“So, what?” It was my wedding day; there was no way in hell I was talking babies already.
“So, have you guys talked about it yet? Adding to the brood?”
“Brood?” I scoffed at the world and bumped her shoulder, refusing to take my eyes off the duo busting moves on the dance floor. “I only have one child.”
“For now,” she said and shook her head. “But soon, you’ll want more. He’ll want more.” She rubbed her recently shrunken midsection with a wistful smile. “You seriously haven’t thought about it?”
“Seeing as today is my wedding day, no.” I figured we’d have the conversation in a year or two, once we got used to being together full time. Living together. Making decisions together.
“Well, don’t be surprised if he’s thinking about it. Or her.” She pointed at my daughter, who was smiling as she spun in impressive circles on the floor while Derek did some kind of fancy footwork as the song came to an end.
I shook my head at that. “No way, Callie’s enjoying having a dad all to herself.”
“For now. But they always want a sibling to boss around. To teach. Trust me.”
That was the problem: I did trust Penny, and I knew it wasn’t something I could avoid forever, just for a little while. “I’d like to enjoy being newlyweds for a little while.” And having newlywed sex when and wherever we could, as long as there was no chance Callie might catch us.
“Amen, sister.” Mikki held up her fist and I bumped it with my own, giving her a sideways glance.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded and waved off my concern. “Just pregnant and hot and wishing I could bust a move like Callie.” She rubbed her belly as she spoke, looking at once miserable and beautiful. “I can’t wait for this baby to get here.”
Babies were cute, and they smelled so good. It would be easy to let Derek talk me into a baby too soon, but I just needed some time.
A little bit of time.
Mikki
Being in Nate’s arms was one of my favorite places to be—even though I was three hundred months pregnant, he made me feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet. But now, slow dancing with his big body pressed up against me, I felt hot. Just. Plain. Hot.
“Do you regret not having a big wedding like this?” He motioned around the community center that had been decorated so it looked more like a fancy ballroom than the place where we had monthly potluck dinners.
I looked around at the room, so beautifully decorated that it should be in a magazine, and I shook my head. Everything was gorgeous and sophisticated, and my mama would hate it for being too common. “No. Our wedding was perfect.” It was small—intimate, really, with just his brother Jase and my sister Rochelle as witnesses. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” I assured him as he spun me, carefully, around the dance floor.
“If you ever change your mind, let me know.” His green eyes darkened with intensity and I nodded, knowing it mattered to him.
“I won’t, but if I do, you’ll be the first to know. I promise.”
“Doubtful,” he growled and shook his head before pressing a hot kiss to my lips. “Those damn matchmakers seem to know everything before anyone else. Sometimes, I think they have the whole town wired up.”
I laughed and shook my head even though I’d had the same thought on more than one occasion. “Then let’s give them something to hear.”
Nate looked confused when I grabbed his hand and pulled him off the dance floor and out of the reception room altogether.
“Slow down, babe.” I heard the worry in his voice and I walked a little faster, eager to have him all to myself for just a few minutes.
“We’re almost there,” I told him, looking over my shoulder once in a while for those stealthy matchmakers. They’d already made the match, and were now placing bets on baby-making and trading in gossip. “Ah, here we are.”
Nate looked at the unmarked door with a frown. “And this is?”
I pulled the door open and stepped inside, tugging on the hidden zipper to show off the sexy blue lingerie that I’d had Hope create for just this occasion. “This is a wedding quickie.” I tugged him inside, happy when Nate shut the door behind him.
“Mikki, we can’t.”
“Oh, we absolutely can,” I assured him as I made quick work of his belt, button and zipper, squeezing the erection he couldn’t deny and I couldn’t go another second without. “No reason we can’t,” I added and grabbed his wrist, letting his hand slide down until he found the special treat of this particular lingerie.
“Fuck, Mikki.” Two fingers plunged deep when he realized I was bare to him with my panties still on. “You’re killing me, babe.”
“Then give me what we both want, Nate. Please.”
That one word snapped his control as I knew it would. It was one of the things I loved about my sometimes-too-serious husband—making him lose that control. Like now. Nate grabbed me in his arms and spun me so I faced the wall. One hand gripped my hips while the other cradled my tits as he slid deep from behind. “Mikki, babe. Oh, fuck.”
Yeah, I knew exactly what he meant. I was at the constantly horny stage of my pregnancy, which was perfect for my current plans. Plans I couldn’t think about as Nate plunged deeper and deeper, gripping my hip hard enough to bruise and pinching my nipples until I felt my orgasm rising. “Nate, yes. Oh, Nate. Love you.”
He growled into my ear and nipped it as his thrusts came faster and deeper since he was no longer scared of hurting the baby, and I arched back to take more of my big, strong man. “Mikki,” he growled his first warning.
One hand pushed against the wall while the other found its way between my legs, giving me the extra sensation I needed to make this quickie… well, quick. “Nate!”
That was it, the last word I could muster before pleasure washed over me so completely I thought I might drown in it, but Nate held me close. Tight. Whispering erotic words and words of love in my ear as he pumped into me, exploding with his own pleasure moments later.
“Oh, Mikki, babe. You’ll be the death of me.” He pressed a loving kiss to my forehead and swear to the sweet lord above, I was ready to go again from that one move.
“But what a way to go, right?” My words came out in sharp pants as I tried to suck air down my lungs, drawing a satisfied smile from Nate.
“Damn straight.” He cupped my face gently and kissed me until I trembled with need again, wrapping my hand around a semi-chub. Nate pulled back with a growl. “We’ve worked up an appetite.”
“Have we?” I tapped my chin and tried for an innocent smile in the dim yellow light, and Nate laughed.
“Maybe you didn’t, but I damn well did.” He kissed me again and stepped back with his hands wrapped around my wrists to stop my roaming hands. He looked around the room and found what he was looking for to get us both cleaned up quickly and mostly presentable. “I’ll make it up to you later.”
I wanted to tell him there was no need but as he tugged me out of the room, retracing our steps back to the ballroom, the heat in his eyes kept my mouth shut. I wanted whatever he was offering. “If you insist.”
“I do,” he growled and grabbed my shoulders at the long table in front of the ballroom. “You sit and I’ll take care of the plates.” He left me with a wink and a look that sent my panties up in flames.
“Holy cow, woman, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to see what you two have been up to!” Holly leaned in, shouting over the music with a mischievous look on her face. “I’m almost jealous.”
“Liar. I’ve seen you show up late to more than a few meetings with mussed hair and inside-out clothing.”
Hope stuck her chin in the air defiantly. “I’m a fashion designer, maybe I’m trying out new fashions.”
“Yeah,” I snorted, “and maybe you rushed getting dressed in the dark.”
“Nah, Will prefers to do it with the lights on. It’s annoying, but I also kind of love the way he looks at me.” The dreamy qua
lity in her voice was one I could relate to. Mostly.
“Me too,” I sighed, deciding for honesty because, well, why not. “It’s why I’m so determined to make sure the spark doesn’t die out prematurely.”
Hope looked concerned, as I knew she would. “Oh no! Are you guys having problems?”
“No but I’m trying to make sure it doesn’t happen. We’ve done everything backwards. Pregnant first, and then married,” I ticked off one finger. “Newlyweds already expecting a nonstop distraction.” Another finger. “No real time for ourselves.” It was scary just thinking about it, but talking about it was downright terrifying. “My ex cheated, and we didn’t have nearly this many odds stacked against us.” I let out a sigh, hoping that just saying what I was feeling out loud would lessen its significance.
It didn’t help. Not really.
“Mikki, I love you like a sister, but when are you gonna stop making Nate out to be like your dickhead ex? He looks happy,” she said and pointed to where he expertly stacked two plates with food, glaring at anyone who dared question his methods. “He looks like he just got hot sex in a dark corner and he’s happy to feed his woman to keep her energy up.”
The more I looked at Nate and smiled, the more Hope’s words sank deep into my heart. My soul. “Maybe you’re right.” He did look happy. Satisfied. Well loved. I knew he was happy, but I also knew that things wouldn’t be this easy soon. “It is exhausting, but it’s also really fun.”
“Of course it is, but only if you’re doing it because you want to.”
Nate returned and sat both plates on the table with a relieved smile. “I managed to get you an extra cup of Reese’s sauce,” he whispered and slid it onto the table like it was illegal contraband. “Maybe later you’ll let me lick it off you.”
“Yes, please,” I responded, my voice thick with desire.
His deep laugh followed up by a chaste kiss to the cheek told me I was doing exactly what I needed to—and having a whole lot of fun in the process.
Scott
Stevie stretched and let out a loud, erotic groan. “Morning sex makes getting up this early worth it!” She laughed and then groaned again as she continued to clench around my cock before she collapsed on top of my chest. “So worth it,” she growled, nipping at my chest and shivering when my fingertips crawled up her sweat-slicked spine. “Good morning.”
Before I could reply, her lips were on mine in a searing kiss that made me smile against her mouth. Instead of worrying about things like replying, I gripped her ass and brought her wet center flush against mine, kissing her deeply. “Morning. It’s a really good one now.”
She rolled her eyes at my words, but the blush that stole over her face and chest said she was pleased. “Keep that up and we’ll both be late for work.” Stevie stepped off the bed, letting the sheet fall behind her so that her backside was bared to me. I loved how she was so free with her nudity, even if it had taken some time to get accustomed to.
I waited until I heard the spray of the shower before joining Stevie in the bathroom. One foot was inside the shower when I lifted her in the air. “I’ll be quick,” I promised, and carried her into the shower.
“Not too quick I hope.”
It was never too quick when it came to me and Stevie, it was always just what we needed. I slid into her wet heat and fitted my lips to hers—it was exactly what we needed. She sighed as if she’d been waiting for nothing but for me to fill her up, and I groaned because she was everything I ever wanted.
It didn’t seem possible, to be this happy and satisfied all the time, but I accepted it because being with Stevie was fun. It was easy. And it was never boring.
“Scott,” she panted and wound her fingers through my hair. I would’ve known she was close even if she hadn’t clamped around me tight enough to make me groan. “Yes, Scott!”
She pulled out of my kiss and licked the curve of my neck as I thrust into her, harder and faster, so deep we were melting into one another. The more she pulsed around me, the harder I thrust until we both fell over in loud, breathless moans. “Definitely worth getting up early for.”
I smacked her ass and she laughed, handing me the soap once her legs were strong enough to hold her without my help, and I couldn’t help but smile. Things were always like this between us—hot and explosive one moment, comfortable the next. “What do you have on tap for today?” she asked while she lathered up the flowery shower gel that made her smell so damn delicious.
“I have a few home visits. A new ranch owner wants me to give his whole lot a look, and that should take most of the day before I check on a few regulars.” I stepped out first and handed her a towel before taking time for a quick shave. “What about you?”
Stevie toweled off quickly, reaching for the lavender body cream that was the main reason neither of us ever left the house on time, as she answered. “I have an idea for an event I want to run by Nina and Mayor Leland—a way to both thank and torture the matchmakers.”
I smiled as I watched Stevie talk through the mirror. She was so animated when she was excited about her new job at City Hall, which wasn’t as executive assistant to Leland, but instead event planning. The town council had decided Tulip now needed a dedicated event planner, and Stevie had been their one and only candidate. Thankfully.
“I like the sound of it already,” I told her, stopping her nervous chatter.
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
I shook my head, even though I was only half listening to the details. “Not at all.” I understood the annoyance with the matchmakers, but I couldn’t be too mad at their meddling since I’d gotten Stevie out of the deal. And Hershey, who came trotting into the room. The little intruder.
Stevie bent down to give Hershey a quick rub, shooting me a knowing look. “It’s a cook-off. I’m still working out the details, but what do you think?”
“Since they lead the casserole procession whenever anyone gets injured, married, dead, or born, I’d say it’s the perfect method for thank-you torture.”
Her smile lit up. “You think so?”
“I know so, babe.” After pressing a kiss to her forehead, I pulled back, pleading in my eyes. “No hometown hero involvement. Pretty please.”
Stevie’s head fell back and she laughed. Even though I loved the sound, it gave me no comfort until she nodded and waited for her laughter to die down. “No heroes needed, I promise.” Another chuckle shot out and she shrugged. “But if they decide to recruit you as helpers, that’s out of my hands. Just stay away from town for a while. Far, far away.”
“That’s not funny,” I told her, a frown on my face.
“It is kind of funny,” she insisted and took a step back, escaping to the bedroom to get dressed. “But it wasn’t a joke. You know how they are—if you’re in their line of sight, then you’re at risk. Minimize the risk.”
Again, I was only half listening, watching her shimmy into a pair of new jeans that had no holes and molded to every curve of her hips, her ass, and her legs. Mayor Leland didn’t mind her love of jeans as long as Stevie looked respectable, and it was a win for me as well. “What?”
She rolled her eyes, but the smile she sent me was pure affection. “Never mind. I guess I won’t help minimize your exposure by doing the shopping. And errands.” Stevie shrugged, her smile mischievous as she gave Hershey a rub before rushing out of the house. “Love you!”
The door slammed and I hurried to get dressed, but it wasn’t quick enough. Two minutes later, a knock sounded on the door and Nate’s familiar grumpy voice tore through the silence. “The coast is clear,” he called out.
Thank goodness. Being sneaky wasn’t my strong suit and Stevie could pick up on any hint of something being wrong, so I’d been as careful as I could with all my defenses down. “Good. You ready?”
“Hell, no, I’m not ready,” he grumbled. “Picking out the ring was almost as hard as asking the damn question.”
“Comforting. Thanks.” I wasn’t worri
ed about picking the ring. I knew Stevie and I knew what she liked, not to mention I’d done some recon to get an idea of what kind of ring she’d favor.
“Wasn’t meant to be comforting. If you’re not scared, then you’re not doing it right.”
I shook my head. “You sound like Eddy.” The last thing I wanted was advice from my grandma, leader of the meddlers.
“Just because she’s crazy doesn’t make her wrong.” He hopped in the passenger seat of my truck and we made the thirty-minute drive to a mall far enough away from Tulip that Stevie wouldn’t know about the proposal before it happened.
At the jewelry store, I was instantly overwhelmed. “This is impossible.”
Nate laughed and clapped my back. “What happened to my confident friend back in Tulip?”
“Why are there so many?”
“Women are complex. Just take a breath and tell me what you’re looking for. Keep it simple.”
I nodded and sucked in a breath. I could do this. “I want something simple enough that it won’t scare Stevie off, but spectacular enough that she’ll know it’s only small because that’s what she wants.”
Nate sighed and shook his head. “Small but spectacular. We can do this.” His confidence was short-lived, though, and by the third case we were both ready to give up.
“That’s it.” It was small and antique, shaped like a flower with small embellishments that crawled up and down the finger. “It’s perfect. That’s the one,” I told the sales clerk, who’d been following us with an amused smirk throughout the store.
“You sure?”
I looked at the ring once again. It was beautiful and feminine but not overly so, just like Stevie. “Absolutely.”
“Good. Awesome,” Nate grunted. “I’m starved, and you’re buying.”
“Fine,” I told him easily, happy to pay for lunch since buying a ring wasn’t the torture I’d imagined it would be. “Reese’s BBQ, or someplace else?”
Misters of Love: A Small Town Romance Boxset Page 46
