by Shyla Colt
“I like it.” I slip from bed and stretch once more, unashamed of the body he’d learned every inch of. He’d given me more than orgasms. I have newly gained confidence when it comes to my ripening frame. His lids lower, and he goes from half-mast to full mast.
“Maybe I can help you out with that?” I nod toward his erection.
“It is on the top of my Christmas Wishlist.”
I giggle and palm his base, squeezing him lightly. He twitches in my hand. I start a slow, firm stroke I learned he preferred. Our lips press together, and our tongues dance as he slowly backs me into the en suite.
“Can I fuck your tits?” he rasps.
“You are kinky, Doctor.” I release him and cup my breasts, pushing them together.
“Is that a yes?”
I lean back, resting my head against the mirror. “Slip between my breasts and find out.” His eyes darken, and he thrusts upward. I stick out my tongue, caressing his dripping head as he moves.
“Shit. You’re so fucking sexy, Faye.” His eyes burn into mine.
I spit to add more lubrication. He swells, growing impossibly stiff. My core drips in response. Knowing I affect him like this is intoxicating.
“Are you going to come for me, James? Paint me all white?”
He grunts, moving faster. His body tenses. “I’m going to—”
“Yes.”
Hot liquid coats my skin. The sight of his white droplets coating my skin has me clenching my pussy.
“Since I got you dirty, it’s only fair I clean you up.” Helping me stand, he kisses me on the forehead. There’s so much sincerity and care in everything he does. It highlights what I missed with James. Gifts were great, but this was priceless. After starting the shower, he rubs my thickening hip. “I’ll step in first. I don’t want you to slip.”
I start to protest and let the words die on my tongue. If James wants to be sweet to me, I’m not going to stop him. I’ll hold the kind words and care close on those lonely nights when it’s all I can do to make it to my bed to collapse. Those days could be a lot less lonely if we keep up this bargain.
Stepping into the shower stall, he holds out his hand. I take it, getting in. It’s only the steam and hot water weakening my knees.
“YOU THINK YOU’RE HILARIOUS, don’t you?”
The voice ruins my good mood. “What are you doing here?” I turn to face him with Monty in my arms.
“Waiting.” Preston looks over at the car where James gathers the extra supplies he had lying around and gifted for Monty’s use. “Are you serious? You hooked up with the guy from the drugstore?” He sneers. “If you’re trying to make me jealous, it isn’t working.”
“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Preston.” I roll my eyes and fish out my keys to unlock the front door.
“You made me look like a fool in front of your family.”
“No, you did that yourself. Maybe this will be a lesson about not forcing yourself into places where you aren’t invited.”
His lips thin into a line, and the color fades from his face. “They were happy to see me and wondering where you were.”
“They have my number.” I won’t let him use my family against me.
“They’re worried about you, just like I am. Neither of us understands what you’re trying to prove.”
I shake my head. “Nothing. This is about doing what I feel is right for my child and me. You’re the one turning it into a stressful process.”
“I don’t get dismissed by nurses who come from nothing. You will not make me.” He reaches for my wrist. I back into the corner, wedging myself between the door and the wall. His hand is stopped by James.
“Is there a problem?” James moves in front of me, forcing Preston back. They’re evenly matched in size, but James has a dangerous edge Preston couldn’t pull off on his best day.
“I don’t know. You tell me,” Preston says. “I’ve never seen you a day in my life, and you’re pulling up with my—”
“Nothing.”
Preston’s mouth momentarily drops open at the interruption. “Excuse me?”
“The mother of your child and nothing else. For a doctor, you don’t understand basic concepts very well.”
Preston bares his teeth. “Is this supposed to be a joke? Did you hire him as your holidate? Whatever she’s paying you, I’ll double it.”
“Is he serious?” James turns to me.
Exhaling, I cover my face with my hand. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“I get a say about who my daughter is around. If you pick up some random man off the street who does God knows what for a living, I’m going to protest.”
“Let me set your mind at ease. I’m a doctor.”
Preston’s eyes bulge. “W-What? Where do you work?”
He gives a shit-eating grin. “I have my own practice.”
“Were you seeing him before we broke up?”
“Finally, you admit it.” I toss my hands in the air.
“Is Flora even mine?”
My jaw drops.
“You are way out of line,” James barks.
“It’s all very coincidental, isn’t it?” He gives a fake laugh. “No wonder you didn’t want to stay with me. You had another doctor in the wings. Look at all the things he’s bringing you for the baby.”
“It’s for Monty, you cunt. I’m the vet who found him.”
Preston blinks. “An animal doctor?”
“That’s usually what a veterinarian is, yes.” James nods.
“Well, then I suppose I owe you my thanks for finding the runt. Faye was quite upset about his disappearance.” His features smooth over seamlessly as he hides the demon that lurks inside of him.
“Right,” James says dryly. I want to jump for joy. A person other than me has seen the dark side he keeps hidden. “If you’ll step aside, we’re going to get Monty settled in.”
“I thought the days of house calls were over,” Preston snarks.
“It all depends on the area, but believe me, this one is on the house.” James wraps his arms around my waist, and I allow it. For once, it’s nice to not fight this never-ending battle on my own.
Preston looks from James to me. “I see.”
“I hope so. Because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
If only he meant that. James is a catch. Eventually, he’ll get tired of me, the drama I come with, and the responsibilities that will always take precedence over him. Enjoy him now. Don’t expect more.
“You’ve always been engaging. Even for your charms, this is a bit much for someone you just met. What did you do to incite such loyalty?”
“The same thing that keeps you unable to let her go, I’d imagine,” James drawls.
“I’ll be sure to let your parents know you were too busy with company to come by.”
I grit my teeth. “You’re going to say what you want regardless.” I shrug, feigning a nonchalance I don’t at all feel.
Preston’s eyes darken. “I leave in two more days. We will talk before then.”
“What’s left to say? You were at the appointment, and you don’t want to sign any paperwork. Hanging around, trying to figure out who is in my life, and what I’m choosing to do with my time off isn’t part of the co-parenting plan.”
“So brave and brazen, aren’t we?”
“No. I’m tired. Flora is constantly resting on my bladder, I’m carrying fifteen extra pounds, and my body is rapidly changing to expand to house her.” I sigh. “I want to get things settled, so I’m prepared to focus all my attention on her.”
“You’re the one keeping that from happening,” Preston says coolly.
I shake my head, saving my breath. “Let’s get inside. Monty looks cold.”
I finish unlocking the door and let James step inside. “Preston, we don’t have anything to talk about unless you change your mind. Because I can promise you, I won’t be changing mine. I hope you have a safe flight home.” Once I move inside, James stares Preston down a
nd closes the door in his face.
James remains at the door. “I don’t like him.”
“I’m not particularly fond of him myself these days.”
“You need to have a plan for the day your words aren’t enough. Bullies don’t stop until they’re made to.” I shift my weight. He isn’t saying anything I haven’t thought of before, but hearing it from a third party is disconcerting.
“I’ll handle it if it comes to that.”
Not if, when.
JAMES
“Hey, bro. I’m glad you could make it out,” Daniel says, clapping my back after I sit beside him at the bar.
“Me too. How was Christmas?”
“Shelly and Jackson had a blast. Laura and I used gratuitous amounts of coffee to stay awake after being up all night assembling items Santa will take credit for.”
I laugh as he rolls his eyes. The three and five-year olds are cute as a button but full of endless amounts of energy.
“Laura says hi, by the way. She practically kicked me out the second I mentioned your name.”
“I feel honored.”
“Don’t. She has some Tupperware party. I think I was cramping her style.”
I shake my head. “Is Mikey joining us?”
“If he can get out of work. They have some new campaign launching, and he’s been burning the midnight oil in the office.”
“Yeah, I remember him mentioning that.” I nod.
“What’s new with you?” Dan asked.
I take a long draw from my bottle of pale ale. “I met somebody.”
Dan leans toward me on his stool. “This is new.”
“Yeah. Faye is amazing, man. She’s an E.R. nurse at St. Ann’s Hospital.”
“How did you meet?”
“That’s the crazy story. Faye’s dog ran away on Christmas Eve. I found him and called the number she left on the poster. She came over, and then a street sweeper took out her car.”
“What in the Rom-Com?” Dan snickers.
“I know. It was a rocky start, literally. She felt bad for crashing my Christmas, and I was trying not to swallow my tongue and drool all over her.”
“She’s pretty, eh?”
“Beautiful, but even more than that, she has a wicked sense of humor.” I smile. “And she’s so damn sweet I could get cavities.”
“She must be something to have you waxing poetic. I mean, you sound like you’re half in love with her.”
I smile sheepishly and nod. “I very well may be. It sounds crazy to say out loud after a couple of months.” We spent the majority of our free time together, and sometimes nights we work. I’ve stood beside her for every late-night craving, foot massage, and new baby development she’s allowed me to be there for. Despite our closeness, she still holds a wariness only time will rid her of.
Dan flashes me a concerned look. “I’m sensing a major but coming.”
“Two, actually.” I sigh. “She’s got an intense, psycho, rich ex-fiancée who can’t accept their break up. And ...” I hesitate, “she’s eight months pregnant.”
Daniel chokes on his beer. I pat his back. “You all right?”
“Not after you swing that on me. You’re going to have to back up and give me some serious context,” Dan croaks.
I explain the situation, and Dan rubs his chin thoughtfully. “You’re in a tough spot. I can tell from the way you talk about her this is already more than physical.”
“Yes, and I know it’s the same for her. She’s just afraid to admit it.”
“Considering her nightmare ex, I can’t blame her,” Dan says.
“I know.” I rub the back of my neck. “She thinks I’m going to leave her when the baby gets here. It’s the last thing I want. I feel like Flora is mine.”
He whistles. “That’s a dangerous thought if the mama bear doesn’t feel the same way, bro.”
“I know.” My chest tightens. “But I can’t help it, not when I’m there watching her grow, seeing Flora develop and caring for her when she allows it.”
“You need to have a serious talk with her, James.”
“I’ve been trying to get the words together in my head. Nothing sounds right.”
“So, go off the cuff and just say what’s in your heart,” Daniel suggests.
“I’m worried I’ll muck it up.”
“James, you’re one of the most sincere and frank people I know. It’s not always easy to hear the truth, but I never doubt it when it comes from you. If she’s letting you get this close to her after everything with the douchebag, it means she trusts you.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “I think you should give yourself more credit.”
“I’m nervous. I can’t remember the last time I was this twisted up over a woman. Maybe when I decided to ask Clare to marry me.” I shake my head, remembering the late-night drinking sessions where I plotted and planned with Dan and Mike there for moral support.
“You were a wreck trying to figure out where and how to ask her.”
“She’d waited so long at that point, I felt like it had to be perfect. It feels silly now considering we didn’t even make it down the aisle.”
“It doesn’t change anything about how the two of you felt.”
“This feels even more intense. We’re talking about choices that’ll impact a child.”
“Yeah. You are. Are you ready for that?”
“I love kids. You know that.”
“I do. But she won’t be yours. You’ll have to deal with her jack ass father, and—”
“I couldn’t care less about any of that, Dan. You should know me better.”
Dan holds up his hand. “I was just playing devil’s advocate. I think any kid would be lucky to have you around in whatever capacity the two of you decide. A child can’t have too much love.”
His words are a puzzle piece that clicks into place. “You’re right. I’m going to stop by tonight. Faye’s working nights, so she’ll be about ready to head in to work.”
“Go. You won’t be much use to me here anyway.” He gestures toward the door of the bar.
“Are you sure?”
“It won’t be the only time I’ve had a few drinks by myself.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“Just keep me posted?”
“You know it.” Finishing my beer, I toss a tip on the counter and rise, making my way through the crowded bar. Singing along to the music, I tap on the steering wheel as I drive the familiar path to the condo. Parking, I hurry to her front door and knock. She opens the door with a frown that turns up quickly.
“James! What are you doing here?”
I cup her face and kiss her, stepping inside and shutting the door behind us with my foot. “I am crazy about you. I like what we have, but I want more. I don’t want to keep things casual. I want everyone to know you’re mine, and I want to be yours, Faye. We can take things as slowly as you need, but I’ve been swallowing the words for too long, and it’s driving me insane. If you feel the same way, please tell me.”
“I-I didn’t dare hope,” she whispers breathlessly. “I’ve wanted more for a while now, but I didn’t want to assume, or ...” She shakes her head.
“I want to be here for you and Flora.” I place my hand over her belly.
Closing her eyes, she smiles. “I want that, too, James. But are you sure? It’s a lot.”
I silence her with my lips, staking my claim. “You are my girls now, and I’m going to be sure you’re taken care of.” Her body melts into mine.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, James.”
“I won’t.” I kiss the crown of her head and feel home for the first time in years.
“ARE YOU OKAY?” I GLANCE down at her.
“Yes, I’m just nervous.”
I smile. “What’s the worst Warren could do?”
She grimaces. “I don’t want to think about it.”
“He’s a regular old cop, not a member of the SWAT team, right?” I say, suddenly nervous.
<
br /> Her silence fills the room.
“Right?”
She laughs, and I scowl. “That was mean.”
“I figured I’d break the ice.”
“I’m not sure you accomplished that.”
Knock, knock. “He’s here.” She pushes herself off the couch and waddles to the door.
I smile, enjoying the sway of her body. It’s her birthday. We’re celebrating with dinner, followed by cake and presents. I know she misses her parents, but their berating and nagging is wearing her down. Firmly sided with Preston, they sing his praises and pick at her every chance they get. I’ve bitten my tongue about it since it wasn’t my place before. Now, as her official boyfriend, it’s only a matter of time before I speak out.
“Warren.” She throws her arms around the waist of the giant with similar shaped and colored eyes.
“Faye! Wow, you look bi—”
“Beautiful,” I interject, shaking my head as I smile.
Faye punches her brother in his stomach playfully, and he hunches over. “Ouch.”
“That wasn’t what you were going to say. Luckily, James saved your ass. James, my brother, Warren, the thoughtful. Warren, my boyfriend, James.”
We both grin like school kids. It feels good to say the labels out loud.
“Nice to meet you.” I stick my hand out for him to shake.
“Likewise. I wasn’t aware the two of you were dating,” Warren says, never taking his eyes off me as he shakes my hand.
“It’s a recent development,” I admit. I can deal with a little interrogation.
“Hmm.”
“Stop.” Faye slaps his arm. “At least get inside and comfortable before you start grilling him.”
“Jeez, Faye. You’re bordering on abusive here.”
“Psh. You can take it.”
“You’re lucky it’s your birthday,” Warren growls more teddy bear than grizzly. “How’s my niece?”
“Growing fast, as you mentioned.”
“I didn’t ...”
She stares at him, and he looks away. “But healthy and on track.”
“She’ll be here before you know it,” Warren says.
“I know.” Her voice wavers.
I squeeze her hand, and Warren places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You got this, baby girl,” Warren says.
