroughly amused and completely in love.
Even when her childis
h side came out.
“Ready to head back?” Phoenix held out his hand, and Darby took it, giving him a bright smile in return. They crossed the street and entered the store again, but before he could head in the general direction of the aisle, she yanked his hand forward.
Next thing he knew, her lips were on his, cold and hungry, unapologetic in their desire. Helplessly, he responded, pushing her back, so she was pressed against a wall, a small whimper escaping her throat.
Phoenix pulled back, chest heaving with the effort. “Darby, we’re in a baby store. We shouldn’t.”
Darby placed her hand on his chest and leaned in, taking his lobe between her lips. “There’s a bathroom in the back.”
Phoenix’s eyes bulged out of his sockets. “You want to do it here?”
“Why not?” Darby purred, fingers digging into his hair and massing his scalp, going round and round until his eyes rolled to the back of his head, barely holding onto his self-control by a thread.
“Because someone might see,” Phoenix stuttered, yelping when she dropped her hands between them and cupped him, her fingers stroking languidly, an invitation.
“We’ll just have to make it quick then,” Darby whispered, giving his ear one final tug before she pulled away. She picked up a random article of clothing, a maternity jumper and gave him a sultry look over her shoulder, using her index finger in a come hither motion.
All the blood rushed to his groin, and he shifted, trying to hide his painfully obvious erection. Unable to take it even further, he followed her into the bathroom and locked the door behind him.
In a second, she unzipped him, allowing his erection to spring free, and she reached underneath her dress, sliding off her panties. She kicked them away, giving him a triumphant look as he kicked her legs open and pushed the dress up, letting it rest around her waist.
She lowered the strap of her dress and offered her breast to him, all wanton need and reckless abandon. He lowered his head and took the nipple between his teeth, hissing as she dug her teeth into his shoulder, holding back the whimper.
Her hips rocked against his, a silent plea as he eased himself into her, moving slowly, afraid of hurting the baby. She grunted in impatience and shifted, allowing him to go all the way in, expanding and contracting.
Phoenix drew back and pressed his lips to hers, drawing on the bottom lip. “I’ll go slow.”
“Don’t you dare,” Darby warned, pressing her finger to his lips. “I want you now, Phoenix, and I don’t want you to go slow.”
Phoenix raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
He eased himself out then thrust back in, causing her nails to rake across his back, finding their way underneath his shirt.
“Yes, I’m sure. Just fuck me.”
Those were the exact words he needed to hear as he braced his hands on either side of her and moved, pumping into her with renewed vigor, the sound of her quiet whimpers driving him closer and closer to the edge.
His head fell forward, tugging on the nipple then lavishing the same amount of attention on the other one. She threw her head back and wrapped a leg around his waist, spurring him forward.
A few minutes later, her body came undone, writhing beneath him as she rode out her orgasm. Not long after, he followed, and she held him, playing with his hair while he regained his breath.
“Well, that was something else,” Phoenix commented.
“I’ll say,” she agreed, breathlessly.
Ten
Indiana
She groaned and flipped over on her side, groping around for the source of the noise, eager to turn it off. It was entirely too late for someone to be calling. Her fingers landed on the phone, and she switched off the ringer, eyes squeezed shut.
Better.
Much better.
Now, with the blissful silence surrounding her, she could go back to sleep. He shifted next to her and draped his arm across her stomach, pressing his face in the crook of her neck. Even in his sleep, he was reaching for her, connected.
Indiana smiled and burrowed further under the blankets, trying to catch the thread in her mind, the surreal tone of her dream rapidly slipping away, leaving her unsatisfied and curious.
She wanted to know what happened next, but her mind wouldn’t let her fall back asleep, running around in circles, trying to remind her of something. She frowned and peeked one eye open, automatically reaching for her phone.
Through blurry eyes, she brought it up to her face and blinked, waiting for her vision to adjust itself, so she could see. After a few seconds, the words materialized in front of her, and she shot up, all the blood rushing into her head at once.
As quietly as she could, she leaped off the bed, reached for her robe and draped it across her shoulders, moving forward on the tips of her toes to avoid waking him up. The door creaked behind her, but she ignored it as she stepped out onto the balcony and pressed the phone to her ear.
“Indi. There you are.”
The use of her old nickname brought back a floodgate of memories, nights spent staying up past their bedtime and chatting, sneaking cookies from the jar when their mother wasn’t looking.
For the longest time, it was the three of them.
Moxley, Phoenix and Indiana. The three musketeers, and her entire life, she was used to being the number one woman in their life, especially after their mom's death which brought them closer as siblings.
They were complete polar opposites, and could rarely agree on anything, but when it came to Indiana, they couldn’t say no, and she knew it, too. The amount of shit they let her get away with when she was younger was appalling, but she understood that it came from a place of love.
Now, she busted their asses for it, calling them out on their bullshit when they were going too easy on her. Just because she was the baby of the family didn’t mean she needed to be treated like that her whole life.
Even her father was guilty of this.
Still, she was thankful because she knew how lucky she was to have a family like hers, supportive and loving, almost to a fault especially considering she hadn’t worked a full-time job in years, preferring to float from one profession to the next, exploring her options.
“Sorry, Phoenix, I was asleep,” Indiana offered, voice hoarse and dry from misuse. She coughed and cleared her throat. “Is everything okay?”
“Darby had the baby,” Phoenix said, voice tinged with pride.
Indiana beamed, tears springing to her eyes. “Oh my God, Nix. I’m so happy for you! You’re a father.”
She could hardly believe it.
Her brother was now a parent.
Phoenix of all people. Logical, by the books, always have a plan, Phoenix. If she hadn’t seen Darby with her own two eyes she never would’ve believed it, and it was a good thing she had to do because her brother had finally found love.
After years of chasing after the kind of women who made her roll her eyes and cringe, he finally found someone with substance, honest and real, but most importantly, not afraid to get her hands dirty.
Darby was something else, and her brother was incredibly lucky to have her. Although it was a little nauseating how in love they were, disgustingly so, and she liked to remind him of it, at every chance she got, poking fun at him since Darby came into his life, making him softer and bringing out a side of him he didn’t let out all that often.
“Kinsley Enders Denton was born at three AM,” Phoenix revealed. “At five pounds and eight ounces with ten perfect toes and fingers. She’s so beautiful, Indi. I can’t believe she’s finally here.”
Indiana smiled as she leaned against the railing. “I’ll bet. How’s Darby doing?”
“She’s tired, but she’s great. They took the baby away to clean her up, so Darby is resting for a while,” Phoenix replied, shock and awe coloring his tone.
“Take a breath, Nix. This is it,” Indiana commented. “You’ve got this. You and Darby can do this. Together. When can I come visit?”
“I�
��ll let you know when the visiting hours are,” Phoenix promised. “I should go check and Darby.”
“Send her my love,” Indiana reminded him.
The phone went dead, and she pulled it away from her ear, cradling it in her hand for a few minutes as she looked out at the city, a cool wind blowing through her robe. She sighed and breathed deeply, the warmth of the bed, and the man she left behind calling out to her.
In a few minutes, she was out of the robe and crawling back into bed, pressing her back against his and placing a soft kiss to his shoulder, making him stir in response. She couldn’t wait to meet her niece in the morning, but for now, it would have to wait.
“Is everything okay?”
Indiana nodded and wrapped her arms around his torso. “Yeah, just go back to sleep.”
He turned in her arms and pressed his lips to hers, surprisingly soft and warm, and she melted against him, wrapping her arms firmly around him. The shrill ringing of a phone interrupted, and he groaned, wrenching his lips way from hers regretfully.
“Hello?”
A pause.
“Congratulations, man. Of course, I’ll be by to see her in the morning.”
Slowly, she lowered the covers, and her eyes fell to his ass, admiring the smooth and firm shape of it. She wanted to reach out and poke it, but she barely resisted, not wanting to give herself away.
Finally, he hung up, placed the phone on the nightstand and switched off the lights, plunging them back into darkness. She curled herself against him and placed her head on his chest, playing with the hair there.
“Who was that?”
“That was Phoenix. I guess your niece, and my goddaughter, is here,” Hyatt revealed, tilting his head down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. She closed her eyes, marveled at the feeling that came along with it, a soft flutter in her stomach, sliding butter then opened her eyes.
Baby: A Billionaire Boys novel Page 6
