She left the room and he hurriedly said, “Do we really need her? I feel much better and can’t help but notice that she’s asking a lot of questions about your family, Rich.”
He frowned but didn’t get a chance to answer before she came back into the room with a pitcher of water. Candice glanced at Rich, imploring him to just tell her to go but he didn’t. Instead, he said, “With the current situation, I think one more day of bed rest for you both is called for. Don’t you agree?”
Candice knew he was worried about the possibility of salmonella still being an issue along with her uncle’s health. She sighed and nodded, “Okay but I want to help with dinner. I really don’t feel sick anymore. It was probably just a reaction to stress and the normal pregnancy symptoms.”
Nadia spoke up, “With your Lupus, you must be extra careful. Miscarriages are a high risk so bed rest is best.”
Wanting to slap her when Rich froze, Candice could only close her eyes and nod since she’d read the same thing on the internet. She squeaked in surprise when Rich lifted her in his arms, “Back to bed for you.”
With anxiety prevalent on his face, he carried her to his bedroom and commanded her to stay put. She argued, “I still get to help you. It will be more stressful stuck in here than helping you in the kitchen.”
He reluctantly gave in but paused when Nadia came to the door, “I can help with dinner, Rich. Besides, I already know what your family likes.”
The way she said it made Candice tense, ready to fight for him with every fiber of her being. Rich shook his head, “I think it would be good for Candice to get out of bed for a bit. Actually, you can probably go ahead and go home, Nadia.”
She stared at him, hurt crossing her face at not being invited but Candice could tell he was making a point of not inviting her. Her hands went to her hips, “I was under the impression that you needed my services overnight. What happens if her uncle becomes ill or needs to use the restroom?”
“Nadia, it was a mild heart attack. I will be here and can help him.”
She glared at him for a minute before spinning around without another word. They heard the door slam. He stared after her for a second before shrugging at Candice, “I don’t get it. She’s never acted this way before.”
When Candice crawled across the bed toward him, he met her halfway, “Seriously, you need to be careful.”
Snaking her arms around his neck, she said, “Go see if my uncle is asleep and I promise I’ll be careful.”
He shook his head, “What if we hurt…?”
She stopped the question with a kiss before telling him, “We’ll be careful. I’m sure making love is healthy for babies as well as couples.”
His gaze pinned her to the spot, “You do realize what you just said, right?”
“Yes. What better place for those words to be aimed at you than within the act, Rich?”
“Well…when you put it that way…”
He slipped off the bed and down the hall before turning back with a thumbs-up sign. She grinned as she pulled the shirt over her head. His phone interrupted them. Turning back, he grabbed it while holding a finger up to her.
“I was getting ready to call you, Mom.”
His eyes narrowed, “She wasn’t supposed to tell you that. What the hell is up with her?”
Candice’s mouth gaped when he shot her an apologetic look. Rich went on to invite them to dinner that evening before saying goodbye. Sighing as he shook his head, he told her, “Nadia called and blabbed the news to my mother. They’re still coming over tonight but I cannot believe she did that.”
“Does she really have to come back tomorrow? I don’t want her here.”
He slowly nodded, “Okay. I’ll tell her not to return. I can always hire another nurse…one we don’t know.”
Eyeing her lacy bra and panties, he said, “Get rid of those if you want this to happen because my mother insisted on helping cook. Nadia got her all worried, too.”
Her lacy set hit the floor as she beckoned for him to come to her. He’d just removed his clothing when someone knocked at the door. Groaning, he shook his head, “I think we’re going to have to wait on this.”
She quickly dressed in something more presentable, frowning when he told her to stay in bed. Ignoring his demand, she followed him to the front door and bit back a snarl when she saw his twin. Ben stepped inside, appearing remorseful over his behavior. Rich apologized for hitting him after he told Candice that he was sorry for treating her like crap.
The minute Rich apologized, all issues seemed forgotten. Ben launched into the commercial he’d just shot to explain they’d closed the stores in light of the outbreak before blatantly hitting on Candice, “Nadia told me yesterday that you guys were just friends. How about spending the weekend with me?”
“I guess you haven’t heard the latest from her?”
At her borderline hostility, Ben turned to Rich, “Quite the…um…spitfire, isn’t she?”
Rich studied his twin for a split-second before saying, “She can be and she’s also pregnant with my child.”
Ben’s jaw dropped, “You knocked her up? What if the kid’s born sick?”
Anger crossed Rich’s face as he said, “With proper rest and treatment, the chances are slim.” Ben’s cell phone rang so he turned as he said, “It’s Nadia.”
Candice bit back a growl, leaning against Rich, but tensed when Ben said, “No problem. Join me tonight at my brother’s house. We’re celebrating. Hey…why didn’t you tell me about…?” He paused, glancing at them before barking into the phone, “Okay, okay.”
Hanging up, he rolled his eyes, “What’d you do to her?”
“I can’t believe you asked her over here. She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, knowing we wanted it to be a surprise, but ran around blabbing the news.”
Shrugging, Ben said, “I didn’t know that. We were supposed to go out. I’m trying to avoid Isabella. That woman is getting too clingy.”
Before anyone could say another word, their parents pulled into the drive. Seeing Candice out of bed, their mother immediately began to fuss over her. She assured her that she was fine, insisting she couldn’t set in bed for long. Sensing Candice’s stress over his parent’s attention, Rich asked them to join him in the kitchen.
While he spoke with them, she retrieved her laptop from the bedroom. Not wanting to appear rude, she checked on her uncle but discovered him peacefully sleeping. When she returned to the living room, Rich motioned for her to join him on the sofa, “My parents are going to cook. Do you need anything?”
Shaking her head, she told him, “I just need to check my e-mail.”
Watching over her shoulder, his eyes flew to the screen when she said, “I got it. I applied for a job at a health magazine.”
He grinned, “That’s great. How many articles will you be writing for them?”
“Three a week with the possibility of more in the future.”
Ben barked a goodbye on the way out the door, intent on having Nadia as his date. His mother appeared, grinning as she sank down beside her only to rise again when a knock sounded on the door. Candice’s eyes widened when a woman holding a baby headed straight toward Rich, “Oh my God, I heard you’re going to have a baby.”
He quickly introduced Cassie and his brother, Greg, before pointing at the sleeping bundle in the car seat, “Little Daniel.”
Suddenly nervous around a new mother, Candice leaned against Rich but went alert when Cassie breathed, “You have Lupus? I have a low thyroid and diabetes.”
“It didn’t affect your pregnancy?”
Cassie waved a hand through the air, “The doctors freaked every time I had gas.” She pointed at her husband, “He almost drove me nuts.”
Candice looked back at Rich, causing Cassie to laugh, “It’s already started, hasn’t it? Mother Rose will…”
“Did someone call my name?”
Cassie’s pointed gaze flew to Candice, “She’s supposed to be hearing impaired.”
Candice laughed, already liking Cassie, as she elbowed Rich, “I’m going to step outside for a minute.”
“Oh…no you’re not. You are officially a non-smoker.”
“Uh-oh! Rich, you are going to stress her out so bad.”
Candice frantically nodded as she tried to pull away from him while Cassie asked, “Have you been to the doctor yet?”
“No. It was one of those over-the-counter tests that showed positive.”
Cassie frowned at Rich, “You know she’ll sneak them and resent the hell out of you if you force her to stop.”
Realizing she’d found a friend, Candice nodded, “She is so right, Rich. Listen to your sister-in-law.”
Scowling, he released her but said, “Only a half of one at a time.”
“I already do that.” Cassie sat the baby beside him, “Give the mommies a break.”
Returning her gaze to Candice, she said, “Even though I don’t smoke, I’ll join you.”
When they were outside at the patio table, Cassie leaned forward, “Rich is nothing like Ben who I love but don’t trust. He’s out for himself and no one else. Greg said he was bringing Nadia?”
Candice nodded, watching Cassie cringe with wide eyes as she leaned forward and asked, “She’s got the hots for Rich, doesn’t she?”
Cassie’s nose wrinkled, “She’s always struck me as wanting a permanent place in the family. She and I don’t get along because she was after Greg but he didn’t like her. You wait…she’ll be snide towards us.”
Candice told her what Nadia had said about Rich, causing Cassie to nod knowingly and add, “She’ll go after Ben next. Just wait and see.”
Ben’s car pulled into the driveway as Candice put her cigarette out. She told Cassie as they walked into the house, “This pregnancy scares me to death. What if something happens?”
“Just take it easy. You have no idea how many times that I was placed on bed rest.”
Candice sighed, “At least I can work from bed.”
Cassie asked what she did while they walked into the living room but both froze at the sight of what Nadia wore. Sporting a slinky black dress that barely covered her ass, she eyed Cassie with hostility before raking a scathing gaze over Candice. Rich’s eyes narrowed, darting to Candice before he stood and asked Ben, “Are you staying for dinner or planning an evening on the town?”
As if her attire was completely normal, Ben said, “Dinner but we might do something afterward…why?”
Their mother shrieked from the doorway, “Nadia! Do you really think that’s appropriate?”
Cocking an eyebrow, she shrugged defiantly, “Ben seemed to think so.”
His mother pinned him with her stare, “My son would think a bikini was appropriate. That doesn’t mean that it is.” With a roll of her eyes, she asked Candice, “How is your uncle, Dear?”
Candice immediately moved in that direction, stumbling to a stop when she spotted him in the doorway, “Uncle Mike, you’re not supposed to be out of bed.”
“Neither are you.”
They helped him to the sofa, grinning as Rich’s mother fussed over him. Tired of all the attention, he asked, “What is that burning smell?”
After flapping her hands for a second, one flew to her hip, “I am not burning dinner. Nadia…never mind. You’ll give him another heart attack with that dress.”
Sighing, she went back into the kitchen. They could hear her barking orders at their father, causing Rich to rise and go into the kitchen. He reappeared a short while later, catching everyone but the sullen couple—Ben and Nadia—gathered and cooing around the baby. Announcing that dinner was served, he helped Uncle Mike to the table and waited until everyone joined them.
Chapter Ten
Before they began, he held a hand up and said to her uncle, “I have two reasons for asking everyone here tonight. One, thanks to Nadia, everyone already knows. As for the other, I would like to ask for your niece’s hand in marriage.”
Already anticipating this, her uncle nodded with a wide grin as Rich dragged a ring out of his pocket. Candice snapped her mouth shut, staring at the ring as if it would bite her before breathing in a shaky voice, “Rich, you don’t have to…”
“Candice, I’m not doing this out of obligation but because I’m crazy about you. I wanted you to be my wife last week and I’m sure that won’t change no matter what happens. Will you marry me, Candice Adams?”
Wiping her moist palms on her slacks, she nodded, “Yes, Rich, I will marry you.”
She was in his arms before she knew what hit her. Everyone was talking at once with Cassie soothing the baby which had become overwhelmed in all the shrieking. Rich’s hands surrounded her face, “Are you ready for the rest of the news?” Her eyes widened as she tried to fathom what else could happen. He whispered in her ear, “I have the local preacher scheduled for this weekend.”
She gasped as he nodded, “I’m sure Cassie and Mom would be thrilled to help you find a dress. In fact…”
Cassie handed the baby to her husband before jumping up and down, “I know just the place. You are going to love this dress. It’s in the window and is…splendid!”
In all the excitement, Uncle Mike noticed Nadia glaring at Candice who eagerly nodded. Everyone settled down as their mother served the food. Glowing from excitement, Candice couldn’t quit admiring the ring as she ate. Watching the tasteful diamond wink under the dining room lights, she leaned against Rich and quickly ate everything on her plate.
Once his meal was finished, her uncle thanked everyone and said, “I don’t want to wreck the party but I’m beat. Rich, can you help me to my room?”
He quickly did as asked but, when they cleared the door, her uncle said, “You need to watch that nurse. She’s shooting daggers at Candice.”
Rich thanked him while tucking him in. Hurrying back to Candice, he saw that Nadia and Ben had left, “Where’d they head off to?”
His mother shrugged, “Something about catching a show. You know restless your brother is around babies. I don’t expect him to ever settle down.”
Breathing a sigh of relief at their departure, Candice covered a yawn. Seeing this, Rich’s mother nodded, “We’ve worn you out, haven’t we?”
She shook her head but their father nodded, “You and my future grandchild need the rest.” Beaming at her, he said, “I hope that baby has your eyes. They are beautiful.”
Blushing as everyone nodded, she grinned when Cassie said, “That gown is going to make them pop. We’ll get out of your hair but call me.”
After assuring them that she’d call everyone tomorrow, Rich swept her in his arms. She clung to him and asked, “You’re not going to let my feet touch the ground, are you?”
“That’s my goal.”
“I’m not complaining but…why the fast wedding?”
“Because I don’t want you out of my sight again.” As he carried her into the bedroom and tucked her in, he explained his thoughts, “There’s that pool house out back. It’s two stories and would be perfect for your uncle. Do you think he’d resist the idea?”
She shrugged, “He’s used to a bigger place.”
“Then I’ll get him one in the neighborhood. And a nurse to go with it if I have to.”
Slowly undressing her, he laid his head on her stomach, “Do you think he can hear me?”
“I don’t think she can yet.”
He laughed at her gender correction and trailed his tongue down her lower stomach, watching her muscles tremble under his touch. Her hands flew into his hair when his hands pushed her legs apart for his tongue to probe her clit. His fingers glided up her leg before massaging her slit. Already aching, her back arched when he thrust them inside.
Forgetting to be quiet, his name rent the air in a ragged moan. Dragging his slickened fingers to dampen her twin openings, he sucked at her clit and held her twitching hips in place. She barked a shocked squeak when his thumb plunged into her anally to squeeze the sensitive skin between her openings. Having
never felt anything so blissful, she melted into the bed as tingles gathered in her lower belly.
Never wanting the feeling to end, she dragged in a lungful of air as the sensation burst through her. Pulling at his hair and begging him, her feet skated over the bed when he didn’t stop but threw her into a continuous orgasmic state. She thrashed on the bed as he pumped his fingers into her, thumping every G-spot on her cervix and slickened folds.
When he finally dragged his mouth off her, she pulled his face up to hers and slammed her mouth onto his. He groaned at her boldness, grabbing her hips and gently sliding his full length into her. Thrusting her nipples against his chest, she moaned as she tore her mouth off his. Nibbling his neck, she thrust fingers into his hair and surprised them both when the words she’d denied him flew out of her, “Oh Rich, I love you so much.”
A long groaning response of love rumbled out of him as he rocked her hips against his, causing her to writhe under him as he tapped her sweet spots once again. Physical sensations blended with her heightened emotional state, wrecking her mind and body alike. Clenching around him, she raked her nails down his back as she bit his chest.
He worked the muscle joining her neck to shoulder with his teeth, flooding her body with goose bumps while he pistoned into her. In their frantic movements, neither heard his cell phone’s text message alert from the living room. Rolling to place her on top, he openly admired the view of her arching gracefully above him.
Curling her hips, she tucked him deeper inside before grinding over him. Finding the sight too much for his control, he rolled again to trap her beneath him. Her back bowed off the bed when he flooded her neck with words of love. Thrusting her fingers into his hair, she mindlessly repeated her own back to him.
He tensed, cursing as his own release rushed over him. Her already full lungs gulped even more air as his cock repeatedly bumped sweet spots deep within. Cradling her to him, he could barely contain the silly grin on his face as he kissed every inch of her face before his mouth closed over hers. In the calm aftermath, the tone of his cell phone alert made both jump.
“Now what?”
Smooth Moves Page 9
