by Hart, Rye
My eyes roamed Amanda’s body as I pictured her pregnant with my child. Her stomach swollen with life. I imagined massaging her aching feet and running out at three in the morning to get her whatever it was she was craving. I pictured us in the delivery room, working in tandem to bring life into this world.
I smiled at the thought before I rose up to kiss Amanda.
“What was that for?” she asked, giggling.
“Do I need an excuse to kiss my wife?” I asked.
“Nope. But you sort of drifted off there for a second. Where did you go?”
“I was picturing you pregnant,” I said.
“Oh, really? Did you see all the stretch marks I would end up with?” she asked.
“I did,” I said as I sat up.
“Did you picture me in all the clothes that wouldn’t fit anymore?” she asked.
“I did.”
“Did you picture my boobs leaking randomly in public and me being completely embarrassed about it?”
I laid her body back down on the bed as she spread her legs to welcome me.
“Oh, I did,” I said with a grin.
“Did you like it?” she asked.
My cock was still pulsing with need for her. I reached down and grabbed it, then slipped it effortlessly back into Amanda’s body. She gasped and clung to me, bringing our bodies together as my lips fell onto hers.
I sank myself until our hips connected as I smiled into her skin.
“I loved it,” I said.
I moved my hips and felt my wife cling to me. The most beautiful woman in the world had somehow found her way into my life. I allowed myself to let go. To allow the animal within me to come rising up to the surface. I pinned Amanda’s wrists above her head and marked the whole of her body. I slammed into her until she was crying out for mercy, denying her the pleasure she sought so desperately. I caressed her and bit her. Kissed her and pinched her. Lost her in a world of debauchery only to bring her back up for air. I slicked my cock with her juices and painted the room with her scent. I fucked her on every surface I could get her on as tears of frustration fell down her cheeks.
Then, just as she was begging me to come, I took mercy on her body.
“I would love to have a family with you,” I said.
Then I fucked her until she silently screamed my name.
Epilogue
Amanda
Seven Months Later
The sun was shining brightly as summer beat down upon the mountainous terrain. My art gallery was officially open for business and the first day had been fantastic. Brian helped me get everything ready, including helping me hang up my first round of pictures. I had people in and out of the gallery all day, inquiring about tailor-made pieces, art classes, and buying a few things right off the wall. The community came out to welcome me into their arms, and as the day was winding down, I figured out I had sold three pieces, filled up two of my art classes, and sold four hundred dollars right off the wall.
And Brian wanted to take me out to celebrate.
“If we’re going to go out, I need to go change first. I’ve been on my feet all day, and I’d really like a shower,” I said.
“That’s fine. I want a chance to go see how the paint is drying at the cabin,” Brian said.
“Oh! Did you get all of that done already?” I asked.
“Yes. Now that I’m done with the staircase, I can get upstairs and finish things up there. But the downstairs is fully painted.”
Over the course of seven months, Brian had managed to really whip the cabin into shape. We sold off the pieces my grandmother gifted me as we needed them, though I knew Brian was still using some of his money to fix things up. He had replaced the porch, redone the kitchen, hired an electrician to come fix all the outlets, had the furniture and carpets downstairs professionally cleaned, and painted all the walls himself. It was really coming along, and all we had to do now was take care of the upstairs.
I was in awe every single day of him.
I kissed Brian before I hopped into the shower, but I made it quick. There was an outfit I wanted Lanie to put on, a very special outfit I’d picked out just for today. I dried myself off and changed into one of my summer dresses, then helped Lanie get ready. I put a bow in her hair and found her a fun little skirt to wear, and as I was slipping on her shoes I heard Brian come through the door.
“The walls are coming along fine,” he called out. “One more night of drying and they’ll be good to go. You girls ready to eat?”
“Coming, Daddy!”
Lanie ran down the hallway toward him and my hands were shaking. I watched as Brian picked her up, swinging her around in his arms. I would never get over that. I would never get over how wonderful Brian was with that little girl. Tears rose to my eyes as I settled my hands on my stomach, watching them from the shadows of the hallway as his eyes scanned her outfit.
“You look beautiful, Princess. Is that a new shirt?”
“It is! It is! Read it, Daddy.”
He put Lanie down before he crouched in front of her, and I could see the confusion written all over his face. His eyes darted up toward the hallway just as I emerged, my hands on my stomach and my skin glowing with delight. He slowly stood to his feet, his jaw dropped and his eyes sparkling as they moved over my body.
“Her shirt says ‘big sister,’” Brian said.
“I know. I uh, figured it was appropriate,” I said, smiling.
“Amanda?” he asked.
“Yeah?”
“Why does Lanie’s shirt say ‘big sister’?”
Tears of happiness rose to my eyes as I shoved my hand into the pocket of my sundress.
“Because we’re pregnant,” I said as I handed him the test.
He took it from my fingers and studied the positive test. His body was still as his face morphed from confusion to shock. I tried my best to keep my emotional disposition at bay. I wanted to give him space to process, just like I had a few weeks ago myself.
“You’re pregnant?” he asked.
His voice was full of hope and light as he turned his eyes to connect with me.
“I am,” I said, giggling. “I’m pregnant, Brian.”
“You’re pregnant!” he said.
“I am! I’m pregnant!”
He wrapped his arms around me and swung me around. We laughed together, tears of joy rolling down both of our faces. Lanie was clapping her hands and twirling around in her skirt, chanting about how she was going to be the best big sister in the whole wide world.
I reached down for her and picked her up so she could get in on the hugging action.
“I love you so much,” Brian said.
“I love you, too. And I am so glad you’re happy,” I said.
“Why in the world wouldn’t I be happy?” he asked.
“Because this is pretty soon into our marriage. I mean, we’ll celebrate our first year together with me already pregnant.”
“I don’t care,” he said as Lanie held us close. “All I care about is the fact that I’m about to have a child with the woman I love.”
I was so excited that he was happy. Soon, the celebratory dinner was forgotten about. Instead, we stayed in, and Brian cooked us up some steaks. Lanie had her macaroni and cheese, while I ate my fill of Brian’s steak and potatoes. Then the three of us settled onto the couch to watch a movie.
“I’m gonna be a good big sister. You know why?” Lanie asked.
“Because you’re going to love your sibling?” I asked.
“Nope,” she said
“Because you’re going to help us out?” Brian asked.
“Nope,” she said.
“You're not gonna help us out?” I asked. “How are you going to be a good big sister if you don’t help us out?”
“Because I’m gonna protect her! Like Daddy does us.” I pulled Lanie into my arms and peppered her face with kisses. Brian’s face was beaming with pride, his eyes scanning my body. I reached out and took his hand, bringi
ng it to my lips to kiss. Then he lowered his lips to my temple and kissed me fondly.
“Have you been to the doctor yet?” he asked.
“Not yet. I kind of wanted you to come with me,” I said.
“ “Done. Call and make an appointment tomorrow. I want to know that everything is as it should be.”
His arm threaded around my body and pulled me close to him as Lanie reached for a blanket.
“And thank you,” he said.
“For what?” I asked.
“For never giving up.”
“I’ll never give up on us, Brian, I said.
“And I’ll always be there to protect you, Amanda. No matter what.”
The End
IT’S NOT OVER! BECAUSE I LOVE MY READERS SO MUCH AND I’M ALL ABOVE DELIVERING THE CONTENT YOU LOVE, I’VE INCLUDED A NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED STEAMY ROMANCE STORY: THE MOUNTAIN MANS SECOND CHANCE. CHECK IT OUT…
THE MOUNTAIN MANS SECOND CHANCE
CHAPTER ONE
SYDNEY
“Oooh, where are you going?” Allison asks, her voice a little tinny sounding over the phone.
“Peter won't say,” I reply. “He says it's supposed to be a surprise.”
I push a strand of auburn hair behind my ear and glance at myself in the mirror. As I look at my hair, I realize I desperately need a trim. My formerly chin-length bob is touching my shoulders now, the ends curling ever so slightly upward. Most people probably wouldn't even give it a second thought, but to me, it looks like a wooly mop.
My gaze remains fixed on the mirror and, in particular, at the green eyes that stare back at me. They're my eyes, of course, but as I look closely, my face is that of a stranger to me. Dark eyeliner is drawn across each lid, forming a perfectly stylish cat eye – something that's taken me months to get right. A vibrant red lipstick paints my lips. Golden eyeshadow that's a bit shinier than I'd normally wear adorns my eyes. I personally think it's a little bit too gaudy, but for some reason, Peter likes me in gold.
He told me to look my best when we spoke last, which in Peter-ese, meant wear makeup and dress fancy. Which I have.
My best friend sighs wistfully as if I've just told her the most romantic tale of all time. It's true, Peter is incredibly romantic and he's everything most women want in a man. Rich. Successful. Handsome. Romantic. The list of his positive attributes goes on and on.
“You're so lucky, girly,” Allison says. “I hope to find someone like Peter one day.”
My faint smile can't be seen through the phone, and thankfully so. My parents have already lectured me about how perfect Peter is, and how I would be a fool to screw it up – I didn't need to hear it from my best friend too.
“Yeah, well, I have to get packing,” I say. “Just wanted to let you know why I couldn't make it to Monica's surprise party. I guess I have a surprise party of my own to attend”
“It's all good,” she says brightly. “Monica will understand.”
Hanging up the phone, I stare down at the clothes on my bed, gripped by a feeling of consternation. Not knowing where we we're going makes it hard to know what to pack. A month ago, it was Key Largo on a whim. Today? Who knows. Peter's family owns a private jet, meaning he can literally fly me anywhere in the world he wants to go at the drop of a hat.
My phone rings again and I pick it up, checking the number on the display screen.
“Speak of the devil,” I mutter to myself as I punch the button and connect the call.
“Hello there, beautiful,” Peter coos. “Almost ready?”
“Almost,” I say. “Can you give me some idea of what I should pack? A swimsuit, winter clothes?”
“All the above,” he says. “We're going on an adventure. Excited?”
Not really. “More curious than anything at this moment.”
An adventure. Uh huh. That tells me nothing. I toss a bikini and a few summer dresses on top of the jacket and thick, woolen socks already in my bag. Without any idea of where we're going or what we'll be doing once we get there, I'm just trying to be as prepared as I can.
“How'd the meeting at work go?” I ask.
“Boring, as usual,” Peter says. “Dad is taking his dear, sweet time making the transition.”
“Yeah, it's got to be tough for him to let go after all this time,” I say.
I sit down on the bed and close my eyes, listening to Peter go on and on about the business. McDowell Pharmaceuticals is his dad's company, but his father is retiring and leaving everything to him. Peter is, of course, in a hurry to get things going so he can take over and start putting his stamp on the company.
His father though, as it turns out, isn't so keen on letting go. Instead of spending his days on the golf course, or at the country club, he keeps coming in and looking over Peter’s shoulder, which is driving my boyfriend absolutely mad.
Boyfriend. Huh. First time I've ever called him that, even though it's obvious that's what he is. It still feels weird to me to think the word, let alone say it out loud, though. Things still feel somewhat distant between us, even though we've been seeing each other constantly for the past four months.
Our relationship has been a whirlwind from the day my dad – a doctor who works with Peter's father on some clinical drug trials – introduced us at a gala. From that day forward, Peter has called me at least once a day, and insisted we see each other no less than four times a week. The trips started a month ago, with him taking me to Key Largo for no reason other than he thought it would be fun.
It was definitely fun, and I enjoyed myself, but, he promised me there is so much more to come. If I'm being honest, I'm not even sure if there's a future ahead of us. I'm not really thinking that far ahead right now. Peter, however, is talking about going to Europe once the transition is complete and he's gotten himself on steady footing as the man in charge. He's talked a lot about maybe spending the summer together in Santorini.
Summer. That's still several months from now. Honestly, I'm not sure where I'm going to be next month, much less almost half a year away.
“Sydney, are you listening to me?”
Peter's voice cuts into my thoughts and pulls me back to the here and now. I'd apparently zoned out – tuning him out completely.
“Uh yeah,” I lie. “I'm listening.”
“Then what did I just say?” His tone is serious.
“You were talking about work and how your dad doesn't want to hand over the reins of the company so easily – ”
“No, I'd asked you if you were ready, darling.”
His voice softens, just a bit, but it comes out sounding forced. Peter has no patience for people not listening to him. It's a trait that seems common in powerful, successful men. They expect everyone to hang on their every little word, and when you don't, they feel slighted. Insulted. In that way, he's a lot like my own father.
No wonder he likes Peter so much.
“Yeah. Almost,” I say.
I look at the mess of clothes on my bed and the mess that is my bag, realizing I'm nowhere near close to being ready.
“Good. I'll have a car pick you up in half an hour,” he says.
Half an hour? I want to ask for more time, but not because it'll take me that much longer to finish packing. I'm just not ready to leave yet. I'm still waiting to hear back from a few medical schools I've had interviews with, and I'd much rather hang out with Allie and check the mail every chance I can, not travel to God knows where with a man my parents seemed to like more than I do.
“Okay,” I say.
It's a vacation. I need a vacation before starting medical school. That's what my parents would say. It still doesn't mean I want to uproot my entire world while I wait for the acceptance letters to come. And I know they'll come, it's just a matter of where, at this point.
Thankfully, Allie will feed my cat for me, but I still hate leaving Hermes behind. I walk over to the cat bed I put in the walk-in closet for him. It's one of his favorite napping spots, and when I peek inside, I find my majes
tic black cat curled up in a loaf position. His golden orbs watch me as I walk over and sit down on the floor with him, scratching behind his ears.
“Don't worry, I'll be back soon, buddy,” I tell him. “I promise.”
Hermes purrs and closes his eyes, resting his head against my palm. I get so caught up in petting my cat, I completely forget about packing. My phone buzzes and I realize that the car is here, waiting for me outside.
“Shit,” I mutter, rushing to grab my bag.
I throw in a few last-minute articles of clothing before hurrying through my condo toward the front door. My heart thundering in my chest, I rush down to the elevator, and down to the main lobby. Waving at the doorman, I exit my high-rise and find the black BMW sitting out front. The driver opens up the door for me, and I climb into the back seat.
Peter is waiting for me and I feel my heart sink into my shoes. If there's one thing he likes less than not being listened to, it's being kept waiting. A look of mild annoyance flashes across his features, but he manages to stuff it down. The irritation in his eyes is gone as if it had never been.
“I thought we were meeting at the airport?” I say.
“The surprises are only just beginning, my love,” he says.
I get myself situated on the back seat and then Peter pulls me into a kiss, holding my face between his hands so I can't get away even if I want to. His lips press against mine as the car pulls away from the curb.
We can't get to the airport quickly enough for my liking.
CHAPTER TWO
JACK
“Let's move forward with the sale,” I say.
My office window overlooks the mountains beyond. They're majestic and covered in snow for as far as the eye can see. No other houses can be seen from my place, which is one reason I love it out here. It's just me and the mountains. Oh, and my dog, Gunner.
As if on cue, my chocolate lab lifts his head up and looks right at me. It's technically time for me to take him out to let him do his business, but I've been on this stupid conference call for hours. I'd much rather be out in the snow with my dog, but running a business means you have to make certain sacrifices. Even if I'm in the process of selling the business and everything to do with it.
