Expect Me (Rivers Edge Book 3)

by Lacey Black

  “Through the hourglass I saw you, in time you slipped away. When the mirror crashed I called you, and turned to hear you say, if only for today, I am unafraid”

  “Did you know she could sing like that?” Avery asks from the seat next to me.

  I want to answer her, really I do, but I can’t speak. I can’t form words or thoughts as she sings her favorite song.

  “Turning and returning to some secret place inside, watching in slow motion as you turn to me and say, take my breath away, my love, take my breath away”

  The building could be invaded by naked cowgirls at this moment and I wouldn’t know. At this precise moment, I only know one thing. Josselyn singing is the best thing I’ve ever heard. She sings with such grace and passion, but more importantly, I feel like she was singing that song to me. Our eyes remained locked the entire song as if no one else in the world existed.

  I watch as she replaces the microphone in the stand and steps down from the stage. Josselyn is walking towards me, patrons all complement her on her singing voice as she walks past, but her eyes remain focused on me. When she gets to our table, I stand up and, without thinking for a second, grab the sides of her face and devour her mouth with a searing, sultry kiss. It’s the kind of kiss that should not be done in public. There are a lot of tongues and a lot of lust in this kiss.

  I’m vaguely aware of the catcalls and the comments around us as I try to convey my feelings and desires for Josselyn through the kiss. A firm slap on my shoulder pulls me out of the lustful moment. I pull back and stare straight at Josselyn’s bright pink, swollen lips, ready to dive back into another kiss.

  “They’re about to turn the hose on you, little brother. Better take this somewhere more private,” Nate says in my ear with a firm squeeze of his hand on my shoulder.

  I should be embarrassed that I just about took Josselyn in the middle of the packed pub, but I’m not. Not even a little. I reach down and take her hand firmly in mine and give her a gentle tug towards the front door.

  “Wait. What about Matty?” she asks as the reality of where we’re going starts to set in.

  “Don’t worry about me,” he says from the table behind Josselyn. “I’ll find a ride back to my car.”

  “We’ll get him back to the apartment,” Avery adds with a knowing smile.

  I pull Josselyn towards the door and holler at Avery over my shoulder. “Thanks, Ave!” I’m out the door and heading towards my truck without so much as a second thought or a glance back.

  “Travis, slow down. I can’t keep up with you like I used to,” Josselyn says from behind me as I drag her along the sidewalk.

  I instantly stop and turn around. I pull our linked hand up to my mouth and place gentle, soft kisses along her soft knuckles, taking a few deep, calming breaths. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you.”

  “It’s okay,” she replies as she stares at our linked fingers.

  “Come on,” I tell her and walk her towards my truck at a more appropriate pace.

  Once she’s securely inside the cab of my pick-up, I walk around to the driver’s side, giving myself a little pep talk as I go. I need to slow down. It’s been months since we’ve been together, and I know that if I don’t slow down right now, I’ll either hurt her or embarrass myself. Either isn’t an option right now.

  We’re both silent on the ride to the apartment. Once we’re alone in the elevator, I grab Josselyn by the hip and bring her body flush against mine. Her stomach is protruding into my stomach, but it’s not uncomfortable. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s sexy as hell.

  When the elevator ding signals our arrival on the fourth floor, I reluctantly pull away from her body and walk towards my apartment. Once inside, I don’t even turn on the lights. I’m very familiar with navigating the apartment in the dark of night or early morning hours, so I just take Josselyn’s hand inside mine and lead her towards the bedroom.

  When we cross the threshold of the room, she pulls her hand out of mine. “I need a minute in the bathroom,” she says.

  “Okay,” I reply as I walk over and flip on the small light on the nightstand. Josselyn walks over to the closet and grabs a small bag on the floor by some of her stuff, gives me a sheepish smile, and then heads to the hallway to the bathroom.

  While she’s inside, I take a moment try to calm my racing heart. It’s beating with the speed of a race horse right now with the knowledge that I’m about to have Josselyn again. I’ve dreamed of this moment for months. Five very long, agonizingly brutal months.

  I kick off my shoes and toss them in the closet. I’m removing my t-shirt as I hear the bathroom door open. I’ve got my shirt up and am just pulling it over my head when I see Josselyn walk in the room. My heart stops. Literally. My vision practically blurs and all I can hear is the blood rushing in my own ears as I stare at the sight of Josselyn wearing the most incredible blue nightgown.

  Josselyn steps into the room like she owns it; her eyes glued to mine. That’s one of the things that drew me to her all those months ago. She’s confident, passionate, and it is unbelievably sexy.

  She walks up to me and runs her palms up my stomach to my chest. She runs her fingers through my chest hair and then stops when her palms cover my nipples. She moves her hands and leans forward, tracing the tip of her tongue over each one. My breathing is labored, my pecs jump at the touch, and my pants become insanely tight.

  I take her hands in mine and pull them behind her back, restraining her against me and gingerly pushing her baby bump into my abdomen. “Did you buy this for me?”

  “Yes,” she whispers.

  “You’re fucking sexy as sin, Josselyn. I can’t wait to explore your entire body lurking underneath,” I tell her as I lead her back to the bed. Once she’s splayed out before me on the sheets, I kneel on the bed next to her. I start by running my pointer finger up her right leg, starting at the ankle and going all the way up to the junction of her thighs. I can feel the heat coming from her body and smell her arousal. Before my twitchy fingers can dive for the promise land, I run my other hand up the other leg, mimicking the gentle caresses of my other hand. I hear her gasps and the hitches in her breath and it’s like throwing gasoline on an already blazing fire.

  I look up at Josselyn as she lies on the pillow, brown hair wild around her head; her eyes are watching my face intently. I move to kneeling between her knees and gently push the satiny material of the negligee up, exposing her stomach. What once was flat is now round and full with our baby. The image she makes sends my heart crashing into my chest. I lean forward and place open mouthed, sensual kisses on the bump.

  Eventually, I continue to push the material up to the firm mounds of her breasts. They are covered in blue lace and my mouth is watering for a little taste. Using my elbows, I brace myself above her as I lower my mouth to her lace covered nipples. Josselyn gasps and comes up off the bed at the slightest touch.

  “Sensitive?” I mumble against her.

  “God, yes,” she replies breathlessly.

  I run my tongue between her breasts and eventually make my way back to the centers of each. I feast on each one with my mouth, my hands.

  “Travis. Please,” she moans. “I need you. Now.”

  “I’m right here, baby. I’m not going anywhere. Ever. I promise,” I tell her. And it’s just that. It’s a promise. I’m ready to commit everything I have and everything I am to this woman; the most beautiful woman in the world. My woman.

  It doesn’t take me long to remove what little clothes she’s wearing. Once she’s completely naked, I finally stand up and shuck my shorts and boxer briefs in one quick swoop. I’m back on the bed, bracing myself above her, moments later. I reach for the bedside table to dig for a condom from the drawer, but Josselyn grabs my arm.

  “I don’t want to use that. Obviously, I can’t get pregnant further, and I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone since you,” she whispers, the words washing over me like spring rain.

  “I haven’t been with a
nyone either. How could I when you consumed my thoughts. I’ve craved you since that night. One time wasn’t enough then and I know it won’t be tonight either,” I tell her honestly as I position my larger body above her smaller one, positioning my throbbing shaft at her entrance.

  I lock eyes with Josselyn’s hazel ones that look deep, dark brown right now, and slowly start to slide in. She’s insanely wet and tight as her heat surrounds me, gripping me, like some amazingly erotic hug. Josselyn’s eyes widen and she gasps as I stretch her. I stop for fear that I’m hurting her.

  “No,” she says as she reaches around and grabs my ass, pulling me forward and sliding deep inside of her. It’s just like that first time. I don’t move for a moment as I try to catch my bearings and breathe through the desire to pump everything I have into her fast and hard. “Don’t stop,” she moans. “Please, Travis.”

  I pull myself almost complete out of her before slowly sliding back inside. “I won’t break, Travis.”

  I rest my forehead against hers and I breathe in her scent. “I don’t want to hurt you or the baby, Joss.”

  “You won’t,” she tells me. “Sex is safe for both of us.”

  I slowly start to pick up my pace which seems to please her more. I shift myself above her so that I’m kneeling in front of her, giving my hands the opportunity to explore her body further. I touch her stomach, her hips, her breasts, her thighs, as my hips continue to pump.

  My pace starts to quicken as if completely on its own, and I can feel the familiar tightening deep down. Josselyn starts to moan, and I can feel her starting to clamp down on my shaft. I lean back over the top of her and link my hands with hers. My lips find hers for a kiss that is all hungry lips, tongues and teeth.

  Just when I’m reaching the point of no return, Josselyn clamps down on my bottom lip with her teeth and surges up against me, moaning her release which helps tip me completely over to the other side of oblivion. I release myself unrestrained deep inside of her in the most intense orgasm I’ve ever experienced.

  We both lay there, breathing heavily from exertion, and covered in that fine sheen of sweat that only good sex can properly bring. I roll to the side of her so I don’t crush her or the baby, and cradle her against me spoon-style. My hand instantly drops protectively down to her abdomen while the other is cradling her head. Neither of us speak for several minutes as we both try catch our breath.

  “Travis?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can we do that again soon?” she asks, smile evident in her sweet voice, as she pushes back slightly, rubbing her amazing ass against my already hardening groin.

  “Baby, are you trying to kill me?” I ask playfully.

  “Would there be a better way to go?” she asks as she opens her legs and starts to stroke me between her thighs.

  “What? What was the question?” I ask, completely losing my train of thought with each stroke of her firm hand.

  Before I realize it, I’m hard again and she’s positioning me at her entrance. I give a slow, gentle thrust as I fill her once more. I lovingly kiss her neck and her shoulders as I slowly make love to her. This time, there’s no urgency. No fierceness. No demand. This time, it’s slow and tender and passionate.

  I keep returning my hand to her stomach as I push us each slowly towards that cliff of ecstasy. When we’re both right there, I reach down and gently rub the pulsing nub between her legs causing her to come undone in my arms almost immediately. Her core tightens around me as I follow her and release myself deep inside her for the second time in a short amount of time.

  The only movement is her snuggling deeper into my embrace as we both start to drift off. She sighs contently just before her breathing evens out as sleep takes over. I revel in the feel of her body against mine as I close my eyes. There’s no going back after this. I know it, and I hope she knows it too.

  I expect it all now. All of her.

  Always.

  Chapter Nine

  Josselyn

  24 weeks – 6 months

  Travis has been working crazy hours this past month trying to get the house ready to move in by November. It’s early August and it’s hotter than hell. Seriously. Hell called and wants its heat back, Missouri.

  I’m not venturing out – at all – unless it’s to go to work. I haven’t been to the new house since the late July heat wave hit causing my ankles to swell into cankles and my feet to become practically unrecognizable. Plus, I’ve put on another four pounds since last month’s appointment. Not good.

  I’ve found that even with the stifling heat outside, I have a crazy amount of energy inside. I’ve cleaned closets, organized cabinets, and learned to cook via home cooking shows on the Food Network channel. The only problem with that is that Travis hasn’t been here to enjoy the fruits of my labors.

  Every night when he falls into bed, he quickly fills me in on that day’s progress. We have a roof and walls and the interior work is in full swing. We have plans to go to the home improvement store in St. Charles this weekend to pick out flooring, bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures, cabinets, and countertops. I honestly have no clue when we’re going to be making this lengthy trip between my work at the diner and his work on the house, but at some point, I guess we’ll figure it out.

  I want to ask Travis to take this Friday night off. Off from working at the new house. Off from the stresses of decision making. Off from the heat and the humidity. Instead, I want to go on a date. We haven’t been on one in over a month. Even dinner seems to be a big production that we can’t seem to schedule correctly.

  I’ve been talking to Matty multiple times a day lately either on the phone or by text.

  “What’s up, dollface?” he says as way of greeting when I call him Thursday morning.

  “I’m bored out of my mind, Matty. I can’t sit around in this apartment any longer. I’m going to go crazy.”

  “Well, at least it’ll be a short trip, sweetie,” he quips with a hint of humor in his voice.

  “Not funny and not helping, Mister. Seriously, Matty. I can’t take these white walls anymore. Please come rescue me,” I beg. That’s right, I beg. I’m not above begging where Matty is concerned.

  “Can’t today, doll. I have a photo shoot in about twenty minutes for twin boys. What about tomorrow? I can probably rearrange my schedule and come spend the afternoon with you,” he adds.

  “I work tomorrow. And besides, I’m hoping to go out with Travis tomorrow night.”

  “Hoping? Why are you hoping? You don’t know for sure?”

  “No. I haven’t been able to talk to him much lately. He’s super busy working on the house,” I say not even trying to hide my disappointment. I don’t mention the part that we haven’t even had sex in over two weeks, but my raging hormones won’t let me forget.

  “Well, make time, sweetie. Call or text and tell him you guys have plans tomorrow. He’ll drop whatever he’s doing for you, I promise. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about that tall hunk of man-meat, it’s that he’ll do anything for you, Joss. Just ask him out. Spend time with him.” I hear the sound of a door dinging in the background. “Shoot, they’re early. The twins are here, Joss. I’ve got to go. Just ask him tonight and call me tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay,” I tell him before I hang up. My conversation with Matty doesn’t help improve my mood any which is rare. Usually Matty’s happy-go-lucky demeanor helps lift my spirits like only a best friend can. Well, a best friend and a dog. Maybe I should get a dog.

  I’m pacing the small living room with one hand firmly on my belly and the other on my lower back when I hear a knock at the door. I walk over and take a quick glance through the peephole only to see Travis’s mom, Elizabeth, standing on the other side. I fling open the door, excitement evident all over my face, I’m sure, and invite Mrs. Stevens inside.

  “Come in. It’s so hot out there,” I add as I close the door.

  “Thank you, dear. I was just in the neighborhood after leaving the bakery and
wanted to bring you this,” she says as she offers me a white bag.

  I glance down and pull out the Styrofoam container inside. My mouth starts to water uncontrollably before I even have the lid open. The chocolate and caramel scents perforate the air in the kitchen as I open the lid.

  “Ohmygosh,” I moan. “Is this the chocolate and caramel brownie cake that I heard about Sunday at dinner?”

  “One and the same,” she says as she retrieves two forks from the drawer. She sets them both down on the table and takes a seat across from me. Honestly, if it wasn’t for her sitting in front of me right now, I wouldn’t even bother with that fork. I want to pick it up in my hands and dive in like it’s the only food I’ve had in a month!

  I grab my fork and dive in – and not a small piece, either. The explosion of caramel and chocolate is heavenly. I actually close my eyes as I savor this bite of deliciousness. “This is soooo good,” I mumble with a mouthful of cake.

  “Isn’t it?” she asks as she takes a small bite with her fork. It takes everything I have not to pull the container away from her so she can’t have any of my cake. But, then I remember that she did bring it to me in this heat, so sharing a little of the cake is the least I can do. “How’s everything going?” she asks in between bites.

  “Okay,” I reply. She must sense what I’m not saying more than what I actually do say because she stares at me intently like she can read my thoughts.

  “Has Travis been home much?” she asks. Okay, maybe she can read my thoughts.

  “Not too much, Mrs. Stevens.”

  “Elizabeth, please. Travis has always been a hard worker and a go-getter. He hates to ask for help, too, which is why he’s taking on this entire housing project practically on his own. I know he feels stressed and under the gun with this house and the baby coming. Just don’t hesitate to talk to him and ask him to spend time with you, dear,” Mrs. Stevens says as she sets her fork down on the table.