by Tracy Reed
Chapter Twenty-Two
Moses
* * *
I STOOD IN THE DOORWAY watching her sleep, like I’ve done every night for the past month. She’s a beautiful distraction. I never thought I’d use that word to describe Alex. In my first marriage, my wife wasn’t a factor when it came to my writing.
Six months into the marriage, the intimacy began to fade. At first, I figured it was an adjustment thing. Then I thought there was something wrong with me, because it seemed I wanted sex more than she did. It wasn’t until she became pregnant that an explanation was revealed. It wasn’t me, or us, but her. It’s not that Natalie didn’t want to have sex. She just didn’t want to have it with me.
Our poor sex life allowed me to channel that energy into my writing. Now I have a different situation…a loving, passionate wife, who enjoys our lovemaking. She’s exposed me to a different kind of energy.
I heard Alex talking to Mom Connie about the lack of attention I’d been giving her lately. She was confused and asked her what she could do to restore the intimacy. The intimacy isn’t gone. It’s not her, but me. I can’t seem to grab hold of this book. I’d been sitting in my office every day and night trying to write. I had started six books and none of them was working. I would get three chapters in and then draw a blank. In the past, the tension came easy because I was drawing on personal feelings. Now that I was in a great relationship, those negative feelings were foreign. It was like I had forgotten how to tell a story.
The pressure was on because my agent wanted a rough draft before we left for our honeymoon. I needed more time, but I couldn’t ask Alex to push our honeymoon back. Especially after I begged her to cut her buying trip short so we could take our trip.
I also couldn’t apologize, because, it would make her feel horrible and this…my shutting her out wasn’t her fault. It was no one’s fault. It was a symptom of my trying to adjust to being happily married. I was in a position that was foreign to me….a real partnership. The first time I was married, it wasn’t a committed, loving partnership. I’m not quite sure what it was, but it was nothing like what I had with Alex. I may miss the mark on a few things when it came to being a husband, but this I knew for sure, if I said, I’m sorry, it would break her heart. But if I showed her, I was sorry, that would mean more to her than any tangible gift I could give her.
I walked over to the bottom of the bed, being careful not to wake Alex. I gently removed the comforter from the bed and she shifted. When she settled, she was lying on her back with the sheet just under her ribcage exposing her beautiful breasts and erect nipples. My body got hard looking at her. I wanted to strip the bed down and join her.
I got down on my knees and kissed the bottom of her feet, but she didn’t move. I eased my mouth along her calves, and she still didn’t move. I parted her legs and she moved slightly. I leaned on the edge of the bed and kissed the inside of her thigh and she shifted again. I dragged my tongue along the inside of her hot thigh and she started to writhe. I grabbed her upper thighs as I kissed my way up, and her body came alive as she began to dance and writhe.
I blew on the beautiful dark curls and she let out a deep moan. I eased my fingers inside the sea of black curls, teasing her core and she clutched the sheets breathing hard. Watching her respond to my touch excited me. I missed seeing her like this, on the edge of exploding. I wanted to strip down and be where my fingers were. She began to tighten around my fingers, and her hips started a sexy roll that pushed me closer to the edge. Watching her body move erotically like that, sent a fire racing through my body. I needed to be one with her.
I lifted her legs and dove my fingers deeper inside. I sensed her orgasm was right there. I grabbed her nipple between my teeth and she cried out, “Oh God!”
I gently tugged on her nipple again and her orgasm came hard. She bucked against my fingers as I pushed deeper. Watching her body move like that was a very powerful aphrodisiac. I tried to remove my fingers, but she stopped me. I continued stroking her core until she took off again. She pulled my face up to hers and buried her tongue deep inside my mouth.
She slid her hands down my back trying to push my pajamas off. I broke the kiss and climbed out of bed. She licked her lips and never took her eyes off me as I stripped. She looked like a lustful heroine waiting to be serviced by the stable boy. I immediately climbed on top of her, and rested my hips in between her hot thick thighs. I lifted her hips, wrapped her legs around mine, and dove deep and hard inside her. There was no need to go slow, because I didn’t think either of us could hold on any longer.
God, she felt good. I could feel her tighten and her breath started to get labored. I didn’t want her to come again yet, not without me. I wanted her next time to be with me. She ran her delicate hands up and down my body, and it was like a fire stick moving along my skin. Every stroke she made, sent me closer to the edge.
She grabbed my behind, pushed me deeper inside and I almost lost it. I lifted her legs, dove my tongue deeper inside her mouth, and then I felt it. She was just about to let go and I stopped. I raised up and looked at her. She was beautiful and in a state of orgasmic bliss. She slowly opened her eyes, and I saw it. Forgiveness. I didn’t need to say the words because her eyes said more in that moment than I could ever say. We were one again.
I crushed my mouth against hers, and buried myself deep inside her warm heat and she crashed, taking me with her. We road that joint orgasm until we finally floated back down. I rolled over on to my back and pulled her on top of me, cupped her face in my hands and said one word, “Passion.”
“Exactly.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chloe
* * *
I AM SO READY TO have this baby. I stopped wearing knickers a couple of weeks ago because I spent most of my time on the toilet. Besides, I couldn’t see my feet, to slip them on.
Whoever said being pregnant was wonderful, must have been sedated, or a man. I remembered when I started my day with a few cups of strong black coffee. Now, it was green tea and a couple of Tums. I wouldn’t need the Tums if Parker would stop demanding crap. Really, who likes anchovy and mozzarella omelets with guacamole? I eat this disgusting concoction a few times a week and he’s happy. It was only when I tried eating normal that he squawked.
I really miss steak. As soon as Parker gets here, I promised myself a big steak with a slice of aged roquefort and truffle pomme frites. And for dessert, warm chocolate soufflé with vanilla cream gelato. Oh yeah. I started to stand up and, “WHAT THE CRAP! Parker, Mommy said she was going to eat that after you get here.” I braced my hands on the bed for leverage and started to stand up again. “WHAT THE…”I quickly sat down and picked up my phone. I scrolled through the contacts and pressed the number. “Hey…uhm, can you come over…no, I’m not stuck in the chair smart ass…my folks are on an overnighter and I’m just not feeling well…no, I’m not in labor…I just want some company…okay, thanks…when you get here I’ll buzz you…oh you do…okay, I’m upstairs…thanks.” I hung up.
Twenty minutes later, I heard footsteps hurriedly tapping across the hardwood floor towards my room and suddenly stop.
“You know I don’t believe that crap about being lonely,” Bas announced. He walked toward me with a smirk on his face.
“Bas, you came.”
“I assume I was your last resort.”
“No, smart ass. Come over here and help me up, please.”
He walked over, grabbed my hands and I started to stand up. “Uhm…sit me back down.” He eased me back down on the bed.
“What’s going on?”
“Just a little cramp.” He reached in his pocket for his phone. “Who are you calling?”
“Alex.”
“No.”
“Chloe, it’s clear…”
“Don’t call Alex.”
“She’d have my head if I didn’t call her.”
“I don’t want to interrupt their weekend.” He looked at me, not smiling. “It’s prob
ably just indigestion.”
“Indigestion?”
“Yeah. It was probably that anchovy breakfast burrito.” I rubbed my stomach.
“Is that as disgusting as it sounds?”
I started laughing. “I know it sounds bad, but my little boy has a thing for anchovies and eggs.”
He shook his head, laughing. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No.”
He pulled the chair next to the bed, took his jacket off and sat down. “So, what other disgusting things is my little godson demanding?”
I looked at Bas and thought, man, maybe another place and time, we might have…”Uhm…seems he likes guacamole, spicy hot wings, pizza with extra cheese, sausage, anchovies, onions, jalapeños and pineapple.”
“What?” he laughed louder. “What is going on in there? Sounds like someone has been to quite a few happy hours.”
My mouth dropped open and I thought back to the times Orlando and I had sex. “Oh, my God.”
“What…another pain?”
I grabbed his hand and smiled. “No. I just did a little instant replay. The times Orlando and I had sex sort of coincide with the nights he’d been out with his little girlfriend. The weird food is…”
“They probably hit a lot of clubs and bars.”
“My baby is a bar food junkie.” We laughed. “Oh…that was a sharp one.”
“I think we need to go to the hospital.”
“Can you stay with me until my mom gets back?”
“I was going to ask, why are you here alone? Where’s TD or Tucker?”
“I knew I wasn’t going anywhere, so I gave TD the weekend off.”
“And Tucker?”
“It’s his girlfriend’s birthday.” He nodded. “My mom and dad have been underfoot all week. So I begged them to give me a little space.”
“Do you think this sudden burst of compassion was a wise move?”
“Yes, but I didn’t know it was the housekeeper’s day off.” He laughed out loud.
“What were you going to do if I hadn’t picked up?”
“I hadn’t figured that out yet.”
He grabbed my hand. “Tell you what. How about I order a couple of pizzas. A normal one for me and a disgusting one for you, and we’ll watch a movie or play cards.”
“Extra anchovies and pineapple?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alex
* * *
I’VE MISSED BEING LIKE THIS with Moses. After last night and this morning, I knew we were back in sync. I ran my finger along his carved chest and my mind filled with some wicked thoughts. I straddled his lap, cupped his face in my hands and kissed him.
“I’ve been thinking, maybe we should push our honeymoon back.”
“Where did that come from?”
“You’ve been working really hard and I don’t want…”
He grabbed my hips and pulled me closer. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t want you to feel pressured to finish your book just so…it’s not like we…I mean, we’re having a great little getaway and I don’t have to have…”
“Be quiet.” He sighed. “This is why I didn’t say anything to you.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve been having problems with the book.”
“What kind of problems?”
“I can’t get an angle. I’ve started six books and none of them is working.”
“Baby, why didn’t you…is that why you’ve been hiding in your office?”
“Yes and no,” he exhaled. “In the past, it was easy. I’d lock myself up in my office and hammer out a book in no time. But for some reason, I’m having a challenge.”
I tucked my hair behind my ears and asked the question I think we both knew the answer to. “Is it me?”
“Yes.”
My heart sank to my feet. I started to get up and he pulled me back down. I couldn’t look at him. I had broken him. I was the reason he was unhappy. He lifted my chin up and I tried to fight the tears sitting on my eye lids. “This is why I didn’t want to say anything.” He kissed my forehead and the tears came. “Baby, it’s not…” He pulled me to his chest and rubbed my back.
“I killed your muse.” I cried.
“You didn’t kill my muse.”
I sat up. “You can’t write. What else am I supposed…”
He wiped my wet cheeks. “I have been trying to write like I used to, and I can’t.”
I sniffled. “I don’t understand.”
“I was angry and hurt, and I used those emotions to write. Now, my life is perfect and I can’t connect with those emotions anymore.”
“So, it is me?”
“Yes. I thought if I isolated myself from you, I could access those feelings, but I can’t.”
I sniffled again. “So, you need something new.”
“You think.” His sarcasm was refreshing. “I’m sorry. It’s just, I know once I connect with the right emotion or character, the words will come.”
“I’ve got an idea.” I smiled. “I know you don’t write romance.”
“I’m not writing…”
“Hear me out.” I patted his chest. “You’re brilliant at suspense. Why not try a romantic suspense.”
“I don’t think so.”
“All you need to do is add a hot woman, a lot of steamy kisses and some really great sex scenes. I’d be willing to help with your research.” I smiled.
“I’m sure you would, but no.” He smiled.
“Listen. The story could revolve around a couple of brothers or cousins in love with the same woman who’s been arrested for murder.”
“Keep talking.”
“Maybe set it in Texas.”
“Cowboys? I don’t think…”
“Not cowboys, oil tycoons.”
“Are you serious?”
“Baby, trust me this is a good idea.”
“Oilmen fighting over a woman?”
“Okay, if not oilmen, how about one’s a cop…a Texas Ranger and the other is a drug dealer. Both are in love with the same woman.”
“I like that.” He nodded. “That could be good. Maybe she was in love with the cop, but the drug dealer blackmailed her into marrying him?”
“Exactly.” I started to get up.
“Where are you going?”
“To get your iPad so you can take some notes.”
He pulled me back. “I think we need to work on the opening love scene.”
“Really?” I smiled.
He rolled me onto my back, climbed on top of me and kissed me. “I think I’m going to need a lot of research in order for me to get this book done before we leave. Can you handle that?” He kissed me again.
“Does this mean I’m your research assistant or muse?”
“Both.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chloe
* * *
I WOKE UP AND REALIZED I wasn’t in bed alone. It had been a while since I shared my bed with a man. I looked at Bas and realized whoever gets him, is getting a good man.
I needed to pee. I just knew I was headed to the hospital yesterday, but things settled down and I felt a lot better. I pulled the comforter back and everything was wet. I must have peed in my sleep. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and tried to get up. “HOLY CRAP!”
Bas jumped up. “What’s wrong?”
“IT HURTS!”
He jumped out of bed and ran around to my side. “What’s wrong?” he asked again.
“I think my water broke.” I looked up and started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You have bed head.”
He grabbed his head. “I’m glad I can make you laugh.” He brushed his jaw. “Okay, what do we do?”
“Here,” I handed him my phone. “Call my doctor and he’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
“Do we have twenty minutes?”
“CRAP! CRAP! CRA
P! JUST CALL HIM!” He pressed the number and put it on speaker.
“Hello.” The groggy, deep voice answered.
“Dr. Jameson, it’s Chloe Jacobs. I think my water broke.”
“Where are you?”
“My parents’ house.”
“Are you alone?”
“No, my friend Bas is here with me.”
“Put him on the phone.”
“Hello doctor.”
“Has her water broken?”
“She woke up and everything was wet. Before we called you she had a couple of sharp pains.”
“Okay.”
“Yesterday, she was complaining of pains.”
“Those were probably early contractions. When was the last sharp pain?” he asked.
“Right before you picked up.”
“CRAP! WHAT THE…”
“Can you get her to the hospital?”
“When?”
“I’m leaving now, and I’ll meet you at Cedar’s. She’s already pre-admitted. Bye.”
I placed the phone on the bedside chest. “You heard him. We need to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I brush my teeth and run a comb through my hair.”
“Are you serious?”
“Have you looked at yourself?” I teased.
“Bas,” I grabbed his hand. “There’s something I need you to know.”
“What?”
“I asked for the good drugs.” He started laughing. “This isn’t funny. I’m serious. There’s no way I’m delivering this big head baby without the good drugs.”
“A big head? What makes you think…”
“You saw Orlando. I’m pretty sure my son has that head. WHAT THE CRAP!” I squeezed his hand. “WHAT THE CRAP!”
“What’s with all the yelling?” Dr. Jameson asked as he walked into my room. “The nurses are out there drawing straws to see who has to come in here and help me.”
“Not funny, doctor.”
