by Louise Hall
“Thanks, Mum,” Kian kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go upstairs.”
“I think I might stay out here for a little while,” Jean tucked her socked feet up underneath her. The porch swing gently swayed back and forth. “I’ll lock up before I go to bed.”
Kian checked on the children before he went to bed; they were both sleeping peacefully.
When he walked into the master bedroom, a ribbon of moonlight illuminated Cate’s sleeping form. Kian felt a familiar tug in his groin but decided to ignore it. He stripped down to just his boxer shorts and gently pulled back the covers, trying hard not to disturb her. She shifted a little anyway, as if even in the depths of sleep, she could sense his presence.
“Hush, angel,” Kian murmured, fitting her back against him. He pressed his lips against the juncture between her neck and shoulder, savouring the sweetness of her skin. Her icy cold feet instinctively sought out the heat of his calves. Kian slid a hand up the front of her nightgown and pressed the palm of his hand against her bump.
He thought about his mum’s advice and tried to forget about the five horrible months when they’d been separated by thousands of miles. The important thing was that Cate was here now, in his arms, in his bed. Lying in the almost darkness, Kian danced his calloused fingertips over his wife’s taut skin, her belly swollen with his child.
CHAPTER 6
“What’s the advert for again?” Cate asked as the old-fashioned lift ascended to their floor. They were staying at a small, boutique hotel in Santa Monica just across from the beach.
“You really want to talk business right now?” Kian smirked, reaching for her wrists and tugging her towards him.
Before Cate could protest, Kian deftly turned them so she was pinned between the back wall of the lift and his hard body. “We’re finally alone,” he said thickly, sliding a hand up her nape and into the depths of her glossy, black hair. He cradled the back of her head, his nails lightly scratching her scalp and brought his lips down on hers in a scorching-hot kiss which left her in no doubt as to what he had planned for them when they eventually got to their room.
The lift doors pinged open. “Um, excuse me…” The other hotel guest looked mortified that she’d caught them in such a compromising position. Cate blushed furiously, letting her inky-black hair cover her face. She couldn’t hide the passion of their kiss though; her lips were swollen and tingly.
“We weren’t doing anything wrong, Cate,” Kian teased as they walked down the corridor.
“I know,” Cate stuttered, running her fingers through her tangled hair.
Kian unlocked the door and stepped back, letting Cate go first. The curtains had been pulled back, filling every inch of the room with warm sunlight. She dropped her handbag on the end of the bed and was immediately drawn to the huge windows. They had a perfect view of Santa Monica beach and the glittering Pacific Ocean.
Cate could still remember every detail of the first time she’d seen the Pacific Ocean. It had been a dream of hers ever since she was a little girl. As soon as Lola was old enough, they’d come to L.A. as a family. That first day, Cate and Lola had raced hand-in-hand across the warm sand, not stopping until the cool froth of the ocean had swirled over their bare feet.
When she looked to her left, she could see Santa Monica Pier and with it came a fresh wave of memories. As dusk fell, they’d come up from the beach, enticed by the bright lights of the pier. They’d walked respectfully past the Arlington of the West with the countless little, white crosses pushed into the sand. They’d ridden the Ferris wheel together and when it had stopped at the top, Cate had marvelled at the sheer vastness of the Pacific Ocean. She’d hugged Lola a little tighter and reached across to squeeze Kian’s hand. She’d felt beyond blessed to be experiencing it with her family.
Why didn’t she feel like that about Seattle? When had the ties to Manchester wrapped themselves so tightly around her ankles that she couldn’t see new places for what they were; only what they weren’t?
She knew she was incredibly lucky. Even after eight years together and all the challenges they’d faced, she was still crazy in love with her husband. She had two happy, healthy children and another one on the way.
Before she could delve any deeper, Kian came up behind her. “You’re thinking too much.”
“I’m…”
“Lola and Mats are fine,” Kian kissed the juncture between her neck and shoulder, making her shiver uncontrollably. Cate had called Jean shortly after they’d landed to let her know that they’d got there safely.
“We should unpack,” Cate looked at the suitcase stood just inside the door.
“We can do that later,” Kian guided her back towards the bed. Cate felt her belly flip again.
Although they’d made love several times since she’d arrived in Seattle, in some ways it still felt like her husband was a stranger. She kept telling herself that it was only natural, they’d just spent five months living on different continents but she still didn’t like it.
For the first time since they’d got married, she felt self-conscious about her body. Kian hadn’t seen the gradual changes this time; he’d just been presented with her already five-months pregnant.
She looked at the light flooding into the room; it left no place to hide. Kian, sensing her discomfort, got up and closed the white, gauze curtains, protecting them from any gawkers on the street below. The light was still too bright. Cate flinched as Kian curved his large hands around her slender hips and brought her between his jeans-clad thighs. She could see the bulge at the front of his jeans.
Kian lifted her up on to his lap and kissed her tenderly as if he could sense her fragility. If she closed her eyes, she couldn’t see the long hair tied up in a ponytail. She parted her lips, drawing in his tongue and sagged with relief at the familiarity. He tasted like Kian. She relaxed, allowing her hands to roam over his strong shoulders, remembering every dip and bulge of his muscles. Kian pulled back, allowing Cate to catch her breath and she pressed her face against the collar of his t-shirt. He still smelled like Kian.
Kian unzipped the back of her dress and tugged it up over her head. Cate flinched, feeling his hands against her bare skin. He trailed his fingers lazily up her spine, his fingers dancing over each vertebra as he kissed up her neck to the spot just below her ear. Her skin broke out in goose bumps as she felt his breath curl languidly across her damp skin. Cate arched forward, her breasts aching to be touched. The curve of her stomach rubbed against the soft cotton of his t-shirt and all of the insecurities about her body came flooding back. She pulled back, putting a strip of cool air between them.
She looked down at her smooth bump, wishing for once that she was like the dolls she and Sinead had played with as little girls – that she could detach her bump like a plastic shell and not be pregnant while her husband made love to her. She was desperate to feel that connection between them again, to feel like her husband wasn’t a stranger.
Cate jumped as she felt Kian place his hand gently on her bump. “You look so fucking sexy right now.”
She looked up sharply, expecting to see humour in his eyes. Instead, his black eyes burned with lust.
He reached up and deftly unsnapped her bra so it fell between them, exposing her breasts. Kian took a sharp intake of breath and Cate felt him thicken even more against her bare thigh.
He rolled them over so she was lying on her back on the crisp sheets. Kian stripped off his t-shirt. Cate traced her fingers over the tattoo on his pectoral; anchoring herself with the numbers that bound them together. He kissed down to her breasts, feeling her wriggle underneath him. Her back was arched; her breasts presented to him like two perfect globes topped with knotted pink buds. He could resist no more. He sucked her nipple into his mouth, delighting in the hoarse sob which escaped her throat. Her fingers speared through his dark hair, holding him hostage.
Kian teased her panties down her legs and tossed them on the floor. “Ah,” Cate cried out, her body stiffening as K
ian stroked between her legs.
She reached for the zip at the front of his jeans. As her knuckles gently grazed the strip of dark hair leading down from his belly button, Kian removed her hand. “If you do that again, angel,” he warned darkly, “I’m going to come.”
He unzipped his jeans, freeing his hard, jutting cock. The tip was already leaking. Ignoring his warning, Cate wrapped her hand around the base of his steely length and used her other hand to push his jeans down his strong, muscular thighs.
“Cate!” Kian grunted. He pulled back just long enough to kick off his jeans and then climbed back on the bed.
He reached for her hands and lifted her up to kneeling. She looked like a goddess; her long inky-black hair such a contrast against her creamy-white skin. Her beautiful, black eyes were heavy-lidded with desire. Her nipples were hard and damp from his lips and tongue. Her belly was swollen with pregnancy. Kian guided her towards him until she was so close that he could feel her bump against his stomach. His cock rubbed against the softness of her inner thigh.
With one hand on the curve of her bottom, he positioned her, pushing between her lips, until he felt her wet heat anoint his cock. Cate gripped his shoulders, rubbing her soft breasts against his skin. “Take me,” Kian demanded, kissing just below her ear. “Now.”
Cate slowly sank down, taking him inch by mouth-watering inch between her legs. “Mm,” she whimpered, shivering with desire.
She stopped to catch her breath; he was so big. Kian kept one hand on her bottom and slid the other slowly up her spine until he was gripping her nape. He pressed his lips against hers, tasting her ragged breaths. He held her bottom more firmly and thrust upwards.
“Ah,” Cate cried, pushing back against the hand holding her nape. He took her so deeply that she could feel him kissing her womb. It was excruciatingly pleasurable. She felt surrounded by Kian, inside and out. He kissed her, his tongue licking seductively into her mouth. Their bodies began to move together.
After she’d fallen headlong into her third orgasm, Kian laid Cate, sweaty and exhausted, back on the mattress. Even through the post-coital haze, she was aware that he hadn’t come yet.
She reached up and stroked her fingers through his silky black hair, which had fallen loose from his ponytail. “Take me,” Cate said croakily, echoing his words from earlier. “Please.”
Kian looked down at his wife, her belly lovingly curved with pregnancy. “I won’t hurt you.”
Cate laughed, “you didn’t hurt Lola or Mateo, you won’t hurt this one. Please.”
Kian lifted up her legs so her ankles hooked around his neck; only her shoulders were still on the mattress. As he gripped her hips, she could see the tight cords of muscle on his upper arms. He pulled back and then thrust forward so deeply, Cate was shunted up the mattress, banging her head on the board. Kian dragged her back down the bed and shoved a pillow above her head.
There was absolutely nothing more erotic than watching her husband take his pleasure from her body. He rocked into her, ever more frantically. His dark brows were furrowed in concentration. His grunts were almost feral. Sweat trickled down his forehead and splashed between her breasts. Cate pressed her fingertips against the droplets, rubbing them deep into her skin.
“Cate!” Kian growled. He threw his head back, his eyes squeezed tightly shut. Every inch of his muscular body was pulled magnificently taut. She felt his molten release fill her insides and trickle down between her buttocks.
“Fuck,” he collapsed on the mattress and immediately reached for his wife, fitting her soft curves against him.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. “Are we expecting anybody?” Cate asked, pulling the sheet up to just below her chin.
“It’s probably just housekeeping checking if we need anything,” Kian reassured her. “They’ll move on in a minute.”
But whoever it was refused to go away. “For fuck’s sake,” Kian grunted. He pulled on his boxers and stormed across to the door.
“I know you’re in there,” Clyde trilled. He was Kian’s U.S. agent.
Kian reached up and put his hand on the bolt, about to pull it back.
“You’re not really going to let him in, are you?” Cate gasped.
“He’s a persistent bugger,” Kian explained, “if I don’t find out what he wants, he’ll be knocking on our door all freaking night.”
“Kian,” Cate hissed, “I haven’t got any clothes on.”
Clyde had started singing show tunes at the top of his lungs on the other side of the door, which was going to lead to complaints from the other guests so Cate quickly wrapped herself up in the sheet and dragged her suitcase into the bathroom so she could get dressed while Kian let Clyde in.
Even though she’d freshened up and got dressed, when she stepped out of the bathroom, Clyde smiled lasciviously at her. “So this is the famous Cate, huh? I’m Clyde Burnett, your husband’s agent.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Cate reluctantly shook his hand.
She winced as Clyde gestured to the tangled bedsheets which Kian unfortunately hadn’t straightened out before he’d opened the door. It could not have been more obvious what they’d just been doing. “Your husband has been quite the frustrated fellow while you’ve been gone. I’m sure it’s been torture for him but it’s been simply marvellous for his soccer. I do hope you being here isn’t going to put a dent in that.”
“It won’t,” Kian insisted, wrapping his arm protectively around Cate. “If anything, having my wife and family here in Seattle will make me play better. Cate has always been my lucky charm.”
“How adorable,” Clyde sniffed dismissively.
Kian and Clyde stepped out on to the balcony to discuss the advert Kian was due to film tomorrow and Cate busied herself unpacking their suitcases.
When they came back inside a few minutes later, Cate had just picked up her Kindle. “That was quick?”
“We’re not done yet, angel,” Kian kissed the top of her head. “Clyde suggested that we go upstairs to the rooftop bar; it’s got great views of the ocean.”
“OK,” Cate shrugged. She looked across at Clyde and it was the clear from his expression that the invitation had only really been extended to Kian.
Kian reached for her hand, “I want you to come with us.”
She’d have been much happier curled up in bed with her Kindle but she could tell that it was important to Kian so she agreed to go with them.
As soon as they stepped out of the lift, she felt dreadfully out of place. The rooftop bar was full of L.A.’s most beautiful people while she was wearing a navy blue and white polka dot knee-length dress and her hair was up in a messy topknot.
Clyde wanted to introduce Kian to one of his other clients and so they left Cate sat on her own on an extremely uncomfortable red sofa. When Clyde came back, he was alone, Kian was still chatting to a famous basketball player over by the bar. “Kian asked me to get you a drink,” Clyde handed Cate a martini glass.
“Thank you,” she was about to put it down on the glass table, “but I can’t drink this, I’m pregnant.”
Clyde loudly guffawed, making what felt like a thousand eyes point in their direction, “of course I know that, silly. I mean…” he gestured to her bump, “how could I miss something so obvious?”
Her fingers itched to throw the frothy cocktail all over Clyde’s smarmy face. If only she could be as ballsy as her older sister, Remy. If she’d been here, Clyde would have already been complaining about his extortionate dry cleaning bill.
He sat down on the sofa next to Cate. “I’m glad we’ve got this chance to be alone. There’s something I need to talk to you about. I don’t know what it’s like over there in England.” He wrinkled his nose up when he said “England” as if he thought that it was the back of beyond. “But here in America, sports are big business, even soccer.”
He leaned closer, making sure he couldn’t be overheard and she could smell the bloody steak he’d had for lunch on hi
s foul breath. “We’ve got something in common, you and I...” Ugh, I really hope not, Cate tried hard not to retch. “You’re an intelligent, little thing so I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this but your husband’s job pays the bills. So your priority for the next few years, just like mine, is to make sure that Kian doesn’t have to think about anything apart from soccer. I’ll handle his endorsements while you keep him happy at home.”
When Kian came back, Cate was fake-smiling so much her cheeks hurt. “Is everything OK over here?” he asked.
“Of course,” Clyde smiled. “Cate and I were just having a little chat. I’d better go.”
After he’d gone, Cate and Kian went back downstairs to their hotel room. “You don’t like him, do you?” he asked.
Cate shrugged, “I don’t have to like him, he’s not my agent.”
“I know he’s a jerk but he’s really the best at what he does.”
“It’s fine, honestly.”
CHAPTER 7
The following morning, Cate was sat on the front porch of the hotel, having just finished her breakfast of fluffy pancakes and fresh fruit when a baby-blue convertible pulled up to the kerb.
“Hey sis,” Liv beamed from the driver’s seat.
Cate was so delighted to see her sister; it felt like her heart was made of butterflies. She ran down the front steps and hugged Liv tightly.
“You’re so pregnant,” Liv put her hands on Cate’s bump. “I can’t believe I had to find out that I’m going to be an auntie again on Facebook.”
“I’m sorry,” Cate apologised. Sinead had been so excited when she’d found out that Cate had finally told Kian about the baby that she’d effectively outed them on social media. “I just didn’t want anybody else to find out until I’d had chance to tell Kian.”
