Heat Wave: A Summer Loving Anthology

by Anthology

  "What about this one?" He lowers his eyelids with a slight movement of his mouth. He wants to say something, but chooses not to. I decide to tease Mr. Sexy just a little by bending at the waist to reach for the next bits of material to try on.

  "Mmmmm." I could ask if that's a yes, but the image of him adjusting himself tells me he likes what he sees. I start to slide each strap down my shoulders and watch his eyes through the mirror. His smile always does something to me and I wonder what he's thinking as I continue to remove the tiny straps.

  I slide the panties down and give him a quick view of my slit—his eyes are no longer on mine in the mirror. I'm pretty sure I'm unleashing the beast with every move I make.

  "You need to just buy what’s in here so we can go, NOW." Watching his face, I enjoy how flustered I'm making him. Talon never fails to make me feel beautiful and sexy.

  "You can wait ‘til we get home." I know he can't and he's getting ready to prove it. The thought of having sex in a 'public' place is completely turning me on. He stands and unzips his jeans, pulling my backside against him.

  "I gave you the chance to walk out of here, now we do it my way." His hands move over me and send sensations through my sex-craved body. It's about time he showed me ‘his’ way.

  "Bend over, baby. I want to watch your gorgeous ass while I enter that sweet pussy." He turns me to the chair he was just sitting in and I gladly assume the position, waiting for the thrust that I've been provoking. He enters me slowly but completely, filling me up only to pull back quickly. I try to remain quiet with each thrust as he sets the pace.

  God, he feels soooo good. The sound of his breathing begins to echo throughout the tiny room. He grabs both of my shoulders and takes me as rough as I was hoping he would. My moaning can't be contained any longer and the sound of my satisfaction fills the building. We both hit our release together and I have no idea if he was quiet or not. My mind is complete chaos and I love every second of it.

  His hands begin to roam again. This is the sweet side of my guy; he loves to cuddle and wrap himself all around me. I could live like this forever. People get caught up in the fact that we'll be traveling and never make a home, but they just don't understand. Wherever he is, that's my home. We can sleep in a car and it’ll be home because I'll be in his arms.

  "I love you, future Mrs. Walker," his deep voice grumbles in my ear and I can't help but be excited about the wedding just a few days from now.

  "I love you, too. Do you think we should buy them all?"

  "Sure, but I like you best when you’re completely naked."

  "I know you do." I use my own panties to try to clean up the best I can. I guess I'll go commando for the rest of the day. We gather the six nighties and start to walk out. He pulls me back for one last kiss.

  "Thank you."

  "Thank you for what?"

  "For being the hottest girl in the world and saying yes to forever with me." How do you even respond to that? I have no words, so I decide a kiss is the best way to show him how I feel. Our lips connect and I shove him back into the room. This kiss is a deep, passionate, full-on tongue battle with no air until I step back.

  "You want to go at it again?" His serious face cracks me up completely.

  "Um... no. We need to leave before they call the police on us, if they haven't already."

  "Yeah. I don't think I could handle you in handcuffs."

  When we turn the corner out of the dressing room, only the two sales ladies are nearby. The smiles on their faces tell me that they heard us. This is humiliating, but so freaking worth it.

  "Talon, I can't go up there. You go pay."

  "Take my hand and walk with me. Be proud. I promise these people are just jealous of what just happened." He leaves me no choice, grabbing my hand and leading me to the counter.

  "We loved these so much, we'll take them all." I watch the girls turn to mush when Talon talks to them. He has that effect on most girls, and there are times I still can't believe he's all mine.

  Chapter Four

  Ivy

  I TAKE MY TIME GETTING ready. The whole time, all I can think about is Taron and his insane idea for us to get married. Our lives are going great right now. I really can’t ask for anything more because he's been perfect for me the whole time we've been together. It just took me allowing him into my life for him to prove he wants to make it work.

  That's all great for now, but there will be a day that he'll regret tying himself down. I want him to understand that he isn't tied down and can leave whenever he wants. In absolutely no way do I want him to blame me for bringing this baby into his life.

  I answer my phone when I see Aiden calling. Taron finally came to accept Aiden sometime during the trial. He realized that Aiden and I are strictly friends and eventually the two of them started getting along very well. It's definitely funny to see a cowboy hang with a group of rock stars, but it happens all the time now.

  "Aiden! How's it going?"

  "Just checking on my favorite pregnant friend."

  "I'm your only pregnant friend, but I'm doing good."

  "You'd still be my favorite. You sleeping any better lately?"

  "Not really." Without Aiden, my story would have ended so differently. He literally saved me from a terrible disaster. The situation was bad enough when it happened, but would have been so much worse if he hadn't shown up when he did. We created a strong bond that night. I know, without a doubt, that it needed to be him that saved me instead of Taron. Had Taron shown up that night, all our lives would’ve been forever changed, and not in a good way. Aiden has been here for me since then.

  "You need me to sleep on the floor next to you so you can get some rest?" His laughter through the phone forces my first smile since my fight with Taron.

  "Yeah, that would probably help. Taron won't have a problem with that at all."

  "I'd do it. I can kick his ass if I need to."

  "Nah. I'm just up a lot with the baby. The nightmares are getting a little better."

  "I'm glad that fucker is gone forever. You know he won't be bothering you again."

  "I know. It'll get easier."

  "You about ready to be a momma?"

  "Yeah. It'll be soon. I feel like I could bust right now, I'm so freaking huge."

  "It's all baby in that basketball belly of yours."

  "Taron proposed to me today." The fact that those words just popped out of my mouth surprises both of us.

  "How did you answer?"

  "I told him no."

  "Still pushing him away, are ya? Ivy, you're going to have to give that man your whole heart one of these days." His words bother me but I know he means well.

  "He has my whole heart."

  "No he doesn't. If he did, you wouldn't hesitate to say yes." I choose not to argue with him; he’s usually right when it comes to how I feel about Taron. We've always been honest with each other and he’s always been able to see how I feel and what I’m up to.

  "I just can't trap him, Aiden." His laughter fills the phone.

  "That boy’s so whipped he can't see straight. Don't worry about trapping him, that’s already been done."

  I listen to Aiden continue to tell me why I need to rethink the marriage proposal. His words make sense, but I still can't shake the memories of my mother being devastated when my father left us. She reminded me often that I was the reason he left. The stress of a baby made him leave her all alone to 'raise' me. I'll never be like my mother. She taught me how not to be as a mother and I thank God everyday that Ev's mom took me in and showed me what it’s like to have a real family.

  "You know Taron is not like your father and you aren't your mother, right?" Damn if Aiden doesn't see through my shit every time.

  "Yeah, I know."

  "If you know, then you know what you need to do. It'll feel right one day and when it does, Taron will be there, or I'll have to whip his ass." Aiden always manages to make me feel better.

  "I'll let you." Our conversation e
nds and I decide it's time to have some fun with Ev. I need some girl time with her and I need to make sure she knows how excited I am for her. I shoot her a quick text.

  Ivy: What ya doin?

  Eaven: Shopping with Talon.

  Ivy: Want to meet up soon?

  Eaven: Sure! Where?

  Ivy: You need a dress!

  Eaven: Lol. Yes I do!

  Ivy: When can you meet?

  Eaven: I'll pick you up in a few.

  Ivy: Sounds good.

  The next thirty minutes drag by and I try to distract my thoughts by focusing on wedding picture ideas. Eaven will make a gorgeous bride and I'm so thrilled to be able to capture her big day for her.

  We’ve always talked about how we would manage being the photographer at each other's weddings and still be a bridesmaid. It'll be a different experience, but neither of us would have it any other way.

  I can't wait to see her because I know she will be so happy to make it official with Talon. They really are meant to be together. The way he takes care of her and the way they fucking look at each other is almost sickening. Everyone around them can feel their chemistry and I knew from day one that those two would end up together.

  My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. I move as quickly as my pregnant self can to open the door and find my best friend in life looking happy as ever. The reason for her happiness is standing right behind her.

  "You guys look obscenely happy today." The blush on Ev's face tells me to push for more details.

  "So, tell me you didn't just get it on in our driveway."

  "Nah. We couldn't wait that long. We took care of it in the dressing room." I laugh loudly because this is so unlike my friend, but I'm so proud of her. Ev has come a long way in the self respect department and Talon is completely responsible for the monster he's creating. I love her new confidence and sometimes need her to remind me of my own. It's funny how people change over time and how we still need each other. I can't imagine my life without her.

  "You did not!"

  "Oh yeah we did!" Talon is very proud and Ev won't look at me. That's all the verification I need.

  "I'm fucking jealous. I haven't even had sex in a dressing room yet. I need to step up my game. Guess I should wait ‘til baby girl is born first."

  "How are you feeling?" Ev finally speaks. I probably shouldn't enjoy teasing people this much, but I do.

  "Great actually, other than not sleeping the best."

  "I can't wait to meet her! Are you going to tell me her name yet?" Taron and I have decided to keep the baby's name to ourselves until she’s born. His choice to name her Heaven melted my heart; I’m so proud to name my daughter after Eaven. I know she'll be excited when we announce the name.

  "Not until she's here. I promise that you two will be the first to hear her name."

  "Three weeks! I know you're so ready to meet her yourself. Is the nursery ready?"

  "No, we haven't been able to finish it with everything going on. I need to get it all together soon."

  "Well, I'm sure after the baby shower you won’t need anything!" My shower back home is planned for the Saturday after Ev's wedding. I feel like a terrible mom because I'm not prepared for her yet. The trial took everything out of me. I'm hoping now that it's over I'll be able to get everything ready to meet my baby girl.

  "Yeah, I know the grandmas have gone crazy with the shopping. I'm sure they'll load us up on all the required baby stuff."

  "You know they will!"

  "You girls want to take me by Luke's so you can do your chick shit?"

  "Really, Talon?" Ev smacks his shoulder with the back of her hand.

  "Hey, I have things to work on and I know you have plans to spend money today." He returns the gesture by smacking her on the ass.

  "This shit has got to stop. You don't get to make me feel like I'm off my game. You two are ridiculous." I continue my rant through the living room as I grab my purse and phone.

  "What, Miss Ivy? Is my brother not keeping you on your game?"

  "He's not here right now, so no, he's not keeping up with me."

  "Damn, Ivy. You usually grab Taron by his dick and lead him around, why not now?"

  "Never mind that I said anything. I'm just out of control. I'll be glad when these hormones are in check."

  We drop Talon off at Luke’s house and I notice Taron’s truck isn’t here. It reminds me that I was going to text him when I left.

  Ivy: Going out with Ev

  Taron: Have fun.

  Ivy: K. When will you be home?

  Taron: It'll be late.

  I'm not going to lie, I don't like his vagueness. I'm trying so hard to just let it go but it's eating at me very quickly. He said he was going to Luke's. The thought that he'd be anywhere else never crossed my mind. I type the next message and silently pray for him to answer correctly.

  Ivy: Where are you?

  My stomach tightens as I wait for his response.

  Taron: Working through details with Luke. See you tonight.

  My heart sinks. Again he's vague. Red flags begin to flash in my mind and I'm trying with everything I have to calm myself down.

  Ev pulls in to the dress shop parking lot just as a sharp pain causes me to grab my stomach. It's tightening again. This has happened before so I know if I eat and drink something it'll calm down.

  "Hey, can we get something to eat first?"

  "Sure! Ivy, are you okay?"

  "Yeah, I'm just hungry."

  "How does Italian sound?"

  "Great." I manage to get the word out before the Braxton Hicks contraction tightens everything again. Shit, these are a lot harder than they've been in the past.

  This one forces me to lean back in the seat and breathe through it.

  "Ivy. You're scaring me. Are you in labor?"

  "I don't think so, just go through the drive-thru somewhere and get me some water and chicken strips real fast."

  She orders quickly and I manage to get some water in me before it starts to happen again.

  "Shit, Ivy, I'm calling Taron."

  "No. Just wait and see if it stops. It usually does." I'm not going to tell her this is the worst I've ever had it. I have no desire to see Taron right now. I just know he's hiding something from me.

  "I'm going to time them." We sit in Talon's truck and count the contractions. One after the other they continue until I finally agree she can take me to the hospital.

  We get to the hospital and the nurses attach me to the monitor to watch the contractions. One of the nurses checks to see how dilated my cervix is. Eavan and I are both completely shocked when the nurse says I'm already dilated to a four.

  "I'm calling Taron now." I can't deny him this. No matter what happens between us, he loves this baby and he deserves to be here to see her when she enters the world.

  Chapter Five

  Taron

  SHE'S FINALLY OUT of the house. I have so much to do and not much time at all.

  "Luke, can you and Lilly start painting? Holden, this crib needs to be put together. Where the hell is Talon?"

  "He's coming, just chill your shit." Holden has to be tired of my hyper ass today. I've been going non-stop since I left Ivy this morning. It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't chosen to get my new ink today. I can't help it, some days I just have to have a new one; today is one of those days.

  I grab a paint roller and begin to roll on the paint I chose for Heaven's room. It's a special paint that looks almost silver with a bunch of glitter-like specks in it. It'll be perfect with the black furniture and dark pink everything else. I hope Ivy likes it.

  It doesn't take us long to paint the entire room. Lilly has been edging the whole time, so we manage to get the paint on rather quickly. Ivy has been texting, and I hate being vague with her, but she doesn't need to be dealing with all of this. I want her to relax and enjoy her time with Eaven.

  My phone rings and I struggle with it because of the damn paint all over my hands. />
  "Taron, it's Ev. Get to the hospital, Ivy is in labor."

  "On my way." I don’t wait for her to say anything else; those words are all I need. My brother meets me at the door with more of the guys who were coming to help with the nursery.

  "Ivy is in labor. Got to go. NOW."

  "Let me drive you." Talon turns immediately to follow. He takes for-fucking-ever to get me to the hospital and I don't even let him completely stop the truck before I'm out and running.

  The nurse leads me to Ivy and I take in all of the machines strapped to her as well as the scared look on her face. Another nurse is moving an elastic strap around on her belly.

  "We'll keep and eye on her heart rate. I want you to lie on your left side for a little while. I'm going to call the doctor and make sure he’s nearby."

  My heart begins to panic. What's happening? Why is this happening so early and why are they worried about heart rates? My eyes meet Ivy's tear-filled gorgeous blue eyes and all I see is panic. I need to get my shit together and be here for her. Eaven begins to talk to Ivy.

  "Everything will be just fine. Dr. Simon is a great doctor and your baby is a fighter. She has no choice because it's in her blood." Ivy nods her head and grabs her lower back. I move in close and rub my hand over her belly, trying to reach around to rub her back for her.

  "Did they give her anything for pain?"

  "She told them she doesn't want any and no epidural." This is something we talked about. Ivy wants to do this naturally, but I told her to see how she feels during labor.

  Eaven moves to let me sit right next to Ivy. I take her hand and try to think of the words to say.

  "I love you." Those three words are the one only ones that come out.

  "You lied, you fucking asssssssshole." Asshole comes out through a crying scream. What the hell? Her grip becomes so tight and I'm not sure when the fuck she gained the strength of a bodybuilder, but she did.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "You said you were with Luke."