Risk (Desired Affliction Book 3)

by C. A. Harms

  I just missed him by my side.

  I followed Kate as she led me to the buffet table and I think she sensed something was wrong, but she never asked. She just kept smiling and looking around, most likely for Adam.

  I’d barely put anything on my plate because for once I wasn’t hungry. I was just about to turn and find a seat when I felt a familiar presence just before Adam’s arm came around me from the back. I closed my eyes tightly and let my body relax back into him.

  Adam gave me a soft kiss on my temple and I felt a flutter within my stomach from the contact. His lips grazed my ear gently and the chills ran through my body. “I’m sorry, baby, I was an asshole. I feel like a jerk for hurting you.”

  I tilted my head back and turned it toward his neck, kissing softly. “I forgive you, but don’t talk to me like that again, ever.”

  “Never,” he assured me.

  Adam then leaned over and forked a huge piece of watermelon and placed it on my plate. I gasped and looked back at him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I’m not eating that. I’m not that hungry.” My stomach still felt uneasy.

  He chuckled as he guided me toward the table. “My stupidity shouldn’t keep you from eating, Nat. Feed my baby,” he added with a wink.

  Over the next few hours we spent a lot of time mingling throughout the party, talking with family and friends. Adam introduced me to so many people there was no way I could keep the names straight.

  A few times I heard some of the older family members discussing Breann and what she put Adam through. I tried not to get offended when I heard one woman’s comment. “Adam was so in love with her and I thought for sure they would be married one day.”

  I took a deep breath and pushed past it.

  “Will you dance with me?” I smiled as Adam held his hand out toward me. “Please.”

  I nodded and couldn’t stop the huge grin that took over. “I’d love to,” I replied

  Adam led me to the dance floor and pulled me in flush with his body. I wrapped my arms up around his neck and let my fingers play with the hair at the back of his neck.

  I closed my eyes and listened to the words fall from the sound system that surrounded us.

  The words of the song described almost exactly what I felt for Adam.

  I was so lost in the way he held me close, making me feel like the most important person in the room. The gentle way his hands held me, as he swayed from side to side.

  Adam lightly ran his fingers through my hair and tugged, causing me to look up. His eyes looked so endearing and the side of his mouth tilted upward with a sexy grin.

  “You’ve changed me, Natalie, you make me want so much in life.” He kissed me gently. “I’m still working on this whole thing, doing my best to get it all right, I know I mess up. I just wanna make you happy.”

  “You do make me happy,” I told him.

  “Not always.” He sounded almost sad.

  I traced his jawline with my fingertip. “Everyone has disagreements, Adam. It doesn’t mean you don’t make me happy. You’re so much more than I ever thought you’d be. You’re amazing, kind, and pretty adorable.” I laughed when he chuckled before I got serious, looking him directly in his eyes. “You made me fall in love with you, Adam, and I’ll never regret that. You have my heart, just be kind to it.”

  His lips crushed against mine. “Always,” he whispered within our kiss.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Adam

  Things changed between Natalie and me after our trip. We became that couple that everyone hated to watch, the loving, adoring couple that we both at one time used to roll our eyes at.

  We’d became a sappier version of Kole and Lexi.

  Our lives revolved around each other. We’d meet for lunch and dinner whenever we could. And every night we spent cuddled up together watching movies, which usually ended with us naked, sweating, and out of breath.

  My favorite end to the day was falling asleep with nothing in between us; I loved to feel her every curve.

  She hated when I mentioned anything about curves. It always led to her crying about getting fat and me feeling horrible because I couldn’t stop her. I was no longer allowed to say anything about her body, so I kept my dirty thoughts to myself. Natalie wasn’t fat. She was perfect. If it wasn’t for her cute little tummy, you wouldn’t even know she was pregnant.

  It had been six weeks since I took Natalie home with me to meet my family. I made the mistake of telling my mom I planned on asking Natalie to move in with me. So now almost every day she calls to find out if I have asked her yet…oh, and to find out when I was bringing her back.

  We made plans to visit Natalie’s dad and grandmother the next weekend.

  I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about that trip.

  I worried that her father would feel I wasn’t good enough for his daughter, like he’d be able to see right through me and know my past. Maybe he’d sense that I was an asshole to so many girls, including the way I treated Nat. I could actually almost make myself sick with the thoughts that ran around in my mind.

  “Do these look bad?”

  I looked up from the television as Natalie entered the room. “What?”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “These pants, do they look bad?” she asked as she looked down at herself.

  I didn’t think Natalie could look bad in anything, but she had a different image of herself. “No, babe, they look good. You look good.”

  She flopped down onto the couch next to me and pouted. “I look like a cow and I feel like a house. I can’t button anything anymore.” She pouted. “All I wear is stretchy pants.” She grabbed my phone from the couch next to me and started playing Angry Birds with the cutest look on her face.

  Like a sulking child.

  I pulled on her lip and she turned her face away, giggling. “Stop.”

  I let my hand slide across her tummy and under the hem of her shirt. “Do you wanna go shopping?” She shook her head. “Why not? You need clothes, let’s go get you something that fits.”

  “No, it’s depressing. I end up looking through the racks finding my pre-knocked up size and crying because now my ass won’t fit in them.”

  I held back the urge to laugh. “Natalie, your ass isn’t fat. Your ass is hot.” I slipped my hand just beneath the waistband of her pants. “I happen to think that every single part of you is absolutely gorgeous.” She gasped as my fingers slipped below the silky material of her panties. Then I slid them lower until I ran a finger through her damp, warm center.

  Natalie’s legs relaxed as they fell open, allowing me better access. She was so wet and needy. I began massaging her sweet, swollen clit as her eyes rolled in her head. “I love everything about you Nat, everything. You turn me on by just breathing and no matter what, baby, you will always be fuckin’ sexy to me.”

  I allowed myself to slide from the couch and kneel before her. I slowly lowered her pants along with her panties to the floor. God she was so beautiful. I gripped her hips and slid her forward so that she was right on the edge of the sofa. She watched me with lust filled eyes as I lowered myself between her legs.

  I never took my eyes from hers as I began to trace my tongue through her wetness. Hearing her whimper once I pulled back caused a grin to spread across my face. Natalie was a greedy girl. She loved when I went down on her and she made sure I knew it too.

  “Please don’t stop…” she panted.

  “Stop what?” I asked, already knowing the answer but my ego needed to hear the words.

  “My God, Adam, please don’t tease.” I watched, suspended above her just inches away, and I knew she could feel my breath on her. “Please, damn it! Lick me, for fuck’s sake.”

  I chuckled. “Okay then, so bossy.”

  I never held back once I reconnected. I licked and sucked Natalie until she exploded, screaming out my name. And then I did it again.

  After the second orgasm ripped through her, she was spent.
I began to lower my pants, and then guided my cock into her wet opening. If I thought I made her scream my name loud before, I was wrong.

  Natalie began pumping her hips and riding my cock as I drove into her. I had planned to go slow and easy with her, but she had other plans. With each thrust I felt her tightening more and more around me.

  “Are you close, Nat? God, baby, I’m gonna come. Are you close?” I could barely hang on as my toes curled.

  “Yes…yes,” she panted. Then I felt her grip me so tightly, I could no longer hold back. I emptied myself into her until my body collapsed over her.

  “Holy hell! That was fuckin’ amazing!” she said blissfully.

  I chuckled against Natalie’s shoulder at her outburst. “Well I’m glad you liked it.” I pulled from her and she stayed in place as I went to find a washcloth. I knelt before her and began to clean her up while she smiled down at me.

  “So what time is Lexi picking you up?” I asked.

  “She should be here in a half hour or so.” I watched as Natalie slipped her legs back into her brown leggings.

  “Are you excited?” I tried not to focus on the fact that I already wanted her again.

  Her face lit up. “Yes I am, about today and tomorrow.”

  Lexi and Megan were taking Natalie to a spa day. It was my idea and the guys agreed so we all went and bought each of them a day pass to get pampered.

  “You deserve a day to relax and then tomorrow we get to find out what this little booger is.” I reached out and placed my hand over her stomach.

  I could hardly believe Nat was already that far along. We had the twenty week sonogram scheduled for tomorrow and it couldn’t come soon enough. I honestly didn’t care either way. I just thought it would be cool to know so she could go crazy and shop and decorate.

  “Well, this ‘little booger’ is gonna be a little girl. I can feel it.” She giggled.

  “I’ll be happy no matter what. I just wanna know.”

  Natalie’s phone chirped from the coffee table and I turned around to grab it.

  Megan: We’re on our way, Momma. Get your naked ass out from under your man & get dressed. Be there in 5.

  I laughed at Megan’s text. “What the hell do those girls have, some kinda sex radar?”

  Natalie grabbed her phone and read it laughing, “They must.”

  ***

  Five minutes later, I was watching my girl walk out the door. I had made plans with Kole and Radley to watch a game on the tube while the girls did their thing.

  We were all meeting over at Kole’s house around 11:00. I still found it strange that Kole and Radley were now actually two guys I considered to be decent friends. With the sour history between us, I never thought that would happen, but it really was great that we could move past it all. I think I had proven by now that I loved Natalie and she was my number one.

  They all seem to be including me in everything. It felt good to have friends again.

  ***

  I had just walked into Kole’s house when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

  Natalie: I felt the baby moving. Crazy feeling…like little flutters.

  There was no way I couldn’t smile at that. Loving Natalie was the best feeling.

  Adam: I love you, baby…so much. I can hardly wait until we see our little booger tomorrow.

  “What the hell are you standing in the door for, dude? Get in here and eat some pizza before Radley finishes it off.” Kole hollered from the living room.

  I looked down at my phone as another message came from Natalie.

  Natalie: I love you, too. Oh, and it’s a girl…I just know it.

  I shook my head and tucked my phone back in my pocket.

  We’d know soon enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Natalie

  “Oh my God. This feels amazing.” Megan moaned loudly while Lexi and I giggled. “I’m completely serious. Almost orgasmic.” Megan was perched in front of a very handsome masseuse while he rubbed her feet and legs. He stifled a chuckle as he continued to work her muscles.

  “Megan, just warn us if it reaches the orgasmic level, babe. I’m not sticking around to watch you get off. Seriously, that image could haunt me for life.” Lexi wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  “Okay, Lex, you have to remember you owe me.” Lexi’s eyebrows crinkled. “Oh, don’t even act all innocent. How many times did I have to hear you and Kole fucking like rabbits in our dorm room? Yeah that’s right, so witnessing your best friend getting off to a freaking fantastic massage is nothing.”

  These two honestly had no shame. They were anything but shy and filtered no conversation for any reason. If you got embarrassed easily then being with these two girls was not the place for you.

  “Oh no, no…you wait a minute, hooker. What about the time you gave Radley a blowjob while he was driving us to the lake? Yep, oh yeah and I had to cover my ears and bury my head in Kole’s chest.” Megan started laughing. “That’s right, vacuum lips, my ass was not asleep. Do you know how hard it was to look at Radley that weekend? Every time I saw him I imagined a gorilla or a freaking monkey. Oh, oh, oh…yeah Meg, oh, oh.”

  I was laughing so hard I had to excuse myself to pee before I had an accident. When I came back the masseuse was gone and Lexi was laughing so hard she had tears.

  “Um, what happened to Mr. Magic Hands?” I asked, looking around the room.

  They both turned around to face me and broke out in laughter once more. Lexi pointed to Megan, “Ask this hooker.”

  “What? Jeesh, all I asked him was if he had the chance to get head in a dark car, would he care who was in the backseat sleeping? The man got all red faced and excused himself.”

  I laughed, sitting back down. “I’m sure he’ll be back. He probably just went in the back to yank one off.”

  Lexi spit out her water and Megan grabbed her side. “Shit, I think I just peed a little.”

  We spent the next five minutes calming ourselves, and when the masseuse returned, he did seem a little relaxed. I chose to not bring anything up. I am sure the girls noticed too because they kept their heads down giggling. Men were supposed to be the perverts, yeah right. The dumbasses who actually believed that needed to meet Lexi and Megan.

  I was starving by the time we made it back to Lexi’s house. From the looks of it, Megan had the same idea. We both followed Lexi in through the garage and both began battling for the fridge.

  “Back off, ladies, I’ll cut you both if you eat my Strudels. No joke. Those are mine.” Lexi never shared her Toaster Strudels with anyone other than Hanna and I think she even had a hard time with that.

  Once we both found something to satisfy our cravings, we made our way to the living room to locate our guys.

  Lexi was already curled up with Kole and Megan took her spot on Radley’s lap. Adam looked up at me as I approached. He winked and smiled, holding his hand out to pull me close. His lips brushed mine before pulling back to look into my eyes. “How was the spa?”

  I smiled. “Perfect, thank you.”

  “Megan embarrassed our masseuse though and we’re pretty sure he snuck away to relieve the buildup,” Lexi added.

  Simultaneously, all three guys spoke. “What?”

  In turn all three of us had no other choice but to break out in laughter.

  I sat back and watched as my group of friends laughed and joked once Lexi filled them in on the situation that led to us all believing the guy disappeared for some alone time.

  Little Hanna climbed from lap to lap for attention. It felt great, right. This was my life, and I was finally getting used to the idea of Adam being a huge part of it.

  I was woken up by a soft whisper against my temple. “You ready to go home, beautiful?” I looked up into the eyes of my gorgeous man, and couldn’t control the smile that stretched across my lips. That was when I noticed Hanna snuggled against Adam’s chest, sleeping. Tears gathered in my eyes at the beautiful vision. This was the man who would love and nurture our
child.

  He smiled and kissed my forehead.

  The same guy who held this sweet little angel close as she remained soundly sleeping.

  About that time, Kole stood from the couch. “Here, let me move the little monster to bed.” He picked up Hanna and walked toward her room. I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed Adam’s face and kissed him. “I love you,” I whispered.

  “I love you, too, Nat. Now let’s go home. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Adam

  “Do you see that right there?” I leaned closer toward the screen. “This little spot right here indicates that you’re having a baby boy.” At that moment, my heart fluttered within my chest. I stared at the screen, amazed and completely in awe. I secretly wanted it to be a boy, but I would’ve been happy either way.

  I felt Natalie’s hand squeeze my forearm. “Did you hear that, Daddy? We’re having a boy!” I looked into her beautiful glistening eyes just as a tear fell down her left cheek. I quickly traced it away with my thumb before leaning forward to place my lips on hers. I was fighting against my own emotions burning within my chest.

  “I love you, Nat. I love you so much, baby,” I whispered against her lips.

  We were pulled from our emotional exchange when the doctor spoke. “Here are a few photos for you to take home.” When I looked over at the doc she was smiling. “This little man of yours is definitely not shy at all. The photo is a clear shot. There’s no mistaking that you have a boy here. He bared it all for us today.” I heard Natalie’s giggle and I looked back over at her.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I was just thinking about the fact that he’s just like his daddy. He has no shame and his jewels are his prized possession.” She was a little smartass.