Chapter 15

A loud bangstartles me awake, and I sit up in bed. I look at the empty space next to me and hear Barrett shout, "Keep it down,"from outside my bedroom.

I fall back on the bed and roll over, burying my face in the pillow and inhaling his scent. I don't want to get up and I wish he was still in bed with me.

Last night was perfect. My heart flutters when I think about all the things he said. He went from sweet and soft to a barbarian in an instant. I don't know which I enjoyed more, but luckily, I don't have to pick between the two.

The things he said about getting me pregnant were so dirty but turned me on. My hand goes to my stomach to rest there. Maybe that was just dirty talk… But we didn't do anything to prevent it, so it must have been for real. I debate if I should ask my sister about it, but she'll get overly excited and start making baby registries for us.

Barrett implied he was a virgin, so I don't think I have to worry about catching something. Still, having a baby with someone I'm not even technically dating is freaking crazy. But when I really think about it, what's the worst that could happen? I get pregnant and the two of us don't work out? We can co-parent. I don't think he'd be a bad person to have to do that with, because everyone has said he is a good man to the core.

The thought of not being together hurts because even with the short amount of time we've been together, this feels right.

It's so dark in my room and I roll over and look up at the skylight, but it's gone. I glance over at the clock on the bedside table and see it's a little after ten. I'm shocked I slept so late. Last night with the stars above me was so perfect. Everything we shared was beyond my wildest dreams, but was it all a dream?

When I hear another loud bang, I sit up again wondering what's going on. Barrett yells at someone and then a second later the bedroom door opens. I yank the sheet tight around me and he comes in and closes the door behind him.

I stare at him and I swear he gets hotter every time I look at him. No way was he a virgin before last night. That math doesn't add up.

He smiles at me as he comes over to the bed. "What are you thinking about?"

"Where did the skylight go?" I ask, too embarrassed to tell him what's really going on in my mind.

"Alexa, open skylight." I look up and watch a screen that blends in perfectly with the ceiling retract.

The sun pours into the room and I love it. "Wow." No wonder I was able to sleep so late.

"What were you thinking about?" he asks again as he strokes my cheek. "Tell me."

"Were you really a virgin?" I lick my lips, somewhat embarrassed to bring up what we did last night.

Barrett leans close and smiles. "Yeah," he says before he kisses me.

He tugs the sheet from my body as he pushes me down flat onto the bed. "Why is that so hard to believe? You were, too."

"I'm younger than you," I say between kisses as I wrap my arms around his neck. "Why are you wearing all these clothes?" I pull at his shirt, wanting him naked.

"Lady, we can't right now. There are ten other men in this house."

I ignore him and keep pulling at his shirt. It should be a crime for him to ever wear one. Though I don't want anyone else seeing him without it.

He groans as he leans back and then steps away from the bed. I lie there, my body aching for more.

"I don't want them hearing you, and I think you're still sore." He's breathing heavy and his eyes are hungry as they roam over my naked body.

"I don't care." I sit up.

"I do," he says through gritted teeth. He's fighting with himself, and I have to smother a laugh at how serious he is about this. To be honest, I don't want them to hear us either, but when he's close, all rational thoughts leave my head.

"Does your crew work every day?" I ask, and even I can hear the pout in my voice.

"No, but I knew if I let them come today they could get a lot done. Plus, it would stop me from mauling you all over again. I know you have to be sore after last night."

I shrug, not caring about the twinge I feel between my legs. To be honest, it's nothing compared to what I thought it would be. Barrett was so gentle.

"Wait. Do all those guys know you stayed the night?" I look over at the door.

"I was dressed when they got here, but probably."

I groan and close my eyes, knowing it's going to feel awkward to face them. They'll know we had sex. Then I feel the weight of him come over me as he blankets my body with his.

"People are going to know about us, so you might as well get used to it."

"I'm shy. You know that," I tell him.

"You sure that's the reason?" I search his face and see his own concern there. I never thought about him being insecure, too. I was sure women threw themselves at him.

"This is all new to me. I feel like when I go out there, there's going to be this giant light flashing over me, telling everyone I'm not a virgin anymore." He chuckles. "I know it's ridiculous." I roll my eyes at myself. In truth, they probably won't even notice me at all.

"I promise you, lady, they won't be looking at you if they want to keep their eyes. I already warned them that you're mine."

"Should I be offended you've claimed me like property?" I tease him.

"But you're not."

"No. I'm not." I run my hands up his big chest. I'm more than okay with him claiming me. "Why do you call me lady?" I ask.

"You remind me of a ladybug. All that red hair, and so petite. Also, I think you're good luck. Does it bother you?"

"No, I was just wondering if it was a name for just me."

"I'm not prone to nicknames. Except for my sisters. I usually call them brats." He smiles.

"And what do they call you?"

He shakes his head as gets up from the bed. "Player."

"What?" I say, startled by that.

"It's not what you think," he sighs. "They used to set me up all the time, and my dates always ended horribly. You have no idea how bad they'd go. I went on so many first dates with people they'd force me to go out with they thought I was hopping from woman to woman. It turned into a big joke that I was some player." He shakes his head, clearly not liking the reason for the name. Or at least annoyed with it.

I start laughing. "I know the feeling. I pretty much gave up."

He folds his arms over his chest. "You mean you've given it up after last night, right? You went out with Mark not long ago, and I'm not okay with that." There's a spark of jealousy in his voice, and I like it…probably more than I should.

"Yes, I'm done after last night. Besides, that was kind of a forced date," I admit, but it does nothing to cool the possessive look in his eyes. So I decide to change the subject, or at least distract him.

I get up from the bed, and Barrett makes a show of looking my naked body up and down. I walk towards him and lean up on my tiptoes. "I'm looking forward to our date today." I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my chest into his. The swell of his cock pushes against me as Barrett grips my hips.

"You're making it really hard not to put you on your back and have my way with you."

"That's not the only thing that's hard." I smile at him.

His hand connects with my ass and I let out a yelp. Then I laugh and try to get away.

"Get ready. We have to get out of this house." He kisses me hard and deep before pulling back reluctantly and leaving the room.

I reach up and touch my lips, feeling his kiss linger. I can't keep the smile off my face as I head into the bathroom. I pause when I see my reflection in the mirror and look over my body.

My lips are swollen and my hair is a mess. I turn and laugh when I see a small red mark where Barrett smacked my ass. My pale skin shows everything.

I hop in the shower and hate to wash away the smell of Barrett. But I have a feeling it won't take him long to get it back on me.

When I get out I blow-dry my hair and then put on a little makeup. I go digging through my closet for something to wear, trying to find something easy and cool. It's going to be hot out, so I grab a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. We'll be walking around all day at the fair, so I get my Converse sneakers since they're the most comfortable. When I'm all set, I grab a pair of sunglasses and push them into my hair.

When I'm ready, I open my bedroom door and pause when I see one of the workers standing there. "He's in the kitchen," he tells me.

"Thanks," I say and go downstairs.

When I walk into the kitchen Barrett comes right to me and pulls me into his arms. Then he kisses me right in front of everyone before releasing me and giving me a coffee.

"We need to make a stop by my place, then brunch," he says, but I'm still dizzy from his kiss.

"Mmkay."

"Then to Home Depot," he adds, taking my hand gently in his and walking to the front door.

"Oh my god. We sound like a married couple with these plans," I laugh, sipping my coffee.

"Well, the courthouse is on the way if you'd like to go ahead and do that, too." I wait for him to smirk or show me that he's teasing, but he doesn"t.

"Yeah, sure," I laugh, patting his chest and shaking my head. "Besides, if my sister wasn"t there she'd burn my house to the ground."

"Not if I told her I was working on knocking you up. She'd be too busy making plans for the nursery."

I stare up at him, not sure how to respond to that. Damn it, he's right.

"Come on, lady." He kisses my hand as we walk to the truck. "You'll get used to the idea of it soon enough.