His Easter Bunny

by Beatrice Brae

  “You’re in love my friend!” he says and grabs a water bottle from the table.

  I stare at him. “Oh, come on, Aidan. I’m not some pimpled teenager with his first girlfriend. I can’t fall in love with a woman the day I meet her. This isn’t Romeo and Juliet.”

  He rolls his eyes and stands up, walking to his desk on the other side of the room. “I’m not trying to be difficult, Tyler. I have been through what you’re going through right now. My advice to you is to find her and see if your feelings are real, or your life will spiral out of control. After I lost Amelia, I couldn’t function for a while. It was not pleasant. And please come to lunch on Monday,” he says. “It will help.”

  “Are you happy now?” I ask him after spilling my problem to him.

  He smiles and winks. “I’m the happiest bastard on the planet.”

  “Okay, man, I will if you think a home cooked meal will help. I still believe it’s no big deal. I’ll forget about her in a few days.”

  *****

  On Monday, I am more than happy to go to Aidan’s for a nice Easter lunch because I am going crazy alone in my house. I couldn’t sleep because I kept dreaming about Marissa, so I stayed up and worked on future projects, only briefly visiting with my family the day before.

  I grab the bottle of wine and the box of assorted chocolate truffles I bought for Aidan’s wife. Before going in, I wait outside the house for a few minutes to calm myself.

  Aidan frowns when he opens it. “Hey, man, how are you? You look like shit,” he says, and I hand him the bottle of wine. He grabs it and goes inside. I walk behind him toward the living room, still holding the box of chocolates.

  Marissa is the first person I see when I enter the living area. She’s holding a baby in her arms, dancing and laughing. I’m shocked at how beautiful she is, and, in that moment, I wish that was my baby and she was its mother. She’s wearing a white summer dress, and the fabric flows around her when she dances.

  She stops the moment she sees me and the magic stops. She has a deer in the highlights expression painted on her face, and we just stare at each other. The room goes silent all of a sudden, and everyone stares at us.

  Amelia clears her throat. “Can I take the box, Tyler? Thank you for the chocolates,” she says, gracious as ever, but I don’t pay any attention to her. My whole body is in tune with the woman on the other side of the room. Aidan takes his baby from her, and I hand the box to Amelia. I smile and head to the bar to grab a scotch and everybody relaxes and goes back to their drinks.

  Marissa disappears out the patio door, and I dash after her. I want to back her against a wall and kiss her until I can’t breathe. I realize how much I’ve missed her, and this time she’s not getting away without giving me her phone number.

  I find her outside, and I feel my cock growing with each step I take on the grass. I grab her arm and back her against the wall, my lips capturing hers. I know I should ask permission first, but I’ll apologize later. I gently suck on her lower lip, and I groan when I feel her shudder and hear her moan.

  I pause to drag in a ragged breath, and she raises her head and tries to speak, but I grab a fistful of her deep brown curls and stop her. “We can yell at each other later; I have to taste you first.”

  I slate my mouth over hers, tasting and sucking her pink lips. She drags her mouth away and places her hands on my shirt. “Tyler, we have to stop. My parents are here, and if my brothers find us, they’re going to kick your ass.”

  I take deep breaths and wag my finger at her. “DON’T. EVER. DO. THAT. TO. ME. AGAIN!” I tell her. “You left without saying goodbye. That is not something good girls do,” I tease her.

  I feel like a bastard when tears well in her eyes and I see the desolation and anguish in them. “I’m not a good girl, Tyler, so leave me alone.”

  I grab her elbow and pull her into my arms. “Poor baby. Have you had a rough week?” I ask her.

  She nods. “I’m sorry I disappeared without saying goodbye, but I was so confused,” she says sniffling.

  “That bastard did a number on you, Marissa,” I say and kiss her hair.

  “How do you know about Mark?” she asks in a small voice.

  “I don’t. I just assumed someone must have hurt you,” I say and release her.

  “You can’t be here, Tyler. We had a one-night stand and that is the end of it. I don’t want to have a relationship with you, and I sure as hell won’t sleep with you again,” I say.

  “Ouch, that hurts. Marissa, please give us a chance. How about we go on a date to a restaurant next week and take things slow?” I ask.

  She eyes me suspiciously. “No, Tyler. I told you, I don’t want to see you again, okay?”

  Well, this is Aidan’s house and he invited me to lunch, so I’m staying.

  She crosses her arms over her chest and taps her foot. She’s adorable, and I want to kiss her again. “Suit yourself,” she says and goes back inside.

  Chapter 4

  Marissa

  The day started out with utter chaos, and it all went downhill from there. My car wouldn’t start and then I burnt my breakfast. I was late for the party, and now Tyler is here.

  It feels like I’ve been hit by a freight train—an enormous, loud, and unforgiving freight train. My muscles ache, and the stiff joints in between my bones are even worse for wear. I shove my hands as deep into the pockets of my summer dress as they can go. The nauseated feeling I’ve had all week begins to dissipate now that I’ve seen him again.

  I still can’t believe Tyler is here. I never expected to see him again.

  It seems that our little encounter on the patio went undetected because nobody says anything. I’m surprised to see that he knows all of my family, even my parents. They all greet him with hugs, but my brother Aidan is tense and keeps eying us suspiciously. Tyler seems calm, but I can see the vein throbbing in his neck, proof of just how tense he is. His eyes follow me everywhere, and I like it, to be honest. No man has ever looked at me like I’m the best damn dessert he’s ever had. And I have seen him naked. I know he can definitely have any woman he wants. I lick my lips remembering the way he kissed me and used his fingers and his body to make me come.

  I feel him behind me, his imposing figure looming over me. I feel his breathing hot on my skin when he whispers in my ear. “I know what you’re thinking, Marissa. It’s written all over your face, baby. I’ll make you come over and over again until you beg me to stop. That’s what a real man does for his woman,” he says.

  “And I’m your woman, in your opinion?” I challenge him. “Because I don’t remember giving myself to you.”

  He shrugs. “You will. I’m a patient man, Marissa. I can wait. And make no mistake, baby, you are worth the wait,” he says and walks away.

  He didn’t approach me the rest of the day, but I think from the way he looks at me that my family is starting to wonder if we knew each other before today. I can’t focus on anything else while he’s here, so I play with the baby while everyone else is eating and having a good time. I love the Easter holidays because the weather is nice and we all gather outside and enjoy the fresh air while the guys are cooking one of the first barbecues of the year.

  I kiss my family goodbye and sneak outside while calling a cab. I feel a hand touching my shoulder.

  “I’m sad that you feel the need to leave without saying goodbye. Again. I won’t bother you anymore if you don’t want to see me again. It’s your loss,” he says and walks over to his car.

  “Tyler,” I say, and he turns around. “Please let me explain.”

  “Marissa, if I come near you, I’m going to kiss you and take you into my arms. Are you okay with that?”

  I slowly nod, and he turns back and takes me into his arms. “You’re all over the place, Marissa. Now tell me what’s going on!”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m so confused and scared, but I have been thinking about you all week. We don’t know each other yet, but I think we can see each
other again. I could come to you house when I…”

  “I won’t be your booty call, Marissa, if this is your grand proposal. I want to date you; do you hear me?”

  “Okay, you big bear, but don’t hold me so tight or you’re going to crush me,” I retort.

  He chuckles. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize I was doing that.”

  It’s been a long week, and I feel protected in his arms, and frankly, I don’t feel like moving anymore. I know we can’t stay here forever and that my family will come out eventually. I still don’t know how he knows my brother, but he must know him pretty well if he was invited to an intimate family gathering.

  “How do you know Aidan?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

  He takes a deep breath and kisses me on the top of my head. “I met Aidan about six months ago and we became business partners. He’s a good guy, so we became friends. Now, tell me about Mark,” he demands.

  “I met Mark a few years ago on a trip to Italy. We fell in love, so I moved to Australia to be with him. We wanted to have children, but I couldn’t get pregnant. I did three rounds of IVF, and when the last one failed, he dumped me. That is all,” I finish.

  “I’m so sorry, baby” he tells me. “I know we just met but give me a chance, please. I know you have been hurt but I’m nothing like him.”

  “Okay, but I’m warning you that I don’t want to rush into things. In the end, I’m glad I didn’t marry him. That would have made our breakup a lot messier. Speaking of messy things, you do realize that in about ten minutes my family will come out to go home. So, if you want to run, you can,” I add.

  A deep laugh erupts in his belly. “Honey, I don’t want to run. And I have already met your parents and your brothers. You were the only member I hadn’t met.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear his words. “We have to talk about the kids, Tyler. I won’t start a new relationship without talking about it. If you think kids are a must in your life, I can’t guarantee that I can give them to you. If you still want me after knowing all of this, I can give us a chance.”

  He groans. “Thank God, woman, because you made me believe that I’d have to beg you. You are one stubborn human being. But I like that about you, so we’re good. As for the kids, we can adopt or do whatever you want. Now, can we go home, or do we have to decide our future in your brother’s driveway?”

  “Yes, we can go home, but only if you promise to open another bottle of that wine.”

  “Sure, whatever you want, but please get in the car,” he says.

  I put my hands on my hips and glare at him. “Is this how this relationship is going to be? You bossing me around? Because I won’t have it. Do you hear me?”

  He groans and pulls me into his arms and kisses me. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he says.

  We move together after six months of dating. Tyler is everything I could ever want in a man and I’m lucky to have him.

  Epilogue

  Tyler

  “Can you help me with my zipper instead of ogling me?” she asks and turns around to look at me. “No, absolutely not,” she says when she sees the bulge in my pants and the lust in my eyes. “You always do this to me,” she groans and takes her dress off.

  I shrug. “What can I do when I find you irresistible?” I gesture toward her black lace panties. “Please take those off too if you don’t want them ruined. Last time you complained that I ripped them.”

  She huffs and takes her panties off and throws them at me.

  “I thought you said you didn't want to have sex," I say innocently, and she blushes. I love that she wants me as much as I want her. She always says yes when I ask, and we have a wonderful sex life.

  “I love you so much, Marissa,” I say. “You’re the love of my life, baby. I thank my lucky stars that I met you,” I say and look her in the eyes.

  She starts crying, and I take her into my arms. “I love you, too, Tyler. I couldn’t have asked for a better husband,” she says.

  Marissa looks at me with so much emotion, and despite the countless times in which we’ve declared our love for each other, this time is different. I’m sure she loves me, but she has never told me so with so much passion. After the experience she had with her ex, Marissa was very careful in the beginning of our relationship, but I won her love and respect a little bit every day. I know Marissa is still suffering because she’s not getting pregnant, and we’ve talked about going to talk to a fertility specialist. When we got married eight months ago, we stopped using contraceptive measures, but our miracle has not happened yet. I was welcomed with opened arms into her family, and Aidan and I are closer than ever, even though he promised to break my legs and bankrupt my business if I hurt his sister.

  I take her face in my hands and kiss her with all the love and passion I feel. And she does the same.

  "Make love to me, Tyler. I want you so much," she says and drags me toward our bed. She pushes me onto the bed and helps me take my pants down.

  I'm happy that I didn't get the chance to put my shirt on. She climbs on top of me, and she kisses me desperately and moans softly near my ear. I love it when she’s so aroused, she can’t think straight. Her legs open wide to receive me and the silky heat between her thighs captures my cock. We move together as one, and we buck and thrash against each other in a shared release.

  Drifting back into consciousness, I feel her warm and soft hand taking mine. We stay like that for a moment, but then she gets up.

  “Come on, baby,” she says. “We have to get up or we’re going to be late, and Jake and Lisa won’t be happy. They’re expecting us at seven and it’s already six. Come on, we’ll take a quick shower together.”

  I groan, exhausted. “I don’t think I can move. You know I’m jetlagged. I just came back from Europe. Can’t we stay home?”

  She shrugs. “We can if that’s what you want, baby, you know that. You and Jake set up this dinner date, but it’s fine by me if you want to cancel.”

  Her phone rings after she goes into the bathroom.

  "Could you get that, please? I'm sure it's Lisa checking up on us. This is your chance to cancel if you like,” she says from the bathroom.

  I sigh and pick up the phone, pushing the answer button.

  “You’re pregnant, you’re pregnant, Marissa,” an excited voice says.

  “Who is this?” I ask.

  “Dr. Madison, Marissa’s doctor! Who is this?” she asks. I can hear she’s annoyed that she divulged private information to another person.

  “I’m Marissa’s husband, Dr. Madison.” She clears her throat. “Well, the cat is out of the bag, I guess. Congratulations. Please tell Marissa that her test results are in and she should make an appointment as soon as possible to check that everything is fine with the baby.”

  I’m speechless at the news I’ve just heard. Marissa is going to be so happy. “Thank you, Dr. Madison. Goodbye, and see you next week, I guess. I have to come with her to the hospital for her ultrasound, yes?”

  “Yes, of course. It’s always good when the father is part of the process. He feels included and bonds more easily with the new addition to the family,” she says. Her tone is professional, but I can sense she’s smiling.

  “Oh God, we just had sex,” I blurt, and I hear her soft laugh.

  “It’s fine, don’t worry about it. Just make sure she rests more and everything should be fine. She’s young and healthy.”

  “What about food? Does she need a special diet, doctor? I’m sorry for asking so many questions. I should read some books to find out more! Could you recommend some to us?” I think I’m about to spiral into a full-blown panic attack.

  “Take a deep breath, Mr. Stark. Marissa is going to get emotional when you tell her about the baby. You’ll be no use to her if you have a panic attack,” the good doctor says. So I do as she instructs and take a deep breath to calm myself.

  “She doesn’t need a special diet, but it’s possible that she’ll have an upset st
omach in a few weeks. We found out about the pregnancy very early because of the blood test. Just give her more attention and affection. She might cry without a reason a few times, but that’s just hormones and is to be expected. How are you feeling, Mr. Stark?”

  I sigh and take another deep breath. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “All right then. We’ll talk soon, Mr. Stark. Take care,” she says and ends the call.

  With rosy cheeks and wrapped in a white fluffy towel, Marissa comes out of the bathroom. She takes one look at me and rushes to my side.

  She kneels in front of me on the plush cream carpet and takes my head in her hands. “Baby, what is wrong with you? You’re white as a sheet,” she says. “I’ve never seen you in this state. Are you sick?”

  I shake my head. “I’m fine, baby, but you need to sit down. I need to tell you something.”

  I get up and realize I’m still naked. “Let me grab a pair of pants from the closet,” I tell her. I don’t want to tell her something so important without pants on. “Don’t go anywhere,” I warn her and open my closet.

  Of course, stubborn as she is, she brushes past me babbling something about a bottle of water from the kitchen.

  I put on a shirt and a pair of pants and wait for her to come back.

  She breezes through the door and hands me a bottle of water. “Baby, if you’re having a stroke or a heart attack, please tell me and I’ll call an ambulance.”

  I gesture toward the bed. “Marissa, please sit down. I need to tell you something, and it’s about you, not me.”

  She frowns and finally shuts up and sits on the bed. I kneel in front of her and take her hand. “Marissa, baby, Dr. Madison called. She said that your test results came back and one of them is positive.”