Second Chance, Baby

by A. C. Arthur

  “That’s a fact,” she stated. Then she looked down to try and fix her clothes.

  Ty peeked out of the closet to make sure nobody was in the hallway. “I told you it was a bad idea to wait,” he joked.

  “It was necessary,” she said and tentatively stepped out of the closet behind him.

  “It was crazy and you’ve been denying yourself all this time for nothing.” Ty stopped just before they were back at the gym. Putting a finger to her chin, he tilted her head up and looked into her eyes. “But that game stops now. When we get to that cabin, you’re going to forget all about this little trial period you’ve been giving us.”

  Felicia cleared her throat. “I am?”

  He nodded. “Yes. You are. And I’m going to make love to you very thoroughly, very slowly, all night long.”

  She wanted to groan. Just the thought had her legs shaking again. “Then we’d better hurry up and get finished here. I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

  Ty laughed. “You always were insatiable. I swear I don’t know how you’ve held up all this time. That’s why you dragged me into that closet.”

  Felicia was already moving to open the door when she chuckled. “That’s why I needed all that ice cream—to cool myself down.”

  Chapter 7

  It was almost midnight by the time Felicia and Ty got to the cabin.

  She had never been a huge outdoor person and wasn’t really looking forward to roughing it, so to speak. Luckily for her, the cabin had all the modern amenities. Ty had let her in, turning on the lights before leaving to retrieve their bags from the car.

  While he was outside, Felicia walked around, the two-and-a-half-inch wedge heels of her boots echoing on the wooden floor. It smelled like a mixture of cedar and musk. The decor was rustic but charming. There was a huge living room with a fireplace on one wall and wide windows on the other. This room led to a corner with a dining table and four chairs. The kitchen was small but functional. Down a short hall, she could see two doors that she assumed led to the bathroom and bedroom.

  It was cozy and romantic, Felicia thought as she heard Ty come through the door.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked as he secured the latch lock on the door.

  “Nope. Those hot dogs at the party filled me up.”

  Ty looked at her then shook his head.

  “What?”

  “Those hot dogs or the pumpkin Rice Krispie treats and marshmallow ghosts you kept taking when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

  Felicia moved past him to grab her bag. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Leave that alone,” he said, swatting her hands away from the bag. “Go get your shower. I’ll unpack.”

  “Are you sure you can trust me out of your sight? You’re not afraid I might eat something else?” She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look indignant.

  “No. Because there’s no food in the bathroom.” He chuckled then blocked her as she swung at his gut.

  “It’s not funny. I am eating for two, you know.”

  “I know,” he said, lifting the bags and walking behind her into the bedroom. “But maybe I’d like for my son to experience more than mint chocolate chip ice cream and Halloween snacks.”

  She turned on him so fast he dropped the bags just inside the doorway and prepared to block another attack.

  Felicia stifled a grin. She wasn’t going to swing on him again, but she was going to set him straight.

  “Look,” she said poking a finger into his shoulder. “I’m the one that’s pregnant. I’m the one who’s either hungry or nauseous every second of the day. I know how to eat and what to eat. And if I want sweets I’m going to have them. I’m not going to gorge on them only, but I’m not really in the mood to deny myself right now.”

  He took slow, measured steps toward her. Felicia wasn’t sure she liked that look in his eyes so she backed up—until she backed into the wall.

  Ty didn’t stop his progression. Instead he reached forward and cupped her face in his hands.

  “I’m not in the mood to deny you, either,” he said. Then he traced his tongue along the line of her lips.

  Trembling, her mind instantly went blank so that food was now the furthest thing from it. She opened her mouth, wanting the warmth of his tongue inside, but he moved to the left, kissing her cheek, the line of her jaw and down to her neck.

  “Ty,” she whispered, lifting her arms to wrap around his neck.

  “Shower,” he mumbled as one hand cupped her breast, his lips trailing a heated line over her collarbone. “Then I’m going to kiss every…inch…of…your…body.” Those last words were punctuated by openmouthed kisses.

  Her center pulsed, her body humming with sexual awareness. “I can’t,” she sighed. “Wait.”

  “Yeah. You can.” He pulled away to gaze into her eyes. “Just like I waited. Burning with need for you every night. Thinking about you nonstop every day.”

  He reached down and cupped her mound through her jeans. Dammit, why had she changed from her fairy-tale dress? It would have offered easier access.

  She writhed against his touch.

  Oh yeah, she was good and hot. This was exactly how Ty wanted her.

  Exercising the same patience he used when waiting for an investment to reach its peak, Ty pulled away from her.

  She was about to protest when he touched a finger to her lips. Her gaze burned into his, mirroring all the pent-up desire he’d felt these past weeks.

  With unhurried fingers, he found the hem of her shirt and lifted it over her head. His throat tightened at the sight of her full breasts constricted in the black bra she wore. Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her around, found the clasp and released it. Tossing the bra across the floor he left her back facing him but cupped each mound until they overfilled his hands.

  She gasped and relaxed back against him. When his erection was painfully pressing against his pants, Ty slid his hands down her torso, stopping at the bump that signified she was pregnant.

  Felicia had always had a flat stomach, so this contrast was very noticeable. Ty let his hands linger, loving the knowledge that beyond his palms, his child grew inside this woman.

  This woman that he’d loved for what seemed like all his life. His heart was so full of emotion he thought he would weep with it.

  Instead he kissed her bared shoulder then moved his hands to the elastic band on her jeans. He’d already begun pushing them, along with her underwear, down past her hips when it dawned on him she still had her shoes on.

  He picked her up and carried her to the bed. Sitting her down on the edge, he quickly fell to his knees and removed her boots. Pulling her jeans and underwear completely off, Ty reached for her and pulled her to a standing position once more.

  “My turn,” she said and immediately reached for him.

  Ty stepped out of her reach and said, “Wait.”

  He looked down at her feet, loving the daintily painted pink toenails. His gaze continued upward, past her calves to the splay of her hips and the neatly trimmed juncture between her legs.

  Although his blood pumped with lust, his heart bled with emotion as he focused again on her stomach. In six months his child would be born into this world—into this circle of love between him and Felicia.

  Her chest heaved under his blatant perusal. Her breasts were heavy and enticing, her nipples large and erect. He smoothed his tongue over his lips at the sight then hurriedly removed all his clothes.

  Only when they were both standing naked did he reach for her again, lifting her into his arms and kissing her languidly.

  He carried her into the bathroom, putting her down in the shower only after he’d managed to open the door to the stall and run the water for a few minutes until its temperature was appropriate.

  She reached for him and he stepped in behind her, closing the door. The warm spray pelted both their bodies as their hands touched and roamed over each other’s flesh. It was a reunion of sorts
. Him reuniting with the feel of her and she doing the same. There weren’t many words because, for as long as they’d been together, declarations seemed useless.

  With his body burning with need, Ty quickly found the soap and lathered her body. After he rinsed her off, Felicia did the same for him. His ironclad control had slipped its final notch the moment she grabbed his length into her soapy hands.

  He quickly had them both under the spray of water again then out the stall and headed to the bedroom. Once there, Ty paused long enough to dry her and himself off. Then he laid her on the bed, spreading her legs wide.

  “Dammit,” he mumbled as his fingers squeezed her thighs. He clenched his teeth then bowed his head, his tongue finally making contact with her plump nether lips.

  She bucked beneath him. Ty rested his face in her juncture and inhaled deeply, letting her intoxicating scent invade him. With shaky fingers, he parted her lips then pressed his tongue inside.

  “Ty. It’s been so long,” she whispered.

  “Never again,” he growled when he was able to pull his lips from hers. “Never again will I go this long without tasting you.”

  And then his mouth was on her again.

  Seconds later she cried out his name as her second orgasm of the night overtook her. When her tremors had stopped, Ty moved upward, covering her body with his. He took her mouth, kissing her deeply. She loved to taste herself on his lips, and she showed her appreciation by reaching between their bodies to stroke his aching erection.

  Without permission, Ty pumped into her hand, loving the expertise with which she handled him. When she gaped her legs and led his erection to her now-creamy core, he swore and let her take control.

  She guided him slowly, pressing his tip against her entrance then going perfectly still. His gaze immediately shot to hers in question. For one exaggerated moment, he thought she was changing her mind.

  “Never again,” he whispered, then lifted her hips until another inch of him slipped inside.

  Bringing her hands up, she cupped his face. “Never again will I go this long without you inside me.”

  On those words, Ty thrust his full length into her waiting heat. They both moaned at first, holding perfectly still as if capturing this moment in time.

  Then their bodies took over, moving with familiarity, driving each of them to the phenomenal bliss that awaited.

  Time seemed to stand still as he moved over her, burying himself deeper than he’d ever thought he’d gone before. She was so open, so wet and so accepting of him at this very moment that Ty’s mind blurred with desire. His teeth clenched as he aimed for the exact spot that would make her shiver.

  “Ty,” she whispered, then gasped. Her thighs tightened around his waist and he knew he’d found the spot.

  With another rotation of his hips, her nails were sinking into the skin of his shoulders, and Ty rode the wave of her climax, loving the clench of her walls and the drenching of her release surrounding him.

  When it was his turn, he gently lifted Felicia, turning her over and grabbing a few pillows to place beneath her stomach. After ensuring that she was comfortable, Ty ran his hands along her now-elevated bottom, loving the soft feel of each globe. Spreading her thighs a little wider, he angled himself until the head of his arousal glided along the slickness of her center.

  “God, I love you,” he said through clenched teeth, closing and reopening his eyes to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

  Pushing slowly into her, ever mindful of the deepness of this entry and the possibility of hurting her, he watched for any signs of discomfort.

  “Ty, please,” Felicia moaned.

  Holding on was becoming next to impossible. His release was close, the tiny beating in the base of his spine clear evidence. “Please, what, sweetheart?”

  He held still over her, waiting for her answer.

  “Please…more…” she panted, undulating her hips in an attempt to take him farther inside.

  Ty almost exploded right then and there. “Yes,” he said tightly. “More.” He pushed into her, still slowly, but undoubtedly. “More.” He pulled almost completely out before sinking back into the heated cove. “More.”

  His rhythm picked up until he was riding her in earnest. The room filled with her yelling his name and him promising to love her this way for all time.

  Release came on a tidal wave of heat, thrusting Ty into a sphere he’d never known existed as he emptied all of himself into her.

  He was hers completely; that fact had never been far from his mind. She could make or break him with a word, and that frightened him. He couldn’t…no, he wouldn’t lose her, ever. That was no longer a promise, but now a pledge.

  Felicia had no idea what time it was when she awoke the next morning.

  But she was alone.

  She was about to call Ty, thinking he was just in another room, but her stomach did what was now its routine churning and she quickly got out of bed.

  Twenty minutes later, her stomach was officially empty. She brushed her teeth and washed her face before heading toward the kitchen barefoot.

  “Thank God,” she sighed when she opened the cabinets to find them full of food.

  She still wasn’t sure what time it was exactly, but it must have been late morning, like after ten. She normally ate breakfast around eight with a snack at ten. Eating several small meals a day seemed to help alleviate her nausea. If she woke up sick, she must have missed her morning repast.

  Looking around the room, as if on second thought, Felicia realized Ty wasn’t in there, either. She put on a pot of water for tea then leaned against the counter, arms folded over her chest, trying like hell to convince herself that her husband could not be out doing business in the wilderness.

  The door opened and her gaze flew in that direction.

  “You finally made it out of bed?” Ty asked, stepping inside and closing the door with his foot. His arms were full of firewood.

  “What time is it?” Felicia asked, trying not to sound as conflicted as she felt.

  “Almost noon,” he said. He moved to the fireplace and piled the wood into a neat stack. “Have you eaten?”

  He was walking toward her now, wearing jeans and a button-down black shirt. His Timberland boots looked brand-new. Ty didn’t dress down often. Felicia wasn’t the least bit shocked that he looked as scrumptious in casual wear as he did in designer suits.

  “I was just going to try some tea.”

  He cupped her face in his hands and dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Sit down. I’ll fix you something.”

  Felicia blinked. “You? Fix me something?”

  “Is there a problem with that? I’m going to get offended if you keep doubting my culinary skills.” Ty pulled out one of the wood-backed chairs at the table and made sure she sat.

  “No problem at all, Mr. Braddock.”

  “Good, because I’ve gathered some skills since you’ve been away. However, I still keep Sarona very busy.”

  Felicia grinned. “I’m sure you do.”

  An hour later, after a very tasty ham-and-cheese omelet, Felicia had showered and dressed and was slipping on a lightweight jacket as Ty held the front door open for her.

  Stepping outside into the fresh smell of outdoors she zipped her jacket and looked around. “So how far is this surprise you want to show me?”

  “It’s not too far,” he said, coming to stand beside her and taking her hand in his. “Besides, exercise is good for the baby.”

  “I know that and I have no problem with walking. It’s the wilderness I’m worried about.”

  Ty chuckled. “You’ll be fine. There’s nothing out here to hurt you.”

  “Yeah? How many times have you traipsed around the forest?”

  “Not many. But we’re going to stick to this trail and loop around until we’re back at the cabin. It’ll be nice.”

  Felicia shrugged. “If you say so.”

  They walked in companionable silence, their booted feet cracking
twigs and already dry leaves on the ground. Though she considered herself a city girl, she was starting to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.

  Trees stretched until their tops seemed to brush the pale blue sky. The area wasn’t dense; sunlight filtered through as if artistically captured in a painting. And the company couldn’t be beat.

  He still held her hand but walked ahead of her so that she viewed his back as they trekked along. His shoulders were broad and pronounced under his jacket. She almost forgot how well-built he was. He must still be working out.

  A short while later, the tree cover began to break, showing more sky and sunlight than before. Ty slowed down.

  “It’s just down here,” he said, guiding her down a short incline.

  Felicia was about to ask another question when she saw it.

  As if this section of the forest had not been touched by the crisp fingers of fall, the grass was a brilliant green. The stream trickled over boulders that stretched up out of the earth in magnificent splendor.

  The clearing had no trees but more ambiance than anything else she’d seen on this makeshift hike yet.

  “It’s beautiful.” She sighed.

  He released her hand as she admired the surroundings and stood behind her. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her back against him.

  “That’s what I said when I saw it this morning.”

  “What time did you get up?”

  “Around six. I never was a late sleeper.”

  “I remember,” she said softly.

  They stood quietly, watching the water and the infrequent burst of birds streaking through the sky above. This was peaceful and more relaxing than the nap she’d been thinking about taking when they returned to the cabin. And it seemed like the perfect spot. Like she and Ty belonged here, together at this moment.

  “I hope she has your thirst for knowledge,” Ty said suddenly.

  “Who?”

  “The baby.”

  “You think it’s a she?”

  She felt him shrug behind her. “If it’s a she, I hope she’s just like you.”

  Felicia smiled. “And just like you if it’s a boy?”