Branna

by L. A. Casey

  “Hey guys.”

  I hugged him in greeting while Ryder did the bro-hug thing they always did when they saw each other.

  “Hey.” I smiled. “You’re home late.”

  “Picking up dinner,” he said, and gestured to the bag that I noticed him carrying. “Keela called and said she had an interesting video to show me.”

  I laughed. “Why do you look so excited?”

  “It might be porn!”

  I face palmed. “That is such an Alec thing to say.”

  “Nah, it’s a man thing.” He winked. “We relate everything to sex, and if we say otherwise, we’re lying.”

  “Thanks for that,” Ryder mumbled as he rested his chin on my head, earning a grin from me.

  I focused on Alec. “The video isn’t porn.”

  “Excuse me?” he said, frowning. “How do you know?”

  “Because I was there when the video—”

  “You’re in a porno?” Alec gasped. “For real?”

  Ryder laughed. I scowled.

  “No,” I stated. “It’s not a porno.”

  Alec’s shoulders slumped. “Well, that just ruined my entire day.”

  I resisted the urge to laugh.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  He turned and began to walk away, mumbling something to himself.

  “Bye,” I called out.

  “Yeah, yeah. Bye,” he replied, and practically dragged his feet as he walked back to his house. I shook my head.

  “I love ‘im so much,” I said to my husband while watching his brother walk home. “He always brightens up me day.”

  “Mine too but don’t tell him I said that,” Ryder said, and he tugged me back into our house.

  I motioned with my hand that my lips were sealed as he closed the door behind him.

  “I won’t breathe a word of it,” I said and placed my hand on my chest. “I promise.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.

  The fire that ignited in his eyes told me what he wanted to do.

  “I’m so happy the weather delayed us from leavin’ tonight,” I said as I backed away from him and removed my shoes, leaving them near the front door. “I’d have cried me heart out if I missed tonight.”

  I looked at my husband when he remained silent, and I laughed the second I fixated my gaze on him. He was stripping, not caring that the hall light was still on and that anyone outside could see him through the frosted glass. Granted, they wouldn’t see him clearly, but still, I was the only person who got to experience the marvel that was his sculpted body. No one else. Ever.

  “We already had sex today, Ry,” I teased as I backed towards the stairs. “And Damien is home.”

  “So?” he replied, as his trousers dropped to the floor.

  He stepped out of them, and it left him in just his boxer shorts. My heart skipped a beat, and my body tingled with arousal.

  “You don’t play fair, husband.”

  “Not when I want you, wife.”

  I swallowed. “I might be borin’, though, ‘cause I’m a bit tired.”

  “Sex with you is never boring, darling.”

  He says that now, but wait until I’m huge and fall asleep mid-fucking.

  I waggled my brows. “You’re just sayin’ that ‘cause you wanna get some.”

  “I’ll get some no matter what.” He smirked knowingly. “You know it, and so do I.”

  I scowled. “It pisses me off that you’re right.”

  “Come on.” He grinned. “Let’s get you to bed. I wanna play.”

  The possibilities of that sentence kept a satisfied grin on my face way into the early hours of the morning.

  I had a bad feeling, but I wasn’t exactly sure why I felt that way, or what could be the cause of it. I mulled over possible ideas as to why I suddenly felt like this as Ryder and I approached the absolutely beautiful cabin that we would be staying in for thirteen days. For a moment, the scenery distracted me from the nagging worry in my gut. All around were trees that looked as tall as the sky, every shade of green imaginable, and not a single person in sight. To me, and I’m sure to Ryder, this place was Heaven, and we hadn’t even stepped out of our car to really experience it yet.

  “I know that look,” Ryder said from my right.

  I switched my gaze to him. “What look?”

  “That look,” he said, grinning. “You’ve fallen in love.”

  My lips twitched as I turned and stared out the window as we came to a complete stop.

  “Maybe,” I murmured softly.

  God, it’s so beautiful.

  “We’ve got to do this more often,” I then said to Ryder as we unbuckled our seatbelts.

  He laughed. “We haven’t even left the car yet. There’s still a big chance that you might hate it.”

  I snorted. “I highly doubt it.”

  “I didn’t realise you’d like it out here so much,” he said merrily. “You’ve never mentioned camping or hiking trips in your childhood, so I just assumed nature wasn’t your thing.”

  I shrugged. “We never did anythin’ like that with me parents, so I never got the urge to come into a forest, but it’s gorgeous. It’s so peaceful. I can’t remember the last time I was somewhere this quiet but still surrounded by life.”

  “I know.” Ryder nodded in agreement. “It’s paradise.”

  I always thought paradise for me would be a beach—a clear blue ocean and piping hot weather—but an open forest, endless shades of green, drizzling rain, a cool breeze, and the promise of a river and lake nearby had me giddy with excitement.

  “I’ll grab me case and you—”

  “Let me stop you right there, gorgeous,” Ryder said as we got out of the car. “I’ll get the bags while you carefully walk onto the porch of the cabin while we wait for the park ranger to come by and give us our key to get in.”

  I stared at my husband over the bonnet of our car.

  “You do realise you’re bein’ crazy protective of me, right?”

  “I’m aware of it.”

  I laughed. “Okay, as long as you know.”

  He winked and went to the back of the car to get our stuff, while I walked carefully to the front porch. I felt Ryder’s eyes watching me as I walked, so I shouted, “Stop lookin’ at me arse.”

  “How the hell did you know I was looking at your ass?”

  “I can feel your eyes on it.”

  “You’ll feel something else in it if you shake your hips one more time.”

  I shook them twice.

  “You’re gonna get it, Sweetness.”

  I climbed the steps off the porch and laughed when I turned and saw Ryder grab my suitcase, his duffle bag, and my side bag, and then struggled with them as he strode towards the cabin. I held my breath when he missed a step as he climbed the stairs but released it when he regained his footing.

  “You do know there’s a much easier way of doin’ that, right?”

  “Yes,” my husband huffed, dropping the bags next to the cabin door, “but that involved two trips.”

  “So?”

  “So the quicker I get you inside this cabin, the quicker your thighs spread like butter.”

  I slapped his shoulder. “Naughty.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  I chuckled then turned my head to the right and watched a roughed-up Ford Kuga with mud splashed all over it drive up the roadway.

  “Who is that?” I asked and pointed at the car.

  “That’d be the park ranger, I assume.”

  Ryder moved away from me, jogged down the steps of the porch, and headed over to greet the ranger. I leaned against the door for a few minutes and only stood up straight when Ryder shook hands with the ranger in farewell. I waved at him as he got into his car and drove off down the road, getting lost in the bush only seconds later.

  “We’re all set,” Ryder said as he wiggled the key to the cabin in my direction.

  I smi
led and moved aside as he claimed the steps once more. I gestured to the door and waited patiently for him to open it. When he did, he allowed me to walk in first, and I did so with a spring in my step. I felt like the wind was knocked out of me only seconds later.

  “Ryder,” I gasped. “This is beautiful.”

  “Only the best for you, darling.”

  I stared at the entryway with wide eyes. Stunning didn’t cover it. It was incredible. The décor was like something out of an interior magazine. Everything was crafted with wood—all different shades, shapes, and varnishes stood out and got my immediate attention. I didn’t feel a lick of heat, but the décor gave off a warm winter’s home vibe, and I was totally digging it.

  Without waiting for my husband, I ventured down the lengthy hallway and entered the first door on my left. It was the kitchen and sitting room combo, and it nearly knocked me off my feet. The ceilings were incredibly high with wooden beams zig-zagging from wall to wall. The paintings of breathlessly beautiful landscapes hung on the wall opposite a ten foot, in both height and width, glass window that overlooked the serene forest.

  I felt like my mouth was agape from the moment I entered the cabin, but it definitely hung open when I looked to my right. The fireplace had to be the best part of what I’d seen of the house so far. It was tall, at least six foot in height, and made of solid cobblestones. The different shades of grey and navy on the stones complimented each other greatly as they scaled up the wall. Logs and blocks of coal lined the inside of the fireplace, and I couldn’t wait to cuddle up next to my husband on the suede sofa that sat a metre or two away from the mouth of the fireplace.

  “You like it?” my husband asked as I felt his arms come around my waist.

  “Like doesn’t cover it.” I hummed as I placed my hands over his on my stomach. “I love it. This place is beautiful, Ry.”

  Ryder kissed my head. “I’m glad you feel that way, sweetheart. Put your feet up on the couch, and I’ll get a fire going. I bet it will look great with this fireplace.”

  I agreed.

  Ten minutes later, Ryder snuggled up next to me on the sofa as a roaring fire blazed just a couple of metres away from us. I could smell no smoke, just the musky twang of pine. I closed my eyes and listened to the crackle and pop of the flames as they coated the pinewood and coal and turned them to ash. The sound was lulling me into a peaceful sleep—one that my husband refused me.

  “Don’t even think about napping.”

  I groaned as I snuggled my face into his neck and inhaled his scent.

  “Nope, wake up. You have to eat before you sleep.”

  My belly growled in response.

  “Food does sound good,” I murmured.

  “I’m glad you agree with—Branna.”

  I smiled as I nipped at Ryder’s skin with my teeth before sliding my tongue over his sweet spot.

  “Baby,” he moaned. “Food first. Sex later.”

  I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him back against the cushions. I straddled his thighs before he could stop me, and I was so glad I had taken off my leggings under my dress before we sat down to cuddle. I locked my eyes on Ryder’s and smiled.

  “I want to play.”

  He swallowed. “You don’t play fair.”

  I rolled my hips forward, feeling his growing erection under me. Ryder hissed as he brought his hands to my hips and dug his fingers into my flesh.

  “Take your dress off,” he almost growled.

  I gripped the hem of my dress and pulled it over my head. Not a second later, I undid my bra and tossed it behind the sofa. I groaned at the freedom that no longer wearing a bra brought me, and Ryder groaned at the sight of my growing breasts. I clicked my tongue at him.

  “No bitin’ or suckin’ on me nipples.”

  “What?” my husband asked. “Why not?”

  “Because,” I chuckled, “they’re very tender today.”

  “Dammit,” he grumbled.

  I bit down on my lower lip and rolled my hips forward once more, but instead of a delightful ache pulsing between my thighs, I felt another sensation entirely.

  “Shite,” I shouted as I pushed off Ryder and ran out of the room in just my knickers.

  “What’s wrong?” Ryder hollered after me.

  “I have to wee!” I yelled as I ran down the hallway and almost kicked open every door in sight.

  I had passed by two bedrooms before I found the room I was looking for. I almost ripped my underwear off my body as I pulled them down and practically fell onto the toilet. I hated how little bladder control I had so early on in my pregnancy. I could never hold it for very long before I was pregnant, but now, I was lucky to get a minute’s warning.

  I flushed the toilet when I was done, and washed my hands. I glanced around the bathroom and admired the décor. Whoever designed this cabin did a hell of a job because I couldn’t find a single flaw in it... until I looked into the mirror. I stared at my reflection and furrowed my brows. There were coloured streaks of lipstick on the mirror, but as I moved to get some tissue to wipe it clean, I froze. When I moved, the lipstick streaks moved with me.

  “Oh my God,” I breathed and looked down at my stomach.

  I had a bigger bump than most women for being fifteen weeks pregnant, and I did already pack on twenty pounds in just a few short weeks, but I felt like I was the only person to get stretch marks so early on because it wasn’t the mirror in the cabin that was flawed, it was me. By the base of my stomach and under my boobs, dark purple streaks appeared that I had never seen before. Thanks to the mirror, I could see the dark marks had destroyed the inside and outside of my thighs too.

  “Fuck,” I whispered.

  My eyes welled with hot tears as my eyes roamed over every disgusting mark.

  “Branna?”

  I gasped when the handle of the bathroom door suddenly lowered.

  “No!” I shouted, and grabbed for a towel on a rack next to me. “Don’t come in here!”

  Don’t see me.

  “What the hell?” Ryder said, then opened the door and quickly stepped into the room.

  He looked at me then around the room then back at me.

  “What’s wrong with you?” he asked, frowning.

  “Nothin’,” I replied. “I’m just... naked.”

  Ryder blinked. “I’ve seen you naked... hundreds of times.”

  I felt my cheeks flush with heat.

  “Yeah,” I agreed, “but that was before—” I cut myself off and quickly clamped my mouth shut.

  “Before what?”

  Tell him.

  “Nothin’.” I swallowed.

  “Bran,” he said, his voice firm. “You’re crying. What’s wrong? Tell me.”

  I swallowed and looked away from him.

  “I have stretch marks,” I whispered. “Lots of them. They’re on me thighs, me stomach, and even on me boobs. They’re dark purple and just appeared out of nowhere. I’m sure they weren’t there when I showered yesterday, and if they were, I didn’t notice them.”

  I’ve seen women of all different shapes and sizes throughout different stages of their pregnancies, and the majority of them had stretch marks. Aideen even got them, but I never thought for a second how they would make me feel about my changing body. It turned out they made me feel bad.

  Really bad.

  “Look at me, baby,” Ryder murmured.

  I did, but it was during that moment that big fat tears fell from my eyes and splashed onto my cheeks.

  “I love how you look, but do you think I married you because of your body?” he asked as he placed his hands on my cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away my fallen tears.

  “No,” I sniffled.

  My husband leaned down until his forehead touched mine. “I love your body, but I married you because your soul matches mine... and because I love you more than life itself. Our looks will change over time, but our souls won’t. I will always love you, and I will always want you no matter what you look
like. Do you want to know why?”

  I didn’t want to know… I needed to know.

  He reached out and gripped my towel, and I closed my eyes when he tugged on it. I released my grip and felt it fall away from my body and for cool air to quickly replace it. I gasped when I felt a fingertip gently run over my left nipple. I opened my eyes and found Ryder’s gazed locked on my breasts, his hunger for me evident in his grey eyes.

  “These breasts are going to feed my child,” he murmured, then dropped his hand down to my thighs before slowly sliding it up to my stomach. “This body is growing my baby, and I’ll be damned if you don’t know how sexy that is or how stunningly beautiful each mark is. We created a life together, but you are the one who single-handedly brings that life into our world, and I will forever be in awe of you for that.”

  “Ryder,” I rasped as more tears fell.

  “They aren’t stretch marks.” He smiled affectionately. “They’re service strips because you’ll earn every single one of them growing our baby and bringing him into the world.”

  I laughed through my tears and threw myself at my husband, and he chuckled as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

  “I love you so much,” I said into his chest.

  I felt him kiss the top of my head. “I love you too, darling.”

  I gave him a big squeeze.

  “You have made me feel so much better,” I admitted.

  “I’m glad,” Ryder replied. “You should feel as beautiful as you are.”

  I hugged him tighter.

  “You know,” he murmured into my hair. “I have stretch marks too.”

  I pulled back with a gasp. “You lie.”

  “I do not.” Ryder chuckled. “I have loads of them; they’re just faded.”

  “Where are they?”

  “Behind my knees, on my biceps, and on my inner thighs. I used to be really skinny when I was a kid, Bran, so when I started working out and gaining muscle, my skin stretched and I got stretch marks. It happens to everyone, not just pregnant women or people who are overweight.”

  “Show me,” I demanded.