by Wynn, Renee
“You gave me your answer,” he said and strived to keep his voice calm.
“What does that mean?”
“Do you love him, Nicole?”
“Of course, I love Brent. But that has nothing—”
“Yet you married me.”
“You, better than anyone, know the circumstances that led to our marriage.”
“Do you regret marrying me?”
“It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?”
“You can keep mooning over my brother.”
“You sound crazy.”
“I don’t want you alone with him.”
She stood. “Now you’re trying to dictate my friends. I won’t let you do it. Brent was in my life long before I knew you and he will continue to be so. This jealousy or whatever it is you have with Brent is not my doing.”
He moved toward her and she took a step backwards. Was she afraid of him? It angered him. He pulled her into his arms, capturing her mouth. He was determined to erase Brent from her mind and heart. There would be no illusions between them.
He lifted his head. “Brent has your heart? Fine, let him have it. I don’t need it,” he lied. The hollow words cut holes into his heart. “But I’ll be damned if he’ll have your body. What you see with me, Nicole, is it. It’s too late. You can’t go back and change what’s happened between us. He tangled his hand into her hair and brought her forward. “I won’t give you up. Not now, not ever.”
Her eyes narrowed and she pushed at his chest. “You don’t own me, Ashton. You are not going to tell me who I can talk to, or where I can go. Ever since I’ve known you, you have run roughshod over people. You bellow and people scurry to your bidding. I’m not one of them.”
His gaze trained on her soulful eyes and beautiful face. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Both of us made a choice to be together but it wasn’t only for the baby.” She opened her mouth to speak and he placed his finger across her lips. “Don’t deny it. If you do it would be lie.”
“I’m not denying it. But I need more. I do want us to work, Ashton, but I won’t push Brent away. He’s your brother and my friend. You need to take your bruised ego and box it.”
“My ego? This has nothing to do with ego.”
“Then what is it? A game? To see which brother is going to win. It’s no contest” She placed her hand on his set jaw and he inwardly enjoyed the warmth. “I’m your wife, not Brent’s.”
He intended to keep it that way. But the question that needed to be asked was at the forefront of his thoughts. Would she leave him once Brent divorced Melissa? It was something he didn’t want to know. His arms touched the bump of her slightly round stomach. Against him the hardened areolas brushed against the fabric of his shirt and he swelled to attention.
“Brent is not a part of us. Stop putting him there.” Then she surprised him by initiating a kiss that was welcomed but confused him. The command of the situation caused his heart to soar. The kiss stroked a growing fire when her tongue slowly slid over his.
The taste was fresh and sweet. He swept the deepest depths, urgent and seeking. Breathing was becoming difficult. His heart pounded. The sound rumbled in his ears. Ashton broke the contact, panting with deep breaths. The grip of power was strong. His mind screamed the words not spoken aloud; don’t leave me. The only thing that would bind them surfaced with force. Passion. This they both understood.
He was a willing captive.
Wordlessly, a slight space was created so that the boxers and towel felled to the floor in unison. Both completely nude, he scooped her into his arms and laid her gently on the bed.
The only sound in the room that could be heard was their choppy breathing. With eyes boldly observing and elbows reclined, her legs opened. Waiting.
Every inch of her body was subjected to his glaze. The puffy lips beckoned him to drink and the softness of supple thighs brought back memories of their wedding clasped tightly around his waist. The scream of released she uttered that night resonated through his brain. Tonight would even be better.
Nicole reached and pulled him forward. No resistance was offered.
She arched forward offering her breasts to his mouth. He paid homage to one and then the other, finally blowing over the stiff points.
He was hard as a rock and fought not to explode before the chance to enter into her warmth.
“Take me out of my misery,” she hissed in his ear. “Don’t make me beg.”
He wanted to be tender and show without words how much he loved her. But they had gone too far. The animal was unleashed.
“I’m going to make love to you.” He kissed each breast again and then moved to the stomach, paying honor to what they had created together. He took his time, moving slowly to the inner thighs. He feasted on her and she moaned. A climax was fast approaching so he continued to lick and drink, pushed her to the edge. She exploded.
“Ashton…”
He grunted, leaned in and pushed his engorged penis through her opening. The throb around his girth was intensified more so when she squeezed his member. He almost released but counted backwards to gain control.
Every time they made love, he lost a piece of himself. He plunged, chanting her name and whispering words of love. “Oh, sweetheart. I can’t get enough of you.” He grabbed her legs and brought them closer to his chest, taking care of her stomach, but continued to stroke deep and slow.
He rolled and placed her on top. She was now straddled across his thighs. “Ride me.”
She rotated her hips but he clenched her hips to control the movements as she moved up and down.
“Faster, Ashton,” she said. Eyes closed, she threw back her head, and gripped his thighs for support.
“No.”
“Yes.” She slapped his hands and took over, riding him hard.
“Damn.” He’d lost control. She stiffened and uttered a small scream as a climax hit her. He followed close behind, spewing his semen deep into the walls of her womb.
It took him a while to gain enough strength to breathe normal. “Are you okay?” he asked, caressing her hair that was now spread over his stomach.
She kissed his navel and lifted her head, smiling. “I’m fine. And you?”
“I’m very good.”
He scooped her into his arms and headed for the master bath. He turned on the water, adjusted the temperature and they stepped in. He washed her but hesitated when it came to her stomach. She met his gaze. “You can’t hurt the baby, Ashton.”
“I know.” He shifted the angle of his head away from her, uncomfortable that she could read him so well.
“You’re supposed to be tough as nails. The baby is snug and tight.”
“When are you going to make an appointment with the doctor?”
“Stop worrying. I made an appointment before we left San Francisco. It’s on Wednesday.”
He frowned. “Wednesday? That’s three days from now. Why couldn’t it be sooner?” “Stop being bull-headed. They gave me the earliest date possible.”
“I don’t like waiting.”
“Too bad.” She patted his cheek. “Waiting is good for you.”
After bathing, they dried each other and returned to the bedroom. She slipped on a short silk nightgown but Ashton, slid into the bed naked. Seeing her in the short nightgown only made him want to make love again. But the cool sheets helped to bring his flesh under control.
He settled her in his arms. “I don’t know why you have on a gown when you know it’ll be off before morning.”
She snuggled closer and laid her head on his chest. “I don’t want to make it easy for you,” she mumbled.
He chuckled. “Do you ever?”
Chapter Fifteen
A few weeks later, Nicole dozed by the pool with a copy of her favorite author’s latest thriller sprawled across her midriff. Dressed in a pair shorts and tank top, she smiled while rubbing the hard bump at her stomach.
Thoughts of the OB-GYN visit surfaced. Ashton had quiz
zed the doctor to the point of embarrassment. He definitely was going an overprotective father. His interest made her realize how important this pregnancy was to him.
When the doctor handed them the sonogram, Ashton sat immobilized staring hard at the picture to the point she wondered if he was okay.
Dallas was extremely hot today. Perspiration beaded on her. Nicole yawned and wiped at her eyes. A little nap sounded nice right about now. It mid-afternoon but she wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a couple of hours. She yawned again. It was Ashton’s fault, no it was hers. Since the pregnancy, the hormones had kicked into overdrive. Horny didn’t compare to what she was feeling. Sex was always foremost on her mind and Ashton didn’t seem to mind a bit. Theirs was still fulfilling but now it had slowed to a gentle flow. She wasn’t porcelain and this morning she had shocked him. She’d taken his cock in her mouth before he became fully wake. When he finally realized what was happening, the look on his face had been priceless. It hadn’t taken him long to gain control of the situation and her. Her husband left for work a very happy man.
While Ashton was in the shower, she’d surprised him with breakfast. Since she never told him she could cook, the shock was evident on his face when he walked into the kitchen and saw the spread on the table.
She was getting to know Ashton but he was still possessive and overprotective, which was irritating.
Once, when she was eighteen, during a pool party at his parents’ house, one of Brent’s male friends had jokingly pushed her into the water. She had caught a cramp and couldn’t come back to the surface. Large, masculine hands had lifted her out of the pool. It had been Ashton.
The anger he’d displayed at the young man became almost explosive. It got to the point where Brent had to intervene and stop Ashton from throwing blows.
He loved hard and deep. The Sinclair family was a testament to it, but outsiders weren’t allowed. Although, he didn’t love her, she felt he did care deeply for her. She didn’t believe Ashton had ever been in love. Too many women had passed through this life to cement the fact. She would never ask him for anything he wasn’t willing to give. She loved him. That had to be enough. Honor was the code he lived by and she believed he would remain faithful in the marriage. Sadness touched her for a moment but then it was gone. The marriage would work. It just had to.
“Nicole Travis!” Nicole glanced to the doors saw Sally moving toward her with a big frown.
“Sally!” When did you get back?” Nicole stood and wrapped her arms around her for a long hug.
“Never mind that. As soon as I landed at the airport my phone rang. My mother wanted to know why I didn’t tell her about the marriage between you and Ashton Sinclair. Imagine my surprise, because I didn’t know. Of course, I had to pretend I did so she would continue and I could get the full scoop. The last time we spoke I don’t remember the word marriage being mentioned.”
“I forgot your mom was at Alexa’s impromptu lunch party.” Nicole put her arm through her friend’s. “Come have a seat and I’ll tell you about it.”
Fanning, she made a face. “It’s too hot out here. I saw the housekeeper coming this way with a cool drink and sandwiches. I asked her if we could eat inside.”
Nicole laughed. “No problem. I forgot about your fair skin.”
Mrs. James appeared in the doorway waiting for instructions.
Nicole smiled at her. “Could you please put everything in the den? Sally and I will serve ourselves.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She turned and walked away.
An assortment of bite-size sandwiches, fruit and fresh squeezed lemonade sat on the table. Sally ferociously attacked a couple of the small sandwiches before Nicole had finished with the first one.
“I don’t understand why people can’t just give you a regular sandwich,” she said and retrieved a third one. “I never get full from things.”
“You can eat as many as you want.”
Sally took a long swallow of the cool drink, wiped her mouth, and leaned back in the chair.
Nicole grinned. “Had enough?”
“Ha. Ha. Funny. Are you going to hold me in suspense?”
Nicole chewed slowly and swallowed. “You didn’t ask me anything.”
“In our last phone conversation, you told me you needed more time alone. What happened?”
“Ashton happened.”
“Elaborate, please.” Sally picked up her glass again and drained the remaining liquid.
“He showed up on my birthday, found out I was pregnant—”
Sally started choking. Concerned Nicole got up from her chair. Sally held up her hand and came to her feet.
“You’re pregnant?” Bewilderment showed in her eyes and voice. “I’m going to be an aunt! Oh, my goodness. I’m too young to be an aunt.”
“Get a grip, Sally.”
“Nicole, what do I know about babies? I have never even held a baby. Ah, well, I did hold a baby calf when it was born. That counts, doesn’t it? My goodness. I have so much to do. I have to plan the shower. Decide on how many people to invite. Should I have one for friends and family or maybe two separate ones? I’ve got to call Danielle. We have to go shopping for—”
“Sally, stop.” Nicole smiled and patted her hand. “I’m the one having the baby and you’re more nervous than I am. I’m almost in my fourth month. We have plenty of time.”
“Whew. We do, don’t we? I just got so excited for a moment. Why didn’t you tell me before now? You must’ve known.”
“I was in shock. I needed to get used to the idea. While I was trying to absorb it all, Ashton showed up.”
“It’s like a whirlwind.”
“I was confused for a while, Sally. For so long, I believed I was in love with Brent. Although, I was secretly in awe of Ashton, I always thought it was Brent that held my heart. Ashton scared me. He was everything Brent wasn’t, arrogant, conceited—”
“Sexy, a hunk, a take charge kind of man.”
“Yes. But those aren’t the things that made me fall in love with him.”
“Hallelujah! You finally realized it. Brent’s too predictable and tame. He’s like a big brother always protecting you but not letting you grow. Honey, you needed a man that makes you burn, sizzle and want to rip his clothes off. Someone who can light a fire in you with just a look. Ashton is that man.”
“We do argue.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Ashton wouldn’t want a woman who couldn’t stand up to him.”
“We’ve always fight about something.”
“That’s good.”
“We need to find a common ground.”
“Opposites attract.”
“He’s so different from Brent.”
Sally rolled her eyes. “That’s because you’ve never dated anyone else but Brent.”
“You’re right. I never gave another guy a chance not in school or college.”
“Just go with your gut.”
Nicole took a deep breath. “Our relationship was fast. I look back and wonder how I got here so quickly.” She was silent for a moment. “I’m in love with him, Sally and it scares the hell out of me. I’m consumed by the feelings. It’s frightening.”
“He loves you, Nicole.”
Her laugh was curt. “I’m not foolish enough to believe that. He desires me and he wants the baby. But love…you know Ashton’s reputation.”
“He made you his wife. That means a great deal to a man like Ashton. I have known him all my life. I saw a difference when he came to the house to inquire about you. Did you tell him that you loved him?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“The timing isn’t right.”
Sally sucked her teeth. “This is ridiculous. What’s going on with you?”
“Brent came to the house to see me.”
“Oh, boy. Don’t tell me you’re still encouraging him?”
Nicole squinted. “We have a history together. He’s my friend but right now he’s feelin
g betrayed.
“So what? He has a wife, Nicole.”
Her eyes widened, confused. “I know that. What does that have to do with anything?”
“How would you like if Ashton had a close friendship…relationship with another woman?”
“I’m sure he does.”
“Better yet, how do you think Melissa feels?”
“She knows Brent and I are close. Our friendship doesn’t touch her marriage.”
“Come on, Nicole. You don’t believe that any more than I do. Do you still have unresolved romantic feelings for Brent?”
She glared at her friend. “He’s my friend and brother-in-law. That’s all.”
“Less than four months ago, you claimed to be in love him and now it’s all changed. Don’t get me wrong. I believe you love Ashton but I also believe you want to hold on to Brent because he’s familiar. You can’t do it. It’s going to cause friction.”
“It already has.”
“Duh. Trouble is knocking hard at the door.”
“Everything will work itself out,” she said with more confidence than she felt.
“Nicole Travis Sinclair. Problems can’t be resolved on their own. You’ve got to work through it until you get the answer. You better figure out Brent’s place in your life quickly or believe me there will be a great explosion.”
“A friend…He’s a friend, Sally, and nothing else,” she repeated firmly.
Sally peered at her. “It’s not me you need to convince.” Sally poured more drink, drained the contents, set the glass down, and stood. “Well, I better get going. I need to run some errands before I go home.” At the door she gave Nicole a hug. “I’ll call you later.”
Nodding, Nicole hugged her back. After Sally left, she leaned against the closed door deep in thought. Brent was a dilemma that needed to be rectified before it caused irreparable damage in her marriage.
The loud ring of the doorbell jarred her. She frowned because she wasn’t expecting anyone. The guards didn’t let anyone on the property unless they were on the security list. She opened the door. Brent stood there looking tired and unkempt.
