I Need You Here

by Cynthia P. O'Neill

  He shook his head. “I had the hardest time getting a blood sample. I am very concerned she’s becoming dehydrated. How often is she throwing up?”

  “Three or four times a day; sometimes more, sometimes less.”

  “Just as I suspected. She’s suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, otherwise known as severe morning sickness. Most get it earlier on in the game, but there are a few where it gets worse as the pregnancy develops.”

  “Is there anything you can do?” I felt helpless. I tried fixing everything under the sun I could think of to feed her, but she wasn’t able to keep anything down.

  He nodded. “I brought an IV as a precaution, not expecting to need it, but we may need more, as severely dehydrated as she is. If we don’t get fluids and nutritional supplements into her soon, her body may start to shut down.”

  Fuck! This didn’t need to happen, not now.

  “Is there anyway we can build her up where she can attend a wedding in a couple of days?”

  The doctor looked glum. “It’d be pushing it, but it’s possible. I’ve seen pregnant women bounce back in less than 24 hours. It all depends on her. Is there any way your family has access to extra IV bags? I can get things started and show you how to change things out.”

  I yelled, “Derrick.”

  It always amazed me how quickly and quietly he moved. “Yes, sir.” I swear the man is trying to give me a heart attack.

  “The doctor here is in need of some more IV solution. Do you have any means of procuring more?”

  He smiled at me and then looked over at the doctor. “What kind do you need and how much, doc?”

  He radioed Rick and told him what the doctor needed. By the time the doctor had given Dawn a shot of anti-nausea medication and started the initial IV, we not only had six IV bags, but an IV pole to boot. Sometimes it scared me just how efficient our team was. I was thankful they were loyal to us, often feeling like extended members of our family.

  Dawn came around enough for the doctor to do an ultrasound. I’d crawled up onto the bed with her, so I could see what she and the doctor were seeing on the screen.

  “This machine won’t give me the measurements I need, so I can only make an estimated guess as to your due date based on your last period and the time you potentially conceived. But we can determine how the little munchkin is doing inside the womb.”

  He hit a button and the next thing we heard was the whoosh of a strong heartbeat. Any fear I had of having my own family vanished completely. I was in this for the long haul. That was my child’s heart beating inside her. They were both mine.

  Dawn’s voice was weak and filled with concern. “I haven’t been able to take any prenatal vitamins or go to any appointments. Does everything look okay?”

  He looked at the screen and pointed. “You see this right here, that’s the baby’s head and over here are the arms and the legs. You have a very active baby.” He turned the machine off and cleaned the gel off her stomach.

  “I won’t lie to you. I’m concerned because you haven’t had enough nutrition. From what you’ve told me, you’ve practically been starved, causing the baby and yourself to be malnourished. I’ve got some prenatal vitamins I can give you, along with some supplements. I have a strong feeling you’re iron deficient. The blood test will prove one way or another, but based on your symptoms, I can almost guarantee it.”

  He started to pull out some pill bottles, and then wrote dosage instructions on a piece of paper. “Dawn, I want you to take it easy today. Let the IV’s do their work and replenish your fluids. Try drinking as much water, ginger ale, and tea that you can. Fluids are more important than food at this point.”

  He looked at his watch and wrote down a few more instructions, before addressing me this time. “In about six hours, if she hasn’t thrown up, I’d like you to fix her some toast with only a tiny bit of butter. If she’s able to keep that down, then try some more a few hours later. We need to start her on very bland foods and work up from there. Once we’ve overcome the first hurdle, we can then progress to iron dense meats and vegetables. Proper nutrition is key in a baby’s development.”

  By the time the visit was over, he estimated Dawn being about 18 weeks along, but the baby’s development looked to be a little less. The doctor assured us that everything appeared normal and he’d put a rush on the test results, using an assumed name for the patient.

  My father tipped him quite generously for making the house call and assuring our privacy. I’m surprised the doc didn’t shit a brick when Derrick read him the riot act on what he would and wouldn’t not be allowed to discuss. It was a reminder never to get on his bad side.

  The list of instructions was daunting, but if it meant the health and safety of my woman and child, then I’d move heaven and earth to make it happen. I just prayed she’d be well enough to attend the wedding. She needed to be there to force Liam out of hiding and out of our lives, so we could finally let go of the pent up stress and move forward with our lives.

  Dawn seemed to sleep a lot, which worried me. She seemed most content to snuggle in the crook of my neck, with us in a semi-reclined position in bed. It wasn’t the most comfortable position for me, but I’d do anything to make her happy. That was just one part of being a Dom, ensuring the safety and happiness of your mate.

  I couldn’t believe the difference just twelve hours made. Dawn was awake more, had started sitting up in bed, and began asking for more food. She’d only thrown up once, so I injected another dose of the anti-nausea medicine into the IV, per the doctor’s instructions.

  When we’d hit the twenty-four hour mark, we knew we were going to be able to attend the wedding. We decided to keep the IV in, since she still wasn’t drinking enough, until just before the ceremony. Her coloring looked much better and her face wasn’t as emaciated as it was before. It amazed me how just a little fluid could make such a huge difference.

  Dawn’s appetite improved greatly. Instead of me having to force her to eat, she was now begging for something more substantial. I cooked up a batch of oatmeal and offered to feed her, but she insisted on doing it herself. She polished off the bowl in about five minutes and wanted more.

  “You don’t have to rush anything, baby. Let’s see if you keep this down, first. If you haven’t thrown it up in half an hour, I’ll make you some more.” I took her bowl and set it aside and snuggled with her in bed.

  “You know, you scared the shit out of me. You looked like death there for a couple of days. I was afraid I was going to lose you and the baby.” I didn’t want her to feel guilty, but I needed her to understand that she had more than herself to think of.

  “I’m sorry. If Liam hadn’t been controlling my food intake and refused to let me see a doctor, I’d have been able to take much better care of myself.” She turned in my arms, looking into my eyes. “What did I ever do to deserve you, sir?” Her smile lit up my heart.

  “You should be asking what I ever did to deserve you.” I planted a kiss on the end of her nose.

  “You’re just lucky, I guess. I don’t fall for just anyone, you know.” She was getting cocky. My Dawn was finally coming back to me.

  I raised an eyebrow and shot her a look that had her thighs pressing together. “Do I need to remind you who’s the Dom in this relationship?”

  I must’ve been doing something right, because the scent of her arousal had me hard in seconds. I had to remind myself that now was not the time, that Dawn needed rest more than I needed to fuck her or, even better, make love to my fiancé. I never thought I’d say that.

  Her eyelids dropped and her voice became breathy. “No, sir.”

  I swatted at her thigh playfully, afraid to be too rough with her after seeing her scars. “Don’t you forget it!”

  “Yes, sir.”

  We were just killing time waiting for her next meal so we found ourselves discussing whatever came to mind.

  “You know you’re responsible for getting Marissa to give Dane a chance at love. B
ut did you know he’s responsible for us finding one another?”

  She raised her head up off my shoulder. “Really? How?”

  I nodded. “Remember how Marissa didn’t have anyone at her graduation. She wasn’t even sure if Nate would be able to make it.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. She was devastated until Dane insisted he’d be there for her.”

  “He wanted to show her how much support she’d have from my family. My father and mother already loved her for saving his life. She didn’t know it at the time, but they’d have done anything for her. Dane wouldn’t settle for just them at the graduation, so he dragged me to it, too. I appreciated Marissa for helping my brother. God only knows what would have happened had she not stumbled upon him when she did. To be honest, I really didn’t want to go, and almost didn’t show up.”

  I could hear her swallowing hard. “Dane coerced me into going and I almost left, when he motioned toward the stage and said Marissa would be following you up on stage. The moment I laid eyes on you I was a goner. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.” I held her closer, planting a kiss in her hair. “You know the rest. I followed you out to the parking lot, kissed you senseless, and the rest is history.”

  “I guess I should thank Dane.”

  We were silent for a while, just enjoying one another’s company, when she suddenly grew still. “If I became your sub, would it change or enhance our marriage; and would it be 24/7? How, does that work?”

  I smiled, not because of her question, which I welcomed, but because she was subconsciously grinding her backside into my groin. “Dawn, do you realize your grinding yourself against my cock? You might want to back off a bit, because you’re in no condition to be on the receiving end of things if you awaken the beast.”

  She huffed and turned onto her back. “Fine. Are you at least going to answer my question?”

  I rubbed one of my hands up and down her arm, before leaning forward, caressing her breast in my hand. “I’m not rejecting you baby, just want you to heal a little more before I take you again. You don’t know how many ways, and places I’ve thought of having you. I’m dying to feel your slick heat surrounding me.”

  She softened in my embrace. “As for your question … we’ll be husband and wife, once we’re married. Including dominance and submission would only enhance our relationship. You’ve read about it and how it’s portrayed in books; plus you had a taste of it, which resulted in this surprise bundle of joy.” I lovingly patted her baby bump. “I’d want what most people have. I’d want to become your Master in the bedroom, having your complete trust to explore new levels with you, to know what your limits are and how we could enhance our love and commitment to one another. But outside of the bedroom, I’d want an equal; one who challenges me, pushing me to be a better man.”

  “Why do men like to be in control in the bedroom? Aren’t you all in control at work?” She was filled with endless questions tonight. I could see how it got confusing. When I first learned about the lifestyle I had similar questions. If wasn’t until I started living in it that I truly understood.

  “Many Doms have jobs where we have a lot of power and responsibility at work, but we’re making decisions that affect many, not ones that affect ourselves. In the bedroom we only have control over two things, our bodies and bringing ultimate pleasure to the women who submit to our needs.”

  I went on to add, “A submissive is of a similar mindset. Many of them have high-powered jobs as doctors, lawyers, businesswomen, all having great responsibility and control during the day. So, the last thing they want to deal with is making decisions in the bedroom. They want to relinquish that power to their Dom or Master, so all they have to do is enjoy and accept their pleasure.”

  “What is involved if I agreed to be your submissive and that you were my Master?”

  “Most of your books are quite accurate. I’m actually impressed by their authenticity. Just to give a little more insight, you’re always admiring Marissa’s necklace, right?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it’s beautiful, and kind of similar to your mom’s.”

  “After their wedding, Dane presented the necklace to Marissa in a private ceremony. She offered to surrender herself to him and trust that he’d guide her on their journey of exploring one another’s boundaries for the rest of their lives. Nate will be presenting Gianna with one in their own personal observance.”

  Realization dawned, her eyes went wide and she blushed profusely. “They’re collars? So that means your mother …”

  I nodded at her realization. “If you promised yourself to me, I’d present you with a similar collar. I’d choose a similar design, but put our own personal touches to them. While a marriage would bind us together legally, accepting my collar would cement our love, promising to be true to one another forever.”

  She quieted for a while, contemplating the idea of being mine on a deeper level. I knew we’d be married in no time if mom and dad had their way, long before our little one was due. I just prayed she’d accept the entire commitment I wanted to offer her. Either way, I’d only be with her.

  I sighed contentedly. I’d never known there could be such pleasure just holding the one you love in your arms. “I talked to my father today. Once this is all over, he wants you to come to work for us. We haven’t figured out a job title yet, but Dane and Marissa could use your linguistic talents to help communicate with some of our overseas business; and I could certainly use your help in my department to help keep track of some of our international business contracts. What do you think?”

  She seemed to think if over for a while. “I think I’d like that. Your father is so warm and welcoming. I love how animated he gets when he’s talking; reminds me a lot of my father. He does the same thing, waving his hands around while he’s trying to discuss things. I’d also love being able to work with my two besties, you and Marissa. It would be a dream come true.”

  We continued our discussion and even threw in a little banter from time to time until our stomachs both rumbled. I made myself a sandwich and got Dawn another bowl of oatmeal, so we could eat together.

  It was good to see her appetite increasing. I didn’t know if it was the anti-nausea medicine, the supplements, or the IV that did the trick, but she hadn’t thrown up for the last twelve hours.

  I finally removed the IV from her arm right before we went to sleep. I’d wanted to wait until the following morning, but she was tired of dragging it around. I couldn’t really blame her; she was up every hour or two, thanks to all the fluids.

  We’d both taken a bath together, but neither of us could fall asleep. I know I was tossing and turning, not able to find a comfortable spot or quiet my mind. The risks we were taking the next day kept playing over and over in my mind. I’d hoped for the best. I trusted Derrick, Rick, and Ian with planning every minute detail, but I prepared for the worst.

  I was lost in thought when her hand slipped into my boxer shorts. My hand immediately shot down to block her. “You’re playing with fire there, mi amore. Don’t start something unless you’re ready to finish it.”

  I’d never been more thankful that my dad had the foresight to install recessed lighting that mimicked moonlight cascading into the room, so we weren’t in a pitch black hole. I watched as she rose onto all fours, giving me a beautiful view of her cleavage. “I’m still hungry.”

  “If there’s something you want, just let me know and I’ll fix it for you.” I started to get up out of bed, when she grabbed hold of my cock in a firm grip.

  “The only thing I’m hungry for is your cock. I only got a small taste of you the last time we were together. Now I want more.” Her voice oozed with seduction, making me instantly hard.

  “Are you sure you’re up to this?” I didn’t want her to push herself sooner than she should.

  She nodded. “Didn’t you know that pregnant women’s sexual appetite can be insatiable?”

  Okay, she had my full attention now. A wolfish grin sprea
d across my face. “Do tell, subbie.”

  She licked her lips. “I think I’m having my first craving. I’ve been so good trying not to want you, but your smell and the heat of your body when it’s pressed to mine is driving me wild, and I must feed.”

  Her lips ran over my lower abdomen, licking every muscle and nipping at my navel. If there was any doubt as to whether she turned me on, all she had to do was look at the flagpole at the center of my shorts.

  Her hand ran under my shorts, lifting them, but I stopped her. “I want you to lower my boxers using only your teeth and one hand. I won’t make it too difficult for you.”

  I watched as her teeth clamped onto the top of my shorts and soon freed me from the confines of the material. I didn’t think she’d be able to do it, but she followed my instructions all the way down until my shorts were on the floor.

  I put my hands behind my head and watched as she tried to seduce me with her wicked tongue. She licked her way up to my chest, nipping at my nipples, causing a surge of electricity to shoot straight into my dick. She was acting like she was the predator tonight and I her prey. I could concede the power to her for one night, and only tonight.

  When she had each of my nipples rock hard, she worked down to the length of my cock, taking it in hand, she licked the small amount of pre-cum from my slit. Her eyes seem to roll back a bit savoring the taste of me. “You taste heavenly. This is definitely what I’ve been craving.”

  I closed my eyes as her hand closed around the base of my cock and squeezed. Her lips surrounded the tip, sucked it into her mouth then stroked the underside with her tongue. She bobbed up and down, taking more of me into her mouth each time. I wanted to grab her hair and take control of things, like I had before, but I was curious to see where she’d take this on her own.

  “Mmm.” Her moan sent shockwaves through me making me harden further in her mouth.

  I felt bereft for a moment when her lips slipped off my cock with a pop. She leaned over to one side of the bed and I couldn’t see what she as doing, but heard something rip. Was she going to put a condom on me, so I wouldn’t come in her mouth? Suddenly I heard an effervescent popping noise, coming from her direction.