Love in the Dark

by 12 Book Boxed Set (epub)

  Aidan rolled his eyes as he eased Emma down on his bed. “That makes me a real gentleman, huh?”

  “Mmhmm,” she murmured, snuggling under the covers.

  “I’m glad you think so highly of me, Em.”

  “Just don’t break my heart,” she said softly.

  She was already breathing heavily when he replied, “I’ll my best not to.”

  13

  Ten days after her dinner and sleepover at Aidan’s, Emma forced herself to throw her rulebook out the window. Daily texts, emails, and phone calls from Aidan even made Casey a believer in resurrecting his potential as boyfriend material.

  The red-circled date on her calendar told her it was time to start round two of baby-making. This time Aidan insisted she come to his house. The “all business” parameters of their arrangement had already been broken, so there was no point in meeting at a hotel. After running home to freshen up, she headed over to his house.

  He answered the door in boxers and a t-shirt. “Sorry, I just got out of the shower.”

  “Yeah, I just did the same,” she replied as she followed him into the house.

  He grinned at her over his shoulder. “You should’ve showered here and we could have killed two birds with one stone.”

  Emma laughed. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “A little.”

  “I can order in some Chinese.”

  Emma pretended to be horrified. “You mean you didn’t cook for me tonight?”

  Aidan chuckled. “Sorry babe, not tonight. Work’s been kicking my ass.”

  “The new promotion?”

  He nodded. “Even though the money is fabulous, I’m starting to wish I’d said no.”

  After digging in one of his drawers, he pulled out a menu and handed it to Emma. “Let me know what you want to eat.”

  Instead of looking at the food options, Emma was puzzled about what was different about Aidan. Then she realized what it was. “Boxers? When did you start wearing those?”

  He leaned back against the kitchen counter. “Well, I did a little research, and I found out boxers are better for the balls and sperm count.”

  “I see,” she replied, fighting the flush creeping across her cheeks.

  “Yeah, the article says it seems to help the swimmers with their mobility, and we want Olympic gold this time around.”

  Emma’s heartbeat accelerated and she sucked in a breath. “So you started wearing boxers to help me conceive?”

  “Yep, and I also read that it’s better to store up sperm to make them more potent.” He pushed himself off the counter and came to stand in front of her. “So I’ve held off on any sexual activity that might result in me wasting swimmers.”

  “Oh,” she murmured.

  “Does that surprise you?”

  She nodded. “I just assumed you were seeing someone or…”

  “Screwing someone?” When Emma didn’t respond, Aidan swept the hair away from her face and stroked her cheek. “There’s been no one but you—not even my hand—since I saw you last.”

  Her eyes widened when she got his meaning. “I guess it’s been a really long ten days, huh?”

  His expression became pained. “Frankly, I’m about to explode.”

  Emma laughed. “I’m really impressed by how serious you’re taking this.”

  “Whenever I attempt to do something, I intend to do it well and give it all I have, and that includes knocking you up.”

  She smacked his arm playfully. “You’re such a charmer.”

  Aidan laughed. “Let’s see if I can’t charm the panties off of you right now.”

  “What about the food?” she questioned.

  “We’ll work up an appetite,” he replied.

  The menu fluttered from her hands and fell to the floor. “Sounds good to me.”

  Staring into each other’s eyes, the electricity in the room shifted. Suddenly, it seemed Aidan couldn’t get her naked soon enough. He gripped the hem of her dress and then pulled it up, jerking it over her head. She was glad she had chosen to change her underwear when his eyes roamed appreciatively over the green and gold bra and panties she was wearing, but he didn’t stare for long. Instead, he gripped her waist and hoisted her up to sit on the marble countertop. His fingers unhooked her bra and whisked it away as Emma wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Aidan’s lips hungrily met hers as his tongue darted in and out of her mouth. His hands cupped her bare breasts, kneading them like he knew she liked. She rewarded his efforts with a moan against his lips. Aidan’s hands left her breasts to grip the waistband of her thong. He stripped it off and down over her thighs.

  He then spread her legs, hooking her knees over his shoulders. When his tongue darted inside her heat, Emma threw her head back. “Mmm, oh God, yes.”

  “Say my name, babe,” Aidan murmured against her sex.

  With his continued teasing assault on her clit, she very quickly rewarded him with, “Yes, Aidan! Oh, yes, oh yes, Aidan!” Her shaky legs spread wider to allow him more access. Aidan slid his fingers in and out of her while his tongue lapped and teased at her folds. Her fingers gripped the edge of the countertop as she came hard and strong.

  When Aidan’s erection nudged at her opening, her eyes flew open and she jerked back. “No, not like this. Not here.”

  Aidan’s eyebrows shot up into his forehead. “Don’t tell me you have an aversion to sex on kitchen countertops? I promise they’re clean.”

  Emma felt her face warming. “That’s not it.”

  He ran his fingers through his already sweat-slicked hair. “Em, you think you could cut to the chase? I mean, I’m standing here with a raging hard-on right now, and all I want is to be buried deep inside you.”

  “I just don’t want to look back and realize my baby was conceived on a kitchen counter, okay?”

  Aidan stared at her for a moment before howling with laughter. “If my memory serves me correctly, I banged you on my desk at work after you worked me over in the desk chair.”

  “You wouldn’t go to the couch,” she argued.

  “But don’t you think babies have been conceived in worse places?”

  Emma crossed her arms over her bare breasts in a huff. “We’re not talking about other people’s babies. We’re talking about mine.”

  He rolled his eyes then grinned. “Emma Harrison, you are going to be the death of me in more ways than one.” When he pulled her closer to him, she started to protest, but he shook his head. “Just hold your horses, princess. I’ll get you back to the bedroom, okay?”

  She grinned. “I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.”

  As he lifted her off the counter, she gripped her legs tight around his waist while he held her steady. “Hmm, just what are you suggesting?”

  She titled her head to the right, appearing to be lost in thought. “How does this sound: after we go a round, I give a lot of oral attention to your most prized possession?”

  Aidan groaned. “Worth every fucking step of hauling your sexy ass to my bed.”

  Emma giggled. “I figured as much.”

  “You’re so bossy and demanding, Em. I can’t believe I give in to you.”

  “That’s because you want to give in to me. Admit it. I’ve softened you toward sex.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to say I’m a pussy in the bedroom now?”

  “Of course not, silly. I just meant I’ve had an effect on the way you think and act about sex, just like you’ve changed me. You’re tender, sweet, and thoughtful instead of just being about your own pleasure. Future women will thank me.”

  Aidan didn’t reply. Instead, he tossed her unceremoniously onto her back on the bed. She gasped in shock at his roughness. “Why Mr. Fitzgerald, how ungentlemanly of you,” she teased.

  He gave a sharp shake of his head. “Your little episode in the kitchen has made me wait long enough to fuck, Ms. Harrison. You can consider yourself forewarned that there will
be no more Mr. Nice Guy!”

  She would have been lying if his words coupled with the gleam of desire burning in his eyes didn’t turn her on. He shoved her knees apart with his hands, widening her legs. His expression turned predatorily dark as he positioned himself over her and with one harsh thrust, he drove himself inside her. Impaled by him, she shuddered at his forcefulness. He smirked down at her. “Looks like your body is betraying that prim attitude of yours. Guess I’ve had an effect on you as well.”

  “I’m not the one denying it, you are,” she said breathily.

  He continued pounding into her, the smacking of their skin echoing through the room along with Aidan’s almost animalistic grunts. She knew he was screwing her like this to prove a point to himself, and she wanted nothing more than to prove to him he had changed.

  She brought her hands to his face, drawing his lips to hers. He momentarily stilled his thrusting when she darted her tongue into his mouth, sweetly stroking his tongue with hers. She swept her hands through his hair, tugging at the strands at the base of his neck. He groaned low in his throat.

  Emma’s hands feathered down Aidan’s back. Instead of raking her fingernails into his flesh, she swept deliciously slow circles over his ass. Now it was his turn to shudder. She cupped his buttocks, pressing him farther inside her while raising her hips. “Slow and sweet now, please?” she asked.

  His eyes flew open and a smile curved on his lips. “When you ask that way, how can I say no?”

  After completing round one and keeping her promise of oral attention, Emma woke up snuggled into the crook of Aidan’s arm. Pressing her ear against his chest, she listened to the gentle hum of his heartbeat. She had almost gone back to sleep when Aidan’s voice roused her.

  “Are you awake?”

  “Mmmhmm,” she murmured.

  “There’s something I need to tell you, and I really need you to be fully awake for this one, Em.”

  His words doused her with the same effect as a cup of coffee. She rose up to peer at his troubled expression. “Why do I have the feeling you’re about to drop a major bomb on me?”

  Aidan exhaled a ragged breath. “Because of my new promotion, I have to go to India to help open the new branch over there.”

  Inwardly, relief washed over Emma. A million devastating scenarios had raced through her mind, most of them involving him no longer wanting to see her or be part of the baby-making. “How long will you be gone?”

  “This is the part you’re not going to like…two weeks to a month.”

  Emma gasped. “But that means you might not be here next time to…” She ducked her head. “Well, you know.”

  Aidan rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “But I might be. I just don’t know how long it’ll take.”

  She nodded. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “It’s not like you’re just choosing to go on vacation or something. It’s work—you have to do it. I do realize you have a life besides me and my baby-making scheme.” She smiled. “Besides, it’s not like I can keep you chained to the bed for my own needs.”

  His chest vibrated with laughter beneath her. “Oh, Em, I didn’t know you could be so kinky.” Propping himself up on his elbows, he grinned down at her. “Any time you want to handcuff me to the bed, you just let me know. I’ll happily oblige you.”

  Emma pulled herself up to straddle him. “I think we’re doing just fine as we are.”

  His fingertips feathered over her thighs. “Now why doesn’t your reply surprise me? If you find kitchen counters offensive for conceiving, I’m sure any notion of bondage is out.”

  “You told me before you didn’t go in for all that.”

  “That’s true, but for you, I’d make an exception.”

  Rolling her eyes, Emma leaned over, licking her tongue up his neck and along his jaw. When she was almost to his mouth, she pulled back. “Do you think you could oblige me in another round?”

  Aidan grinned. “Why of course.”

  At that moment, Beau leapt onto the bed with Emma’s underwear between his teeth. “Beau! No, give me those!” she shrieked, grabbing for his mouth. Once she swiped the panties from him, his wet nose nudged against Emma’s thigh, trying to push her off Aidan’s lap.

  “Beau, you old cockblocker! Get down.” Aidan cried.

  Emma fell over on the bed giggling. Between Aidan’s comment and Beau’s antics, she could barely catch her breath. Beau began licking her face and she had to push him away. “No, boy, stop,” she gasped.

  Aidan tried to grab Beau’s collar. “Get down.”

  When Beau was finally off the bed, Emma turned to Aidan. “What’s going to happen to him while you’re gone?”

  Aidan shrugged. “Even though he hates staying overnight, I guess I’ll board him at his doggy daycare.”

  Emma glanced over the side of the bed at Beau. He proceeded to give her the saddest hound-dog face he could muster. “Aw, poor baby.” She turned to Aidan and smiled. “I could keep him for you.”

  Aidan grunted. “What the hell would possess you to want to do that?”

  “Because I love him, and I hate to think of him being unhappy for two to four weeks.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  Emma nodded. “Don’t you trust me with your dog?”

  He laughed. “Of course I do, and if you really want to put up with his smelly ass for two to four weeks, he’s yours.”

  She peered over the side of the bed again. “Did you hear that boy? You’re going to come stay with me while Daddy goes to India.”

  Beau thumped his tail appreciatively while Aidan snickered. “I can’t believe you just called me Beau’s daddy.”

  She gave him a wicked grin as she trailed her fingers up his thigh and then took his slackened cock in her hand. “Would you rather me call you Big Daddy?”

  He licked his lips in anticipation. “Oh yeah, that’s good.”

  “Which part? Me stroking you like this or calling you Big Daddy?” she teased.

  “Mmm, both,” he replied.

  Once she had worked him to full mast, she guided him to her already wet core. Emma grinned at Aidan. “Okay then, Big Daddy, let’s try once more to make a baby.”

  14

  Emma gnawed on her already frayed nails. Sitting on the bathroom countertop, her legs swung back and forth as her whole body hummed with nervous energy. She drew in a frantic breath, trying to calm her out-of-control emotions, but nothing short of a margarita the size of a fishbowl would help at the moment.

  She cut her gaze over to where Casey lounged on the settee, eyeing three different pregnancy test sticks. “How long has it been?” Emma squeaked.

  Casey groaned. “About five fucking seconds since the last time you asked. Jesus, Em, you’re going to give me a stroke.”

  “I’m sorry. It feels like an eternity since I peed on those freakin’ sticks. I’m losing my mind.”

  Someone started to come into the bathroom and Casey leapt up, bracing herself against the door. “Sorry, it’s out of order. Try the one down the hall.”

  The person grumbled, but then backed off. Emma widened her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re bogarting the bathroom for my pregnancy test!”

  “Do you want a strange chick taking a whiz in the middle of your big moment?”

  Nervous laughter bubbled out of Emma. “No, I guess not, but we don’t know if it’s going to be a big moment or not.”

  Casey grinned. “You’re a week late this time, Em, and don’t forget that Aidan took extra care of his swimmers. I think the odds are in your favor this second time around.”

  “As much as I want it to be, I have a feeling Aidan will be a little disappointed if there are no more baby-making sessions, especially since he’s storing up his energy while he’s out of the country.”

  “Who says it has to end?”

  Emma’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Because there won’t be a point any more…I’ll be pregnant.”
>
  “Yeah, and keeping him coming back for more just might land you something you never bargained for.”

  “And what’s that?”

  Casey gave her a knowing smile. “A husband.”

  The room spun around her, sending Emma’s head slamming back against the mirror. She brought her hand to her forehead to still the maddening spinning. “Don’t say things like that to me when I’m already about to explode.” When Casey didn’t reply, Emma opened her eyes. “What is it?”

  “They’re starting to change colors!”

  Emma sucked in a breath before leaning forward on the bathroom counter. “And?”

  “Holy shit! One has two lines and the others say ‘YES’!”

  Falling off the counter onto the tiled floor, Emma staggered over to Casey and grabbed her by the shoulders. Bewildered, she asked, “But…so does that mean…?”

  Tears sparkled in Casey’s eyes. “It means you’re pregnant!”

  “Are you sure? You didn’t read the boxes wrong or something?”

  “No, I’m positive, and the tests are positive!”

  Emma froze as her body desperately tried to process her emotions. They ricocheted through her at warp speed, causing her body to tremble. She couldn’t even blink, let alone draw breath. All the painful years after Travis’s and her mother’s deaths spent hoping, praying, and longing for a child converged on this one moment. It was physically and emotionally overwhelming.

  Pregnant…she was actually pregnant.

  Casey shook her gently. “Breathe, Em, you’ve got to breathe.”

  Silent tears streamed down Emma’s cheeks. Her hand tentatively went to her abdomen. “I can’t believe it’s actually happening.”

  “It feels good to be right,” Casey joked as she wiped her own tears away on the back of her hand.

  Emma’s elated expression started to fade. “What if the tests were wrong? I mean, what if—”

  Casey shook her head. “You could buy ten more tests to humor yourself, but it’s real this time.”