by C. A. Harms
Kade stepped forward, placed his hands on my hips, and pulled my body against his. “I do know that, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a man, and he’s touching something that’s mine.” I cocked an eyebrow at him, and he chuckled. “Yeah, don’t look at me like that. I told you I want you and I want us. You didn’t argue, which tells me you want it too.” He waited for me to protest, but I didn’t because what he said was true.
“Reverse the roles, baby.” He smirked. “What if I had to see a female doctor every month, and she had to go feeling around on my dick?”
My laughter broke free because he could not possibly compare the two. I was housing a human life inside me.
He immediately narrowed his eyes. “Shit ain’t funny.”
I placed my hand over my mouth to stifle my laughter. When it was under control, I forced a straight face. “Okay, I understand.” I had no idea what to say to make him feel better.
He leaned in and placed his lips against mine at the exact moment I heard the door behind us opening. I tried to pull away, but Kade gripped the back of my head and held my mouth to his.
The kiss he continued to give me was one of those toe-curling kisses that should have been reserved for the bedroom alone. It consumed me, made me weak in the knees, and had my body craving more. Now was not the time to be turned on.
When we finally broke free, he wore a self-assured smirk, and all I could do was roll my eyes. He was such a cocky ass, staking a claim when he had not reason to.
Heat crept up my neck as I turned to face the doctor. He stood frozen in the doorway, trying to compose himself after what he just walked in on.
This appointment was no doubt going to be interesting.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kade
“Here’s the address,” Easton said as he passed the paper over the top of the table toward me. “Bennie said they live in a ranch-style home at the end of the lane.”
Vermont. They stuck around for a few months after the funeral and then picked up and moved thousands of miles away. Running from the place where they saw their daughter everywhere they looked.
“You sure about this, Kade?” Jett asked as he sat down in the booth next to me.
“Yeah, I am. It’s something I have to do. It’s the last step before I can say good-bye to Jenna,” I explained as I twisted the paper between my fingers. “I’m ready to move on with Avery, and I can’t do that until I do this.”
My stomach was in knots at the idea of facing Jenna’s parents. I had no idea what to expect, but I wanted to close this chapter.
“I’m gonna need something from you, Jett,” I said as I looked up from my hands.
“And what would that be, brother?” he asked.
“Keep an eye on my girl,” I said, and he grinned widely and nodded as Easton chuckled. “Yeah, I know. You never thought you’d see the day, right?”
Jett placed his hand on my shoulder and patted it. “Nope, I didn’t, but it looks good on ya.”
“What does?” I asked.
“Love, infatuation, whatever you wanna call it,” Easton said.
“Pussy-whipped, henpecked, does it matter how you refer to it?” Jude flopped down in the seat next to Easton, chuckling. “Avery has you wrapped around her pinky, and you are sunk to the deepest depths, brother.”
I smiled. “Where the hell did you come from?”
“I’ve been quietly observing this exchange you three were having.” He leaned back, waiting for me argue with what he had said. But he was right. It was pointless. Avery had me tied up tight, and there was no coming back.
***
“So you’re really leaving in the morning?” Avery asked as she sat curled against my side. As soon as I left the restaurant, I drove straight for her place to let her know my plans.
“Yeah,” I whispered into her hair as I held her close to my side. “I wanted to spend the night with you before I go. But I won’t be gone long. I just have to do this.”
Her hold on my waist grew a little tighter. “I understand,” she whispered. “So are you gonna stay the night?”
Her question made my heart feel like it was constricting in my chest. It felt good to hear she needed me and wanted me.
“Do you want me to spend the night with you?” I asked.
When she nodded against my chest, another wave of relief washed over me. I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms all night long.
“So we gonna watch this movie?” I asked, and she laughed.
“What, you mean the weird unicorn movie?” she taunted. “I thought you weren’t into that kind of thing.”
I didn’t give her any warning before I twisted around and began tickling her sides. Little shit had been picking on me all night, ever since I walked through the door holding Gone in Sixty Seconds and a large pizza.
“Oh my God, Kade, stop,” she squealed as she tried to get away from me. “Oh stop, oh shit, I swear I won’t pick on you anymore.”
Her laughter was a welcome sound. She’d been quiet ever since I told her I was leaving for Vermont in the morning, and the last thing I wanted was to end our night on a sour note.
“I’m gonna pee my pants, you have to stop,” she begged, and my own laughter broke out.
I hooked my arm around her waist and lifted her onto my lap. “I love to hear you laugh,” I confessed, and she smiled down at me, her breathing still labored as she tried to recover from the tickling.
“After this trip, you have my all, pretty girl. I promise no more holding back. I just have to say good-bye to that part of my life, and asking for their forgiveness is the only way I can do that. I can promise you that things will be different. I won’t ever hurt you again, baby.”
She nodded, and I noticed the glistening tears in her eyes. “Okay,” she whispered. “Can we save the movie for another day? I’d rather you take me to bed.”
“Are you sure?’
“Completely sure,” she said. “I wanna start making new memories.”
An unwanted ache squeezed my stomach. I knew exactly what her words meant. I’d really screwed up our first time together that night in the garage, and she wanted to erase it. I wanted that too. Creating new memories sounded like a good idea. It was time I started showing Avery how much she truly meant to me, and always has.
I stood up and lifted her from my lap in the process. Once I’d placed her securely on her feet, I took her hand and led her down the hallway toward her room.
Her room was dark, and the light from the bathroom gave the furniture inside a soft glow. I pulled her around to my front and wrapped my arms around her waist. “New memories,” I whispered. “They all start now.”
She slipped her hands beneath the hem of my shirt. The moment her fingertips skimmed over my sides, chills broke out over my arms and back. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on her touch as it rolled over my abs before she rested her hands on my chest. Slowly and almost torturously, she began lifting my shirt over my head.
The moment her lips pressed against the center of my pecs, my head fell back. If that hadn’t been enough to make my legs weak, I was completely lost when her tongue traced a path to my nipple.
“Avery.” Her name fell from my lips in a moan. I loosened my hold on her waist and took her hips in my hands before slowly guiding her to the bed. I stood back for a moment so I could take her in, allowing my eyes to slowly rake over her from head to toe. She watched me as well, with her eyes full of lust.
My heart was racing so fast it felt like it may beat out of my chest. I had never wanted anything more than I wanted this moment with Avery right now. I had to erase my mistake by creating a new first time. Our first time together as a couple. This time I would look her in the eyes and make sure she could see what I tried so hard to hide before. After tonight she would no longer question how I felt about her.
Chapter Thirty
Avery
I could sense a shift, a change in the way he looked at me. Even the kisses
we shared were so full of passion. It was hard to explain, but the man that was here before me now was not the same one from the night at his shop.
As he hovered over me, our bodies joined in the most intimate way, his gaze never wavered. He looked back at me with such intensity.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered before his lips met mine. Our tongues intertwined as he rotated his hips, grinding against me. He pulled back, and his stare once again found mine. “This should have been our first time,” he whispered as he pushed himself deeper inside me. My breath hitched, and I dug my fingernails into his shoulders.
“Oh my God,” I gasped. “Mm.” A moan left my lips just before he covered my mouth with his. Immediately the rocking of his hips picked up as he began thrusting into me harder and faster, his muscles tensing beneath my fingers with his vigorous movements.
“I’m so close, baby,” he groaned out before rolling his tongue with mine. He gripped my hips and pulled me tighter against him just as my body tensed around him. The most delicious sensation took over as an intense orgasm ripped through me.
He swallowed my moans as he drove into me before his own orgasm hit.
“Avery,” he moaned.
After he calmed, he shifted to the side to relieve me of the weight of his body. Looking down at me, he brushed away the hair that was falling in my face. “Are you okay?” he asked. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
I smiled at his thoughtfulness. “No, you were perfect,” I assured him.
The smile that spread out over his face sent chills throughout my body and a warm sensation straight to my core. He was happy, and it was a beautiful sight to witness.
***
“Well aren’t you just a pleasant bunny?” Quinn said.
“More like a crabby patty.” I narrowed my eyes at Callie as she placed the chocolate shake in front of me. She pulled her hand back quickly as if I was going to attack her.
Quinn snickered, and Harper just laughed. She didn’t care who heard her.
“Kade left his morning, she’s pregnant, and I’ve heard pregnant women get horny, like all the time,” Harper stated as she picked up my spoon and swiped a spoonful of the whipped cream off the top of my tall glass.
I swatted her hand away and redirected my glare to her. “Drop the spoon.”
Harper laughed so hard she started coughing, and now it was Callie’s turn to laugh.
“Do it again, Harp, I wanna see you lose an arm,” she said.
Harper held her hand out in front of her face and flipped Callie the bird. In turn we all started laughing.
It was true I was moody. Kade flew out this morning, and I had yet to hear from him. I was worried, and I wanted to know he was okay. The idea of him showing up at Jenna’s parents’ place only to have them slam the door in his face broke my heart. I wanted them to accept him and tell him everything was going to be all right. He deserved closure, and I swore if they hurt him I would hop on the first plane and fly to Vermont to give them both a piece of my mind.
“Have you heard from him?” Jett asked as he slid into the booth next to Quinn. I instantly felt the absence of Kade. No, we hadn’t been together as a couple long, but from the moment he said he wanted to try being together, I let my heart finish falling. There was no saving me.
I shook my head. “Nope, have you?”
“No,” he said as he dipped a tortilla chip into the salsa and lifted it to his mouth.
I mindlessly reached out and grabbed a chip of my own. When I bypassed the salsa and dipped it into my shake, I heard an “eww” and someone whispered, “Nasty.” I lifted it to my lips and smiled as I placed the salty sweetness against my tongue. It was the perfect mixture.
“That has got to be a pregnancy thing,” Callie said. “That’s just weird.”
Easton and Jude walked up then, and I felt a little saddened. Kade was the only one missing from our little group.
“Ever had corn chips in your ice cream?” Jude asked as he stared at me while I continued to dip the chips into my shake.
I shook my head while enjoying being able to disgust Callie.
“It’s good,” he confirmed. “A little salty and a little sweet.” He licked his lower lip and let his gaze wander to Callie. My God, those two and the dirty fantasies they have about one another.
“I’m actually in the mood for nachos. Got any cheese?” I asked Jude around a mouthful of chips. “Spicy nacho cheese, actually, and black olives.”
“This is my restaurant, Avery, we have everything,” Jett announced proudly.
“I’ll make you some nachos, Avery, and they’ll be the best damn nachos you’ve ever had,” Jude assured me as he stepped back, offering a wink before turning around and walking toward the kitchen.
“What about me?” Callie hollered after him.
We all watched as Jude looked back over his shoulder, a smirk covering his mouth. “Why, Cal, if I make you dinner, will you offer me dessert later?”
Easton and Jett chuckled, and every girl at the table smiled brightly. Well, every girl but Callie. Instead, her cheeks grew red and she turned to face the group, choosing to avoid Jude’s sexually laced words. I had no doubt those two would be explosive if they would just give in to the tension that had been boiling between them for months, if not longer. They were both always watching each other when the other wasn’t looking, and Jude was always on the lookout when any other guy came within a few feet of Callie. They really just needed to lock themselves up in a room together for a few days. It was almost too hot to watch.
Chapter Thirty-One
Kade
I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous than I was the moment I pulled up in front of Lori and Paul’s home. My hands were shaking, I was sweating like crazy, and I felt like I was going to puke at any second.
I had no idea what to expect. Having them slam the door in my face would be the hardest outcome to accept. I hadn’t really thought about what I would do if that did happen. I just had to hope for the best. I was so close to backing out, but I knew I would only regret that decision. Needing just a little push, I picked up my phone and dialed Jett’s number. He was a no-bullshit kinda guy, and I knew he would be the shove I needed.
“What’s up? How did things go?” he asked, bypassing the hello.
“I don’t know, man,” I said. “I can’t get my ass out of the car.”
Silence set in, and I knew he was waiting for me to go on.
“What the hell do I do if they refuse to talk to me? What if they slam the door before I can explain why I’m here? I don’t know if I thought this all out too well.” My heart was racing as I rambled.
“Brother, you can’t do this to yourself. You fucking hopped on a plane to fly thousands of miles to ask their forgiveness. Damn it, Kade, you deserve forgiveness. If they can’t offer that, then fuck them. Get your head on straight, get your ass out of that car, and knock on the fucking door. If they don’t give you the chance to speak, then it’s their loss. You did your part.”
He pushed me, just as I thought he would. I let my gaze wander back up to the brick home to my left.
“Jude cooked dinner for your woman and baby tonight.” His comment immediately caught my attention. “I’ve never heard those types of moans from a woman just enjoying a good meal.”
Fucking ass was playing hardball, offering up a game he knew would pull me out of my own head.
“While she was eating, he ran out and grabbed a bag of Fritos. And then they sat down in a booth and shared a big-ass bowl of ice cream while dipping the chips. Apparently they share a love for a mixture of salty and sweet.” The asshole chuckled. He knew exactly the effect his words would have on me.
“Fuck you, man,” I growled.
“Hurry your ass up and get back to your girl. She misses you, man. Leave your fears and reservations on the doorstep. Go in there with your head held high, because you have nothing to apologize for. You loved Jenna, she loved you. Shit happened, and in the end she
chose to get behind that wheel. You did not force her to do that. Whether you choose to believe it or not, Kade, you did not cause that accident.”
My throat burned like wildfire.
“Clear your mind and do what you went there to do. Go make peace.”
A silence took over for a few seconds before I heard the line go dead. Jett gave me the motivation to move forward. He did exactly what I needed him to do. I silenced my phone, slipped it into my back pocket, and opened the car door.
My mind raced with things to say as I walked up the path to Jenna’s parents’ home. Pausing outside the door, I took one last calming breath and raised my hand to knock.
Just as I pulled my hand back, the door came open. Paul stood in the doorway, staring at me with a look I couldn’t decipher.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to get out of the car,” he said, catching me off guard. “I’ve sat in my living room watching you coach yourself for the last forty-five minutes.”
I shrugged. “I was a little nervous,” I admitted without hesitation.
He stepped to the side and held out his hand, indicating I could enter. As I walked around him, my heart sank.
There were pictures of Jenna on the walls of the entryway and the stairway leading upstairs, like a collage of her first eighteen years of life. My stare landed on a specific picture from a night I remembered well—our junior prom. Jenna wore a silver dress, her hair hanging over her shoulder in a bunch of long curls. I stood next to her, wearing a huge smile I barely recognized anymore. Her hand rested over my heart, and she was looking up at me with a matching smile.
“You know, she told us that night was one of the best nights she ever had.” Lori’s voice startled me, and I looked over my shoulder.
