Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

RIPLEY

T he Cougars have a day game today and I'm bringing Kaya for the first time. Quincy is pitching. I'm so excited for her to see her daddy play, even though she won't see much.

It's an especially big day because tonight I'm meeting my brother and sister for the first time. I'm both nervous and thrilled.

I've got Kaya strapped to my chest in a baby carrier. The press doesn't know that Quincy and I have a child. I have no idea how he plans on handling this, but he wanted her to come, and I'm letting him dictate the dialogue.

I'm sitting with Arizona, Kam, Bailey, and Mom as we walk down to our seats just behind the Cougars' dugout. I've missed being at the ballpark. I love it here. The energy in Philly is so much better than it was in Houston. They live for the Cougars.

We're greeted by a small sea of applause. Winning the championship last season has more than ingratiated us with Philly fans. We're asked to pose for pictures and sign autographs by several fans before we finally make our way to our seats.

Layton is in the dugout with the team. He works with the catchers as a part-time coach when he's not working with the Anacondas. He nonetheless takes every opportunity possible to steal a glance at Arizona.

As soon as the Cougars take the field, Quincy's eyes immediately search for us. His genuine smile when he finds us makes my heart melt.

I lift Kaya's little hand to wave at him, and he waves back. Arizona wraps her arm around my shoulders and squeezes me. "You two are going to be okay. I can feel it."

I pinch my lips together. "We'll see."

Kam harumphs, and I turn to her. "What's up?"

She nods toward the screen, which has some sort of Amazon ad running. "Have you ever noticed that the arrow under the Amazon logo looks like a penis?"

My mouth widens. "Oh my god. It totally does. I'll never look at it the same. You've ruined Amazon for me. Every time an Amazon truck goes by, I will only see a penis."

Bailey examines it closely. "You're right, but it's a crooked penis."

Kam nods. "Totally. It's like a boomerwang. I wonder if guys like that have to fuck you from around the corner." She thrusts her hips at a diagonal angle.

We all giggle. Arizona asks, "Have you guys ever had sex with a man who has a crooked penis?"

I smile. "I had one once. Honestly? It felt kind of cool. It rubs differently." I wiggle my eyebrows. "As long as it's in the right spot. I wouldn't want it all the time, but it was a fun change of pace, so to speak."

Naturally, my mother feels the need to chime in. "I've had plenty, and I agree. As long as they know how to use it properly, it's a good time. I don't think I'd buy it for the long run, but an occasional sideways tickle is nice."

Kam giggles. "I love you, Mama June. Our mother is so prim and proper. I'm not sure she's ever had sex. Our family dinners were so boring." She turns to me. "Yours must have been the best."

Mom and I smile at each other. We did have fun dinners together. Our family might have been small, but she was always there, and we did a lot of laughing.

Kam continues, "Our mom was like Kris Kardashian, a true momager. She was a psycho when we were modeling."

Bailey enthusiastically nods. "She was. She's the reason I hate modeling. Speaking of which, what's the latest with you and that lingerie company, Rip?"

"I canceled the second campaign when I found out I was pregnant. They called about giving it another go, but I don't know. My body hasn't recovered fully."

Mom rubs my back. "You look great. I didn't know they called again. You should do it."

I scrunch my nose. "We'll see."

I haven't mentioned it to Quincy. He was pissed as hell last year when I didn't invite him to the set. He'll probably want me to do this. I need to think about whether I'm comfortable with my post-baby body.

Quincy ends up throwing a complete game shutout, his first complete game of the season. He's being interviewed on the field after the game while we wait around.

Arizona is on the field with Layton while they unashamedly grope each other. At some point, Quincy motions for me to join him on the field. He probably wants Kaya.

I walk their way and Quincy smiles at me before turning his head back to the reporter. "The Anacondas' season starts next week. They're going for a second championship. Ripley is the one you should be speaking to, not me."

The reporter eyeballs me curiously, toggling her eyes between the two of us before eventually speaking into her microphone. "Are the rumors that you two have recently started dating true? There have been pictures of you out and about."

Quincy shakes his head. "No, we didn't recently start dating." He's denying that there's something between us. All my fears were warranted. Sadness immediately engulfs me.

I turn to walk away, not wanting to cry on camera, but he pulls me close to him and kisses me softly on the lips before admitting, "We've had an on-and-off relationship for years. This is our daughter, Kaya. And maybe if I stop being a bonehead, this beautiful woman will be mine again. For good." He looks me in the eyes. "These two ladies are my world."

The reporter looks stunned. She can't possibly be more stunned than I am.

Mom and I are on the way back to the house from the ballpark. Quincy has a few team obligations before he returns home, and I'm in a little bit of a rush because of my brother and sister coming over.

I think those comments from him were the final thing I needed to truly let him in.

"Mom, will you keep the monitor in your room tonight?"

She smiles. "Does this mean what I think it means?"

I bite my lip. "Maybe."

"Use protection this time. "

I roll my eyes. "We used protection last time."

"Use better protection."

I choose not to inform her that Quincy came so long and hard that he overflowed the condom. That's the only explanation I can come up with for my pregnancy.

"I had an IUD put back in at my six-week checkup. I should be fine."

"Need me to put a box of condoms in your bathroom again?"

I let out a laugh. "That was so embarrassing. And then you handed one to Jack in front of everyone."

She giggles. "I guess it was a bit much."

"You think?"

We arrive home, and Mom takes Kaya upstairs for a bath and bed so I can quickly shower. I'm so nervous about meeting them.

At exactly the agreed-upon time, I get the signal that someone is at the front gate and press the button to open it for them.

Mom walks down the stairs. "They're here?"

I nod.

"Kaya is asleep. I think the fresh air got to her. Do you want me to stay upstairs or join you?"

I hold my hand for her, and she takes it. "I need you here."

The doorbell rings, and I swallow nervously. I take a breath and then open it. Mom takes one look at them and lets out an audible sob.

I rub her back. "Mom, are you okay?"

She turns her head. "I'm sorry." She looks at the man I assume is my brother. "You look exactly like your father. Maybe a little smaller, but the resemblance is uncanny. I guess you're about the age he was when I knew him."

The man smiles and holds out his hand to me. In French- accented English, he says, "I'm Pierre. This is my…our sister, Colette."

Pierre has red hair. It's a darker shade of red like mine. I assumed my hair color was from my mother, who happens to be a shade lighter than Pierre and me. He also has blue eyes. He's tall, maybe an inch or two taller than me. I still look more like my mom, but Pierre and I clearly resemble each other. It's weird.

I shake his hand and smile. "I'm Ripley. It's nice to meet you."

I turn to Colette and hold out my hand. She has darker hair and eyes. She's much shorter than the rest of us. We don't look alike at all.

She gives me a small smile. Also in heavily French-accented English, she says, "Nice to meet you. May we come inside? It's very hot here."

"I'm sorry, of course. This is a little crazy for me. Please come in." I motion for them to do so.

Colette looks around. "You have a beautiful home."

"It belongs to a friend, but thank you." I motion toward the living room. "Why don't we go in there and get to know each other."

We all walk toward the living room and sit as we exchange a few normal get-to-know-you questions before I ask, "How long have you two known about me?"

Colette answers, "Our mother passed last year. We were going through some of her belongings as well as those of our father. We barely remember him, but it appears as though my mother held onto many of his things."

I feel Mom stiffen next to me and squeeze her hand.

Colette notices but continues, "It was only then, in some paperwork, that we found out our father had another child. We were brought up to revere him, so knowing he had an extramarital affair and a bastard child was devastating to us—"

Pierre warns, "Colette, we've discussed this. It's not Ripley's fault."

Colette gives my mother a death stare, grits her teeth, and nods. "Yes, you are right. I apologize, Ripley."

I'll give her that one small outburst, but if she looks at my mother like that again, I'm going to ask them to leave. "I'm sure it wasn't easy. Go on."

"That's when we learned of your existence."

Just then, the front door opens. Quincy walks in and takes us all in. "I'm sorry I'm late." He holds out his hand. "I'm Quincy Abbott. It's nice to meet you both."

They shake his hand and give their names before he sits down next to me.

Colette asks, "And what is your relationship to Ripley?"

"I'm her husband."

"Ex-husband," I correct.

Quincy mumbles, "For the time being."

I add, "Quincy and I share a daughter."

Pierre gives a genuine smile. "We have a niece? How lovely."

I slowly nod as I just now realize that's the case. "I suppose you do. She's only three months old. She had a long day and is passed out upstairs."

Quincy intertwines his fingers through mine and asks, "What did I miss?"

I answer, "Colette was telling me how they only recently learned of my existence after their mother passed. I'm sorry we got interrupted. Please continue, Colette."

"Very well. It appears as though my father made some provision for you before he passed. I assume my mother had no idea or she would have seen to it that you received the money years ago."

I feel my mother stiffen again. I'm guessing his wife knew but decided to keep the money from me. It doesn't matter now. And it's certainly not their fault.

Colette reaches into her purse. "We'd like to make sure you receive what you're owed." She pulls out some papers and then hands them to me. "I'll need you to sign these, and a check will be issued."

I look down at what appears to be a contract, but it's in French. I do see a dollar figure and gasp. It's about five times what I make in a year.

She continues, "We'd like to get this settled before we return home. Pierre has some business in Philadelphia. We will be here for three more days."

Quincy grabs the papers. "I'll have our attorney look at it, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can."

I shake my head. "Is that really necessary? They came all this way."

Mom grabs my arms. "I think Quincy's right. Just because it's in French, and, frankly, my French is a little rusty at this point. It can't hurt to know what you're signing."

Colette appears annoyed. "Very well." She stands. "We are staying at the Four Seasons downtown. Contact us after you've reviewed everything."

Before I can answer, Quincy does. "We will."

Pierre and Colette sort of abruptly leave. I can't deny that I'm disappointed. This felt like a business meeting, not a reunion of long-lost siblings. I didn't even get the opportunity to ask them if they were married with kids. To ask them anything personal.

As if sensing my thoughts, Quincy rubs my back. "I'm sorry. I doubt that was what you were hoping for tonight. "

I shake my head. "It wasn't."

He pulls me into his arms and whispers into my head, "Not everyone is as genuine and perfect as you. Just one of the many things I love about you."

Mom grabs the monitor. "I'm going to hold onto this tonight. You two sleep…or whatever."

She quickly exits the room and disappears up the steps.

Quincy looks down at me. "What was that about?"

I look up and give him a small smile. "I told her I want you all to myself tonight. No interruptions from the demon princess."

He chuckles before his eyes widen as realization hits. "Really?"

I nod. "Really. Thank you for today."

"You want to have sex with me because I threw a shutout?"

I giggle. "No, you jerk. You went public with our relationship today. It meant a lot to me."

"If I knew that's all it took, I would have done it months ago." He whispers, "Years ago."

I slide my hand down his arm until it rests in his large hand. With a small tug, I say, "Take me to bed."

He looks down at me with concern. "Are you sure? I know meeting them was hard, and the way they handled it can't be easy for you. We can do this another time."

"I'm sure, Quincy. I need your hands on my body tonight."

We walk in silence up the stairs, but when I start to turn into my room, he tugs my hand. "Can we go into my…our room tonight? I know it's not our first time, but it feels like it is. I want to make love to you for the first time in there. I'm hopeful it's the first of many."

I nod and we walk into the giant master suite. I've honestly only been in here a handful of times. It's a beautiful room with an oversized California King bed. The multiple windows overlook the city skyline that we can just make out. It has a fireplace, a sitting area, and even a desk.

There are two giant walk-in closets. He's left one empty. The same goes for the second vanity in the bathroom. He says they're for me if and when I'm ready.

I start toward the bed, but he pulls me into his arms. "Dance with me first."

"There's no music."

He fiddles on his phone and suddenly "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" starts playing.

I smile. "I thought you hated this song and this movie."

"But you love them, and I love you." He gives me his crooked smirk. "Don't ever tell anyone."

I giggle as he pulls my body flush to his as we move to the slow beat. We're silently swaying together for the first half of the song.

His hands move up my sides and back, while mine roam his neck and hair. After giving me a soft kiss, he rubs my face with the backs of his fingers and stares at me with an intensity that's almost too much to bear. I've wanted Quincy Abbott to look at me this way my entire life. I've wished for it countless times, and now it's here.

He then looks pained for a moment before saying, "I have to admit something to you."

A sense of dread washes over me. This is the moment he's going to pull the rug out from under me. Some part of me has been waiting for this, knowing it was coming. The past few months have been too good to be true. Today was too good to be true.

He tilts his head to the side. "You think I'm going to blow things up right now, don't you?"

He steps away, looking hurt.

I blow out a breath. "I'm sorry. I fear you freaking out and taking off. I'm trying to get past it, but your history doesn't help."

He nods in understanding. "I'm trying to be everything you want. Everything you need."

I nod as my voice cracks a bit. "I know you are."

"At some point, you'll have to trust me, trust us, if we're going to have a chance."

"You're right." I fall back into his arms. "Tell me what you were going to say."

He swallows as he pulls me close again. "I was going to admit to you that I haven't kissed another woman since we got married. Barely any since our first night in bed, but zero since we got married."

"I don't understand. You've been with plenty of women."

"But I couldn't bring myself to kiss any of them. It was too intimate. They weren't you. You saved your firsts for me. I saved my kisses for you."

My heart feels like it might explode from this revelation. Tears fill my eyes. I've waited for this moment my whole life. I never truly believed it would come, but it has. I'm not a young girl dreaming anymore. Quincy Abbott, the love of my life, loves me back. He's finally mine.

I bury my face in his neck, taking him in. I can't help the sob that escapes my throat at the enormity of the moment. There's nothing left standing in our way.

I look up into his blue eyes. "Make love to me."

His lips immediately capture mine. Knowing that he's saved his kisses for me makes this one all the more special. Quincy Abbott could kiss anyone in the world he wants, but he's only giving them to me. For years, only me.

We kiss like we've been fighting for this and we're finally crossing that finish line. That's exactly what it is. It's ownership. It's desire. It's love.

We begin moving our hands all over each other, both aching for closeness. With one hand, he grabs onto my hair and the other, my ass, sending waves of pleasure to every part of my body.

My hands can't touch enough of him. He's so hard and manly. Everywhere. Every inch of this beautiful man is perfection.

I can't help but grind against him. One of us moans. I'm not sure who. Maybe it was both of us.

With his hand on the back of my head, he pulls my hair, exposing my neck to him. He scrapes his teeth over my chin and down my neck before licking his way back up.

We feverishly claw at each other's clothes until they're nothing but a pile on the floor. His eyes take me in. There was a time when this made me self-conscious and uncomfortable. I couldn't bear to expose myself to him. That time is long gone because the way he's looking at me right now tells me everything I need to know. He's attracted to me. He wants me. He loves me. I'll never doubt it again.

I can't help but take in his beauty. Pure masculinity oozes from him. He's long all over, from his hands to his feet, from his arms to his legs, to the long, perfect cock of his that reaches so deep inside me.

He stalks at me, forcing me to walk backward toward the bed. I fall back onto the cool, silky sheets as he stands between my legs. His eyes and hands slowly move up my leg, his gaze and touch conveying so much reverence.

He pushes me back until there's room for both of us, but before he positions himself on top of me, he bends and slowly licks through me. My nipples immediately tighten at the sensation. His fingers move up to tweak them while his tongue continues lapping at me.

I love his tongue, and the feeling of his beard between my legs is ecstasy, but I ache for him to fill me. It's been so long since he did, and suddenly, I need it more than I need anything.

As if sensing it, he looks up at me and cups my center. "You're so wet for me. Do you need my cock to fill up this pussy?" He squeezes it harder. "My pussy."

I love the new, sweet Quincy, I really do. But I miss my dirty-talking dream man. Shivers work through my body at his words. He smirks, knowing exactly what it does to me.

He licks his lower lip. "I thought so."

He crawls on the bed and nibbles, licks, and sucks his way up my body.

"Quincy, please. I want you inside me."

He closes his eyes. "You have no idea how many times I've thought of you like this. On our bed. Naked. Spread wide open. Begging for me to fill you again."

"Stop talking about it. Just do it."

He smiles. "So impatient."

"It's been eight months," I whine. "Give me everything."

His hips finally meet mine, nuzzling between my legs. My body begins to tremble in anticipation. But he doesn't enter me. Not yet.

His lips find mine again for a toe-curling kiss. He begins to slide his cock through me but not into me. His long, hard, veiny cock rubs across my most sensitive region. My body involuntarily jerks each time he passes my clit.

He manages to stay in control, all while devouring me with his tongue. I, on the other hand, am losing it.

He works his way to my ear. "I love watching you lose control. I love how much you need it. Need me. I'm going to bury myself so deep inside you, you'll be feeling me for days. Tell me how badly you want my cock."

"So bad. Please. "

I wrap my legs around him and grind my hips. I might come from this. His touch and his words have me so close.

He knows exactly what I need to give me the final push. His hand moves up to my throat. I can feel my eyes flutter.

"Oh god."

"No, it's Quincy."

And then he squeezes my throat, and I come so fucking hard that I practically lose consciousness. Years of longing physically pour out of me.

He's cursing, probably in shock at how hard I'm coming, but I can't make out any words because I'm floating in outer space. I don't know if I screamed or moaned. Probably both. I may have purred for all I know.

He waits until my eyes find their focus again. When they do, he stares into them as he finally begins to enter me. It's not fast and it's not slow, but he keeps moving until he's buried to the hilt. That's a lot of inches inside me. I feel so full.

This time it's him who moans. My stomach muscles clench at the intensity of the feeling of having him inside me again after so long.

He laces his fingers through mine and begins long, deep thrusts. I tilt my hips up, wanting every bit of him I can handle.

It feels different from all the other times we've been together. We've always had great sex, but knowing he loves me is making it so much more intense.

One of his hands moves down and grabs my breast. "These tits. So pink. So full. So perfect." He sucks a nipple into his mouth, and my back arches.

I love the feel of his hard body rubbing against my soft one as his big body pummels into mine.

Before I realize what's happening, he flips us over so I'm on top, but he's sitting up. His movements are slow as he pushes my hair away from my face and mouths, "I love you," before picking up his pace again.

I may be on top, but I'm not controlling this. I wrap my arms and legs around him and enjoy the ride. I roll my hips, but my dominant man is in full control.

He mumbles into my neck, "Can you feel how perfectly we fit together? How deep you can take me? How deep you need me?"

I breathe, "Yes. Only you. Only you can take me there."

That seems to embolden him to take things up yet another notch as he pushes as deep inside me as physically possible, hitting the spot he knows well. The spot that only a man like Quincy Abbott can reach.

His hands are on my hips, gripping me, bruising me. I love it.

I bend my head forward and involuntarily bite the space in between his neck and shoulder. His body spasms.

He grabs my hair with one hand and wraps the other around my neck, pistoning into me at an inhuman pace.

"Oh fuck, I feel you squeezing me. You're about to orgasm. Do you want me to fill you up with my come? To show you who will forever own your body?"

"Yes. I want it. Give it to me."

"Let go. Now!"

Because Quincy Abbott always has and always will control my body, it listens, and I begin to convulse as another giant orgasm works its way through me.

As soon as it does, he gives me four more hard pumps before he groans and spills himself inside me for the first time. On purpose.

He breathlessly falls back, taking me with him. His gorgeous face is covered in sweat. "Holy shit."

I nod into his chest, equally out of breath. "Yep. Let's hope IUDs work better than condoms against your super sperm."

He chuckles. "I'm good either way."

I lift my head. "Are you fucking nuts?"

He smiles. "Now that the can of worms has been opened, I'm a little addicted to it. I want you pregnant with my babies all the time. And I'm not missing a minute of it ever again."

I rest my cheek on his chest, listening to his heart beating hard and fast. "I only let my husbands impregnate me. You're my ex-husband."

He rubs my face and lifts my chin. "Hopefully not for long."

"Relax there, Henry the Eighth."

He smiles. "How many wives did he have?"

"Six, you dope. That's why the musical about his ex-wives is called Six ."

"Hmm. That actually makes a lot of sense."

He squeezes me. "This feels right, doesn't it?"

"I wouldn't have gone here again if it didn't. We have a little girl to consider now."

"I promise I'll never let either of you down again. I will always love and protect you."

I look up at him. "I love you, Quincy. I've loved you every day of my life."

"And you've always shown it to me. Now it's my turn to show it to you."

QUINCY

I wake in the morning with Ripley's naked body pressed to mine. My eyes are closed, but I take in her scent. I want this every morning for the rest of my life, and I'm willing to fight anyone who threatens that, even the shady fuckers who claim to be her siblings. Something is off with those two, and I intend to find out what it is.

I begin kissing her neck. She stirs and turns around in my arms before smiling sleepily. "It wasn't a dream."

"It was sort of a wet dream, wasn't it? You would know better than I would."

She giggles. "It was much better than that."

I nod. "It was. Should we relieve your mom?"

She shakes her head. "Just a little longer. I've waited a lifetime for this."

Because I can't help myself, I move my lips to hers for a kiss, one she immediately deepens. I must be in love because I'd rather have a morning breath kiss from Ripley than a minty fresh one from anyone else.

Before I realize what's happening, my bedroom door flies open. "Hey, vagina face, have you seen Rip…oh my god, this is weird. I mean, I'm happy, but it's still weird. It's also kind of gross."

Ripley moans, "Oh please. How many times have I walked in on you and Layton naked in the morning? Or listened to you and the Energizer Bunny going at it for hours. You deserve a little payback."

Layton pops his head in. "Did I hear my name?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm so thrilled there's a party in my bedroom this morning. Thanks for knocking."

Arizona smiles at me. "Relax, killer. Don't shit your pants over this…at least, not again."

Ripley laughs. She knows the story. The one that never seems to die.

Arizona looks back at Layton. "Ripley was just complaining about your…longevity. "

He turns his head to me. "Are you a two-pump chump, Q?"

Before I can answer, Ripley does. "Definitely not. And even if he were, they'd be very long pumps."

She and Arizona both giggle. What the hell is wrong with these two?

June then walks in holding Kaya.

I sigh. "I don't recall a welcome everyone sign on my bedroom door."

She scrunches her face. "Sorry. Kaya is being a little fussy this morning. I think she wants you guys."

I hold out my hands. "Give me my girl."

June hands her to me, and Kaya immediately proceeds to tug on my beard with the strength of a professional weightlifter.

I scream out in pain.

Arizona laughs hysterically. "Oh my god, even little Kaya hates your beard. Time to shave, ZZ Top."

Ripley shakes her head. "Nope. The beard stays." She smiles. "Don't knock it till you try it. Until you feel it."

Arizona rubs her fingers over Layton's face. "Hmm. Maybe we need to give that a go."

He grabs her ass and kisses her hard. "Do you have any complaints?"

She smiles into his mouth. "Not a single one."

He nods. "That's what I thought."

I grimace. "Take your nauseating PDA downstairs so we can get dressed."

She walks over and grabs Kaya. "I want my niece. I'll feed her while you do your thing."

She winks on her way out. "Take your time."

And we do.