Sinking in the Shadows (Dating Trilogy Book 2)

by Alexandria Bishop

  Me: I’m not really doing much drinking these days…

  Marek: Oh right, you’re probably on pain meds for your foot.

  Rather than correct him, she decides to just go with it. No need to have him getting suspicious about things before she has a chance to say anything.

  Me: Is there another place you’d like to meet up at?

  Marek: I don’t really have a preference. Why don’t you tell me where is good for you?

  She knows she shouldn’t be annoyed that he’s letting her pick, but she is. She has enough stuff on her mind, and adding a restaurant decision to her list isn’t something she wants to do. Of course, Marek doesn’t know what’s on her mind, hence the meeting in the first place. She sends him a quick text naming a random chain Italian restaurant and feels a weight lift off her shoulders when he agrees, although that feeling doesn’t last for very long when she thinks about the fact that they actually have to meet up at said location. They made plans for tomorrow night after Marek gets off work, she’s not on the schedule for the day, and Tinley’s anxiety skyrockets. There’s definitely no way she’s getting any sleep tonight, that’s for sure.

  Chapter 10

  Tinley sits in her car staring at the restaurant in front of her. She’s been here for a good twenty minutes, but she’s still working up the courage to get out of her car. When she pulled into the parking lot, she immediately saw Marek’s SUV. Staring at her. Taunting her. Doing nothing but adding more to her already anxiety filled mind. Her thoughts went straight to the first time they slept together in the backseat of his car and she silently wonders if that was the night she got pregnant. Although she instantly shuts that idea down and inwardly laughs at herself. The timeline wouldn’t add up for that. She would be much further along in her pregnancy if that were true.

  Her hands shake as she rests them on the steering wheel. Her nerves are through the roof, and she has no idea what to do about that. Marek already has a child, so it’s not like he’ll freak out completely about having another…right? She honestly has no idea how he’s going to react, but she keeps telling herself that he’s already gone through this once before and that should make things easier, although nothing about this feels easy to her because it’s the first time for her. She pulls down her visor mirror and triple-checks her appearance; she looks exactly the same as the last time she checked.

  Flipping the visor back up, she lets out a small sigh. She can’t delay the inevitable any longer, and Marek is probably starting to wonder where she is and why she hasn’t shown up yet. When she walks through the door of the restaurant, it doesn’t take her long to find him. He’s sitting at a table right in the middle of the room, and she hesitates near the door. The last thing she wants during this conversation is an audience, and the room isn’t exactly empty. Ignoring the nagging feeling in the back of her mind, she chooses to do the adult thing and holds her head up high as she walks forward.

  As she nears the table, Marek stands up and pulls a chair out for her. It’s very gentlemanly, and he’s obviously trying to win her over any way he can, including simple gestures. If she weren’t so incredibly nervous, she’d probably appreciate it more. She thanks him and the waiter instantly comes over for their drink order. Feeling extra queasy, whether from her nerves or morning sickness, Tinley orders a sparkling water, hoping the bubbles from the carbonation will help settle her stomach a little. She opens the menu sitting on the table in front of her, giving her something to do not because she actually wants to eat right now. The idea of consuming any kind of food will have her rushing to the bathroom before their meal is finished.

  Without beating around the bush, Marek jumps right into it and asks, “So, what do you need to tell me? You seemed a little anxious and I’ll admit I’m going a little fucking crazy trying to figure it out.”

  The sounds in the restaurant around them draws her focus away and adds extra noise inside her head. The clanking of the silverware against plates and the incessant voices floating around her. It’s enough to make her go crazy. She has no idea where to even begin this conversation and her hands shake on her lap. She runs her sweaty palms against the fabric of her dress and she reaches for the cold still water sitting on the table in front of her. She takes a small sip and then another before turning her attention back to the task at hand.

  Marek waits expectantly for an answer from her, but she can tell how much he’s holding back to not pressure her. She’s thankful he’s being so understanding, but it’s making all of this that much harder. If the kind loving man in front of her pushes her away, she’s not sure how she’ll be able to handle it. “I know I’ve been kind of a miserable wreck and have been avoiding you lately.”

  “I didn’t want to say anything, and I can understand you being upset about me keeping information from you, but I’m not really sure why you took it so hard?”

  She shakes her head and tells him, “This doesn’t have anything to do with that.” Grabbing for the napkin on the table, she starts balling it up and unfolding it over and over again. She drops it back down onto the table and finally looks up into his expectant eyes. “Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it.”

  “Go on.”

  Her mouth goes dry and the words get caught on the tip of her tongue. This feels wrong to her and she can’t go through with it. At least, not here and not now. All she can get out is, “I’m sorry,” and then she’s jumping up from the table.

  Of course the waiter chooses that exact moment to stop at their table, and Tinley jumps as he stumbles into her. The water glass intended for her shakes and falls off of his tray, right down the front of her dress. She squeals as the cold ice cubes touch her skin and the excruciatingly cold water covers her thighs.

  The waiter jumps as well and immediately runs away, returning seconds later with a huge stack of cloth napkins. “Oh my gosh! I’m so incredibly sorry.”

  Tinley thanks him for the napkins and after an awkward few minutes of him trying to help, he gets the hint and walks away. She internally scolds herself for wearing a short dress as she dries herself, although it’s probably better that she can just wipe off the water than be sitting in soaking wet clothes for the duration of their dinner. At least the waiter only had her sparkling water on the tray and not Marek’s beer as well—her sunny yellow dress wouldn’t look as cute if it were covered in dark brown Guinness.

  After the restaurant calms down and the commotion is no longer everyone’s focus, Tinley realizes she’s still standing next to the table. The water debacle momentarily made her forget what she was doing. Instead of looking toward Marek, she turns quickly from the table and flees back to the parking lot. As she runs through the front door of the restaurant, she can hear Marek call from behind her and she quickens her pace. Tears fall down her face and with each step she takes, she regrets coming here in the first place.

  Right before she’s able to reach her car Marek’s hand grips her arm tightly and he whips her around. His brows are drawn together, and he asks, “What’s going on? Why did you leave?”

  Tinley looks down at her feet unable to look Marek in the eyes as she finally allows herself to reveal her secret. She sniffs and says, “Marek, I’m pregnant.”

  The sounds of the traffic on the road gets louder and louder the longer he stays silent. As much as she doesn’t want to acknowledge anything right now, she raises her head and looks Marek in the eyes and asks, “So, did you catch what I told you?” She feels so incredibly awkward and doesn’t know if she’ll have to repeat herself all over again. She doesn’t know if she’ll even be able to say the words a second time—it was hard enough finding the courage to tell him the first time—but what she finds is the last thing she expected. He has the biggest smile on his face, and his mouth is dropped open in complete awe.

  His voice comes out with a low huskiness that does crazy things to her lady parts. “You’re pregnant?”

  She nods slowly unsure of how he’s going to react. Dropping to his knees, he places
both hands on her belly and looks up at her. “My baby is in there?”

  Tinley can’t make herself form words and just continues nodding her head. Other than those two questions, she has no idea what he’s thinking. The expression on his face is unreadable and she gnaws on her bottom lip over and over. He suddenly stands up and turns away from her pulling on her hand. Confusion overwhelms her, but she’s too afraid to open her mouth as he drags her off to his SUV. Opening the passenger door, he gruffly says, “Get in,” and slams the door behind her.

  She honestly half expected for him to put her in and buckle her seatbelt the way he’s acting all caveman on her. She wants to see how far he takes this and she’s scared he’ll stop so she keeps quiet when he gets in and takes off. It’s on the tip of her tongue to ask him where he’s taking her when he surprises her a few minutes later when he pulls into her apartment complex parking lot. Didn’t he know that she drove to the restaurant? It’s going to be a little inconvenient walking the few blocks back to grab her car. Before she gets the chance to ask him anything he finally speaks.

  “Where’s Dakota?” he grunts out.

  Her voices wavers not sure how to handle this side of Marek before. He’s demanding and turning all alpha male on her setting her entire body on fire. “Her third cousin or something like that is getting married tomorrow. Her parents are making her take part in the whole event so she’s at the bachelorette party right now.”

  “Good.”

  That’s all he says and then he’s out of the car and dragging her to her apartment. Without even asking he grabs her purse and digs out her keys opening the door for them. When they’re safely inside, he wastes no time and his hands are on her. He fists her hair pulling just tight enough for her head to fall against his front and his mouth descend on her neck. His other hand grips her waist roughly pulling her against him. His erection pushes against her and she whimpers. It’s been way too long since she’s had his hands on her body and her nightly cravings come slamming back to her.

  She rubs her body against his enjoying every spark of electricity that shoots through her body with every touch. Leaving her hands at her side, she allows him complete control over her body and he takes it. All of it. His rough hand slides down her front dragging the top of her dress with it. She wasn’t wearing a bra underneath and cold air against her newly exposed breast pebble her nipples. She gasps in excitement as he pinches one and then the other rolling them in his fingers.

  Marek’s exploring hand continues its journey pushing her dress down all the way leaving her completely bare except for her panties. His large hand lands on her belly and roughly states, “Mine.”

  All she can do is nod her head, but that isn’t enough for him when he says, “Say it.”

  Her words are breathy as she says, “Yours.”

  His hand continues traveling down and she whimpers as he grips her on the outside of her panties. “Mine.”

  She can’t hold back her excitement as she pushes herself forward wanting to feel his skin against her. “Yours. Only yours,” she screams out as she feels a slight bit of friction. But it’s not enough, not nearly enough. The pregnancy hormones have her body on fire and one simple touch almost sets her off. Almost. Just having his hand cupping her through her panties has her close to exploding.

  He makes slow circles over the thing fabric and she can barely contain her excitement. He’s teasing her. He knows it and so does she.

  “Marek, please,” she whimpers as he continues not giving her what she needs.

  His slow tortuous attacks don’t lessen as he whispers in her ear, “Please what?”

  She whimpers as he slides his hand up her panties and runs his fingers along the waistband. Achingly slow he slides a finger in but brings it out again. One minute he was about ready to attack her and now he’s putting her through torture. She throws her head back and moans as his finger gets closer this time. In and out. In and out. He’s playing this game with her and she’s not sure how long she can handle it.

  “Please what, Tinley?”

  She completely forgot he’d asked her a question with all of this. She tries to move her body so that his hand will slip closer, but he holds her in place forcing her to suffer. Unable to take it anymore she screams out, “Marek, if you don’t fuck me right now, I’ll probably explode.”

  Leaning down he nips her ear and with a rip, her panties are in shreds on the floor. Guess that’s what she gets for purchasing ones that don’t have elastic in them. She doesn’t have another second to comprehend anything when he slams right into her with one thrust. Grabbing the wall to prevent her from slipping she lets him completely take over. He slams into her she moans with each assault to her body. Between the noises coming from their mouths and the slapping of their skin against each other, it sounds almost animalistic in the apartment.

  Tinley’s knees start to buckle as Marek reaches around her and rapidly attacks her clit with his fingers. She can feel her orgasm building and her steadiness is slipping as it gets higher and higher. Suddenly he pulls out and she’s left feeling incredibly empty and cold.

  “If you keep slipping like that, I might drop you. We should probably move to your bedroom.”

  Shaking her head, she says, “Too far,” as she grabs his hand and drags him toward the living room. She pushes him down toward the rug and then she straddles him. As soon as she pushes down, they both groan out at the connection. Tinley immediately starts moving raising toward her orgasm again and it doesn’t take long before it’s starting to build. She throws her head back as she rides him only concerned about her own release. Marek pulls her down to him and with a kiss, he rolls over on top of her.

  The move reminds her of an episode of Friends, but that thought swiftly leaves her head as he starts moving at feverish pace. With the new position, it doesn’t take long before she’s screaming as her orgasm rips through her body. She rises to levels she’s never felt before and her eyes roll back into her head as she lets the pleasure take over her. She’s faintly aware of Marek finding his own release, but her own is at the center of her attention. Wave after wave travels through her body and she half expects it never to end. She rides along with it and slowly she starts to come down from it. Never in her life has that ever happened to her. And as soon as it’s finished, all she can think about is going back for more.

  “Fuck.” He flops over onto his back and his eyes are still on fire. Her breaths come out fast as she tries to calm herself down. She had no idea what to expect with today, but this was not it. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  She can’t help but laugh. It’s a little too late for his concern, but the last thing he did was hurt her. All she can do is shake her head as her brain isn’t functioning enough at this point to form words.

  Looking up at the ceiling he says, “good,” but then he’s bracing his body on top of hers and her eyes instantly go to his own. “I love you so much, Tinley. I couldn’t imagine you telling me something more incredible than the fact that you have my child currently growing inside of you. I thought you were sexy before, but fuck I want to go all caveman on you. Promise me that stupid shit won’t keep us apart anymore.”

  With the unmistakable love in his eyes, she can’t deny him that. “I promise. No more drama.”

  The relief and weight off her shoulders is incredible. She felt so much time stressing and worrying about his reaction and didn’t even allow herself to think of the possibility that there would be a positive outcome. But this right now is more than she could have ever imagined. Maybe things will actually start to go her way after all.

  Before she has a chance to think or process anything that’s happened today his mouth is back down on hers. She moans as he makes his way down her body leaving kisses behind so he can show her again just how sexy he really thinks she is.

  Chapter 11

  All day Tinley has been feeling worse than normal. Her nausea has gone from just happening in the evenings to being an all-day event. Not onl
y that, but somehow despite all the throwing up, she has put on a little weight, and it’s all in her face and midsection. She doesn’t look pregnant yet; she just looks like she ate two dozen cupcakes instead without actually having the joy of eating them. At least her boot came off, so she’s not hobbling around anymore on top of everything else.

  As she slams her car door, the epically bad day gets worse as she remembers that she ran out of ginger ale and saltines last night. So, not only does she look and feel like death, she also has to stop at the grocery store before she can go home. The only thing she wants to do right now is crawl into bed and sleep for a week, or at least for the next two days she has off from work.

  With a heavy sigh, she turns her car on and makes a quick mental note of everything she needs to buy. The only thing on her mind is making this a quick trip and getting home and in bed. She pulls on an oversized hoodie and heads into the grocery store. Grabbing a basket, she sets out on a mission to grab the few items she needs so she can be back home as soon as possible. Taking a quick inventory of her items, she’s fully satisfied with the ginger ale, saltines, and frozen fruit juice bars.

  “Maybe if she stopped drinking soda and eating junk food she wouldn’t weight five hundred pounds.”

  “Right? Like, eat a salad or two.”

  Tinley looks around and when she spots the group of teenage girls laughing hysterically, they’re all three looking right at her. In her almost thirty years of life, she has experienced her fair share of body-shaming, but never has it been this blatant before. Her cheeks redden knowing they’re talking about her, and humiliation stops her from speaking up. They’re just a group of mean girls, and she shouldn’t let it get to her. She pushes past them as they continue laughing, and she drops her items on the conveyor belt of the first open register she finds.