Love in the Dark

by 12 Book Boxed Set (epub)

  “Oh, I see.” When she forced herself to look at Aidan, he was staring quizzically at her breasts. After he scratched his chin, Emma asked, “What?”

  “Is there, like, milk in them already or something?”

  She laughed. “No, no, it’s nothing like that.”

  Although he seemed relieved, he still wasn’t touching her. Slowly, she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head. She held Aidan’s smoldering gaze as she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. After she let it drop to the floor, she took his hands in hers and brought them to her chest. “Just be gentle, okay?” She worked his hands over her breasts, illustrating the pattern and pressure to use. “Mmm, that’s good,” she said.

  As his fingers rolled and teased her nipples to hardened peaks, he arched his eyebrows questioningly at her. “Very good,” she murmured.

  While he kept up his ministrations, she reached over to loosen his tie. Once she slipped it off, she started at the buttons on his shirt. After whisking it away, she started for his belt buckle. She must not have been moving fast enough because Aidan’s hands left her breasts to unzip and kick off his pants.

  At the sight of his rumpled boxers—the very ones he was wearing just to help her to conceive—she grinned. Taking his hand, she led him down the hall toward the bedroom. He used his free hand to caress her backside—it was like he couldn’t stop touching her even for a second. When they got into the bedroom, he slid his hand from her buttocks to grip her waist, pulling her toward him. She wrapped her arms around his chest, enjoying the sensation of feeling his bare skin on her breasts.

  Aidan’s mouth met Emma’s in a frenzied, desperate kiss as she guided them over to the bed. She brought her hands to his chest and shoved him, sending him sprawling onto the bed. Instead of lying down, he raised himself up into a sitting position. Grabbing Emma’s hips, Aidan tugged her closer.

  After spending a few minutes delicately licking and sucking her nipples, he kissed from the hollow of her breasts down over her stomach. His nimble fingers whisked off her panties, leaving her naked and feeling vulnerable in front of him. When he didn’t begin kissing or stroking her, Emma glanced down at him. Her breath hitched at the sight of him staring at her belly.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” he murmured.

  “You didn’t expect me to be showing already, did you?”

  “No, of course not, but your body is already changing in little ways. I can tell.” Lightly, he grazed her abdomen with the back of his fingers. He wore an almost mesmerized expression. “So there’s a part of me in there, huh?”

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  He titled his head to the side, smiling up at her. “Damn. That’s pretty amazing when you stop to think about it.”

  The tiny fluttering of her heart broke into a full gallop at his words. “It is.”

  When Aidan leaned in to feather tender kisses across her belly, Emma came undone. The gesture brought tears to her eyes. She bit down so hard on her bottom lip to keep from sobbing that a metallic rush of blood filled her mouth. Just as she thought she might go over the emotional abyss, he flicked his tongue over her clit while his fingers sought out her core. Gasping, she brought her hand to his hair and fisted the strands. All thoughts escaped her mind except for the exquisite torment of his tongue as it licked and sucked over her sex.

  It didn’t take long for her to throw her head back and cry out his name as she came. With her body still reeling, he gripped her waist and spun her around, pushing her toward the bed. Emma fought the wave of dizziness that spiraled over her; it was unfortunately not the usual post-orgasm kind, but instead was another aspect of pregnancy plaguing her.

  With a hungry smile, Aidan pressed her down onto the mattress, but then when he positioned himself over her body, he froze. He then rocked back to sit on his knees between her legs. “What’s wrong?” Emma asked.

  He scratched his head. “Um, I don’t quite know how to say this.”

  Propping up on her elbows, Emma asked, “What do you mean?”

  “Here’s the thing…I’m kind of afraid.”

  Emma felt like her eyebrows were going to shoot right off her forehead. “Excuse me?”

  “What I mean is, I’m afraid of doing something that will hurt the baby, like crushing it with my body on yours or thrusting too deep or some shit like that.”

  “Oh, I see,” she murmured. She fought the urge to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Never in a million years would she have imagined Aidan being afraid of sex.

  “Well, my doctor didn’t say anything about abstaining from sex, so I think we’ll be fine.”

  Hope flashed in Aidan’s eyes. “You think?”

  She could no longer hold back her laugher. “Yes, I’m positive.”

  “Oh, so this is funny now?”

  She nodded. “If you could see the look on your face.”

  Scowling, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, excuse me for wanting to protect our child.”

  Emma rose up and took Aidan’s face in her hands. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. It’s just that most couples, married or unmarried, don’t stop having sex when pregnancy happens.” When he started to argue, she put a finger over his lips to silence him. “But I do appreciate your worry and concern. Each and every time we’ve been together, you’ve always been considerate not to do anything that would hurt me. I’m sure you’ll continue doing the same thing now.”

  He grimaced. “It’s just…I’m worried because it’s been a while for me. If I’m being totally honest, it’s one of the longest periods of going without sex in my adult life, and I’m worried about getting too carried away.”

  “It’ll be fine. Trust me, I’ll let you know if something is wrong.”

  Aidan gave her a wary look before he nodded.

  “Now why don’t you make love to me? Nice and slow,” she said.

  Aidan blew out a puff of air. “I can try.”

  Emma couldn’t help giggling at the determined expression on his face. “I can’t believe Mr. Aidan Fitzgerald, sex god extraordinaire, is doubting his abilities in the bedroom.”

  At her taunting, Aidan’s expressed flipped over from anxious to smoldering in barely a second. “There goes that mouth of yours again,” he replied, his voice low and husky.

  “Mmhmm,” Emma murmured, bringing his face to hers. She needed his warm lips on hers desperately. Sliding her tongue into his mouth, she caressed his, causing him to groan deep in the back of his throat.

  Emma reached between them and took his erection in her hand. She stroked him hard and fast, causing Aidan’s jaw to clench. After working his glorious length a few more moments, Aidan grunted, his hips bucking back and forth into her hand.

  “Em,” he murmured.

  She then guided his erection to her core. He entered her slowly, tediously, inch by inch, until she was filled with him. She realized then how much she had missed the feeling of him being inside her. When he pulled out, Emma gasped at the empty feeling. His frantic eyes met hers and she smiled. “It’s okay. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

  “I’ll try,” he replied, plunging back inside her.

  Emma gripped Aidan’s shoulders while widening her legs. His pace became exquisitely languorous. With each stroke, Emma raised her hips to meet him. They moved in perfect unison together, panting and drawing breaths in the same measure.

  Aidan took Emma’s hand and brought it between them. “Touch yourself,” he instructed. Embarrassment filled her at his request. When she started to jerk her hand away, Aidan shook his head. “If you won’t touch yourself, then touch me…touch us.”

  A shudder went through her at his words, and she felt herself not only relenting, but feeling wildly turned on. Tentatively, she slid her hand down to where they were joined, feeling him sliding in and out of her. She ran her fingers over his cock, slick from their shared arousals. Aidan moaned in approval. “Yeah, babe. Oh fuck, that f
eels good.” After working him over, she finally brought her hand back to her clit and started to stroke and rub it.

  Closing her eyes, she let the feeling wash over her. It was almost too much—the sensation from Aidan thrusting in and out coupled with stimulating herself. It didn’t take long for an orgasm to build and ripple through her. “Aidan! Oh Aidan!” she screamed.

  “Oh, fuck, Em, I don’t think I’m going to last much longer,” Aidan said through gritted teeth.

  She brought her lips to his, kissing him forcefully and passionately while he shuddered and came into her. He fell against her like he usually did, covering her body with his. “Dammit to hell!” he cursed. His expression was one of horror when he met her gaze. “Christ, did I hurt you just then?”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “Aidan, would you stop worrying? I’m fine.”

  “You sure?”

  She grinned. “Maybe ready for dessert.”

  He snorted. “I thought what we just did was some fucking wild dessert!”

  “Hmm, well, that was really, really hot, but I’m more in the mood for something cold and sweet.” When he quirked his eyebrows at her, she giggled. “But what we just did was pretty sweet too!”

  “Let me guess, Ben and Jerry are calling your name, huh?”

  Emma nodded.

  “Then let me be a true gentleman and go get it for you.”

  “Ooh, post sex ice cream…how romantic!” she mused.

  “There goes that mouth of yours again,” Aidan remarked as he climbed out of bed and started for the kitchen.

  “Good thing I’m about to fill it with ice cream, huh?”

  Aidan winked at her over his shoulder. “I could think of something better to cram in your mouth.”

  She tossed a pillow at him for his audacity. “Go get the ice cream, and I’ll consider letting you back in this bed.”

  “Oh, you’ll let me back in. In fact, I wager you’ll be begging me.”

  As he started out of the bedroom, Emma couldn’t help shivering in anticipation of what the rest of the night held in store.

  17

  Drifting between sleep and consciousness, Emma felt something moist trailing up her bare back and over her neck. When Aidan pressed his morning erection against her backside, her eyes flew open. She turned to gaze at him over her shoulder. “Good morning to you, too—or should I say, the both of you,” she said, her voice laced with amusement.

  Aidan’s chuckle hummed in her ear. “I’m sorry I woke you. I couldn’t help getting so turned on when I woke up next to a fiery, naked goddess.”

  “Are you thinking by merely flattering me I’m going to let you have your way with me again?”

  “I sure as hell hope so.”

  “Hmm, I thought I gave you your consolation sex prize last night. I don’t recall this morning being a part of the deal.”

  “So you want to tease me and play hard to get, huh?” Aidan snaked his hand across her belly and between her legs. She sucked in a breath. “Was that a yes?” he asked, his fingers speeding up their tempo.

  “It’s definitely not a no,” she murmured, tilting her head back against his shoulder.

  Just as she felt herself building to an orgasm, the familiar morning nausea seized her. “No, no, stop!” she cried.

  Aidan gazed down at her in surprise. “What’s wrong?”

  “I—” She clapped her hand over her mouth, willing herself not to throw up on him. She clambered over his legs and streaked into the bathroom, barely making it before her stomach clenched. She gripped the sides of toilet seat and retched violently. Over and over, her stomach heaved. Exhausted, she sank to her knees. When she glanced up, Aidan stood framed in the doorway. He had managed to slide on his underwear, and she noticed her episode had killed his libido.

  “Morning sickness?”

  “Mmmhmm,” she moaned.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, I—” She heaved again. Dragging her arm across her mouth, she didn’t dare look at Aidan. It was too embarrassing having him see her this way. Staring at the tile, she said, “I’m fine. Really. Go back to bed.”

  Without a word, Aidan left the bathroom; Emma couldn’t blame him. She could only imagine this unattractive aspect of pregnancy would just be another reason to drive him away. What would he want with someone like her when he could have any woman he wanted?

  Pressing her cheek against the toilet lid, she felt the bile rising in her throat again. She silently willed herself not to get sick, then Aidan appeared in the doorway. Emma peered up to see a glass of water and a bag of saltine crackers in his hands. When she stared at him in shock, he gave her a sheepish grin. “I thought this might help.”

  He hadn’t run away. Instead, he had tried to find something to make her better. The gesture sent Emma’s emotions reeling like an out of control merry-go-round. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Instead of leaving them on the counter and running out the door, he grabbed the hand towel and ran it under the cold water. He then eased down beside her, taking Emma’s face in his hands. “Aidan, you don’t—” she protested.

  “Shh, just let me take care of you.” Tenderly, he swiped the rag across her cheeks and her forehead. The gesture tugged at her heart, and overwhelming love for him radiated in her chest. She closed her eyes so he wouldn’t see her tears. “Does that feel nice?”

  Unable to speak, she bobbed her head.

  “I’m so sorry about the puking,” he said.

  Her eyes flew open. “It’s not your fault.”

  He grinned. “Well, it kind of is considering I knocked you up.”

  She gave him a weak smile. “But I asked you to. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”

  “Has it been bad so far?”

  She nodded. “Every morning…some afternoons.” She shuddered. “And then certain smells.”

  Aidan twisted the rag in his hands. “I wish I could do something to help. I feel so helpless having to watch you suffer.”

  Her chest constricted again at his words. “It’s enough you just being here, comforting me like this.” She reached out to touch his cheek. “You have such a good heart and so much love to give. You’re going to be a wonderful father.”

  He stared at her in almost disbelief, his chest rising and falling harshly. She could see him emotionally shutting down right in front of her. He shook his head. “I think you give me too much credit. Besides, I’d be a real jackass if I left you alone when you were sick.” He rose up off the floor and tossed the rag on the counter.

  Chewing her lip, Emma realized this was probably the best she was ever going to get from him—just enough care and concern to keep his conscience from eating at him. It wasn’t ever going to be enough to make him love her or commit. She just needed to accept that fact so she could guard her heart. She could only give herself to him physically—even though she desperately hoped that physical intimacy would lead to a stronger emotional one for Aidan.

  So she drew in a deep breath and pulled herself up. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  He whirled back around in surprise. “You think you’re up to it?”

  “The nausea and the puking never last long. I’m feeling better now.” She smiled. “You want to join me?”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m not making any promises.” She pulled back the shower curtain and turned on the water. “Besides, we both need to be ready to go out in a little while because I do expect you to buy me some breakfast—you know, for knocking me up and all.”

  He grinned. “I think I can do that.”

  18

  An hour later, Emma buckled herself in while Aidan let the top down on his convertible. “What sounds good?” he asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

  “Hmm, IHOP? I keep craving pancakes.”

  “Then IHOP it is.”

  While flipping through the radio stations, Aidan’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and grimaced. “It’s my dad.”

&n
bsp; “Haven’t you talked to him since you got back?”

  “No.”

  Emma shook her head. “I can’t believe you didn’t let him know you’re home safe and sound. I bet he’s worried out of his mind.”

  “Thanks for the guilt trip,” Aidan mused.

  She stuck her tongue out at him playfully as he answered the phone. “Hey Pop…yeah, I got in last night. Sorry I didn’t call you. I was a little tired.”

  Emma snorted at his lie. He hadn’t been too tired to go a round with her. When she met Aidan’s gaze, he stuck his tongue out at her and she giggled.

  “I’m planning on coming by to see you.” He paused. “I know you’ve really been working hard on your rose garden, but now isn’t actually the best time.”

  Emma cleared her throat and Aidan glanced over at her. “Take me back home and go see your dad,” she murmured.

  He shook his head.

  “Yes, he misses you and—Dad, I’ll be happy to come over as long as you don’t mind that I bring a friend with me.”

  Wait, what? He was actually going to take her to meet his father? That was a whole other level of commitment she had never imagined coming from him.

  Aidan must’ve registered her surprise because he whispered, “You don’t mind?”

  She shook her head and he smiled. “All right. We’ll be over in ten minutes.” After he hung up the phone, he turned to Emma. “Are you sure you’re all right with this?”

  “Why would I mind?”

  Aidan shrugged. “I don’t know. My dad is…well, he’s a blue collar, Irish Catholic ex-Marine who loves puttering around his rose garden and playing with his grandkids.”

  Emma grinned at his summation. “Considering most of my mom’s family is blue collar, I think I’ll be fine. Besides, he’s my child’s grandfather.”

  “I just didn’t want to waste your Saturday listening to my dad drone on and on about his different species of roses or his war stories.”

  “I think it sounds like fun.”