12. Sadie

As I drive my car down the side street toward Donnie and Ash"s fraternity house, I can't shake off the anxious feeling. "Are you sure he"s the only one home?" I ask Ash, hoping for a reassuring answer.

"Yeah, he is. I promise. The other guys won"t be back until later tonight," he explains.

I shut off the ignition and let out a deep sigh, glancing at the house. It's a large, two-story red brick house with white columns, making it look like it belongs in a different era.

"He"s going to be really happy to see you, Shorty. He"s been moping around since we moved here," Ash says as if he's trying to lift my spirits.

I manage to put on a small smile and lean back against the headrest.

"He misses you," Ash adds softly. "Trust me, this is good for both of you."

"I know," I say in a whisper, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

"Do you..." Ash"s voice is drowned out by a sudden burst of noise in the background. "I"m coming!" he yells before turning his attention back to me. "Hey, Shorty, I gotta go, but do you still have the key?"

"Yes," I respond, my hand instinctively reaching for my pocket to make sure it's still there.

"Okay, cool. He"ll be in the basement. He spends more time down there than anywhere else besides practice."

"Okay, thanks, Ash."

"Anytime. Hey, Shorty?"

"Yeah?"

"I"m so fucking happy you"re here. Really fucking happy."

I smile at his words when he hangs up.

I step out of the car, my heart beating fast with excitement as I gather my belongings and make my way toward the fraternity house. The house is situated in a peaceful neighborhood, not too far from campus, while I live at least twenty-five minutes away.

The front door is a beautiful piece of art, made of dark wood with a brass handle and knocker. Retrieving the key from my pocket, I slide it into the lock and turn it, feeling a slight click as the door unlocks, and slowly push it open. Eminem"s "Till I Collapse" resonates from somewhere in the house. As I step forward, my gaze falls upon a solid brick wall on each side of the entrance to a narrow hallway. On my right, a large living room with high ceilings greets me. The room is adorned with what looks like original dark wood and hardwood floors, giving the space an air of elegance. A comfortable sectional couch faces the fireplace while a flat-screen TV is mounted above it. A cozy loveseat sits against the window on the right, offering a perfect spot to soak in the natural light.

Walking through the room, I pass under an archway that separates the kitchen from the living area. The kitchen looks to be recently remodeled with its beautiful granite countertops and sleek stainless-steel appliances. As I glide my fingers along the island's smooth surface, I can"t help but feel impressed. Considering this house is full of guys, I was half-expecting the opposite. But to my surprise, everything seems to be in order. The countertops are free of dirty dishes, and there isn"t a single beer can or pizza box in sight. The floor sparkles under my feet, and every item is in its designated spot. I can only hope the bathrooms are as tidy as the rest of the house that I've seen so far.

I reach a door hidden around the corner near the pantry. My heart starts beating faster and faster as I near the door. The thrill is almost overwhelming, and my palms are moist. I pause for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. As I push the door open, the sound of weights clanging together fills my ears. Walking down the steps and closing the door behind me, I notice Donnie"s back facing me

As he performs each repetition, his muscles bulge, glistening with sweat. He"s wearing nothing but black gym shorts, his shirt cast off to the side. Completely engrossed in his workout, he"s oblivious to my presence as he moves up and down using the pull-up machine.

I glance around the room and notice the radio on my left near the water cooler. I set my purse down and make my way toward it, turning down the volume. The sudden silence catches his attention, and he stops mid-air, glancing over his shoulder with surprise written all over his face. He lands on his feet and grabs a towel to wipe the sweat off his face before walking toward me. His eyes are fixed on me, and I feel a tingle of excitement as he approaches.

I stare at Donnie"s shining chest, and my heart does a salsa dance in my own, drawn to every drop of sweat. His muscular frame is just so...tight. He has a body of a man and not a nineteen-year-old. I lick my lips and squeeze my thighs together. The pulsing sensation between my legs is a torturous bitch as Donnie stands in front of me like a drug dealer dangling a drug to an addict.

That's what I am.

Addicted to my man.

Mysexy as hell man.

Donnie looks at me with wide eyes. "Shorty? What are you doing here?" He stands there for a moment with his mouth wide open. "Are you real?"

The corner of my mouth twitches upward at his reaction, and I take a few steps toward him. "Surprise," I say, still smiling.

Donnie"s face lights up as he grins from ear to ear like a little boy and rushes toward me. He scoops me up and holds me close. I can feel the warmth from his body.

"Donnie, put me down! You're wet and sticky," I whine, but it comes out as a laugh as I try to wiggle out of his hold. But he doesn"t let go.

"Ugh, gross." I wrinkle my nose, and he lets out a deep, sexy chuckle. I finally manage to break free from his grip, and he sets me down on my feet. "Seriously, Donnie, you smell like a freaking gym locker."

Donnie flashes a lopsided grin and raises an eyebrow. "Interesting. You never complained about it before when we were butt-ass naked," he teases, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I roll my eyes, knowing exactly where this conversation is headed.

I try to create some distance between us because being near him, half-naked and sweaty, gets me all hot and bothered. Being pregnant doesn"t make things any easier. He reaches out and firmly grasps me by my waist, tugging me toward him. Despite my efforts to resist, his grip is strong, and I find myself drawn closer to him against my will. I steady myself by placing my palms on his damp and clammy chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breaths against my skin.

"Babe, you're a long way from home. How long are you planning to stay?" he asks, a sexy grin still in place.

I take a step back to get a better view of his face, carefully observing his reaction. Surprisingly, he lets me go. "I'm not going back home. I live here now."

Donnie"s blue eyes widen, and his mouth opens. His lips part to speak, but he seems almost unable to believe what he hears. "Really?" he asks, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Don"t play with me," he whispers, his eyes fixed on mine, his expression a mix of hope and skepticism.

My heart feels like it's going to leap out of my chest as I gaze into Donnie"s eyes. I know what I am about to tell him will be a big deal for both of us. I give him a soft smile and say, "I"m not. I got accepted to photography school on a full scholarship."

Donnie"s face immediately lights up brighter than a fireworks display as he pulls me closer to him, wrapping his arms around me. His wide grin is infectious. "No. Fucking. Way. This is the best news," he says, his voice filled with tenderness. Donnie leans in and kisses me softly. "I finally got to keep my Shorty," he says against my lips. "And I"ll never miss one moment of your pregnancy."

I hold onto his biceps tightly, my fingers curling around the tautness of his skin that covers the solid muscle beneath. A wave of power radiates through his arm, sending shivers down my spine. His eyes, the color of the deep sea, draw me in like a vortex, and I feel myself getting lost, like a sailor adrift in the ocean.

God, I missed the way he touches me, the way his lips feel against my skin, and how good he feels inside me. But most of all, I just missed him.

"Shorty?" Donnie's voice is thick and gruff.

"Huh?" I ask dumbly.

He smirks and moves his hands down to my hips, giving them a squeeze. "If you keep eye fucking me, I'm not going to be able to stop myself from what I'm about to do.