by Katy Kaylee
“Ready for me?” I asked her.
“Yes,” she moaned, her hands running through my hair as I nestled between her legs.
It only took a single swipe of my tongue over her swollen center to unleash another orgasm. I smiled, feeling powerful as she bucked and groaned through another sweet climax. I moved off the bed and ditched my underwear, anxious to bury myself inside her and really show her just how serious I was about making her mine.
“Get on your hands and knees,” I ordered.
She slowly rolled over, doing as I asked. I stood next to the bed, staring at her. She turned her head to look at me, questioning me with her eyes.
“I’m going to fuck you hard and fast. I want you to know you’re mine. No man will ever touch you again. You’ll be branded with my scent,” I told her, my voice low as I stared into her eyes.
She slowly nodded her head. “Okay,” she whispered.
She didn’t understand. I was going to make her understand. I crawled up behind her, pushing her legs open, palming her wet center and holding tight. “This is mine,” I growled.
She moaned, backing against me, pushing her hips down to press her folds against my palm. She was primed again, just like that. I was going to make her cum so many times that every time she looked at me from here on out, her body would react. She’d grow wet thinking about how I felt inside her.
I rammed my cock into her, pulling a loud scream from her as her body erupted in another violent orgasm. I felt like the most powerful man in the world. The simple thrust of my cock inside her had made her cum. I smiled, running my hand over her spine before using the heel of my palm to push her facedown.
“I want your ass up high,” I growled.
I gave her my all, proving to her she was mine, making her understand that only I could make her orgasm hard, repeatedly. My body was meant for hers and vice versa. We fucked half the night with me proving to her over and over again she was mine. By the time we fell asleep, neither of us could move. As I held her against me, I could feel little aftershocks jerk through her body, pulling tiny moans from her as she slept soundly in my arms. I smiled, feeling like I had just kicked open the door to my future. She was mine.
I HATED that our time in Chicago had been short. I loved getting away with Penny. It always made me feel like we had grown closer together when it was just the two of us alone in a hotel room. I hoped I could get her to come over for sleepovers at my place now that I had gotten it all out on the table. She hadn’t exactly opened up to me and professed her love for me, but I was willing to wait.
The car came to a stop in front of the small building of the private airport, and I helped Penny out of the car. Lydia was sitting inside the waiting area, her iPad in her lap when we walked in.
“Hi, guys!” she greeted.
“Hi, you’re early,” I said, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ve been on the phone most of the morning,” she said with a grin.
“Is that good or bad?” I asked, taking a seat next to her, Penny on my other side.
I instinctively reached for her, putting my hand on her knee while I spoke with Lydia. I felt Penny’s small hand remove my hand and turned to scowl at her. She stared back, then over at the people working in the concession area.
“It’s good,” Lydia said, grabbing my attention again. “When you said you were going to blow us up with something big, you weren’t lying. Your little performance last night has gone viral. One of the videos has already gotten over a half a million views. My agent has been getting slammed with calls, and I’ve booked two new jobs already this morning.”
I grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be! This is great. I mean, not great for you, but I’m going to ride the wave of publicity for now. I should have known the bad boy of fashion would do something big. I’m on the right side of this in the media’s eyes. I just hope you and Penny aren’t totally vilified. It can be tough to be Enemy Number One in the eyes of the public,” she warned.
“I dare them to try and fuck with me or Penny,” I snapped.
She chuckled, leaning forward to look at Penny, who was sitting quietly in the seat next to mine. “How are you?” she asked.
Penny smiled back at her. “Good. Just a little tired.”
Lydia looked at her with kindness. “You can get in a nap on the flight home.”
Our pilot announced the jet was ready. We quickly boarded and got comfortable. We had barely been in the air for five minutes when Penny fell asleep. I patted her hand and got up to go sit by Lydia. I had worn Penny out, which gave me a ridiculous amount of satisfaction. I wanted to rip my shirt off and pound my chest, proclaiming I was the man.
“Are you sure everything is okay on your end?” I asked, sitting down next to Lydia.
“Perfect. How about you?”
I nodded with a smile on my face. “I think it will be just fine.”
“How come you didn’t tell me she was pregnant?” Lydia asked with accusation.
“Tell you who was pregnant?” I asked with confusion.
She frowned at me. “Penny.”
“What? What the hell are you talking about?” I snapped.
“Uh-oh. You didn’t know?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Know she was pregnant? How do you know she is?” I asked, feeling like I’d just been hit upside the head with a ton of bricks.
“She didn’t drink wine yesterday when I offered it. I noticed a little swell in her belly when she was trying on dresses, and I noticed she didn’t touch any champagne last night before you clocked the senator,” she said nonchalantly. “Oh, and I noticed her hand going over her stomach several times, something pregnant women do instinctively to protect their unborn child.”
“What the hell?” I muttered.
“I’m sorry. I assumed you knew,” she said.
I raised my hand, signaling the flight attendant. “Scotch. Neat.”
Lydia elbowed me. “It’s not even noon.”
“I need a drink.”
“You really didn’t know?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No. Are you sure?” I asked her.
She shrugged a shoulder. “No, not really. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she didn’t like the white wine I offered. Maybe she didn’t want to drink at the fund-raiser. I don’t know. I could be mistaken. I’m sorry I said anything.”
I was handed the drink, which I quickly drank before asking for another one. I needed to take the edge off. Lydia’s question had left me reeling. I said the words aloud. “Pregnant. With a baby.”
Lydia giggled. “That’s generally how that works. If there is something else growing in there, you’ve got problems.”
I looked over at the seat where Penny was sleeping soundly. Her head was lolled to the side, the chair reclined and a blanket covering her. I noticed she did look a little pale and remembered she’d been in the bathroom for quite a while that morning.
“Pregnant. What the fuck?” I murmured.
Why hadn’t she told me? I didn’t allow myself to think it wasn’t mine. If she was pregnant, she couldn’t be far along. I knew she’d only been with me recently. I hadn’t asked her about the past, but I got the feeling there had been no one else. I knew that was probably wishful thinking, but I had to believe it. I couldn’t stomach the idea of another man being where I’d been.
I thought back to the first time in my office. I’d been so caught up in the moment, I hadn’t bothered to wear a condom. She didn’t stop me. I made the stupid assumption she had been on birth control. I knew I was clean because I hadn’t been with another woman.
“Are you okay?” Lydia asked gently.
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to think. I mean, I guess it’s possible. Why wouldn’t she tell me?” I asked.
She put her hand on my knee. “Maybe she just found out and doesn’t know how to tell you. I’m sure it came as a shock to her. Although, I feel I must point out that there are
ways to prevent these things from happening.”
I gave her a dry look. “Gee, thanks, Lydia. I wish I would have come to you first.”
She giggled softly. “It’s going to be fine, Jax. Just talk to her. Maybe I’m wrong altogether. I could have read the signs wrong.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think you’re wrong. It all adds up. I just didn’t put it all together.”
“Well, I don’t know if congratulations are in order, but I do hope things work out for the two of you. She’s everything you said she was. I can see how happy she makes you. I really hope you guys get that happy ever after that you have been pining for since the very day I met you.”
I groaned, not sure that would ever happen. She’d not even bothered to tell me she was pregnant. That was a pretty big lie in my eyes.
28
PENNY
I was exhausted. I didn’t want to let on just how tired I was, knowing Jax would ask me if I was okay. I had no idea what to tell him. Technically, I was okay, but yet, I wasn’t normal. Normal, but not me normal. I had his child growing inside me, if that was considered normal. I couldn’t wait to go upstairs, pull on a pair of stretchy pants, and crash on my couch. I had read the first trimester of pregnancy could leave me feeling tired. I had been fine until the weekend. It had been a lot of excitement and a lot of orgasms. I was spent.
The car pulled to a stop in front of my building. I got out, Jax right behind me. I stood and waited, expecting him to give me a kiss before leaving. He leaned back into the car and told the driver he’d see him later. I watched as the car pulled away without him in it.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m coming up. I’ll carry your suitcase,” he offered.
“Thank you,” I said, happy to spend more time with him but a little bummed I couldn’t get out of the jeans that felt too tight around my waist.
I had a feeling he was about to talk about what had happened at the fund-raiser. We had avoided the subject. I knew it was only a matter of time before we addressed the situation. With as many paparazzi wannabes, the story was likely to be running in tomorrow’s papers. I was dreading it.
I opened the door to my apartment, feeling a little weird. It was the first time he’d been in my place. I didn’t even know where he lived, but I assumed it was something big and glamorous. My apartment would never be considered glamorous.
“I’ll put this in your room,” he said, walking down the short hall and finding my bedroom. It wasn’t hard. There were two doors. He’d either find my room or the bathroom.
When he returned to the living room, I felt a shift in his mood. There was tension between us. There had been since I had woken up on the plane. I wasn’t sure what had happened while I slept, but I knew he and Lydia had been talking. My mind started to race, trying to guess what it was that was on his mind. Did he regret what he said? Had he changed his mind?
I had believed him when he said Lydia was only a friend, but maybe I had misjudged him. Maybe they worked things out and decided it was better for both their careers if they kept up their relationship for the press.
“Can we talk?” he said.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Sure. Uh, have a seat,” I said, gesturing to my couch.
He sat down. I sat down a few feet away. I looked at him, waiting for him to tell me he regretted what he said. My heart was pounding hard in my chest. There was a hint of butterflies in my stomach that was making me feel nauseous. I had only myself to blame. I had told myself a million times not to fall for his charm. I had tried to stay strong in my conviction to hate him for the rest of my days, but his charm proved to be too much for my resolve. I had melted like butter in his hands with no fight at all. I waited for him to say what he had to say. I could tell it was difficult for him, and I wasn’t about to make it any easier for him to break my heart a second time. I wanted him to have to look at me when he shattered me, not do it the cowardly way like he had the first time.
“This isn’t easy for me to say,” he started.
I grimaced, narrowing my eyes at him and demanding myself not to cry. “Just say it. Keeping it to yourself isn’t going to help either of us.”
“Are you pregnant?” he asked, his soulful green eyes staring directly into mine.
My mouth dropped open, and my eyes widened. “What?” I gasped, shock paralyzing my brain.
My ears began to ring and swoosh at the same time. I had to have been hearing things. There was no way he just asked me that. It was my own guilty conscience playing tricks on me.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked again, saying the words slow and punctuating each one.
My shoulders drooped, knowing I couldn’t lie to him. The cat was out of the bag. Lying would only make it worse. I would be horrible in a real interrogation. Note to self: don’t break the law because I would confess to anything with barely a push.
“How did you know?” I asked.
“You’re pregnant?” he gasped, as if he hadn’t really been sure but was guessing. “You’re going to have a baby?” he said as if he needed to clarify what being pregnant meant.
“Did Carolina tell you?” I asked irritably, angry she’d given away my secret. I had thought we were friends. I had thought I could trust her to keep it to herself.
“Carolina knows? Why in the hell does my assistant know and I don’t?” he practically shouted.
I closed my eyes. I owed him an explanation. I knew it, but I had no idea how to explain it. I figured the truth was the best. My brain was too tired to try and come up with a reasonable lie. I would tell him why and he would tell me he understood, we’d kiss and hug and all would be right with the world. Fat chance of that ever happening when Jax Michaels was involved, I chided myself.
“I was getting sick at work. She came into the bathroom and asked if I was pregnant. I didn’t even consider the idea until she brought it up. We went to the store and got a few tests. I took them and they were all positive.”
“When?” he asked in a tight voice.
“When did I take the test?” I asked, trying to buy some time.
“Yes. How long have you known?”
I chewed my bottom lip. “Not long. Like a month or so,” I mumbled.
He nodded his head, rubbing his hands over his thighs. “You’ve known a month. Thirty days, give or take a few.”
“Yes.”
“When exactly did you plan to tell me about this pregnancy? I already know it’s mine,” he added.
I grimaced, looking away from him. I couldn’t look at him. The guilt was making me flustered. “I—”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “You were planning to tell me, right?”
I looked up at the ceiling, dragging in a breath. “I don’t know,” I confessed.
“You don’t know if you were going to tell me that you were having my baby?” he asked incredulously.
“Jax, it isn’t like that,” I said, realizing how stupid those words sounded. It was exactly like that.
“Really? Then tell me what it is, because I can’t understand how everyone knows I’m going to be a father except me.”
“Everyone? Only Carolina knows,” I argued. Knowing it wasn’t really the point.
“Lydia knew. You weren’t so good at keeping your little secret. I didn’t know, but apparently, I’m clueless. I guess that’s because I made the blind assumption you would tell me you were having my child. I guess I was wrong.”
“Jax, I didn’t know what we were.”
“We’re people. A man and a woman who made a baby,” he said dryly.
“Stop. That’s not what I meant. I mean, I didn’t trust you.”
The hurt on his face stung. “Okay.”
“I’m not making myself very clear. I meant to say I didn’t know what to think about us. I was struggling to figure out what we were doing. I don’t trust easily, Jax, and that is directly because of you. I half expected to show up to work one day and find out you had to
ld everyone we’d been having sex and I hadn’t gotten any better at it. I had nightmares about you publicly firing me,” I told him, getting a little defensive.
He shook his head. “I explained that.”
“Yesterday!” I shrieked.
“Yesterday is right. You could have told me last night or today. You didn’t. I don’t think you were going to,” he said in a low voice.
I didn’t immediately answer. “I didn’t know what to think about us. You never said you wanted to be with me. Sex in your office doesn’t constitute a relationship. The sex at the hotel, it was nice, but we never talked about anything. I didn’t want you to feel obligated to be with me. I didn’t want you to think you had to do right by me or something silly like that.”
He scoffed. “Silly. What you mean is you didn’t think I would do the right thing. You assumed I was still that same stupid kid from college. You have no faith in me.”
“I didn’t say that. I will admit I didn’t trust you. I kept thinking I would tell you I was pregnant, and you would question whether it was yours. Or you would tell me you didn’t want a kid because it didn’t fit in with your lifestyle,” I told him, laying it all out.
He got to his feet, pacing my small living room before spinning around to look at me. “I told you what happened. I told you how I felt about you. I opened my heart to you.”
The hurt in his eyes was too much to look at. I looked away, my hands clasped in my lap. There was so much I needed to tell him. He’d been open and honest with me last night, and I hadn’t said much of anything. I hadn’t told him how I felt or that I had been in love with him since I was sixteen. He needed that reassurance. I owed him that. I took a deep breath, preparing to spill my guts. It terrified me. I would be making myself very vulnerable. The last time I’d been vulnerable with him, he’d ripped my heart out and stomped all over it.
