OUR UNLIKELY BABY

by Paula Cox

  “So, going to invite me in?” Tyler teased as he put the helmet away. He knew it was a stretch to hope, but it didn't hurt.

  Something in Miranda ignited. A part of her flared in response to his taunting lilt. Like with the ladder when he challenged her. The urge to drag him into her apartment itched along her palms. Her deep-seeded restraint did its best to quash all desires, though.

  It wasn't enough. She could feel her inner tease rearing its head. Miranda listed her head to the side, an impish curve to her lips. “What is this, a date?”

  Tyler's hope inflated. Miranda was encouraging him. Something in her tone of voice, or maybe her eyes, sent a tingle to his groin. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Miranda didn't skirt backward, urging Tyler on. “Well, I did buy you drinks and took you on a romantic, moonlit romp.”

  Miranda snorted and shook her head. Her skin tingled as he neared closer. “No romping happened.”

  “Well, the night is still young.”

  “Not if you don't walk me to my apartment,” teased Miranda, her eyes half-lidded and a smile on her lips. Before Tyler could retort, she turned on her heel and sauntered up to the door, a bit more sway to her hips than normal. Tyler watched her go, a thrill clawing down his spine. Could he justify this? He left Miranda for her own good, after all.

  Practicality and desire warred inside him. Finally, a thought settled in his head. Miranda wanted him to follow. The least he could do was walk her to her door.

  As he bolted after Miranda, who had just started her trek up the stairs, he could feel his dark desires roiling within him. The thumping of his footfalls on the stairs punctuated the pounding in his thoughts. Dirty fantasies flamed through his head. Ten years of fantasies burned at his synapses. His fingers itched with an unadulterated urge to touch her. His lips burned to kiss her.

  Miranda watched him climb up the last step. There was tension in his body and a glint in his eyes that she had missed. Pressure descended between the two. He wanted her and, deep down, she wanted him. But it wouldn't be easy. Some old part of her had reawakened, but her restraint still put up a fight.

  In the silence that followed his last thumping step, the other lives around her blared into her ears. Down the hall, two dogs were yipping back and forth from adjacent apartments. The scent of burnt lasagna wafted from another apartment. A baby cried, elsewhere. Usually, Miranda noticed every sound and shift of the complex. Right now, though, her attention was on the redhead and his burning gaze. As he neared, Miranda smiled coyly and fussed with her hair, like a date waiting for something. “Thanks for the lovely evening.”

  “No kiss?” The corners of his lips twitched. She was going to play this game. Well, he enjoyed chasing her a little. After ten years, she deserved to be pursued, if that's what she wanted.

  Miranda pursed her lips, playfully, and turned to her door. Inside, her body warmed and quivered. Over her shoulder, she airily replied, “If you have to ask, you know the answer.”

  “So,” Tyler leaned forward, planting his hand on the door just as she slid her key into the lock, “I should take a kiss.”

  Miranda turned her face toward him, shooting him a look. Beyond the look, though, eagerness glistened. Heat and tension strung taut between them, making Tyler's grin broaden. She grunted noncommittally, turning quickly back to the door. Tyler swallowed his grin as a blush pinked the corners of her cheeks. He could see the familiar heat simmering in her eyes.

  And – oh – did Miranda truly experience that recognizable fiery lick of hormones. Every time Tyler's gaze caught hers, she had to suppress her eagerness. Warmth pooled in her stomach, threatening to dissolve her from the inside out.

  Tyler chuckled and caught Miranda by her chin. He forced her head back, locking gazes with her. His lips swept down, closer and closer. Miranda coiled in anticipation. The sounds of the apartment complex died away, leaving only the two of them. He paused a millimeter from her lips. He could hear the exasperated groan in her thoughts as he teasingly purred, “Well, it's been fun, Mir.”

  He pulled away almost as quickly as he neared her. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Tyler made to move toward the end of the hall. Miranda's exasperated huff. The stomp of her foot stopped him. “Ugh, Tyler.”

  “Sorry. I didn't get a yes.” Tyler's grin grew as he threw Miranda a cheeky wink. He dallied close to the edge of the hall, letting the threat of his departure hang in the air.

  Miranda sighed and crossed her arms, her lips curling into a borderline pout, “You're so difficult.”

  “And you're a tease,” he pointed at her. Despite the happy heat thrumming inside him, memories washed over his thoughts. This was how their relationship always was. Playful teasing, making each other work for the prize, jibes. Tyler missed it, immensely. But, there were dark reminders – of past and present predicaments - lurking at the corners of his thoughts. His grin drained away as he hastily added, “And you're my ex. Unless you want a one-night stand, I should probably go.”

  There was no way in a million years Miranda would agree to a fling. He was in the clear. Tyler turned toward the exit, but something in him bade him to linger.

  If the fling were with anyone other than Tyler, she would have let him go. But, her mind hinged on 'closure' and her hormones cheered it on – one last night to feel his body, to feel his breath hot on her throat and his teeth raking over her skin, to have him fill her, one last time. Miranda's body ached at the very thoughts. In a flat, matter-of-fact tone, she answered him, “I know.”

  “What?” Tyler's eyes widened, shock and surprise rollicked through his thoughts. Heat coiled in his core and anticipation lit across his nerves.

  “What we had is gone, but…” It was a lie. Miranda still felt her fondness, her love, for Tyler. She wrote it off as residual leftovers from his abrupt departure. She struggled with her words, her gaze falling to her hands. Her fingers tangled into the hem of her shirt, before she shyly peeked up at Tyler. Miranda couldn't believe these words were coming out of her. “We never got a last hoorah, did we?”

  “No, we didn't.” Tyler agreed, wholeheartedly. However, if he hadn't left when he had, she would have suffered from their mere association. Ten years had passed, though. Ten long, agonizing years, without her. The heat skimmed across his fingers and warmth sunk into his core. Fantasies he never knew he held shifted before his eyes. He stared at Miranda, his eyes focusing on her: her fingers knotted into the flimsy blouse, her hair tucked back into a bun – begging to be undone – and her eyes seeking his gaze through her long, dark lashes. Everything inside Tyler clenched, before his self-control shattered. He growled to himself, running a hand through his hair, “Fuck it.”

  Those two words barely registered in Miranda's mind before Tyler was on her. Her back slammed against her door as his palms cupped her face. His lips ravaged hers, his tongue invading her mouth. She gasped against his kiss, before her eyes fluttered shut. Miranda leaned into Tyler and his hands drifted down her body.

  His fingers worked along her sides, enjoying her curves, before doubling back to her breasts. He squeezed and fondled her through her shirt and bra, noting Miranda's nipples were pleasantly hard. Excitement shot to his groin. Miranda whimpered under his touch, her back arching. Tyler let an appreciative groan shudder from his lips. If he didn't get Miranda behind that door, he'd take her right there in the hallway.

  Miranda seemed to get the hint. In her hormone daze, she rattled the doorknob and managed to open the door. They fell into her apartment, never breaking the kiss. Tyler kicked the door shut behind him before he swung her around, slamming her back against the door. A shocked gasp escaped her lips and Tyler pulled away from this kiss.

  His lips worked their way down her throat, enjoying the taste of her skin and her warmth against his tongue. Her surprise slipped away and her hands found their way to his hair. As her fingers threaded through his tresses, she massaged his scalp. A delighted groan left Tyler's lips and vibrated down to her very core
. She squirmed under his hot breath and his increasingly rough nibbles.

  He leaned back as his fingers found their way to her blouse. Miranda threw a curious look at him, just before his wrists flicked. Thread tore, buttons clattered to the floor, Miranda gasped as a thrill shot down her spine. Her blouse lay open, showing off her favorite pink lace bra, the buttons scattered at her feet.

  “Hoping for a fun night with your date?” Tyler asked as dark possessiveness lit across his thoughts. He didn't want to imagine Miranda hoping to bring one of those douches home. His hands trailed up her sides and his thumbs skirted over the fabric right over her nipples.

  Miranda whimpered, her face burned and her breathing hitched. Tyler had barely done anything; how could he affect her so thoroughly? He palmed her breasts through the fabric of her bra, groping roughly. She sputtered an indiscernible answer between her gasps and whimpers. Would he believe she put her undergarments on, thinking of him? Sensual excitement flung to every part of her body, her nerves sizzled and tingled. Against her thigh, Miranda noticed his cock pushed into her through his jeans. She felt it throb and twitch against her, as if it wanted to break out of its confines.

  Tyler found it hard to contain himself. The gasps, the whimpers, the slight squirms. Miranda's reactions drove him wild. His fingers worked at her breasts until her nipples stood to attention through the fabric.

  He wanted more, though. The skirt she wore gave him just enough view of her legs to steer his desire away from her still covered breasts.

  With little warning, he spun her around. His hands fell down to her outer thighs while his fingernails scraped along her thigh-high stockings. She shuddered, the sensations against her tights vibrated down her legs and up to her core. Her fingers curled against the door as she swallowed down small mewls.

  She was against her front door, which led into the hallway. People came in and out all the time, pounding through the hallway. Someone was bound to hear her. A small part of her shuddered in delight at the prospect, though.

  Tyler's hands drifted back up her thighs. He hiked up her skirt, revealing her matching pink underwear. His palms drifted over her ass, admiring the silky undergarments with a pleased growl. Miranda's heart thudded in her chest, anticipation skirting along her thoughts. Tyler hunched over her, his chest flush against her back. She bit her lip as one hand gradually edged beneath the front of her panties. His other hand drifted upwards, burrowing under her bra.

  His palm massaged against her breast as his fingers deftly traced along her lower lips through the panties. A mewl of pleasure echoed from her throat. She screwed her eyes shut, the sensations overtaking her body. His rough palm, groping her tit with bruising force, juxtaposed against his gentle fingertips as they explored her folds. Tyler's fingertips ghosted over her swollen clit and hot waves of pleasure crashed into Miranda's core. Her whimpering escalated, her fingernails digging into the wood of her door.

  Tyler was immensely enjoying himself. Her soft body was pliable and warm under his hands. Her sounds drove stakes of pleasure into his groin. It was all he could to do keep from taking her quickly. Yet, he wanted to relish this encounter, especially since these intimate moments weren't going to last.

  “You're already so wet, Mir.” Tyler's lips pressed to Miranda's ear and he chuckled, deep and throaty.

  His words raked hot coals down Miranda's spine, hitching her breathing even further. Her toes curled in her shoes and her thighs trembled. Tyler's hand slowly drifted from her panties to hook his thumb around the waistband. At a frustratingly slow pace, he lowered the undergarments down her thighs. The bulge in his pants pressed against her ass, hot and hard. Miranda whined as she wiggled her ass against his concealed erection.

  Tyler shifted and the hiss of the zipper filled the air. For a brief second, it was all Miranda could focus on. Then, she felt his cock twitch against her. His flesh slapped against her ass; his heat kissed her skin. Her pussy throbbed almost immediately, eager for the long denied treat. Miranda rocked her hips, sliding his cock against her pussy. Tyler inhaled sharply, his lower stomach churning in delight at her skillful wriggling.

  Miranda's moist lips and throbbing pussy tempted his cock. It twitched; the head sought her slit, her heat, her inner core. His hand tightened on her tit as his free hand held Miranda's hip still. Tyler taunted his lover as he slid his erection back and forth against her pussy. She quivered and whimpered and rocked in time to his rhythm. Tyler smirked against Miranda's ear as she burned up with desire.

  “Oh, please, don't–” A moan cut off the rest of her plea.

  He paused in his movements, concern clamping on his thoughts. Was she having second thoughts? Against her ear, Tyler puffed in slight confusion, “Don't what?”

  The words lined up in her head. It was the perfect phrase to get what she wanted most. Miranda gasped, arching her back, as she whimpered, “Don't be gentle.”

  Fire flared through Tyler as hormones burned all other thought away. He grabbed Miranda's hips, roughly, eliciting a surprised gasp from her lips. Pleasure shot to her core, making her sex pulse and throb in overdrive.

  His cock cleaved between her lips in one deep, swift thrust. Tyler landed his member deep in Miranda with a low groan in his throat. She gasped and writhed, her nails scraping down the door. Her body clenched around the delightful intrusion. Tyler wasted no time. He pounded, hot and hard, into her. Her ass jiggled with every thrust and the door rattled on its hinges.

  Miranda gasped and moaned, completely forgetting where she was. All she could feel was Tyler's firm body against her back and his cock creating fire-hot friction in her pussy. Her toes curled as she tried to match his pace, his rhythm. She wanted him deeper, harder, faster. Miranda wanted him to drill into her as hard as he could.

  Tyler huffed against her ear, delighting in the way her sex throbbed and rippled along his length. Miranda's muscles coiled tighter and tighter around him. His balls pulsed and tightened with every second. Heat and friction pounded through his thoughts as sweat dripped down his body. His fingers dug into her hips and, beneath his fingertips, he could feel Miranda tense. Her body knotted under pleasure and heat and pressure. Until, finally-

  “Oh, Tyler!” The words shot out of Miranda's lips, loud and uninhibited. She threw her head back, her ass bouncing desperately against his hips. Her thighs quivered as her pussy clenched tighter than ever. Tremors curled up her body, forcing light shudders to manifest along her limbs. Her inner muscles rippled and squeezed along his cock as her hot wetness bathed his shaft.

  He couldn't hold back any more. The pressure and heat drove one last stake of pleasure home. Sparks danced along his nerves as his cock jerked as he spilled inside her.

  “Fuck,” growled Tyler against her ear as he continued to pump his cock in and out of her. The one word brought shudders to her body, followed by erratic convulsions. His cum sloshed through her, tickling and pleasing every last corner of her inner core.

  Miranda gasped and moaned, gentler shivers licking across her body. A whine of discontent laced from her lips as Tyler pulled out of her. He stared at her, still braced against the walls. Her thighs enticingly quivered and, when she peeked over her shoulders, desire still made her gaze glassy. He licked his lips as his need for her reawakened. Despite his recent release, Tyler felt another hot and heavy round rearing up in his fantasies. He thought about how he should get going. If he stayed too long, he'd never want to leave.

  As Miranda pushed herself upright, wobbling on her trembling legs, she turned. Under her hot, green gaze, Tyler shuddered. It was too late. He already wanted this night to be endless. She stared at him expectantly. As if she were counting down the seconds until he bolted.

  Tyler pulled up his jeans, anticipations riffling through his head. An air of slight sadness radiated from Miranda. When his gaze flickered back to her, her gaze had fallen to the floor. Despite the qualms floating about his head, despite knowing what was for the best, Tyler couldn't help himself.

 
His fingers found Miranda's chin, forcing her gaze up. He stooped down, his lips teasingly ghosting over hers. Tyler imagined he heard her heart stop when he asked, “Mir, where's your bedroom?”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next morning, Miranda's muscles ached from exertion. Despite the pain, she enjoyed it. Her cheeks burned with the memories of what she and Tyler had done the night before. Miranda shook her head and focused on the sizzling bacon she cooked.

  Another well of pride staggered through her head as she thought of Tyler. He was still asleep, thoroughly wiped out. That fact brought a pleased tingle to Miranda's core. Her toes curled against the linoleum as she imagined what would happen when he awoke. Images of being thrown on the table and taken flashed through her head.

  “What's got you all worked up?”

  Tyler's voice behind her made Miranda jolt. She swallowed down a yelp as she turned sharply. “What are you talking about?”

  “Your face is all flushed.” Tyler grinned, knowing exactly what had been on Miranda's mind.

  Miranda turned back to the stove, a sudden pop of bacon grease calling for her attention. The image of Tyler's naked torso still burned in her head, even as she turned her back to him. Tribal-esque tattoos lined his body, along with a few horrifying scars. Then, of course, there was that trail of dark hair that spread from navel to groin. Miranda's face prickled at the very thought of it.