“True. You’re going to have to make sure I’m home by then. You stocked up my freezer with enough for the two years.” She laughed.
“I knew that craving was serious when you’re ass got car-jacked over it.”
“Wow. That seems like so long ago.”
“You don’t have to wait until you get home. I stopped off at the store and picked some up. So, if you get a sweet tooth, you’re all set.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Wow. Who would have thought?” She said.
“What?”
“I never would have imagined a year ago that you and I would be able to sit on the same couch, share a meal, and watch a movie.”
He nodded in agreement. “Hell can freeze over.”
They both turned in the direction of the doorbell when it rang. Carter said as he got up. “I better get that.”
Harlem grabbed the afghan on the back of the sofa and threw it over her. She could hear Carter’s voice. “You can take them in there.” She turned around to see a man walk into the room with a dozen roses. Only he wasn’t alone. Several other men followed, each carrying a huge vase of flowers. “What in the world?” Harlem brought her hands up and covered her mouth in surprise.
Carter’s theater room was huge, so the roses didn’t completely fill up the room, but he had them arranged in such a way that they almost surrounded her. Carter walked the men out, and Harlem used that time to get herself together. She got up and walked over and touched the flowers.
“You like them?” He said.
She turned. “I love them, but you didn’t have to go through all of this trouble. This child shares your DNA. It wasn’t necessary.”
Carter quickly realized that Harlem thought he’d bought them as a thank you for agreeing to allow him to be a father to his child. He wasn’t exactly sure what propelled him to buy them–at least nothing he was ready to admit. It was much safer to let Harlem’s train of thought go there than to tell her the truth, which was complicated, to say the least. “C’mon. Don’t go getting all sappy. Let’s watch this movie.”
Harlem came over and sat down next to Carter. “I knew this was going to be a good day, but I had no idea it would turn into this.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’re too serious up in here. That’s why I put in a comedy.”
*****
Two movies later, and Harlem was knocked out cold. She was curled up onto the sofa, and her head had fallen over onto Carter’s shoulder.
He took a minute to study her. A long piece of hair had fallen over into her face, and he gently moved it back behind her ear.
“What am I going to do with you?” He said to himself. He felt as if he were watching a train wreck about to happen in slow-motion. Unlike any other woman Carter had ever known, Harlem got under his skin.
Her eyes fluttered open to stare into his baby blue eyes. Carter’s face was so close to hers. He whispered. “I shouldn’t do this.” Then, he placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her forward, covering her lips with his.
No matter how hard he fought it, kissing her felt inevitable. Everything that happened over the past few months seemed to lead up to this moment.
He held her gaze, both seemingly unable to look away. Harlem’s eyes were free from guilt and pain. He could only see desire. He was sure her eyes mirrored his own.
Carter should run. He shouldn’t allow things to go any further. But, Harlem wanted him, and that knowledge overruled any other rational thought. Her heated gaze fed his overwhelming desire to make her his. The moment to do the right thing passed. If Carter were honest, the moment he knew she wanted him, there had never been any other decision to make. Slowly, he dipped his head low and capture her mouth in another searing kiss.
Harlem didn’t fight it. She couldn’t. Instead, she allowed herself to be swept up into whatever was happening between them. She lifted her hand to cup the side of Carter’s face and gave herself over completely. The second his lips touched hers, something finally clicked, and it was magical. Her inner self found that thing that she had been searching for. That thing she hadn’t been able to name. So this is what it was supposed to feel like. Harlem exhaled during their kiss. And, skillfully, Carter slid his tongue inside her mouth, tasting her sweetness.
It was soft and moist and hot. It was perfect.
Carter was experiencing a closeness he’d never shared before–not from a kiss. It was like they were one in a timeless and passionate moment.
Harlem moaned.
The need in her voice was like a drug. It wreaked all kinds of havoc on Carter’s senses; it fueled him on. Their kiss, which was initially soft and tender, quickly morphed into a more determined and heated exercise.
The more Harlem gave, the more Carter needed. Gently, he pushed her back onto the sofa. Her legs parted so that Carter could move in-between them. Their bodies had their own conversation without having to utter a single word. As Carter moved into position, he continued to greedily thrust his tongue inside Harlem’s mouth in the same manner he planned to do to her body.
Carter found the strength to tear his mouth away from hers. He spoke in-between kisses. “I’ve done everything in my power to resist you. I can’t do it anymore.”
Harlem felt the same way. “I don’t want you to.” His touch felt so good that her body pleaded for more contact. Harlem began to squirm and roll her hips underneath him. Her body made silent pleas on its own accord.
“You have on way too many clothes,” Carter said.
In the state they were in, a t-shirt would have been too much. “Help me take them off.” Harlem said as she raised her arms in the air.
Carter had no problem with her request. He quickly and expertly removed her shirt leaving behind a lacy red bra. Carter whispered into her ear. “I want to lick, kiss, and taste every part of you.”
Harlem sucked in a breath as he captured her breasts in his hands. Carter kneaded and squeezed them, careful not to be too rough. He’d heard that pregnant women’s breasts were sensitive. Harlem’s nipples hardened and pebbled underneath his touch.
Carter drew a taut nipple into his mouth and sucked. Harlem arched her back and pulled him towards her as she dug her fingers into his hair. Her bra was soaked. Harlem had no idea when Carter removed it. He had her head swimming. She’d never had a man make her sex pulse just by loving on her breasts–until now.
Carter had dreamed of this moment too many nights to count, but nothing could compare to the reality of having Harlem in his arms. Carter meant what he said about kissing every part of her. He began the slow and tasty journey down her beautiful body.
As Carter started his descent, Harlem began to feel a bit self-conscious about her body. It had changed over the past couple of months. Harlem knew what Carter was used to, and the pregnancy had transformed her body over the past couple of months. Nervously, she opened her eyes. She lifted her head from off the sofa to stare down at him.
Harlem was breathless. “C-Carter? Wait–”
He immediately froze and looked up at her. God, please don’t ask me to stop. He would if she asked him, but he sure as hell hoped that wasn’t the case. His voice was raspy. “You want me to stop?”
Harlem lifted up on her elbows. “No. It’s just . . . I don’t know what you’re expecting, but my body is probably not what you’re used to.”
Relief swept through his entire being, and a slow grin spread across his face. “You.” He placed a hot kiss just underneath her breasts then looked up into her eyes. “Are.” He placed another kiss on the space above her navel. “Perfect.” Carter moved lower and pressed his lips against her burgeoning baby bump. He glanced up into her beautiful almond-shaped eyes and held her gaze to prove that he meant every word. The second he saw her lips curl up into a small grin, Carter proceeded to pull her yoga pants down and off the sexiest pair of legs he’d ever seen. “You’re carrying life. One I helped to create, and you’ve never been more beautiful.”
; Harlem did believe him. Even if he hadn’t said the words, the sincere desire in his eyes would have convinced her.
“We clear?” He asked.
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, let me get back to work.” Carter placed his hands underneath the back of Harlem’s knees and lifted them. Seconds later, Harlem felt his lips touch her core.
“Mmm . . .” She moaned as her head fell backward.
His tongue game was strong. Carter parted her swollen pussy lips with his tongue and began to glide it up and down her folds. They were long, slow, and firm licks.
The wet sound of him devouring her caused the muscles in Harlem’s body to contract. Her hands clenched in ecstasy. When Carter took her little pearl inside his mouth and sucked on it, Harlem almost came out of her body. She thrashed her head from side to side while he greedily ate as if she were a ripe piece of fruit. Carter flattened his tongue and licked in between her folds getting close to her opening but not thrusting into it.
Carter felt intoxicated by her taste. The scent of her sex was going to drive him over the edge before he had a chance to get inside of her. He was so aroused at just the thought that he stroked himself, hoping to ease the throbbing ache. For the moment, his only job was to give her pleasure.
He removed his clothes without ever breaking stride from making love to her with his mouth. He loved the sounds she made. The moans and the little mewling thing she did, let Carter know that he was on the right track.
“Carter . . . I need–” Harlem’s body was on fire. She ached for him and knew without a doubt that Carter could give her the relief that she needed.
That was his cue. He climbed up Harlem’s body and settled himself between her thighs.
There was a sheen of sweat covering them. Harlem caressed his back and brought her knees up the side of Carter’s legs to his waist as he positioned himself at her opening. He took himself in his hand and slid his cock up and down her fleshy folds.
Harlem whimpered and bit her lower lip in anticipation.
Carter hovered over her. He caged her head in-between his arms. “Open your eyes.”
She did as asked, and her lids fluttered open.
“I’m about to make you mine, and I want to see your expression.”
Harlem realized that she wanted to be his.
Slowly, ever so slowly, Carter began to enter her.
Harlem sucked in a breath as she felt Carter join their bodies. She moved her hands to his forearms to hold on and dug her nails into them.
It had been a while since she’d made love, and Harlem was tight. He stretched her opening, and it was the best balance of pain-pleasure.
Carter studied her every expression. He didn’t want to miss a thing. In the past, he was never emotionally involved when being with a woman. But, it was different with her. Carter wanted to see everything that gave her the tiniest bit of pleasure.
Harlem found it difficult to maintain eye contact. He felt so good.
Once Carter was fully seated inside, his lips came crashing down on hers. She could still taste herself on them.
Her tight heat surrounded him. Harlem’s body was the closest he’d ever been to heaven. He could live inside of her.
The pleasure was so intense that Harlem snatched her lips away from his and threw her head back.
Carter rocked into her hard before pulling almost all the way out. Then, he thrust back into her again. The pain-pleasure was unlike anything she’d ever known. Carter stretched her even more as he rolled his hips into her. He wanted this too much and drove deep. Only to pull out to thrust deeper. Carter wrapped her legs around him so that he could go even deeper.
The sound of their slick skin slapping against each other as he pounded her body was a love song all by itself.
Harlem started to spasm.
Carter felt her muscles clench around him. He continued to make love to her. As much as he wanted her, Carter was surprised he’d lasted this long. Carter was helpless to slow the building of his orgasm, and he was about to erupt. He whispered into her ear. “Cum for me, baby.” The sweat dripped off his body onto hers as he shifted his focus to making sure she found her release before he did.
The sound of his voice was all it took for Harlem to explode. Harlem was still in the middle of her orgasm when he erupted. Hot and rope-like cum spilled into her body.
They came together. It was the most powerful orgasm Carter had had in his life.
Chapter 30
Harlem lay naked in the crook of Carter’s body as he stroked her arm with the tips of his fingers. She was overcome with guilt and freaking out. What have we done? What are we doing? We can’t do this? Girl, you’ve already done it.
Harlem raised up on her elbow and stared down into Carter’s face. “What are we doing?”
He wasn’t about to tell her falling in love when she looked so scared. “Well, I think some people call when two people share their bodies . . .”
Carter was interrupted by an uninvited houseguest. “Well, well, well. I mean, damn.” Elaina stood above them with her arms crossed. “No wonder I couldn’t get through to your phone. You were too busy fuckin’ your best-friend’s girlfriend.”
Harlem could have dissolved into the floor. She snatched the afghan to make sure her body was covered entirely.
Carter grabbed his pants which weren’t too far away, put them on, and stood. “What are you doing here unannounced?”
“I came over to apologize, but instead, I find my boyfriend with another woman. Not just any woman. I could accept that, but you screwing Harlem Thomas?”
He tried to guide Elaina out of the room. “Let’s go.” She snatched her arm away.
“I’m not going any damn where! That bitch has everything to do with why we’re not together!”
“That’s not true. How the hell did you get in here!?”
“I guess you forgot you gave me a key.” Elaina’s eyes were spitting fire. “I only came over hoping we could make up and celebrate Valentine’s Day. You seem to be having the time of your life with the woman you’ve always wanted to be with.” Elaina sneered. “I love your flowers Harlem, their beautiful.”
“I told you, our problems have nothing to do with her.”
“Really? You couldn’t even make me the priority on Valentine’s Day. That’s a problem when she’s not your woman–or maybe she is. I’ve always known you’ve wanted her. Fucking me and calling out her name was clue enough, but I never thought she would sleep with you. At least not this soon after Damian’s death.”
“Let’s go! NOW.” Carter roared.
“Before I go, let me share my own news. Maybe I can be a priority too now that I’m pregnant with your baby.”
HER BABY HIS GIFT – The Slow Burn 2
Elaina’s eyes flashed with such hatred that it looked borderline unhinged. Her stare was intense, fevered, and demonic.
Harlem watched in real-time as Elaina worked to control it. It was the strangest display of human behavior she had ever seen. The woman’s body stood rigid. Elaina blinked rapidly as if she were fighting a war within herself.
Once she seemed more in control, Elaina spoke through gritted teeth. Her voice dripping with suppressed rage. “I told you that I would even the playing field.”
Harlem was not going to be intimidated by this woman. She was angry herself. Not just because she allowed a situation to go further than it should have with Carter, but because he didn’t deserve to be manipulated in such a way. “You’re disgusting, Elaina. Women who get pregnant and use their baby to trap a man are lower than pond scum.”
Elaina was boiling with fury. There was a small twitch in her lips as they tightened that told Harlem she’d hit the mark.
Elaina shot back. “You really have a lot of nerve! Every fuckin’ time I turned around, there you are, needing Carter's so-called help.’” Elaina lifted two fingers on each hand to mark her last word in quotes. “You’ve been using that baby to lure him into your evil clutches from the
moment Damian died! You don’t like being alone? Is that why you’re screwing the best-friend only months after his death? Now that’s disgusting!”
From the outside looking in, Harlem could imagine that’s how it might look, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Harlem’s hands were balled into fists. Her nails dug into the palm of her hands as she worked hard not to wrap them around Elaina’s neck. If she weren’t pregnant, this conversation would have looked a hell of a lot different.
There was a silent stare-off between the two woman as they stood in the parking lot of Harlem’s doctor’s office. Elaina’s arms were still folded across her chest as she stepped closer into Harlem’s space.
She is doing way too much. Oh Lord, please give me strength not to snatch this woman up. Please, God. Give. Me. Strength.
“I told you, I wasn’t giving Carter up without a fight.” Elaina reached into her purse and pulled out her cell. She made an exaggerated display of making a call. Her entire demeanor changed as she spoke. “Carter? I hate to bother you, but I’m not feeling well. Do you think you can drop by after work to bring me some saltine crackers and soup?” Her eyes narrowed into tiny little blue slits as they landed on Harlem. Her voice dripped with sweetness. “Thank you so much. I’ll see you later.”
It was more than freaky to see the way Elaina could transform. Her voice and demeanor were polar opposites. They didn’t match.
After Elaina disconnected the call, her Colgate smile turned sinister. “Let the games begin.”
Their gazes held for a moment before Elaina turned and walked out of the door.
Harlem could only come to one conclusion after their conversation. Elaina was crazy, and she should probably get a gun.
Her Baby His Gift – The Slow Burn 2
COMING 3/26/2021
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Her Baby His Gift (The Slow Burn Duology Book 1) Page 16
