Hard Love (An Evans Mill Romance Book 2)

by Scarlett Brooks

  I didn’t want to find out he was a womanizer or a shitty boyfriend. I didn’t want to know if he was secretly a geek or a vegetarian. I wanted the memory of our lust-filled night to be perfect. Forever. And it was.

  Until now.

  I pushed off the tub. These little sticks had just ruined that.

  I paced in my apartment. Pregnant? Me?

  What was I going to do? How was I going to tell a man who was practically a stranger that he was the father of this baby?

  What did I even know about Luke?

  I tried to make a mental list what I remembered from our conversation when we shot the calendar.

  He owned and operated a successful business in town. He was from Evans Mill. He had lost his dad. That one made me pause. We had both lost someone. This baby was going to be born already missing a grandmother and a grandfather.

  I sat on the edge of my couch. I couldn’t call my mom and tell her. What was it she always said? Babies are a blessing. I wondered what she would think of this baby. Would she think this was a blessing?

  I hung my head. How was I going to do this without her? I certainly wasn’t going to lean on my stepmom, Harriet. I still hadn’t forgiven my dad for remarrying so quickly. It felt rushed and unforgiveable.

  I picked up my phone and searched for a pregnancy website. It asked me to put in the date of my last period. I tracked it on my calendar and tapped in the date. I resisted the urge to beat myself up for not realizing I had skipped an entire period. I waited for the site to calculate my due date. I held my breath until the estimate flashed on my phone.

  I finally let out the air from my lungs. I picked up my keys and jogged down the stairs, not bothering to lock the door to my apartment.

  Nine

  Luke

  “When was the last time you took a break?” Josh asked.

  “Break?” I huffed. “Look around. Do you think I have time for a break? We have more orders and shipments. The snow put us behind. I’m not giving any of the guys extra time off, and that means I’m not taking any time either.”

  Josh shook his head and turned toward the truck with another delivery, pulling in the drive.

  “You seem different the last couple months.”

  I shook my head. “Not different. Motivated.”

  “To drive your crew and everyone in the shop into the ground?”

  I glared at my best friend. “That’s enough.”

  We had been in the lumber yard since 5am. We were both tired. We had drained a pot of coffee. While the rest of the guys took off for lunch, I stayed behind. Josh always followed my lead.

  “Look, you don’t have to tell me what’s going on with you, but the guys are starting to talk. Can you just go get laid tonight? Or drunk? Both?” He cocked his head to the side. “Fuck man, I’ll drive you to Denver and be your wingman. You need to blow off some steam.”

  I slammed the clipboard with the shipment inventory on the table.

  “Luke, where are you going?”

  “I don’t need this. It sounds like you’re the one who needs a break, man. I’m not stopping you. Go. Take one. I’ll be in my office.”

  I stormed up the back steps and along the hardwoods into the one room where I could find quiet. It was the one place no one bothered me. If the door was closed, they left me alone.

  I pushed back in the chair behind my desk. Fuck. I had been a workaholic for two months. I knew exactly what had triggered it, but I wasn’t going to open up to Josh. We’d been friends since fifth grade. We played football together. Baseball together. We worked together, but I drew the line with Annabelle. I’d never mentioned her to him. Not once.

  What was I supposed to say? I fucked a beautiful woman and I can’t get her out of my head? It sounded as stupid out loud as it did in my head.

  I had walked downtown more than once since the night she had stopped by the photo shoot. I strolled past the studio Annabelle bought. But it was late and the lights were off.

  I understood it. We both got something out of that night, but I hadn’t stopped wanting more. Instead of going after the girl, I plunged into work. I worked early and late hours. I worked weekends. I didn’t let up. What I didn’t realize was that I had pissed off Josh and the best guys on my crew.

  I leaned back. I spotted the picture of my mom and me on the shelf. I had covered the picture of my dad. It was too hard to see him staring back at me every day.

  I heard angry footsteps in the hall. I looked toward the door. Josh wouldn’t walk in though. Not when the door was closed. My eyes narrowed when the door flew open.

  “What the—” I jumped to my feet.

  “I’m sorry, Luke. I tried to run in front of h-her,” Tammy sputtered.

  “It’s okay.” I lowered my hand.

  “I’m sorry.” Annabelle was out of breath. “I should have knocked or something.”

  Tammy walked backward. “I’ll just head back to the register.”

  “Close the door.”

  “Yes, sir.” She shut it as she spun on her heels.

  “What are you doing here?” I looked Annabelle over. God, she was more gorgeous than the last time I saw her. Her breasts were rounder than I remembered. I could see her tits pointing through her silk shirt. My mouth started to water, imagining them in my mouth again.

  She squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—” She turned to leave. “This was a mistake. I’ve changed my mind.”

  “No. What’s going on?” I walked out from behind my desk and stood between her and the door. “You obviously were looking for me.”

  “I was. But I shouldn’t. I mean I haven’t even thought this through.”

  “Thought what through?”

  She seemed shaken and distracted. Her green eyes flickered.

  “It’s just…I…I thought we could maybe—”

  We jumped when someone pounded on the door. “I’m going to lunch. Want anything?”

  I groaned. It was Josh. “No. I’m good. Thanks.”

  “You should take a break. Go out and get your own lunch,” he called through the door.

  I smiled at Annabelle. “I think I’m getting ready to take a break. Maybe a long one.” I slid my hand around hers. “You’re shaking,” I whispered.

  She nodded.

  “What if we get out of here and you can tell me what’s going on?”

  Annabelle closed her eyes. “Yes. Please.”

  I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and escorted her out of the back of the office, closing my door behind us. Whatever it was, it was huge.

  The drive to my house was quiet. Annabelle looked out the window the entire time. I didn’t press her.

  I pulled into the driveway.

  “This is it.” I put the car in park.

  “You live here?” She stepped out of the car, mesmerized.

  “I do. I built it.” I didn’t know what it looked like through her eyes. To me it was home.

  “It’s beautiful.” She climbed the front steps, her fingertips trailing along the hand-carved rail.

  “Thanks.”

  She sat on the porch swing.

  I stood in front of her.

  “You think you want to tell me where you’ve been for two months?” It seemed like a good place to start.

  Annabelle lifted her eyes.

  “Luke, I’m pregnant.”

  Ten

  Annabelle

  He stared at me. His dark blue gorgeous eyes were hypnotizing. They smoldered even more in the daylight. I didn’t know how that was possible. I needed to capture them in an image, but didn’t I have enough pictures of him? I waited. The only sounds I heard were the birds in the distance. It was peaceful and calming here.

  I wanted him to say something, I wasn’t sure what.

  I pushed off the swing.

  Luke grabbed my shoulders. “Pregnant?”

  I nodded. “I took the test this morning. Well, five tests actually and they all were positive. All five. I’m pre
gnant five times over. At least five, but I thought about a sixth.”

  “Whoa. Slow down.” His grip tightened. It was the first time since I had seen a plus sign that I felt grounded. Luke had me. He wasn’t going to let me fall.

  “Sorry. It just happened. I don’t have this planned. I didn’t know if I should tell you.”

  “It’s mine? You’re sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure.” I almost stomped on his foot. “I haven’t been with anyone else. Only you. Who else could be the father?”

  “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. How would I know? You disappeared, Annabelle.”

  “I didn’t know I was pregnant,” I groaned, shirking away from him. I walked to the other end of the porch. “It wasn’t supposed to happen. What are the chances, right?”

  He stood behind me. I could feel the heat from his large frame next to my body.

  “Right.”

  He slid his hands around my waist, drawing my back to his chest.

  “I’m glad you told me.”

  “You are?” I asked.

  He kissed the side of my face. “Yes.” His mouth moved to behind my ear. He kissed the back of my neck.

  I rotated in his arms, wrapping my palms to his neck. I’d never kissed Luke when we were standing before. He was so much taller and stronger in the daylight.

  “I’m not sure what to do,” I whispered.

  He smiled. “We’ll figure something out.” He tipped my chin upward as his mouth crushed mine with a brutally searing kiss. I fell into his chest, as his tongue twined along mine.

  My body burned with new raging hormones. Our kiss swept through me like wildfire.

  “I want to take you inside,” he growled.

  “Now?” I eked. The timing seemed both inappropriate and perfect. Were we both ready to pretend that sex wasn’t exactly what got us into this mess to begin with?

  “Yes. Now. Unless you’d rather sit on the porch and talk?” There was a playfulness in his voice I needed. A temptation I couldn’t refuse.

  I shook my head. “No, talking.”

  “Good.”

  Luke lifted me enough for me to sling my legs around his waist. He pushed the front door open, carrying me through the house and along the hall. I was too busy kissing his neck and throat. Too busy being turned on to check out his couch or see if he had any art on the walls. Were there photographs? More trophies like his office? I had no idea.

  He shoved another door open and I realized we were in Luke’s bedroom. He turned, closing the door with my back. He held me against the wall, kissing me more tenderly than before. His hands explored my body until he lowered my legs to the floor. He knelt before me.

  I looked in his eyes as he unfastened the zipper on my jeans. His palm rested on my belly, before he stripped my legs bare. I eagerly stepped out of the denim as he discarded them far from us.

  I thought my knees would give out when he dove toward my pussy. It was unexpected and heated, as if he were on a mission to take over my body. He spread my folds and began lapping and sucking on my clit.

  “Oh God.” I fisted my hands in his hair, urging him to give me more.

  He was relentless, teasing my pussy with his warm mouth then pushing a finger inside me. I quaked against the pressure. My body felt alive and ripe in a new way. As if every touch would make me explode.

  Luke sucked hard until I whimpered for my release. “Please,” I begged.

  He looked up at me, and I thought I’d lose it. He shoved two fingers inside me as he latched on to my sensitive bud. He pumped in and out until I had spilled my orgasm into his hand. I slid on the wall, crumpling in his arms.

  Luke unfastened the buttons on the silk blouse I wore. I had resorted to wearing soft fabrics. This one was a shell pink and felt delicate and sexy. I should have known there was a reason my nipples were so damn sensitive to everything I wore. I cried out at the first flick of his tongue on my tits.

  “Shh,” he soothed me.

  I groaned as he tried again, sucking with deeper gulps until I thought I would come again just like this. I panted, knowing I wasn’t going to be able to hold off another orgasm. My body had never reacted this way. I felt like I was losing control of everything. I was off balance, and it felt incredible.

  “I-I—everything feels so different,” I moaned.

  “Enjoy it.” He thrust his fingers inside me while he made my nipples perk in unison. My back arched off the floor and I panted through the next climax, shaking harder than the last one.

  Luke lifted me in his arms, and planted me on his bed with a soft thud. He climbed on top of the mattress and I pushed up to meet his mouth. He kissed me while he kicked off his jeans. I yanked on the edge of his L & L shirt and threaded it over his head. I sighed when I gazed at his beautiful abs. It wasn’t the time to tell him I had studied his abs more times than I could count. I assembled an entire calendar, and none of the men had an effect on me the way Luke did. I spent more time on his photo shot selection that the other eleven combined. No one knew the reason. Watching him now, it was hard to believe I had kept my distance for two months.

  “I’m not going to pull out this time.” He winked.

  “Not funny.” I glared at him.

  “I thought you were sexy before, but I can’t describe this, Annabelle.”

  I finally caught a glimpse of his cock. My eyes widened. I didn’t see it that night we had sex. I only felt it. It was powerful, and even with only a few of his swimmers it was massive enough to get me pregnant. I stared at it in awe, still in disbelief something so thick could fit inside me.

  He fisted it and I licked my lips. I wanted a taste. I’d never been so turned on by a man’s body as I was by Luke’s.

  “My turn.” I grinned, crawling forward and playfully pinning him on a pillow. I was no match for him, but he played along, especially when my lips covered the head of his shaft.

  “Oh fuck,” he groaned, as my tongue grazed the small slit on top. The precum was salty and sweet. I wanted more of him.

  I didn’t know what had taken over this time. We had both discovered we were going to be parents only minutes ago. Instead of checking on prenatal vitamins and birthing plans we had ripped each other’s clothes off and I was about to attempt the most impressive blowjob of my life. Were we completely insane and disqualified to co-parent?

  I inhaled the tip of his shaft, swirling my tongue over the swollen head.

  “That’s it,” he coaxed, pushing me as he curled his fingers through my hair. “Keep taking it.”

  Each attempt, I took him farther and farther until I mastered the deepest angle. Luke hit the back of my throat and I groaned in triumph. His fingers curled under me, sliding inside my pussy.

  “You’re so, so fucking beautiful,” he growled.

  The ecstasy was almost too much. I began grinding my hips into his fingers until I was ready for my next explosion.

  “No,” he groaned. “I screwed up the first time. That’s not going to happen again.”

  His cock popped from my mouth and I whimpered. Luke rolled me back on the bed as my legs hooked around his low back and he pushed into me with a long slow thrust.

  So slow I thought time had stood still. It burned and ached as he claimed me again.

  He looked in my eyes. “You’re all I could think about, Annabelle Simmons.”

  I nipped at his ear as he drove inside me with command. I gulped for air.

  “I thought about you too,” I admitted.

  “Before you knew you were having my baby?”

  He reared up on his knees, throwing my ankles on his shoulders.

  “Oh God,” I groaned. He began to massage my clit as he pumped in and out of me.

  “Answer the question.”

  I nodded. “Every day.”

  The sweat dripped from his chest. He pounded against me. His eyes flared and I squealed when my feet hit the top of the bed. Suddenly, Luke had rolled me on my stomach.

  “I don’t know
how long you’ll be able to do this.” He spread my legs and my ass rocked up to open my pussy to him. He slipped inside and I hissed with pleasure.

  He kissed my neck and shoulder. His body lay flat against mine as our hips danced together. Luke wedged his fingers between the mattress and my hips, finding his way to my clit. With only a few tugs of my nub, he had me screaming his name.

  I slammed my hands into the pillows. He hilted himself as I came undone. His explosion skyrocketed through him and he released it deep inside me. His breath surrounded me. I felt his heartbeat. His pulse was like a hammer, drumming through my skin. I’d never felt so connected to anyone in my life—and it terrified me.

  Eleven

  Luke

  “Need anything else?” I called through the bathroom door. “Anything? I can bring more towels? Soap? What do you need?”

  “I’m fine. You have everything here. Go make lunch,” Annabelle answered. “I’m starving. You could find food if you want to do something.”

  “All right.”

  I was reluctant to leave her. After a second round of sex, I knew we needed to eat something. I wandered to the kitchen to make something for her.

  I stopped in front of the refrigerator. I was going to be a father. Someone’s daddy. I let the cold air from inside the fridge cool my chest. I didn’t know how to be a dad. I didn’t know anything about babies or kids. Damn. I didn’t know anything about pregnancy, except that it really turned her on. She said her orgasms felt different. A good different.

  I heard the handle squeak on the shower when Annabelle turned off the water. We had less than seven months to figure things out. I made two grilled cheese sandwiches and walked back to bedroom to let her know lunch was served.

  Annabelle was wearing one of my T-shirts and a pair of running shorts.

  “You sure we have to eat?” I wrapped my arms around her.

  “As much as I love the sexfest. Yes.”

  “Sexfest, huh?”

  She giggled. “What would you call it?”