Forbidden Touch: A Second Chance Stepbrother Romance

by Rye Hart

  I hit the floor, and Reed rushed around the counter. When he tried to help me, I freaked out.

  “Don’t touch me!” I cradled my tummy and crawled out of his reach. He knelt there, wide-eyed and his hand out like he was approaching a wild animal.

  “Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”

  “Why did you say that you did this on purpose?”

  “I can explain, Bella. If you’ll listen and let me help you up, I’ll take you to the couch.”

  He approached me slowly, and I hissed, pushing at his arms as he tried to touch me.

  “Dammit, Bella. I’m going to pick you up and take you to the couch!” He came at me with such force that I had no time to react, and I had a feeling if I had fought him, he’d have won anyway. I went limp in his arms to make his task harder.

  He lifted me up and placed me gently on the couch, and I curled into a ball, inching myself away as he sat next to me.

  “Before I tell you what I have to say, I want you to know I love you, and it changes nothing.”

  “It changes everything.”

  “Hear me out, for heaven’s sake, Bella. Right before I met you, I was hit with a bit of a shocker. I had assumed that when I turned thirty, I’d inherit the bulk of my father’s multi-billion-dollar estate. I’ve been living off of the trust, which will end at thirty when the billions kicked in.”

  “Lucky you, so why knock me up. One last conquest? A celebratory challenge?”

  “Would you let me finish? I found out that if I didn’t produce an heir by my thirtieth birthday, then I wouldn’t get the inheritance and the money would go to charities and I’d be left with nothing.” His tone had softened, but I couldn’t sympathize. He’d not given me any choice, and it was all for money.

  “I don’t care about your fucking money. I wasn’t ready for this. I wanted to have time for myself, and now I’ve got to raise a child and all so you can have your precious money! And you were never going to tell me!”

  “I love you. I didn’t want you to think I did this for any other reason. I never wanted to hurt you, Bella.”

  “Get out!”

  “This is my house, Bella. I’m not leaving you. I love you. This is about so much more than the money now. In the beginning, yes, that was my motivation, but along the way I fell in love with you. I don’t even care about the money for me anymore, Bella. I want something real and lasting with you—with us. We’ve created a life, and I want us to be a family.”

  “Is that part of it? We have to pretend to be a family for you to get your money too?” I snapped at him.

  He shook his head. “It’s not my money.”

  I stopped and looked at him, confused. “I don’t understand.”

  “The part of the conversation you didn’t hear in there was me ordering my lawyer to draw up papers giving you full control of my estate once the baby is born. It’s your money now, Bella. Yours and our child’s.”

  I nearly passed out when he said those words. I would be in full control of $2 billion. Still, I was so hurt that he had deceived me. All the money in the world wouldn’t fix that.

  “I don’t want your goddamn money, Reed. And I don’t want you.”

  The hurt that flashed across his face was visceral. I knew I’d cut him, but in my mind, he’d had it coming. I expected an argument, a show of his power, but instead he bowed his head and a tear slipped down his cheek.

  Without another word, he got up and walked out.

  *

  It would be some time before I’d see him again. He didn’t push himself on me, but he did take care of me financially, and I let him. After all, it was his child I was carrying.

  Kayla had been my biggest supporter otherwise, and finally, at four months, she’d gone with me to see the first ultrasound that would determine the sex of our baby.

  “You’re glowing, Bella. Just think, when we leave this appointment, you’ll know if you’re having a son or a daughter, and Auntie Kayla will be able to buy gender-specific presents and plan your baby shower.”

  “Don’t go spending a ton of money. This little one will have more than enough of what he or she needs.”

  “Speaking of Daddy Babybucks, don’t be mad, but-”

  My head snapped around to see her wince. “You didn’t.”

  “You’ve been miserable without him, admit it!” She held a hand up defensively.

  “So what? He lied to me. ”

  “Yeah, I get that, but tell me something, if he’d asked you, what would you have said?”

  She knew I’d have been all for it. That I’d always wanted a baby and that I had had enough faith in Reed to try.

  “I’d have said yes. But he didn’t ask.”

  “And since you sent him packing, he’s miserable, Bella. Rick said he’s not eating, he’s not sleeping. He’s afraid you’re not going to let him see the baby too.”

  The thought of strong Reed having a tough time was enough to tug my heartstrings, and I’d been very careful not to let myself feel sorry for him or miss him too badly. But it was hard not to have him there with me through it. When I’d learned I was pregnant, I’d been so relieved that he’d been excited and that he’d wanted the baby. I had wanted someone to go through it with me, someone to share the experience with, and Kayla hadn’t been my first pick.

  “I’d never keep the baby from him. I’d like to see him, but I’m still angry. I don’t know if I can forgive him, Kayla. I want to, but I’ll always know he lied.” I wondered if that was why he’d never wanted me to know.

  “Yes, he lied, and it was a total asshole move, but he loves you. And don’t forget that he signed all of that money over to you. In my opinion, he’s more than proven that he’s in this for the right reasons, regardless of how it all started out.”

  I knew she was right and that my own stubbornness was making me as miserable as it was apparently making him.

  “He’s inside waiting. You can be mad if you want, but I think you two should try and fix this. You love each other and this baby, boy or girl, is going to need both parents.”

  I knew she was right, but it was hard to face Reed and not fall apart.

  “I just felt it was only fair he be here for this.”

  “You’re right,” I finally admitted.

  I got out of the car and headed for the office, and sure enough, Reed was sitting in the waiting room, surrounded by other expectant mothers and staring at his shoes. He looked up and saw me from across the room and stood up, his hands wringing together.

  “Bella. You look beautiful.”

  My heart ached, and I wanted to hug him, but I couldn’t.

  “Thanks.” I sat with him and kept quiet, and he and Kayla spoke a little back and forth as I signed in. They brought us right back, and I was confused why I hadn’t had to wait.

  “You paid them to get me in sooner?” I let out a breath and held back a smile. Of course, he wouldn’t want to sit and wait any longer than he had to.

  “It’s one of the perks of being wealthy, so get used to it.” He flashed an awkward smile as he followed me back.

  “I’ve had to get used to a lot of things that were done without my asking.” I felt his hand in the small of my back and glared at him as if to warn him to get his hands off of me, while inside I wanted his hands everywhere. A slow ache throbbed in my core, as I’d been sex-starved for months since that last time together.

  “I’m going to stay out here until you both know what you’re having, and then you can come and get me,” Kayla said, giving me a hug.

  I went in and was laid back in the chair as the ultrasound tech pulled my shirt up over my belly and tucked it up under my breasts. Then he prepared the wand and got the jelly ready as Reed watched with a protective glare and he brought up images that we couldn’t make out. But Reed’s eyes really lit up when the baby’s heartbeat came through the machine. I realized he hadn’t heard it yet.

  “Is that Bella’s heart?” he asked the tech.

  “N
o, that’s your baby’s heartbeat, and this,” he pointed at the screen, “is your baby.” He snapped some images and typed something on the screen as Reed’s eyes ringed red.

  He seemed so alone, as alone as I’d felt over the past four months. I reached over and took his hand. His eyes met mine as he squeezed my hand.

  “Would you like to know the sex of the baby?”

  We both answered with a blurted, yes, and then he laughed and told us the information we’d longed months to hear.

  “It’s a boy.”

  Tears fell from Reed’s eyes, and he leaned down and hugged me. “I love you, Bella. Thank you.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” I knew at that moment that I’d forgiven him.

  EPILOGUE - REED

  Bella was sexier than ever while pregnant, and I was so glad that we had gotten back together where I could keep a protective eye on her. She’d gotten so round and off balance that I was afraid of her falling again and hurting herself or the baby.

  We only had about two months to go until Reed Patrick Harrington Jr. was due to be born. Along with all the joy of experiencing this journey with her, the sex was better than ever.

  I’d move to Phoenix, and as soon as the baby was born, we’d sell the house and buy a new one, but I didn’t want to uproot them too soon.

  “Reed?” Bella’s voice had me on my feet, and I walked into the bathroom to find her sitting in the tub, her big baby bump now the size of a basketball.“I’m ready for you to help me out.”

  I’d not let her in and out of the tub alone for months now, and while it irritated her to no end, she was a good sport about it. I grabbed the towel and readied it on the counter and then I took her hand as she stood. Her skin was supple and pink and her nipples pebbled from the cold air. She’d pinned her hair up, and the few tendrils that had managed to escape were wet and dripped onto my hand as I wrapped her in the towel.

  “He’s finally still.” She held a hand against her middle to feel our son who was quite the little kicker. He loved bath time, and I couldn’t wait until I had him in my arms bathing him.

  “He knows it’s our private time.” I pulled her closer and kissed her, leaning a bit more forward for her these days to avoid the bump. I lifted her up, and she wrapped her arms around me as I carried her to the bed.

  I placed her down atop the soft cotton sheets, and she grabbed my arms pulling me to her mouth. “I’m so horny, Reed. I think it’s getting worse the bigger I get.”

  “It’s the pressure. It’s hitting all the right places lately.” She nodded as she took my hand and placed it on the slick mound between her legs. I rubbed her with a firm pressure that had her mouth falling open in ecstasy.

  “Yes, don’t stop. Right there.” I wasn’t even on her clit, but the downward pressure was hitting its intended target. Her knees pinched together tight, and I belted a laugh.

  “You are worked up.” I slipped my hand between her legs and let my fingers part her folds, gathering the juices. “You’re so fucking wet too, Bella. I’m going to taste that honey.” I slipped down between her legs and dragged my tongue across the tender spot. Then I dipped lower, deeper, lapping at her wet pussy, the sweet taste of her desire making my mouth water for more.

  She sat up and reached for my pants and tugged them down and when my cock sprang free, she gripped it tight. Then her warm, wet mouth closed around my head as she jerked me from my base till her chin got in the way. The long strokes had my balls aching, and I gripped her hair and worked her head on me, pulling her deeper and deeper with each thrust. She’d gotten her deep-throating down pat, and she took it past her tonsils and held it there. She pulled off as her eyes watered and my hands massaged her sensitive tits.

  My fingers tweaked her nipples, which were both trickling milk like sap from a tap, and I pulled my cock free and knelt down to bring her full breasts to my mouth as I slipped my fingers deep into her channel.

  She threw her head back and moaned as I circled them with my tongue. “Did you know you’re leaking?” Her eyes widened, and she looked down, her cheeks flared red at the sight of her dripping nipples.

  “They must have just started that. I’d hoped it wouldn’t happen until later.” She crossed her arms over her front. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” I pulled her hand away and closed my mouth over her tight bud and licked it clean. I didn’t pull, I wasn’t going to do that unless she wanted.

  “Suck me,” she said. Her voice was just a whisper, but she cradled my head in her arms, and I sucked, pulling a nice hot taste of her. It was rich and smooth, and she turned, pulling me off of one tit and offering me the other. “Please, Reed.” My hand worked her pussy steady as I pulled another taste into my mouth. She writhed as the orgasm overtook her, and she bucked her hips, fucking my fingers. Her pussy gripped them, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

  I stood up and lay her back, her big belly and breasts made her look as gorgeous as a goddess and I parted her knees and readied my cock at her entrance. But then I lifted her hips, and she moaned out as I nudged my tip into her.

  “It’s so intense that I feel like I’m going to come apart.” I pushed deeper, knowing now that I wasn’t going to hurt her. I rocked my hips, fucking her steadily until she cried out with pleasure and tears rolled from her eyes.

  “Bella, am I hurting you?” I stopped pounding and slowed my pace which was sweet torture, but she shook her head.

  “Please don’t stop!” She rolled her hips against me like a hungry whore, and I rubbed her breasts, spreading her milk and then rubbing it across her belly and down to her soft mound. I used it for lubricant as I rubbed her tight little bud and ground my cock in deeper.

  “Faster, Reed. Please.”

  I loved the way she begged, but I couldn’t deprive her for long, so I sped my pace, her belly and tits rocking so hard that they slapped against each other softly.

  “On your knees, Bella.” I pulled my cock free and turned her over onto all fours. Her sweet little ass tilted to accommodate me, and she glanced over her shoulder as I pushed into her soaking wet hole.

  “Yes, I’m going to come, I’m so close.” She moaned and slipped her hand down to rub her clit as I thrust and my balls slapped against it. Soon, she put the hand down to brace herself as she shuddered through her release. Her pussy tightened and milked my cock, and it felt so good that I felt my release right on the edge. I pulled back and turned her over.

  “I want to suck it,” she said with a seductive tone as she licked her lips.

  I put her on her knees and gripped her tits and pressed them together. “I want to fuck these while you do.” She nodded, and I pressed her tits around my cock, stroking through them nice and slow while she sucked my head. Her skin was like silk, and her mouth was so sexy, I was ready to come.

  “I’m close, baby. You want it?”

  Her eyes widened, and she nodded as my balls tightened. Then she took me to her throat as the first splash of cum hit her tongue. She gulped, letting her throat do a little milking on my head, and then she slipped it out of her mouth and ran her lips against the side of it, down the length to my balls. She worshiped it, rubbing it on her face as the last shots of cum hit her cheek. She ran her fingers through to gather it and licked then clean.

  Her breasts had leaked a bit more, and it was on my hands, so I lifted her up and led her into the bathroom with me. “Looks we’re both going to have to clean up now.”

  “Only if you promise me round two in the shower.”

  I turned on the water and looked at her, her sassy little smile bright and her face flushed and panting from our sex, and I knew there was no reason to wait another minute to ask her what had been on the back of my mind since the day she’d taken me back.

  I loved her. There was no question, and the things we’d shared, they were so intimate that I wanted to make her mine. Forever.

  She stopped and touched my face. “Reed? Are you okay?”

  “Marry me, Bella. Before th
e baby comes, please. Marry me?” We had discussed the subject of marriage only once, and that was to agree that it wasn’t something we wanted to rush into, so I wasn’t sure if she was going to agree.

  It was the longest minute of my life. She seemed to search my eyes so long, and the expression on her face was unreadable, the tears could have meant anything as they pooled in her eyes and fell to her cheeks.

  “Yes. If you’re sure, that’s what you want?”

  “I love you. That’s all the reason I need.”

  She fell against me, and our mouths met, sealing the deal. She pulled away and covered her mouth. “Oh, Reed, we’ll have so much to do for the wedding before the baby comes. But I want to do it as soon as possible.” She seemed worried like we might not get it done.

  “Relax. Get Kayla to help you, and spare no expense.”

  “I was thinking Vegas, but I won’t be able to travel in another month.”

  “Then we’ll go as soon as you’re ready.”

  “You mean it? Tomorrow?” She was so excited that she was practically jumping up and down and making me terribly nervous.

  “Tonight, if you want.” I pulled her close and kissed her. “We have the whole world at our feet.”

  “And funny enough, you’re all I need.” The words meant so much to me, and I knew that I’d chosen the right girl for me. We’d been through so much, but I knew we’d have forever.

  “So what do you think you want to do with all your money?” I asked her when we were tucked into bed.

  “Hmmm, I’ve been thinking that I might want to blow at least half of it on some killer shoes. Maybe some Jimmy Choo’s?” she giggled.

  I knew that wasn’t her style, but I loved to hear her laugh so I entertained it. “Well then I’m calling Jimmy right now and telling him to get his ass to Phoenix.” I said and she laughed some more.

  After a moment, I grew serious though. “Seriously though, you can do whatever you want with it. I meant it when I said it was yours.”