by T. M. Cromer
She hauled him close for a tight hug, ignoring the apology and her personal discomfort.
From his vantage point, Zack could see what it cost her. She’d turned pale and sweat beaded her forehead.
“I love you, Erica,” Jacob said.
“And I love you, sweet boy.”
She held him like that as long as an eight year old boy would allow, and then released him.
“Want someone to stay with you tonight?” Zack asked her a half hour later, as everyone filed out to let her rest.
“You should see to Jacob. He’s feeling a little vulnerable.”
He studied her features, noticing the purple bruises had faded to a sickly green-yellow. “So is that a no?”
“I don’t want to take you away from him.”
“That’s your only objection?”
“Of course!”
“Okay then. I’m staying,” he grinned. “It was Jacob’s suggestion.”
“Have I told you how much I love your kid?” she grinned.
“I love you, too, Erica.”
Neither expected to see Jacob just inside the door. Or that he would overhear them. But Erica’s tearful smile and his beaming son told him all he needed to know about the three, make that four, of them being a family.
“I thought you left with your Uncle Dane,” Zack said.
“I forgot my transformer, Dad.”
“Ah, gotcha. So Erica wants to know if you’re cool with me staying here.”
Another grin lit up his son’s face, saying it all. However, the next words helped cement the decision. “Uncle Dane said to tell you that he’s got the hookers on speed dial, so it’s all good.”
“You tell your Uncle Dane Erica wants to have a few words with him,” she snapped.
Chuckling, Zack scooped up his son for a piggyback ride and loped out of the room.
“Back soon, babe,” he peeked his head back around the corner.
Epilogue
She stared at her pudgy belly in the full-length mirror, poked it a few times, and let out a heartfelt sigh.
“It’s not fair,” she muttered.
“What isn’t?”
Erica met her husband’s adoring eyes in the reflection and jerked her shirt down. “That I haven’t had pizza for a week and still haven’t lost any weight.”
“You had pizza three days ago, and that isn’t how it works,” he said, his voice and expression heavily laced with amusement.
“It’s been a week, I tell ya!” she denied hotly.
He squinted his eyes and strode to where she stood. Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he pulled her back against his tall frame. He inched the shirt up over her protruding stomach and cupped her baby bump.
“Okay, A) It’s only been three days. B) You had donuts last night, or have you already forgotten making sweet love with me? C ) You’re beautiful and not likely to lose weight while you’re six months pregnant.”
“Pfft. Well, I’d better burn calories while nursing or I’m done with this baby making business.”
“We’ll get you on a more active exercise routine after our peanut is born. You’ll lose the baby weight,” he promised.
“But no running! I’m not down with that,” she warned.
His laughter warmed her. She now knew he’d love her even if she was the size of a barn—which wasn’t far from the truth.
Her train of thought derailed when Zack’s hand slid south of the border under the band of her maternity pants.
“Umm, what are you doing? Charlie and your mom are bringing Jacob back any minute,” she said.
“Never again mention my mother when we’re about to make love. Also, she just called to say they are stopping for ice cream, so we have at least twenty minutes for me to show my hot wife how much I adore her.”
“How horny you are, you mean.”
“That, too,” he confirmed, dropping to his knees in front of her to follow the trail of his fingers with his lips.
Because it was impossible to see him over her belly, she turned her head to watch him pleasure her by way of the full-length mirror. She caught his eye and his grin, feeling a surge of warmth to her lady bits.
“I love you.”
Zack pulled back to meet her tearful, chocolate eyes. Love shone bright and bold, right alongside his desire. “I love you, too, babe. Now let’s get naked. Time’s a’wasting.”
* * *
By the time Jacob arrived home, they were fully clothed once more, and sitting on the sofa. Erica’s legs were draped over Zack’s lap as he massaged her aching feet.
“Mom! Dad! I’m home!”
Erica always felt a little catch in her throat whenever he called her Mom.
“I brought you donuts,” Jacob sang out, entering the room.
“Have I told you how much I love your kid?”
As she watched Zack’s son, he threw back his head and laughed. A deep belly laugh so similar to his father that she had to grin. She wondered if he’d already thrown dirt on some girl’s dress and made her cry. Or had he offered her up a pencil on her first day and won her heart forever?
“What are you thinking about that has you smiling?” Zack asked, moving his ministrations up to her calf, eliciting a moan from her.
“What doesn’t have me smiling is the better question,” she quipped.
“Speak woman, or I hold the donuts hostage.”
“You wouldn’t dare do that to a pregnant woman,” Connie warned, sailing into the room followed by Charlie.
“No, of course not!” Zack smirked.
“Connie, did I ever tell you Zack ruined my pretty dress the first day of scho—”
Zack clamped a hand over her mouth. “She’s lying!”
“Mmmhmm, now why don’t I believe that?” his mother said wryly. “You’d better hope no one throws dirt at your daughter.”
Erica tried to warn Connie with her eyes and a slash of her hand. She hadn’t told Zack the results of the last ultrasound because he didn’t want to know the sex of their baby. The doctor had informed Erica when Zack had gone to set up their next appointment.
“Daughter?” He nearly dumped her on the floor as he jumped up. “We’re having a girl?”
She nodded, biting her lip, unsure how he’d take the news.
“Ohmygod, we’re having a girl!” he shouted. He hauled her up off the couch and wrapped her in a bear hug. “A girl!”
“Is now the time to show you the dress I got for her?” Connie asked, holding up a tiny replica of the outfit Erica had worn her first day of school.
“How did you find it?” Erica asked.
“It’s exactly the same!” Zack stated simultaneously.
His mother laughed and held up a photo of a five year old Erica. “Mary sent the picture to me. She thought you might get a kick out of it.”
“You had a copy of my dress made?” Erica asked tearfully. Damned hormones were making her a leaky mess.
“A gift from me and your mother. She swears this all started then.”
Erica and Zack shared a grin. “It did,” they said.
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Trouble With Lust.
Other Stonebrooke Stories
THE TROUBLE WITH LUST
* * *
Mason Sharp placed his carry-on in the overhead bin of the airplane and settled into his first class seat with a happy sigh. Not long now and he would be on his way to enjoy ten days of soaking up the sun and diving in the aqua waters of the Caribbean. He hoped whoever happened to occupy the seat next to him wasn’t a Chatty Kathy. All he wanted was to catch a few hours of shut-eye before his vacation started.
The buzz from his cell phone caught his attention. A quick scan of the text, and he laughed. His brother Zack, who also happened to be his business partner and best friend, had sent him a text in regard to his newest client.
“You wouldn’t believe who signed up for a membership today… ERICA SUTTON! Remember her from high school?”
Mason had to think hard. Recalling her was difficult.
“The mousy chick with the glasses who tutored you?”
The phone alerted him to the second text.
“Yep, that’s her. She isn’t mousy anymore.”
Not quite sure where the conversation was going, Mason decided to go for practical.
“See? I told you New Year’s Day was a great day to be open for business.”
* * *
“Really? I’m telling you about my HS crush and you’re getting all business on me? I thought you were in vaca mode?”
* * *
“Exactly, which is why I’m turning off my phone now. Go buy her a smoothie and stop bothering me.”
* * *
“Whatever. Have a great time, asshat.”
* * *
“Yeah, up yours, dickhead. And thanks, I will.”
He’d just cleared the screen when a feminine voice said, “Excuse me. I think that’s my seat.” Mason raised his head but his process was halted at the gorgeous display of breasts in his line of vision.
“Up here, buddy,” said a wry voice.
Reluctantly, he tore his gaze from the luscious tatas in front of him to meet the amused moss-green eyes of the woman who owned them.
“Pardon?” He’d never been thrown for a loop like that before.
“Lady, you’re holding up the line,” groused a voice from behind her.
The man voicing the complaint was issued a wilting glare. Mason found himself grinning as the guy backpedaled upon being the recipient of her displeasure.
“Do you mind letting me by?” she asked after a moment. “I’m in the seat next to you. 3D. Says so right here on my boarding pass.”
Feeling a bit like a dumbass, Mason made to stand and smacked his head on the compartment above.
“Goddammit!” he swore. When were airlines going to start making airplanes to accommodate tall people? At six-four it was a downright pain in the ass to travel in these tiny tin cans.
“Ouch. Sorry.”
He cut her a sharp glance. She didn’t look sorry. She looked as though she found the whole situation entertaining and would break into laughter at any second. More than a little irritated, he shifted into the aisle to allow her to take her seat, then resumed his place from before the interruption.
It wasn’t long before the boarding of the plane was complete and their flight attendant was asking for their drink requests.
“Scotch. Neat,” he said.
“White wine,” his new traveling companion piped up.
After their beverages had been delivered, Mason took a large swallow. He debated the merits of conversing with the blonde bombshell seated next to him. Most days he was up for mild flirtation, but it had been a helluva week, and he just wanted to relax without any distraction. This trip was long overdue to his way of thinking.
“I’m Shonda.”
She took the decision away from him. His choice now was to be rude or introduce himself. And because his mother hadn’t raised him to be a jerk, he responded in kind.
“Mason. A pleasure.”
“Where are you heading?”
“St. Thomas. You?”
“St. Thomas,” she said with a breathless laugh. She had the type of sexy laugh a man felt down to his—yeah, that way of thinking would be embarrassing soon. He had to get his mind out of the gutter. His thoughts were so entrenched in what he would do to her if they ever had the chance to be naked together, he almost missed her next words.
“So, are you part of the Mile-High Club?” she asked, an expectant smile on her face.
In the middle of taking another sip, he choked and sprayed the contents all over the seat in front of him. When his throat and lungs stopped burning enough to reply, he asked, “Excuse me?”
“The Mile-High Club. I would assume, if you fly often, you would be a member. Isn’t that what it’s called when you are a frequent flyer?”
Her question was innocent enough. Mason could see no guile there. Still, he decided to answer her honestly.
“Yes, I am a member of the Mile-High Club. And no, it isn’t for frequent flyers, love.”
He wanted so badly to go a step further and offer to initiate her, but the plane had just taken off, and it was going to be a long trip. He needed the sleep.
The flash of uncertainty he witnessed caused him to lean forward and whisper in her ear, “To be a member of the Mile-High Club means you’ve had sex during a flight.” Wait for it…ah, and it registered. Her blush, when it came, made him bite back a smile.
“Ohmygod!” she exclaimed.
* * *
Shonda was completely mortified. Too late. She realized she had heard the term before. Dammit! Her only excuse was how drop-dead gorgeous the man in front of her was. With his brown-black hair, dark slashing brows, and light blue eyes, he’d scrambled her brains.
Taking a sip of her wine, she frantically searched for another topic. Not finding one, she reached for the Sky Mall magazine in front of her and casually flipped through the pages. She could only hope he didn’t view her as a complete idiot.
Pretending interest wasn’t difficult. As a marketing director she liked to peruse fliers, magazines, and advertisements to see what might be trending. And the doorknob security bar for only $14.99 looked like a steal!
She whipped out her phone and snapped a pic of the ad. When she got to her destination, she might order one for her apartment.
“You live in the bad section of town?” asked the hottie in the neighboring seat, eyes closed. How had he known what she was looking at?
“No. But a girl can’t ever be too careful.”
“Think that’s going to stop someone who really wants in?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping or something?” she asked pointedly.
He fixed her with his intense sky-blue eyes. “I’m just saying, if you think that little piece of junk is going to keep anyone out…” He trailed off with a shrug.
Mason’s disparagement of her soon-to-be-added security measure was irritating, to say the least. If the stick could buy time for the occupant of a residence to at least get to a phone, then it did its job.
“I’ll have my friend help me test it when I get home.”
“Save your money. Get an alarm,” he advised, closing his eyes again, as if his word was the final say in the matter.
“I have an alarm. I happen to think this is a brilliant product.”
A snort was his answer.
“You know, I don’t believe anyone asked your opinion,” she said, irrationally annoyed.
One eyelid lifted to study her, then dropped shut again. When no comment was forthcoming, Shonda’s temper spiked. Really! Who did this arrogant jerk think he was anyway?
“Asshole,” she muttered.
He came alert and glared at her. “What did you say?”
“I called you an asshole. A-S-S-H-O-L-E. Asshole,” she said as if she were speaking to the slowest of morons.
If looks could kill, she was sure she’d be six feet under. But Shonda had taken crap from people all her life and, for whatever reason, decided it stopped here and now. Her bestie, Erica, would be proud. Together, the two women had been working on self-esteem issues and encouraged each other in all things empowering. Telling this overbearing, self-entitled, gorgeous—whoa! Wait. Damn, her mind went sideways on that one. Had to be all those manly-man pheromones he was putting off.
She leaned in to take a subtle sniff.
“Did you just sniff me?” Mason asked, incredulous.
Shonda froze, eyes wide and shocked. Ohdeargod! Had she? Had her body responded to the yummy scent he was wearing and acted on animal instinct?
“Uh, no!” she denied hotly. But she had, and they both knew it. Heat flared in her face, giving lie to her answer. As he continued to stare at her as if she’d grown a second head, she decided coming clean was the best course of action. “Okay, yes. But can I help it if you are wearing cologne designed to draw
in unsuspecting women?”
His bark of laughter turned heads. Shonda’s face flamed brighter if possible. She ducked lower in her seat. An eyeball peeped through the slot in front of her, and she felt a strong desire to poke the nosy person with her finger. Burying her head back in the shopping magazine, she did her best to ignore the curious people around her.
The problem was now Mr. Egotistical had decided it would be fun to tease her.
“So, you like the way I smell,” he stated with a smirk.
“Yeah, well I like the way cupcakes smell, but I don’t indulge.”
“Pity.”
“That I don’t eat cupcakes?”
“That you don’t… indulge.”
“I didn’t say I don’t indulge, indulge.”
“Indulge, indulge? Code for sex?” he taunted.
“What else would it be code for?” she demanded. “As if you didn’t start it with your sexy, bedroom eyes and your suggestive—” Jesus, Mary, and Joseph she’d done it again! What the hell was this man doing to her brain? Melting it, that’s what! “Can you stop talking to me now? Please?”
His chuckle hit her in the gut.
He trailed a finger over her forearm. “If you change your mind about… indulging, I would be happy to make you a Mile-High member.”
She knew she shouldn’t wish for the plane to go down in a fiery crash right then, but she couldn’t live with the embarrassment of this stupid conversation. It would come back to haunt her when she least suspected it. Such was her life.
Shonda opened her mouth to speak. What would have come out, she was never to know because at that moment the announcement warned passengers to return to their seats and fasten their safety belts. The flight attendant made haste to collect cups and other items she’d passed out earlier, then urged everyone to put their tray in the upright position.
