by C. A. Szarek
Not that she looked bothered when he ended their latest kiss to take a breath.
Her eyes were closed and she clung to him as he drove forward even harder; just how she liked it.
Mel’s hands slid down his damp back, landing a tight grip on his ass, where she kneaded and squeezed. She lifted her bottom, moving with him, against him, holding him even tighter.
He bit his bottom lip as his spine and his balls tingled. Damn, he was close, too quick indeed. He’d owe her one—or three.
Her sex quivered and she whimpered.
His wife was close, too.
Good.
At least she’d come, too. Jared wouldn’t have it any other way.
He pulled back only to jolt forward on a grunt, and her nails dug into his biceps. He didn’t give a shit. The smart there only made his pleasure below even sharper.
Mel screeched some representation of his name, but it faded with the tilt of her chin as she threw her head back and the glorious waves of her light brown tresses flew up.
When she screamed, it didn’t have to be anything intelligible. When her eyes went hazy and couldn’t focus, when she exposed her neck and lifted her perfect breasts into his chest. When her hair was even more mussed than his hands could make it.
When she melded into him and held so tightly he couldn’t breathe.
That was when he loved her best.
It didn’t matter where his touch was on her body. It didn’t matter if he was inside her. It only mattered that he was the cause of that particular look on her face.
Loss of control. Utter desperation for release.
For him.
Then she would grasp at him and whisper his name.
Every. Damn. Time.
Jared was in his glory at those moments. And not just because he was getting laid.
She was his.
He was hers.
The love of his life. In his arms. In his bed.
For the rest of his life.
His orgasm exploded inside her at the same time Mel’s sex contracted and released around him. He hissed at the intensity as her body milked his.
Jared pinned her to his chest and took her mouth.
She was right there with him, kissing him hard. Their lips and tongues wrestled, mixed in with teeth, nibbles and nips as they both panted for air.
“Jared,” Mel whimpered into his mouth.
His muscles ached, begging him to loosen, so he obeyed, slipping from her center and rolling to his back. The cool sheets shocked his shoulder blades, but the contrast to his overheated form felt good.
He tugged his wife into his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead, brushing her damp hair from where it clung.
“Love you,” she breathed, her warm breath tickling his neck.
“I love you, too, baby.” He smiled at the heavy-lidded quality that still remained over her beautiful eyes. He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her flushed skin. “Next time, I’m going to taste you.” Jared dragged his free hand down her stomach and skimmed his fingers between her legs.
She shivered and snuggled closer.
He laughed when she didn’t speak. “Damn, I’m good.”
Mel lifted her head from his chest and flashed a sexy smirk. “Wow.”
“Yeah, you could say that, too.”
His wife rolled her eyes.
He grinned.
“Just in time, I guess,” she said.
“For what?”
“You can check your ego at the door when you do your chores.”
“Chores?”
Mel patted his right pec. “You have to go finish the kitchen.”
Jared gasped. “Whhhhat? After I rocked your world? I don’t get a pass?”
She mock-glared. “I thought your wife wasn’t to be trifled with?”
He shook his head and chuckled, then tried to school his expression, but it was hard to hide a smile. “It’s not nice to throw one’s words back in their face.”
She giggled. “You can’t even say that with a straight face.”
“Oh, all right. But I’m taking payment afterward.”
“Payment? I cooked all day, the least you can do is clean up!”
He grinned again. “So? Payment is still necessary.”
“What?” Her expression was mock-outraged.
Jared kissed her until she moaned into his lips and his cock jumped—despite just having been wrung out.
Mel’s arms shot around his neck, and she squeezed him against her.
He laughed again. “Seems like you’ll like the payment just fine.”
“You said you were going to taste me next time.”
It was his turn to shiver as the words danced over his shoulders and down his spine, then made his dick jolt again.
Damn, when she said stuff like that—
He groaned and kissed her again, but she smacked his ass with a loud sound that smarted.
“Hey!” Jared rubbed his throbbing right cheek.
Her grin was mischievous when their eyes met.
“Clean up, then I’d be happy to let you have payment. Since there’s something in it for me, of course.” Mel winked and he couldn’t help but laugh again.
“You should kiss my boo boo, first.” He bit his bottom lip to keep from grinning and pointed to his ass cheek.
His wife arched an eyebrow. “I’ll smack it again, first.” She lifted her hand.
Jared scrambled off the bed. “Okay, okay. I’ll go.” He threw his palms up.
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Stay. Naked.” He waggled his eyebrows.
She giggled. “Yes, sir.”
He made a show of looking her up and down and smiled softly at her pink cheeks and how she fidgeted.
His wife was so hot; a mix of innocence and vixen.
He wanted to ignore her orders and get back in bed. Was almost ready to take her again.
“Hey, pick up my clothes, too.”
Jared pointed. “Hey, don’t push it.” He left the bedroom, grinning when she giggled.
Chapter Eight
The little blue plus sign blurred, but her eyes were at fault; nothing was wrong with the early pregnancy test on the bathroom counter.
Mel sniffled and wiped her face.
Her heart and stomach jumped at the same time, and she blinked a few times, to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.
It wasn’t wishful thinking this time.
The test was positive.
I’m pregnant.
She and Jared were going to have a baby.
Mel plastered her hand to her lower belly.
I’m going to be a mother.
More tears were born and spilled, hot on her cheeks.
“Mel, I’m gonna head out. Cole called.” Her husband popped his head into the bathroom, then froze in the doorframe. “Why the hell are you crying?” Jared’s handsome face was suddenly all angry lines; he looked like he wanted to kill something—or someone—for upsetting her.
She smiled through her tears. Loved him even more for his instant need to slay all her dragons.
He was at her side in seconds, taking her hand in his and bringing her knuckles to his mouth. He planted a kiss there, then cupped her face and thumbed her cheeks dry. “Baby?” he whispered.
“Look.” She lifted the test from the edge of the sink.
Jared’s gorgeous dark eyes widened—then went misty.
Mel’s heart stuttered all over again.
He’s crying, too?
She bit her lip to stifle a sob, and launched herself at him.
Her husband caught her up and held her close. Rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles.
Minutes that felt like wonderful hours passed, and Mel squeezed her eyes shut against his shoulder and nestled closer.
“Really?” he whispered when he leaned back, his big hands landing on her upper arms.
Jared’s expression held love and wonder that made her insides wobble.
She was grateful
he’d been so strong every month she’d started her period. Every month she wasn’t pregnant.
This was the expression she’d craved—proof he wanted this as much as she did. She would’ve been crushed to see the disappointment on his face that she’d felt at each failure.
He’d meant it when he’d reassured her.
It would happen when it was supposed to.
And it finally had.
She smiled through more tears and nodded. “Baby.”
“Baby,” Jared echoed.
Whether his normal endearment for her, or a reference to what grew inside her, it didn’t make Mel’s hands shake any less when she cupped his cheeks. She nodded again, because words so weren’t happening at the moment.
“I love you,” he breathed.
“I love you, too,” she finally managed.
Silence fell, but then they made eye contact, they exchanged a smile.
“Guess what,” Jared whispered.
“What?”
“Thanksgiving is my new favorite holiday.” He put his hand over her lower tummy.
Mel grinned and rested her palm over his. “In that case, I won’t tell my dad how you really feel about him.”
Surprise lit his dark eyes, then her husband threw his head back and laughed.
The End
Read Jared and Mel’s full story in Collision Control (Crossing Forces Book Four)
Available Now!
Chapter One
Her laugh got his attention first.
Jared looked over his shoulder. Four women at a table. A blonde, a brunette, redhead, and the last had long wavy hair somewhere between blonde and brown.
Which had the laugh that intrigued him?
She laughed again and his eyes shot to the one in the corner, facing the bar.
They were all pretty, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her long, almost-curly locks.
He watched them talk, wearing a smile.
Jared needed to see more of her body. Her purple shirt was tight and displayed large breasts. She was curvy. He could see it even from his distance at the bar. Not heavy by any means, but not his normal type.
Gorgeous.
Nowhere in sight was his usual wannabe supermodel. Maybe in the others—but not her. He didn’t care, he was drawn to her.
Too bad he couldn’t tell what color her eyes were.
“All right, dude, I need to hit the road.” His buddy’s voice made him jump. Amusement flashed across Pete’s green eyes. “You okay?”
He bit back a curse. “Yup.”
His fellow detective probably needed to get home to his wife, Nikki.
Jared’s partner, Cole, had left to head home to his wife and two kids, too. Cole was married to Pete’s partner, Andi.
Both the detectives had someone to go home to.
Envy made his gut heavy.
Since when do you give a shit about that?
He swallowed a groan. He needed to get laid or something.
Pete glanced at his watch. “See you in the a.m., then. Chief wants us all in for morning patrol briefing. Did Lucas tell you?”
“Yeah, but he didn’t say why.”
“Neither did the boss. We’ll find out in the morning.”
“Guess so.”
“Hope it’s not a long day. Hell, make that a long week.” The guy sighed.
“Everything okay?”
Pete made a dismissive gesture. “Yeah. My brother and Lee are coming in Wednesday, with the baby for Thanksgiving. They’re staying through the end of next week. First time meeting my niece, and all that. She’s two months old now, so I’d like to actually spend time with my family, ya know?”
“Ah.” Jared nodded. Yeah, he got it. His adoptive parents were in Antioch, and his little sister away at school in Corpus, but they were all important to him.
Although, he had no clue where his older brother was. He had Joe’s cell number, but he hadn’t talked to him in almost a year.
“So, I hope it’s not a big deal, is my point,” the detective said.
“We’ll deal, no matter what. It’s always tough before we get into the holidays. Hell, maybe he wants to talk the on-call schedule or some shit.”
Pete arched and eyebrow and smirked. “At seven in the morning? Doubtful. Gut says it’s a case. Hopefully Andi and I get to say ‘not it’.”
Jared laughed. “Me and Cole got your back. We can always make Sully and Jamison take it.”
“Not likely. They’re immersed in that crap they’re helping the Sheriff’s Office with.”
“Damn. That’s right. No worries. Me and Cole can take it.” He thumbed his chest.
“Good deal. Really gotta run. Pregnant wives get sorta grumpy when you’re late.” The guy’s expression belied his statements. Pete was on cloud nine about becoming a father. Everyone knew he adored his wife, too.
Word was it’d taken them longer than expected to conceive—not that Jared paid attention to the girl-talk at the office. Of course, he was happy for them and all that.
“Tell Nikki I said hello.” He offered one last wave and watched his friend jog out of the bar.
Love?
Kids?
No thank you.
Jared liked kids all right—his partner’s boys were a blast to play with. He’d gotten stuck with babysitting duty once or twice, but he’d enjoyed hanging out with five-year-old Ethan, and sixteen-month-old Micah. However, he was grateful he got to return them to their parents afterward. He only remembered their ages from Cole beating it into his head.
That kind of responsibility wasn’t for him.
And diapers?
Eww.
He blew out a breath and surveyed the local cop hangout. McAuley’s had been in Antioch before he was born. The boys in blue of the small Texas city had adopted it when a retired detective, Mike McAuley, had opened the doors back in the sixties. It was an Antioch Police Department institution.
Jared swept his gaze along the walls full of police paraphernalia, from antique to modern day. There were pictures of cops everywhere, too. A framed one of McAuley himself was mounted over the bar. He’d passed away when he was a kid. The man’s three sons ran the place nowadays.
The girl laughed yet again.
His eyes rested on the four women, but none of them were looking his way.
He grabbed his shot glass and gulped the Scotch, even though he didn’t need a fortifying drink to approach a woman. Never had problems with that.
Perhaps that was the problem.
Oh shut up and do your thing.
“Ladies.”
Silence reigned as four sets of eyes looked up at him.
The blonde flashed a smile. Yeah, she was the hottest one at the table. Slender. Tight clothes. Pouty lips with bright red painted on. Supermodel material he usually went for.
Red winked. She was cute, too.
The brunette obviously checked him out, roving his jeans and blue button-down before she smiled, too.
The last woman—the one Jared wanted to stare at him—looked away, breaking quick eye contact.
He begged for her to look his way again.
She finally did after he cleared his throat.
Blue.
Her eyes were like blue ice.
Jared flashed his signature smile. The one old girlfriends had told him had melted them on the inside and made their legs fall open.
Even in the dim light of the bar, her pink cheeks were obvious.
His stomach fluttered.
Her beauty stunned him as much as the color on her cheeks pleased him. Her hair was more brown than blonde. Full of waves he wanted to run his fingers through. High cheekbones, creamy skin and plump lips. If she was wearing makeup, it was minimal, and she didn’t need it.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
She didn’t look away, but she grabbed the full bottle of beer in front of her. Didn’t tell him no, but her eyes did. At least she’d recognized he was addressing her.
He swallowed a groan and shifted in his combat boots.
Since when am I uncomfortable in front of a woman?
Deeper crimson stained her cheeks. Endearing, but his gut told him she was uncomfortable, too.
For some reason, he wanted to make her feel better.
She looked around, as if doubting Jared had been talking to her.
Odd, considering the eye contact, and earlier non-verbal answer. “I’m Jared.” He shoved his hand out.
Show her you’re talking to her.
Her blue eyes widened.
He’d expected a smile. Not the look of abject horror she was wearing now.
The redhead to her right not-so-subtly jabbed her side and his intended jumped.
“Umm…hi.” She sounded as enticing as her laugh.
Jared wanted to drag a chair over and sit next to her. His voice took a hike and he chided himself not to stare.
“Well, it’s getting late,” someone said.
His gaze shot to the blonde, just as she exchanged a look with the brunette.
The other woman nodded.
Blondie pushed her chair back and swung a Coach bag the size of Texas over her shoulder.
Brunette and Red also stood.
“Yeah, I think I need to get home, too,” the redhead said.
The brunette agreed, grabbing her jacket. The shuffling of belongings and chairs combined with the clopping of high heels happened fast.
Jared blinked and they were headed to the door without saying anything to their abandoned friend.
But now we’re alone.
He looked down at her, but his smile stalled.
Betrayal dominated her expression. She glared when the blonde paused at the door. The woman flashed a smile and wave that was obviously lost on the woman before him.
Jared cleared his throat. “Can I sit next to you?”
Her head whipped back around. “Why?”
He rocked back on the heels of his shitkickers.
Why? Charm. Focus on being charming.
“I like to keep the company of a beautiful woman.” He smiled.
She frowned.
He stared. Couldn’t help it.
She frowned at a compliment?
Jared quirked an eyebrow and slid onto the chair next to hers, because she was never going to invite him to sit. That made him want to join her even more. Intrigued the hell out of him. “What’s your name?”
