by Elle Linder
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. No. Yes but no,” he said, stumbling with his words.
“You’re not making any sense.”
“Sorry, I’m…I’m…miserable without you.”
She sucked in a breath, hand still on her stomach. He’s miserable without me? Her lip quivered, and her throat thickened with emotion. They were words she’d dreamed of hearing, and now that she had, she didn’t believe them. Fear surrounded her heart, protecting it faithfully.
“Lauren? Are you there? God, baby, please talk to me. I can’t take this anymore. Please—” His voice broke.
The sound rocked her core. She had never wanted to hurt him. Never. Hearing him now sent her into a panic. What did he mean? Did she want to know what he meant? She wouldn’t ask.
“I’m here, Rick.”
“I miss you. God, I miss you so much.” He sniffled into the phone. “Can’t we try again? Give me another chance, just one more chance. I won’t let you down. I promise.”
That did it. He’d broken open the dam. Her sobs rushed out into the phone. Did he mean it? Maybe, but only because he didn’t know about the baby. Her chest rattled as she tried to calm herself. Hearing him now, after weeks of silence, she couldn’t control her emotions.
“Aww, baby… I’m sorry for making you cry, but I’m not gonna lie, you wouldn’t be crying if you didn’t care about me…miss me.”
Her lip curled as her ragged gasps continued.
Rick talked about the last two weeks while she sniffled, taking deep breaths. The best part of his retellings were the stories of Izzy and how she asked for Lauren every night during story time. It melted her heart and made her cry more.
“Breathe, sweetheart. Damn, I wish I could squeeze through the phone and hold you right now. Wash away your tears with my kisses, hold you, and never let you go.”
“But…but…” She stuttered to get out the words. “But how? I don’t see how.”
“However you want it to work.”
“No! Don’t put this on me. What do you want?”
“I want you with me every day, every night, every morning…forever.” The resolve in his voice shocked her. She shook her head in disbelief. “Do you want the same?”
She nodded, sucking in deep breaths as her heart squeezed tighter. “Mhmm, but what about your five-year plan?”
“What about it? Five years is a blink of time. You’re my life plan.”
She massaged her belly. If she shocked him with the truth now, catching him off-guard, she would know how he truly felt by his reaction. But could her heart take hearing the truth if it wasn’t what she wanted to hear?
“Lauren…say something, sweetheart.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
Rick didn’t say anything. All she could hear was faint background noises on the other end. Her heart raced. What was he doing? Why wasn’t he saying anything. Was this it?
She sniffled, holding her breath.
“A baby?” he asked with what she thought was a smile in his voice. She knew the tone. It was always accompanied by a broad grin.
“Yes. I didn’t mean—”
“I’m on my way.”
“What?”
“I love you, Lauren. I’m coming to you right now.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m coming for you and our baby. Just say you love me. Love me, Lauren, and it will all be okay.”
“I do,” she sobbed. “So much. But I don’t want to be a distraction.”
“You’re the best fucking distraction I’ve ever had in my life. Distract the hell out of me for the rest of my life.”
“Are you sure?”
“As sure as I’m hopping into my car right at this very moment, heading for the airport. I’m coming, baby. Be ready for my loving. I’m coming…”
thirty
Meant for Each Other
If Lauren’s heart raced any faster, she might die of a coronary before Rick arrived. Frantically she folded her aqua blanket in her living room, keeping one eye on the clock and the other on Paige. She placed the blanket over the back of the sofa and walked across the room to look out the sliding glass door, then over to the fireplace. She repeated the path several times.
What timing to have Rick on his way and her mother here to ruin what Lauren hoped would be a passionate reunion.
The fates were truly cruel.
“You’re going to wear out the carpet.” Paige smirked.
Lauren tightened her hands into fists. “He’ll be here soon. Can’t you go somewhere?” Lauren stayed at the slider, willing Paige to get out of her apartment. “Go to the inn. Teri will get you squared away in a room…free of charge!”
“But I want to meet him. After all, he’s the father of my grandbaby.” Paige fluffed her hair, an incorrigible grin on her face. Lauren could have screamed.
“Fine. And then you’ll leave?”
“How will I get there?”
Lauren shook inside, desperate to slap Paige’s doe eyes right out of her head. She went to a glass mosaic bowl on the entry table where she kept her keys and tossed them to Paige. “Take my car.”
“Okay, honey. If that’s what you want.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? What I want is for you to not be here when Rick arrives.”
A firm knock at the door made Lauren jump. She rushed to the door, flinging it open. Rick’s arms wrapped around her before she could say anything. He lifted her off her feet, lips pressed to hers, and his hand cradled her ass.
Rick kicked the door shut and carried her in. The thump of his duffle bag dropping to the floor made her embrace tighten. He kissed her with the intensity of a sailor returning home to his love—alive and desperately in need of her.
Lauren gripped his nape with one hand, and the other cupped the top of his head. She inhaled his scent, devouring his full lips. Nothing had ever felt so right in all her life.
The scene was like a beautiful dream, one she’d had dozens of times since leaving Idaho. Would he carry her off into the sunset? Would they live happily ever after?
Rick carried her, aiming straight for the bedroom…and then, her mother cleared her throat. He froze, pulling his delicious lips off hers. A whimper escaped from deep in Lauren’s throat.
“You have company,” he said, setting her down on the floor.
“I do.” She screwed up her face, looking into his disappointed eyes.
“That was the most romantic scene I have EVER seen in person! It’s right up there with Richard Gere climbing up the fire escape to rescue Julia Roberts! Do you remember that, Renny? You love Pretty Woman, must have watched it fifty times during your high school years.” Paige giggled, her hand covering her mouth. “To think you seriously considered becoming a prostitute back then.” She snorted through her nose.
The sound sent a rush of embarrassment up to Lauren’s face, heating her cheeks. Her ridiculous mother didn’t give a flying fuck about her reunion with Rick.
Her eyes trailed back up to Rick’s. “Renny?” He hiked a brow.
She drank him in, savoring the warmth of his body against hers and the look of love in his eyes. She nodded as he pressed his lips to her forehead.
“You can tell me about it later.” He took her hand, leading her back to the living room. “Hi, I’m Rick Torres.” He reached his hand out to Paige, Lauren still clinging to him and at a loss for words.
“Rick, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Paige Porter, Lauren’s mom.”
“Oh…I didn’t realize,” he stammered. “You look so young.”
Lauren groaned. Because she was young. Forty-six and only ten years older than Rick.
“Aww, thank you.” Paige flipped her hair, batting her eyelashes. Lauren glared at her. “Well, I’ll be off. I know you two have a lot to talk about.” She winked, grabbing her purse and Lauren’s keys. “Call me when I can come back, Renny.” She ran her hand along Lauren’s arm, but her eyes were on
Rick, drool wetting the corners of her mouth.
Lauren pulled away from Rick in a huff. “Yeah, I’ll call you.” She took Paige by the wrist, yanking her away from Rick and all the way to the door.
“Ta-ta, Rick,” Paige sang, wiggling her fingers in the air. “That man is a stud,” she whispered in Lauren’s ear. “Don’t let him go. But if you do, I get first dibs.” She winked, clicking her tongue.
Lauren shuddered, pushing Paige out the door. She locked it and turned toward Rick. It only took him several wide strides before he was in front of her, hands gripping her hips, his lips on her stomach—and her tears returned.
“Sweetheart, I hope those are happy tears.” He caressed her stomach.
“They are. You’re not angry?”
“Angry? About what?” He took her by the hand, leading her to the couch.
“The baby. Or the fact that I didn’t tell you in Idaho and then left you.”
“I’m thrilled about the baby.” He sat down, pulling her onto his lap. He cradled her protectively like he had on that day back in July. “I’m not happy that you didn’t tell me about the baby or that you left me, but I’m happy to have you in my arms again. How far along are you?”
“Seven weeks.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “There’s a sonogram on the table.”
Rick reached for it, then studied it for a long time. “And how have you been feeling? Nauseous? Tired? Any food cravings?” He lifted her chin, placing a soft kiss on her nose. “I want to know everything I’ve missed.”
Oh my God, could I love you any more? She stretched her arm along his chest, anchoring her hand to the back of his neck.
“I’ve been more tired than usual, and I get nauseous in the morning. The smell of coffee turns my stomach. I crave spicy foods and chocolate peanut butter milkshakes that I make with coconut milk.”
He ran his fingers along the length of her hair. “If I hadn’t called, were you ever going to tell me?”
She swallowed hard. She’d expected he would ask that eventually. “I don’t know, truthfully. I didn’t want to ruin your life, your dreams, or be a distraction. I believed I was sacrificing my own happiness for yours. Because I lo—” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Three words. It’s only three little words.
And those words had never been spoken to anyone other than her parents, years ago. If she let them leave her lips, she would be opening herself up to a man for the very first time. And she was scared to love. Even so, she loved Rick with all her heart.
He eyed her expectantly when she trailed off. “Say it.” He squeezed her knee. “I want to hear you say it.”
“Because I love you.”
“That’s my girl. And I’m the luckiest man on the planet to have those sweet words from your lips be for me.” He stroked her cheek, rubbing his cheek against hers. “How’s your libido been?”
“I’ve been horny as fuck. Doing it for myself isn’t the same.” She giggled, feeling the heat rush back into her cheeks as desire filled his eyes.
Rick stood with her in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. “I won’t have my girl doing it for herself. Let me take care of you for the next several hours…”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She kissed his cheek tenderly.
“Then we’re going to figure out this living arrangement, because I won’t have the woman who owns my heart living away from me. I want her and my baby with me.” He laid her on the bed, kissing her stomach again. The gesture cracked open her heart.
“Stop talking and fuck me now, Rick.” She lifted her dress and pulled it over her head at the same time he undressed. She climbed up on her knees, unhooked her bra, and shimmied out of her G-string.
Rick stared at her, dumbstruck. “Baby, your tits. They’re bigger. Are they sensitive?” He took one in each of his hands, gently grazing his thumb over her nipples. Oh, she was sensitive all right, and the wetness between her legs was proof. She shook her head, letting her eyes close. “Good.” He licked circles over one, then the other, drawing on it with enough force she quivered against his face.
She removed his other hand and put it between her thighs. He stimulated her nipple and clit in unison, swirling, flicking, and rubbing both at the same time until the heat of a bellowing orgasm shot through her. They fell back onto the bed. She spread her legs, arching into his mouth as he worked her so tenderly it nearly made her weepy.
“Ooh, Rick!” Her back arched, pushing her further into his face, pelvis lifting to his fingers. She panted as the pressure in her grew.
“That’s right, baby, take it,” he murmured with her breast in his mouth. “Goddamn, I’ve missed you.” He sucked harder.
She gripped his head, holding him in place at the peak of her ecstasy, straining with a flood of heat and emotion, then released all the pent-up tension she had been carrying. “Oh, oh, oh…!” she cried through the delicious orgasm. “Whew, baby! I needed that…so much.” She relaxed into the bed.
He grinned up at her, tracing his finger between the valley of her breasts and stopping at her stomach. He peppered kisses across their baby. His warm lips made her want him terribly. She squirmed on the bed, desperate for his attention…even a little jealous of the baby.
“Enough with the sweet kisses…Jesus!”
He chuckled, traveling down. “That’s my feisty girl.” He spread her legs, securing each one over his shoulders. It was the hottest thing he did before he feasted on her. Well, almost. Nothing was sexier than watching him eye her while licking his lips. It made her tingle and pant with anticipation, priming her for the thrill of his mouth on her. He lifted her ass, moaned deep in his throat, and buried his face in her.
Lauren grabbed fistfuls of the comforter, pushing into his face. Toes curling, she writhed on the bed as another orgasm roared through her. His tongue, his plump lips, and the sounds he made were all driving her mad with pleasure.
And then it hit her: Rick was everything she’d never thought she would have.
On the brink of erupting, tears trickled down her temples, wetting her hair. “I need you,” she whimpered, pinching his shoulders. “Rick…”
He stopped instantly, moving between her legs, entering her in one swift thrust. She pulled him onto her, cupping his cheeks. “Love me slow, love me forever.”
“Forever, my queen. I will love you forever.”
thirty-one
Postponed
Luke sucked in a breath, the cement ball in his stomach pushing acid into his throat as he entered the lobby, dreading the conversation he was about to have with Julia. Erika eyed him suspiciously as he passed behind the reservations counter. She didn’t say anything. Neither did he.
Leave it to Renee to force his hand once again. When would his life ever be drama free? Even though the kids were with him and Julia, Renee still had managed to finagle her way into his life, pulling him back to Alaska.
He stepped into Julia’s office, scared out of his mind about how she would handle the latest from Renee. Closing the door, he braced himself.
“Hi, handsome!” Julia’s face brightened upon seeing him. “I just hung up with Kandace. I think we’ve settled on a menu!” She clapped her hands like an excited schoolgirl.
“Did you?” Luke sat down as Julia rushed around her desk, plopping into his lap. She cupped his face roughly, smashing her mouth to his. Eagerly she spread his lips apart, dipping her tongue in his mouth and awakening his southern region. He moved his hands over her thighs, savoring her sweet kisses before he turned them bitter with regret or anger.
“Mwah!” She pulled back, grinning. “The bridal fair was spectacular! The flowers, the dresses, the cakes…all spectacular!” She dotted kisses over his mouth. “It’s happening, Luke. The wedding is really happening!” She hopped off his lap. His throat thickened with emotion as she paced, a veil of utter elation on her face. She took a deep breath, turning toward him.
Seeing her so happy made him happy, despite the dread cours
ing through his veins. When she was like this, walking with her head high in the clouds and joy streaming out of her eyes like the high beams on his truck, his world was the best it had ever been. Everything Julia did was filled with deep passion, right down to her emotions. She felt deeply, good or bad.
And this time, it would be bad.
“So, there’s a cattle ranch north of Spokane where Kandace gets her grass-fed beef from…the Peterson family I think, and”—she took a deep breath, clasping her hands together—“they’re giving us the beef at half price! Half. Price.” She did her little happy dance. “Do you know what a huge savings that is?”
He shook his head; he didn’t really care about the money. Not when he knew he was about to break her heart. Steal her thunder. Swipe the joy off her beautiful face.
“Huge, babe! Astronomical! To get beef tenderloin at fifteen dollars-a-pound? It’s insane! And do you want to know why we’re getting the meat so cheap?” She shimmied her shoulders seductively.
He nodded, heart racing as excitement poured out of her.
“Because Chase, the rancher’s son, is doing me a favor, so we’ll consider using them to cater events here at the resort!” She bounced on her tiptoes, then plopped onto his lap again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, rubbing her breasts against his chest, turning him on before he crushed her. But before she kissed him, she turned serious. “What’s wrong? You haven’t said anything since you sat down.”
“I love you so much, sweetheart. Seeing you happy makes me happy.”
“Does it? ’Cause you don’t look happy.” She touched the side of his face, concern filling her eyes. “What’s wrong, handsome?”
He inhaled her scent, looking into her hazel-green eyes. Their sparkle dimmed the longer he stared into them. “Baby—”
“Is it Renee?” She leaned forward to get off his lap, but he held her in place. “Luke!” She tried pushing his hands off her thighs, but he didn’t budge.
“She left the halfway house yesterday morning. Her sponsor found letters in her room, and they’re concerned she might try to hurt herself.”
