Claiming What Is Mine

by Abby Brooks

  The door opens, and a plump Asian man enters. “Good afternoon, I’m doctor Lee.” He glances up from the file in his hands. “Which one of you is Meredith?” The doctor eagerly looks back and forth between us, waiting for a reaction, but continues on with his spiel when neither of us laugh. “Classic doctor joke, ” he says, shaking our hands. “Nice to meet you both. Now, Meredith if you’ll lie back and put your feet in the stirrups, we can get started.” He pauses, frantically flipping through the pages in his file. “Hmm, I always forget what to do next,” Dr. Lee jokes again. “I’ve got a million of ‘em. You’ll see.”

  This is going to be a long appointment.

  All things considered, once you get past the awful sense of humor, he is patient and comforting and willing to answer every one of my random, nonsensical questions. By the time Meredith and I leave, we both agree he's a good fit for us.

  As we step off the elevator on Christy’s floor, Meredith hands me the bouquet she insisted we pick up from the gift shop. “These should come from you. Do they know we’re stopping by?”

  “Sort of. I told Chet to expect us, but I didn’t know what time we’d be done, so I left it at this afternoon.”

  “What if she’s breastfeeding? Or, using the bathroom?”

  “I don’t know, guess I hadn’t given it much thought. If it’s a bad time, we’ll go. Only one way to know for sure. Right?”

  Meredith shakes her head. “You have so much to learn.”

  “Why? Is this going to be on the test? ” We stop outside of the partially opened door to Christy’s room and I lean through the doorway. “Knock, knock.”

  “Come on in,” Chet bellows from inside.

  “Hey. Meredith thinks I should’ve scheduled our visit. Is this a bad time?” Meredith jabs me in the ribs as I pull back the privacy curtain. Christy sits up in bed, cradling a bundle of blankets wearing a blue cap.

  Chet stands by Christy's side, watching over his family as he beams with pride. “Couldn’t be better. Logan’s got a fresh diaper and momma just finished feeding him. You missed Frank and Mom by about fifteen minutes.”

  “Probably for the best.” I shrug. “Anyway, we’re here to visit with you. How ya feeling?” I say to Christy as I hand Chet the bouquet.

  “A little better each day. Thanks. ” Dark circles stand out under her eyes and her hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail, but joy fills her face. “Would you like to hold your nephew?”

  I pull back my arms defensively as I bring my palms up. “Is he still under warranty? Because I can’t be held responsible if I break something.” Meredith, only too happy to take my turn, gives me the side eye as she extends her arms towards Christy. After the baby settles back down, Meredith brings him over for me to get a closer look. He smiles and fusses in the blankets as his eyes grow heavy, blinking slower and slower.

  I look to my brother. “Logan huh? Mom mentioned that was the name you chose.”

  Chet nods.

  “Strong name. ” I bob my head. “I wouldn’t call it original, considering where we come from, but it’s a fine name.”

  Christy scoffs. “If you have an issue, take it up with me bub. It was my idea.” She looks up at her husband. “Logan county brought me everything I always wanted.”

  “No ma’am. You’ll hear no argument from me. I’m just glad you didn’t follow Mom’s line of thinking and give the boy some ridiculous name. You know, one he’d spend the rest of his life embarrassed by.”

  A nurse enters the room to check on mom and baby. She runs through a list of questions and is pleased to hear Logan is eating well.

  I turn to my brother when she leaves. “Chet?”

  “Yeah?” Chet's voice is warm.

  “I don’t want to start any problems here, but are you positive this kid is yours?”

  Meredith stares at me, her jaw dropped. “Gabe, ” she whispers.

  “I’m just saying. This little guy is adorable—and he seems happy. Two things I would never say about him.” I point at my brother and laugh.

  Meredith apologizes on my behalf, but I’m fairly sure Christy laughed louder than I did.

  I take a seat by the window when it’s my turn to hold the baby. Meredith carefully places him into my arms, instructing me where to put his head, how to hold him, and so on.

  “Mer. He’s fast asleep and I’m sitting in a chair. What could I possibly do to the kid?”

  Meredith smiles. “With you Gabe Wilde, heaven only knows.” She drops me a wink.

  This guy is adorable, swaddled into place under layers of blankets. He suckles away at his binky while his little fists ball up tight and then release. Not a care in the world.

  It's a surreal moment for me as I realize I'll be doing this with my own son or daughter. Soon.

  Meredith pulls up a chair next to Christy and the two of them disappear into a world of their own. Chet stands beside me, solemn as ever, looking out the window, but I feel his eyes drift down every so often to check on me while I have his son in my arms.

  “Any idea when you’ll come home?” I ask

  “Maybe tomorrow,” Chet replies. “They would’ve released us already, but Logan has…what did they call it, Doc?”

  Christy looks away from Meredith only long enough to answer her husband. “Jaundice.”

  “Yeah. They’ll test him again in the morning, and if things look good, we’re free to go. What about you? Everything go alright with your appointment?” Chet turns away from the window. “And what’d you think of Dr. Lee?” He cracks a smile after he asks the question.

  I shift in my chair, trying not to disturb the baby. “Was he your doctor too? Is that how we got lined up with him?”

  “Suppose so. Meredith asked Christy who her doctor was, and she loves him.”

  “Does he ever stop with the bad jokes?” I ask.

  Chet laughs. “Not for more than two minutes at a time. Good luck getting used to it, I haven’t—but he took good care of these two.” Chet dips his head to Christy and Logan. “That’s all that matters to me.”

  Meredith and I stay for half an hour or so, but after Christy yawns the second time, I realize they’re probably exhausted. I make up an excuse about getting back to the ranch before Hank hurts himself. To my complete surprise, Chet doesn’t ask a single question about home. His mind is right where it should be, focused on the things that matter most.

  We say our goodbyes and I hand my sleeping nephew back to his proud father. “Call if you need anything,” I offer before pulling the privacy curtain back as we leave.

  In the elevator, I lean over to Meredith. “Have anywhere you need to be?”

  “Nope. Why?”

  I rub my hands together. “Well. We got the green light from the doctor. Want to pick up some lunch and come back to the ranch for a while?”

  Meredith runs her finger along my chest. “I hoped that was where you were going.”

  Oh, how I've missed her touch. “How long do we have?”

  “All afternoon, stud. If you think you can handle it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Gabe

  “I can’t believe I ate so much.” Meredith pushes the plate of freshly devoured wings away from her and sucks the barbecue goop off her finger. “I swear, if I keep this up I’ll have gained sixty pounds by the time the baby arrives. It’s just, when I’m not completely sick to my stomach, I have such an appetite.”

  “So, then what’s the issue?”

  Meredith raises a brow. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, the only things that matter to me are seeing a smile on your face and knowing you and that nugget in there are healthy.” I motion to her belly. “The doctor said you’re eating for two now, so what’s the harm in letting yourself enjoy a little food now and then? How is that a bad thing?”

  “Aside from never fitting back into my clothes? I’d like to think my fiancé still finds me attractive,” she says, looking at the ring on her finger.

  “Doll, if you
need new clothes, we’ll buy you new clothes. That’s easy. As for me…” I reach my hand across the table and place it on hers. “You are the woman of my dreams and you’re going to be the mother of my child, I can’t think of anything sexier than that. The size of your waist doesn’t factor.”

  “That’s sweet to say, but I’ve been around the block enough to know men are all about the visual.”

  “Well. I like the visual in front of me right now.” I intertwine my fingers with her. “What are you in the mood for, Doll? Wanna curl up on the couch and watch a movie? Ladies choice.”

  In the most over exaggerated way, Meredith drops her jaw and stares at me blankly.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You drop a line that good and then offer me a movie?”

  “What’s wrong with that? I don’t care what we do, I just want time with you.”

  “No way mister, we can watch a movie later—I want something else.”

  I scratch my head. “Alright, what do you want to do, love?”

  “I want dessert,” Meredith replies with a naughty look that has my cock stirring to life as the dirtiest parts of my mind hope she isn’t referring to food.

  “Hmm, I don’t have any pie. I can check the pantry to see if there might be cookies or something.”

  “I can do without the pie but…have any whipped cream? Maybe we could put it on something else.”

  Are you kidding me right now?

  Meredith licks her lips. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

  At the moment, Doll. I’m waiting for the blood to stop rushing to my dick, so I can stand.

  “You seriously want me to get whipped cream?” I ask.

  “Yep.”

  Maybe it’s because of the blood rushing from my brain, but the world is topsy-turvy, and it has me completely off balance. I return from the kitchen with the can of spray whip in my hand, but Meredith is nowhere to be found.

  “Hey,” I call out. “Where’d you go?”

  “Living room,” she replies in a sultry voice.

  What the hell is she up to?

  I cross the hall into the living room and find Meredith down on her knees, looking up at me with the sexiest come fuck me eyes I’ve ever seen.

  “Hell-o beautiful.” I am stunned by the sight of her like this. She says nothing else. She just reaches for my belt, unfastens the buckle and pulls my jeans down to my ankles, rubbing my ass and thighs as she goes. She does the same with my underwear, allowing my dick to spring free, and it salutes her for her effort.

  “I want to lick it off you,” she says, glancing at the can of instant topping in my hand.

  “Are you being serious?”

  Meredith nods, in the dirtiest, let me prove what a good girl I can be, way.

  So. Turned. On.

  I shake the can and spray the creamy concoction on the tip of my dick. She goes to work, licking and sucking away at me like I’ve got the world’s best lollipop. All while staring up at me with that same sexy look. I don’t mean to, but the feeling of what she’s doing is so intense, I close my eyes and push forward, forcing myself deeper in her mouth.

  Meredith’s head bobs up and down, her lips tight around my shaft, as she deposits a heavy layer of saliva. As if the feeling wasn’t intense already, for her next trick she slides her head back, leaving only my tip between her lips, and begins slowly stroking me with her hand.

  “Oh my God, babe,” I mutter, trying not to lose my balance as my legs begin to quiver.

  If she keeps this up, I won’t last. And while this is, without question, the hottest blowjob I’ve ever received in my life, it’s not what I am craving. I want her. I need to feel her come on top of me. I force myself to be strong, to summon the courage to take control of the situation.

  Think awful thoughts. Baseball. Poison Ivy. Grandma.

  There we go…

  “Whoa. Hang on a sec.” I place my hand on Meredith’s.

  “Does it not feel good?” she asks, wiping a string of saliva from her mouth, as she holds my rigid staff in her hand.

  “Oh, it feels good. Shit, it feels amazing. But I want more.” I help her up and hand her the can of instant whip.

  “Where are we going?” Meredith asks, confused by the interruption.

  “Bedroom,” I growl, turning her toward the stairs and smacking her ass along the way.

  When we reach my room, Meredith stretches across the bed face down.

  Perfect.

  I crawl on top of her and pull her hair to the side, exposing her neck so I can plant kisses from the back of her shoulder up to her ear lobe. Each quick gasp of approval spurs me on. “Mer. I need to feel you.” I lift her hips and shove the fabric of her skirt out of my way. This woman is mine and I want her. Now. I stand, tearing at my jeans and kicking them off with my feet. I tug my shirt over my head and throw it across the room as I retake my place behind her. Her ass is in the air, exposed and begging me to devour it. Happy to oblige.

  “Are you ready?” I whisper.

  Meredith stares back at me with the same hungry look from before, and I have my answer. I pull her panties to the side, lick my thumb and press it to her slit, lightly rubbing up and down the edge of her lips. I reach over her hip and find her button with my finger. Meredith’s head thrusts back and she cries my name as I enter her. She is velvety warm and tight and wet. Fuck, she is so wet. One hand is on her hip pulling her back against me as I slowly push forward; the other focuses on rubbing and circling her nub. Each sound she makes guides me like a compass to the places that please her.

  Meredith squeezes her breast through her shirt. “Harder,” she demands. “Fuck me harder.”

  Your wish is my command.

  I slam myself into her and her ass slaps against my hips.

  “Yes. Fuck. That’s it,” she screams.

  I bring both hands to her hips, pulling her to me in time with each thrust.

  “Take me. Use me. Yeah, just like that.” Meredith brings her hand to her pussy as her first orgasm consumes her.

  I’ve never seen her like this. She’s feral and demanding, and I fucking love it. I slap my hand across her ass. “You want it rough?”

  She looks back. “Yes, Gabe. Oh my God.” She moans and it fills the room. “Yes.”

  Who is this woman?

  I slide out of her, flip her onto her back, and pull her panties out of my damned way so I can bury my face in her pussy. I slide a hand under her shirt to massage her breast. I lick and suck and she wraps her legs over my shoulders, squeezing her thighs against my head as another orgasm takes hold.

  When she relaxes, Meredith props herself up on an elbow and pushes my head back. “Oh my God. That was so intense.”

  I smile, pleased by the thought of bringing her pleasure.

  “I want you to come now.” Meredith looks me in the eyes. “Please?” She bats her lashes innocently.

  I sit up and wipe her juices from my mouth, then place my hands back on her hips and pull her to me. I hook her legs over my shoulders, allowing them to straddle my neck as I drive myself into her again.

  “Oh yeah!” Meredith moans. “That’s it. Come for me. It’s your turn now.” She cups my pec with one hand, occasionally pulling at the chest hairs and tweaking my nipple.

  “You want me to come? You want my load inside you? I bet, you do. You naughty slut.”

  “Yeah. Oh fuck. I am a slut. I’m your slut,” Meredith howls. “Make me your slut.”

  Those dirty words coming out of her are too much, I can’t hold back any longer. I squeeze her legs as I fuck her pussy like a mad man. Sweat rolls off my forehead and down my back. The sensation is amazing, but when I feel her walls grip my dick as she comes again, I lose control. My balls tighten, and I explode into her.

  My pace slows, but I continue thrusting until she opens her eyes. She looks at me satisfied, with a smile on her face, and I collapse beside her on the bed. Once I’ve caught my breath, I place my arm around her waist. “That was ama
zing. I don’t know what got into you, but please feel free to go there again, anytime you like.”

  “I will if you will.” Meredith’s chest heaves. “I’ve never…” her words trail off as she stares up at the ceiling. When her breathing returns to normal, she tugs at my arm, pulling me into her as she twists onto her side, and causing my limp cock to nestle comfortably in the crack of her ass as we spoon.

  She yawns. “I’m sleepy.”

  A nap sounds like a fine idea. “Me too, Doll.” I kiss her back, cup her breasts, and close my eyes.

  A man could get used to this.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Meredith

  The setting sun glows bright and warm through the windshield. Gabe turns up the radio then places his hand on my thigh, running his thumb across my knee as he loudly sings along to “Free Bird” over the noise from the open windows.

  “Now I see why you didn’t pursue a career as a musician,” I joke.

  Gabe stops singing and cocks his head in my direction. “Oh sweetheart, don’t do that. Jealousy doesn’t suit you.” He wags his finger and resumes singing along, half a step behind the radio.

  He sounds happy. He is happy. As I sway to the melody, I realize I am too. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I wake up thankful for the day ahead. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing life as an obstacle course. A thing that I have to keep my head down and trudge through. When the next song comes on the radio, I sing along too, as my hand dips and rises through the air rushing past the truck.

  It’s not long before the wide-open space of rural Logan county gives way to the huddle of buildings that count as town. We pass Belle’s and I catch a glimpse of a waitress bustling between tables. I don’t recognize her, and I wonder where Mollie is today. We twist through the narrow streets and end up parked in front of The Lazy Saddle.