by Celia Jade
"Ohh!" Any second now...."God!" She came undone. She hadn't quite finished when, surprisingly, he pulled away. Yet his fingers replaced his mouth as he straightened and maintained her climax. Ellen was still trembling when she felt the nudge of his cock's head against her sex. She met his gaze, licking her lips, and reached down to wrap her fingers around him. His hot flesh instantly pulsed, and she heard the sharp hiss of his breath. A muscle flexed in his jaw as she stroked him. She wanted him inside her, craved the joining of their bodies, yet hesitated. "Max, shouldn't we use protection? I mean....we don't want an unplanned pregnancy." She bit her lip, hoping she hadn't just killed the mood.
He eased her hand from his shaft. "Unplanned yes, but not unwanted."
Her heart squeezed. "Max...." she began, and stopped as he plunged into her.
* * * *
A low groan escaped him as he closed his eyes, and buried himself in her silken sheath. No other pleasure compared to this. Losing himself in Ellen. Making her his in the most intimate way. Her hot womb contracted around him tightly. His body clenched in an effort to control his climax. He wanted to prolong this indescribable feeling for as long as possible. He caught her passion-filled gaze, and moved inside her with long, swift strokes. Her beauty fascinated him--long, silky dark hair spread out wildly across the pillow, succulent lips parted in sighs of pleasure. He frowned as he observed the slight discoloration around her nipples and throat, hoping he hadn't been too rough. He lowered himself over her, pleased that her hands instantly closed behind his nape while her legs wrapped about his hips.
He claimed her mouth. In that instant, he knew that he would do his damn best to keep her in his life for as long as possible. He blocked all thoughts of possible separation. He was already madly in love with this woman. His blood surged hot, pulsing in his cock. Any threads of restraint were slipping quickly. The feel of her soft curves under him, her sweet breath, and her slick core snapped his control. He felt the tremors overcome her body and drove into her one last time before he surrendered to his release.
They dozed off, waking hours later, well into the evening. Max brushed his hand over the smooth plane of her belly. A sense of unusual fulfillment had swelled inside him when he'd woken with her in his arms. She turned, draping a leg over his as she rested her head on his chest. He played lazily with her hair. "You know what I really like about you, Ellen?"
"Mmm, what?" she asked softly.
"That you wear your heart on your sleeve. It's a rare thing these days--people hide their feelings often. Your emotions drive you and that makes you genuine."
She traced his nipple with her finger, provoking a shiver over his skin. "It's true--I can't help it."
"Are you hungry?"
She raised her eyes to his and smiled. "Famished. Do you have food in the fridge?"
"Yes, we can throw something together fairly quickly."
Her smile broadened mischievously. "Good, because I don't feel like leaving the apartment. In fact....I don't feel much like leaving this bed," she added huskily.
His cock instantly stirred. "Let's not waste time then, sweetheart."
* * * *
Ellen sighed blissfully for the umpteenth time that day. She couldn't shake the euphoric feeling. Not that she really wanted to, but it made concentrating on important tasks difficult. She'd been spending every evening with Max since they'd made love. The tiny voice in her head warned her that she should be more cautious, mindful of her quick involvement with Max. However, she didn't want any fears to spoil the wonderful way she felt every morning, knowing that she'd be seeing him. Two weeks already and their need for each other hadn't faded one bit. In fact, it had become stronger. Not that she was very surprised--she'd known from the start that anything with Max would be intense.
She smiled and picked up her agenda to jot something down. Seeing the dates on the page suddenly jogged her mind. She drew her bottom lip into her mouth thoughtfully. After a long moment, she frowned and grabbed her purse. Rummaging inside, she found her personal agenda and flipped it open to the current month. It was blank. Her heart skipped nervously. She turned back to the previous month and located the note she'd made indicating her last period. Her frown increased. With shaky fingers, she counted to today's date. No. God no. Her period was late. And it had never been late. Give or take one day at the most. But this was ten days.
She shoved the agenda back into her bag, and got up. Deep breaths, she told herself. She found Kate and told her that she'd be stepping out, oblivious to the concern stamped on her cousin's face. She practically ran to the nearest drug store, and picked up a pregnancy kit. This can't be happening, she told herself, as if denying it would make it true. Oh yes, it can. All that unprotected sex. She dashed into the washroom once she returned to work. And ten minutes later, tears streamed down her cheeks. She barely wiped them as she walked into Kate's office, thankful that the other woman was alone.
As soon as Kate saw her, she bolted up from her chair. "Ellen!"
"I'm pregnant," she stated flatly.
Kate's mouth dropped open. "Oh, honey...." She quickly came around her desk and clasped Ellen's hands. "Max, of course?"
"Of course. I was stupid....so stupid, Kate...."
Kate shook her head. "Don't say that. You're both in love. This is meant to be." She gave Ellen's hands a reassuring squeeze.
She was way past being in love with Max.
"Go and tell him now," Kate said.
Ellen nodded. "I have to." She meant to pull away, but Kate gave her a hug.
"Everything's going to be fine," her cousin added.
She didn't dare consider the outcome this very moment. She needed to collect herself before seeing Max. "Thank you," she murmured, and slipped out of Kate's embrace.
One thought filled her mind the entire cab ride to Max's restaurant--the fact that she was carrying his child. A range of emotions ran their course before a smile finally broke the tense line of her mouth. Her hands instinctively went to her belly as a strong sense of pride and motherhood swelled inside her. Their baby. Hers and Max's. She wouldn't terminate the pregnancy, no matter what.
She'd called Max on the ride over, so he was waiting for her in the reception area when she arrived. Her pulse instantly jumped when she saw him and she caught the spark of desire in his dark eyes. Please don't freak out on me, she prayed. He tilted her chin up and dropped a warm kiss on her lips, oblivious to any curious eyes.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, sweetness?"
Despite her emotional state, her body responded to him instantly. She managed a calm smile. "We need to talk in private."
His mouth curved devilishly. "You, me, and private--I like the sound of that," he replied.
She hadn't missed the fleeting apprehension that passed over his features though. Once they'd stepped into his office, she turned to him. "Max, I'm pregnant."
He seemed to freeze. Then his gaze moved down her body, hovering at her midsection for a moment before returning to her eyes. "Are you positive?"
"Yes. I took a pregnancy test. Ninety-nine percent accurate. Plus, my period is late."
He closed the distance between them in two strides, and clasped her upper arms. "I'm going to be a father?"
She nodded. "If you want...."
He frowned. "If I want? How could you ask me that?" He paused, his frown deepening. "Don't tell me you'd--"
"No--never," she cut in.
His features slowly relaxed and he let out a deep chuckle, his eyes dancing with apparent delight. "Our baby...."
He caught her mouth in a deep, sensuous kiss that left her clutching his shirt for support. She gasped in surprise as he dropped to his knees and pressed his mouth to her belly. She wove her hands into the thick strands of his hair as tears pricked her eyes. When he glanced up at her, the liquid darkness of his eyes drew her into his soul.
"I love you," he said.
Her heart squeezed. "I love you, too."
He stretched to his full h
eight and drew her against him. "So, does this mean we have to be careful when we make love?"
Ellen laughed. "We might have to be."
"Mmm, I can do slow and gentle...." he murmured against her hair. "Let's go."
Her brows shot up. "Now?"
"Yes. I want you, Ellen. I'll always want you." The heat of his gaze sizzled over her, stirring every nerve ending in her body. Without another word, she took his hand and walked with him, anxious to be where she belonged. With Max. In their home, their bed, and in his arms. For the rest of her life.
About the Author
Celia Jade lives in Montreal and loves her wonderful family, outdoor cafés, gardening, animals and just about anything chocolate. She feels blessed with a passion for literature and has been reading and writing for years. Every book she writes turns a new page in the story of her life, doing what she most enjoys.
