I wanted to stay pissed off at him, because it seemed like every time something happened that he couldn't handle, he took it out on me. However, he looked so distraught and sincere that I didn't have it in me to stay angry with him. I never did. I loved him too much. I reached out and touched his cheek. He raised his head and met my gaze with equal parts fear and hope. His face was still flushed from his run, and his hair was sticking to his sweaty forehead. I brushed it off his face with my fingertips.
"I'm sorry," he whispered dejectedly. Pain was etched across his features, and it made me hurt for him. I stepped closer and pulled him into my arms. He smelled so good, like clean sweat and man.
"I know," I whispered back. "It's okay."
"No," he blurted out vehemently as he jerked back and cradled my face in his hands. His eyes were intense and focused on mine. "It's not okay. Just because I'm angry, it doesn't justify treating you like shit."
"David, it's okay. I forgive you."
Tears welled up in his eyes. "I want to make you happy, not make you cry."
"You do make me happy," I said softly.
"Are you sure?" he asked as tears started streaming down his face. There was a deep fear in his eyes like I had never seen before.
"Yes." I tried to reassure him, wondering where this extreme emotional reaction was coming from. Maybe he could tell how terrified and unsure I was about this baby and our future, and it was making him doubt my love for him. That thought made my breakfast suddenly feel like a heavy lump inside me that might not stay down. I wanted to tell him how I felt and about my insecurities about being a mother, but I was scared of letting him down and disappointing him.
He dropped to his knees in front of me, looking up at me with pleading eyes. "I love you, Natalie." He wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his cheek against my belly. "I just want you to be happy with me," he whispered.
He was so emotional and insecure right now. It wasn't like him at all. Hearing from his father must have really thrown him off. I couldn't even imagine what he was feeling right now. I wanted to ask him about it, but I didn't think he was in the right frame of mind for that. Right now, he obviously just needed reassurance and comfort, so that's what I would give him.
"I love you too, David." I ran my fingers through his hair in soothing circles. "And I am happy with you. I swear." He hugged me tighter.
"I love both of you so much." He pushed up my shirt and started pressing soft open mouth kisses to my belly. His short beard rubbed and tickled my skin in the most delightful way. Arousal surged to life inside me, and I fisted his hair in my hands, a low moan escaping my lips. David looked up at me, and I watched his eyes turn midnight blue with desire as he continued kissing my abdomen.
His hands moved to the zipper of my jeans to unbutton them. He eased the zipped down, his lips trailing lower as he bared more of my skin. His fingers curled into the waistband of my panties. He pulled them down just enough to brush gentle kisses along the edge of the soft curls above my aching core.
"David," I moaned out in a needy voice. I needed his mouth on me, needed to come on his lips as he pleasured me. "Please."
He gripped the waistband of my jeans in both hands and jerked them down, taking my panties along with them. I put my hands on his shoulders and stepped out of my pants. David threw them aside and buried his nose into the juncture between my thighs. He inhaled deeply and groaned out a long exhalation.
"You smell so fucking good, Natalie," he said in a low unbelievably seductive tone that made me shiver all over. "Spread your legs," he said commandingly as he looked up at me, the dominant force of his will burning in his eyes. It made me a willing slave to his desire and all the pleasure he could give me.
"Yes, sir," I whimpered as I spread my feet apart, giving him access to my body. A long deep growl bubbled up out of David's chest, his eyes flashing fire at my words. His mouth latched onto my clit, his tongue swirling around it and sending electric shocks of pleasure coursing through my body. He grabbed my left knee and lifted it over his shoulder for better access, before his teeth gripped my clit firmly and his tongue began flicking it mercilessly.
Within seconds, my body came apart, my climax shuddering through me and lighting my world on fire. I sang out my pleasure as my leg buckled. David grabbed my hips and lowered me to the floor gently. He slid down onto his stomach and pushed his tongue roughly into me, lapping up my pleasure with low rapturous hums. I thrust my hips up toward his face, feeling desperate and needing more.
"Please," I whined pathetically.
He growled in response, and I looked down to see his eyes locked on mine. They were deep dark pools of lust and desire, and I couldn't look away. He bit down hard on my clit, sending me flying again and whiting out my vision. This time I wailed his name as my back arched up off the floor, my fingers digging into the rug under me. David shuddered and groaned deeply as he licked my opening again, swallowing down my pleasure.
Suddenly, his face was above mine as he pushed my shirt up and over my head. His deft fingers found my bra clasp and unhooked it, then pulled it down my arms and tossed it away. He took his clothes off swiftly before hovering over me, one of his knees forcing my legs apart. His eyes were more fierce and possessive than I had ever seen before, the fire in them igniting a deep wanton need inside me.
"You're mine," he snarled out through clenched teeth as the head of his cock pushed slowly into me. "Say it!"
"I'm yours," I panted out, practically mindless with lust.
He pushed in further, stretching and filling me. It was pure raw ecstasy.
"Say it again," he growled as his hand wrapped around my throat with a firm pressure that made me melt into the floor.
"I'm yours," I murmured breathlessly. My body submitting to his as his will inundated mine.
"Fuck, yes." Suddenly, he thrust the rest of the way into me, the head of his penis bumping against my cervix with a flash of pain-tinged pleasure. An orgasm exploded out of me in a rush, the pleasure like a hot flood surging up inside me. I screamed out incoherently as I came apart under him. I could hear his snarling growls as he started pounding into me, the hand on my throat tightening deliciously.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on to his shoulders for dear life. He'd never been so raw and animalistic before. I don't know what had gotten into him, but damn if I wasn't going to enjoy it. His eyes were black, his face an unrestrained mask of pure lust. The sounds he was making were deep and guttural, so hot and utterly masculine that it made me climax again.
I grabbed two handfuls of his hair in my hands, and wailed as I pulled and twisted just the way he liked. He took his hand off my throat to hover over me on his forearms, and to my utter disbelief started fucking me even harder. My wail rose to a harsh scream of unbridled bliss. My vision blacked out and all I could feel was a deep unbelievable pleasure that burned through my entire body. David's pace finally faltered and a long snarl burst from his lips as his cock jerked and exploded inside me.
We both cried out together as we shuddered and quaked through the rest of our orgasms. David buried his face into my neck, murmuring sweet words of love and adoration into my sweat dampened skin. Then he wrapped his arms around me and rolled onto his back, taking me with him until I was draped limply on top of him, spent, satisfied, and worry free for the first time in days.
***********
"We should tell them," I blurted out as David pulled his Audi to a stop.
"Today?" he asked incredulously as he turned to face me with a surprised look on his face.
"Mom, knows," I answered in resignation. "What's the point of keeping it to ourselves now?" I pressed my palms to my belly.
"Are you sure, sweetheart?" He placed his hand on top of mine with a deep furrow between his brows.
"Not really, but they're going to figure it out eventually." I stared out the window at the cute little gray craftsman-style home that David had just parked in front of. We were having a Thanksgiving dinner
at David's friend Andy's house, and we were parked behind Jensen's green Silverado truck, meaning we were the last to arrive.
"We can wait if you're not sure, Natalie." He squeezed my hands reassuringly. "You won't be showing for a while yet."
"I just want to get it over with now," I said in a subdued dejected tone. Maybe if everybody knew, it would feel more real, and I could quite freaking out about it.
"Alright," he said in a sad voice. I glanced over and saw a flash of despair cross his eyes then quickly disappear before he climbed out of the car. I pursed my lips. He hadn't been acting right since he got that call from his dad this morning. From his angry outburst, to his emotional apology, followed by the most possessive sex we had ever had, I was starting to wonder if he was pregnant too. His mood was more scattered than mine.
He'd been driving me crazy for days now, monitoring my fluid intake and forcing food on me when I wasn't even hungry. He took care of every single thing for me, and I felt like I was a child with a damn nanny. If he asked me how I was feeling one more time, I just might show him with my fist. Damn, I was crabby and annoyed just thinking about it. I was so thankful that we had plans tonight, so he had something else to focus on besides me. I had been biting my tongue all this time because I knew this all stemmed from the abortion Paige had behind his back. I didn't want to hurt him, but it was getting harder and harder not to snap at him when he started smothering me.
In an impulsive childish act of defiance, I opened the passenger door and climbed out before he could come around the vehicle and open it for me. I took satisfaction with the slight irritation that ghosted across his face as I closed the car door. He took my hand and pulled me in close for a hug, then kissed my forehead softly. Guilt welled up over my petty behavior. The man loved me and adored me. You'd think I could act like an adult. Once again, I doubted my ability to be a parent to this little life inside me. A wave of sadness hit me, and I wanted to cry again. I pressed my lips together as I fought the tears down.
"Natalie?" David asked. I met his soft eyes, and saw worry and concern in them. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
"I'm...I'm just worried how they'll react to this," I told him, thankful that it was the truth, and I didn't have to lie. "What if they think I'm stupid for getting pregnant like this?"
He gave me a sympathetic look, then wrapped me up in his arms. "No one is going to think you're stupid, Natalie. It was just an accident."
"Well, I certainly feel stupid," I grumbled quietly as I snuggled in close to him.
"Do you want me to tell them?" he asked softly.
"No, I'm a big girl. I can handle it." I pulled away from him, and he put his hand at the small of my back as we walked up the sidewalk.
We walked up the brick steps onto a covered porch and stopped in front of the door. Andy's house was a lot like David's, oozing with charm and character. David reached out and rang the doorbell. A moment later, Andy answered the door with a wide grin on his face.
"Welcome to the first annual Purcell Thanksgiving Feast!" he announced over-dramatically with a sweeping hand flourish inviting us in.
"Can you really call it a feast if there are only six fucking people here?!" Jensen's raspy voice called from somewhere behind Andy.
"Shut up, you idiot!" Andy barked back as he glared over his shoulder. "It's my party and I'll call it whatever the fuck I like!" He turned back to us, his grin wide and welcoming once again. "Come on in."
"Thanks, Andrew," David said with an amused tone as he ushered me through the doorway ahead of him.
"It's nice to see you again, Natalie," Andy said as his smile softened, and to my surprise, he gave me a brief hug.
"Hey, Dave," he turned and gave David a hug too. To my knowledge, Andy was the only person David let get away with calling him Dave. I thought their little name game was sweet.
I glanced around the room, noting the white walls, the gray couch and love seat, and the gorgeous dark wood flooring. I liked the contemporary design immediately. Whoever decorated had a similar style to mine. I assumed it was Lydia, since Andy seemed to have garish taste if his neon yellow car was any indication. Jensen and Sydney were both on the one end of the sofa with Jensen's arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders. There was a low glass coffee table in front of them with a can of soda and a glass of white wine on it. They both greeted us warmly, and I returned their greetings wholeheartedly.
"How's the face?" Jensen asked David, referencing the healing bruises still coloring his cheek from where Aiden had punched him a week ago.
"Much better," David replied as he touched his bruised cheek gingerly. "The cut inside my lip is pretty much healed too."
"Well, my fucking hand still hurts," Jensen added as he flexed his right hand. "That motherfucker had an iron jaw."
"I'm just glad you showed up when you did." David put a protective arm around me. "God, only knows what could have happened if you hadn't."
"I got your back every time, brother," Jensen said in a firm voice.
"Thanks, Jensen." David smiled warmly at his friend.
"What would you two like to drink?" Andy asked as he took our coats and motioned toward the seating area. "I've got beer, wine, iced tea, or pretty much whatever you want."
"I'll have a beer, " David said.
"Iced tea, please," I added with a smile.
David's arm tightened around me suddenly as Andy left the room. "Don't you think water would be a better choice?" he asked me quietly with his mouth close to my ear. Irritation burst to life inside me. I guess the nanny was back. I ignored him and moved away from him to sit on the love seat. He gave me a hard stare then sat down next to me. He put his arm around me, and instead of feeling comforting, it just felt confining. He pressed his lips close to my ear again. "Sweetheart, you know you have to watch your caffeine intake," he whispered in a reasonable tone that made me want to slap him.
"It's just one damn glass, David," I growled at him quietly as I shrugged his arm off of me, my annoyance unmistakable. I'd just about had my limit of his smothering and overprotective behavior. He had the gall to look surprised by my reaction.
I turned away from David and found Sydney looking at us sharply with concern on her face. I ignored her and the weight of David's eyes on me, and asked Jensen how his band was doing. He was eager to tell me all about it, oblivious to the tension between David and me. Sydney narrowed her eyes and looked over at David, but I didn't look to see his reaction.
Jensen was in the middle of telling me about the new original song his band was working on, and how amazing it was turning out, when Andy returned. He handed David his beer and me my glass of tea. I took a long spiteful sip for David's benefit, and I could feel him watching me. This time I turned to look at him. Instead of the anger or annoyance that I expected, he had that sad look on his face once more. It made me feel small and petty. I felt like crying again. I stuffed it down with an effort as I noticed that Andy was looking at me with a worried expression from where he had sat next to Sydney on the couch.
"Are you okay, Natalie?" Andy asked as he looked at me closely, his sharp eyes focused on my face.
"No," I answered without thinking, cringing inside. David put his hand on my thigh in a comforting gesture.
"What's wrong?" Sydney asked as she leaned forward on the couch.
I looked around, and everyone was staring at me with worried eyes. I guess this was as good a time as any to tell them.
"I'm...I'm pregnant," I blurted out before I changed my mind. Damn, every time I said it aloud it still jolted me. Apparently, I wasn't the only one. Jensen, Syd, and Andy were utterly speechless as they stared at me with wide-eyed shocked expressions. David wrapped his arm around me protectively, and I leaned into him gratefully.
"We're due in July," David announced proudly. I looked at him, and he was smiling warmly at me. He turned his head toward me and kissed my temple softly.
"It...it was an accident," I said in embarrassment as I looked down at my hands.
"But we're in this together, right Natalie?" David asked in a voice that seemed fragile and unsure. He held his hand out to me, and I took it, needing his reassurance and comfort.
"Yes," I nodded jerkily. "Together." I smiled at him warmly. I really was happy that of all the guys I could have gotten pregnant with, that David was the one. He hadn't run for the hills like some men would have done. He'd been supportive and there for me, even if he had gotten carried away for understandable reasons. The guilt over my ungratefulness threatened to swamp me again. I was such a mess. The deep fear of being a terrible mother burst to life inside me again, and tears managed to start running down my face. David's smile faded away. He pulled me into his arms and tucked my face into his neck, rubbing soothing circles on my back with his warm palm. I breathed in his amazing scent, finding it calming and comforting.
"Together, sweetheart," he murmured comfortingly. "I promise."
"Come on, guys," Sydney announced to Jensen and Andy. "Let's go check how Lydia is coming along with dinner." The three of them grabbed their drinks and quietly left the room, shooting furtive glances at David and me as they walked out.
When they were gone, David leaned back and cradled my face in his hands. He looked at me closely his eyes focused and a deep worried furrow between his brows.
"Why are you crying, Natalie? You're really starting to freak me out."
I wanted to tell him the truth, to unburden myself of the fear and uncertainty I was feeling about myself and this pregnancy. However, the way he had told them so proudly that we were due in July, I couldn't bring myself to ruin his happiness. I didn't want him to think that I was anything like Paige, or that I didn't want to have this baby with him. No matter how terrified I was about this pregnancy and becoming a mother, I still wanted to keep our baby.
You Are My Life: Breathless Book 3 Page 9
