Chapter 65

KNOX

We’ve moved in.

Together.

That’s the broad statement of it all.

Willow and I have become some kind of social media darlings together.

Word spread about her pregnancy and she and I being together.

There’s a lot of buzz about me, signing with Cooper, my future.

Tons of rumors too.

Apparently I’ve signed some monster eight-figure deal with a shoe company that’s now under federal investigation.

Cooper told me to ignore it.

He’s got lawyers on retainer who are going to sue everyone pushing that story and others.

I’m not sure why a hockey player would get a shoe deal… but, hey, the internet and social media is a wild place at times.

Again, all very broad statements for how my life functions right now.

Something as simple as a Puckford Pirates practice now gets national coverage.

Even after practice, as I’m walking toward the locker room, there are now reporters calling out to me, wanting to talk to me. Wanting to ask questions about my life and career. Of course there’s always a question about Willow and the baby.

The story is always the same.

I’m happy at Puckford.

I’m staying until I finish the season and graduate.

Willow is still pregnant.

The baby is healthy.

Coach Damon does a great job protecting me.

The on campus stuff doesn’t bother me all that much.

The way I see it, as long as the people talking to me are those who attend PU - journalism, etc. - then I’ll answer some questions and try to give them something to write so they have the chance to get some exposure and help their career.

Today, I rush off the ice after practice and grab the fastest shower I’ve ever taken.

I let Coach Damon know I’m leaving and he has security escort me out the back.

Believe me, this rock star stuff does not thrill me one bit. I don’t want to hide in the shadows of the athletic facility or be treated differently at all.

But I have to take what I can get.

I get to my car and drive off campus, unbothered.

Hockey never leaves my mind, but it definitely doesn’t take up as much space as it used to. For good reason.

The thought of going home to our apartment still punches me in the gut really hard.

I don’t regret it. I don’t worry about it.

It’s just thinking it, saying it, and living it.

And, look, not living on campus is a big adjustment.

Not being in the mix and the hustle of college life.

But, again, it’s nothing for me personally to really miss.

I did it all before meeting Willow.

She did the same.

Now it’s us. Our life right now. Figuring out way too much while waiting for our baby to arrive. Did we do this backward? Yes. Can we go back in time and change what happened? Nope.

I arrive to our apartment and use my key to unlock the door.

We are mostly settled. Mostly.

There are a few boxes pushed against a random wall that need to be gone through or just put into storage. We are both realizing really fast just how busy life is and will be with a baby. Our little Brianna is still tucked away in Willow’s belly and we are still going nuts at times to make everything work in a day.

Which is probably a good reason why I find Willow on a step ladder in the nursery, attempting to paint.

When I see Willow up on her toes, balancing…

“Willow,” I growl, not even thinking that my sudden voice would scare her.

Of course Willow yelps and throws herself back.

She falls right off the step ladder but I’m there to catch her.

She lands in my arms with a gentle thud and touches her stomach.

“Knox!”

“What are you doing up on a ladder? I can paint, baby. You can’t do stuff like that.”

“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do, Knox.”

Willow grins.

She loves to get on my nerves.

Actually, it’s not even to get on my nerves. She loves to jump and stomp on them.

She knows how to get to me.

And I let her because I secretly love it.

“Are you going to be mad at me for the rest of the day now?” Willow asks.

“Willow, this isn’t a joke. You’re very pregnant. You cannot be-”

“Very pregnant… ouch…”

I growl in my throat.

I’ve learned a trick with Willow that only works for me because it can only happen with me.

I kiss her. That’s the easiest way to shut her up. With love, of course.

My tongue sweeps across her bottom lip.

She forever tastes sweet.

I don’t waste a second as I turn and walk her out of the nursery.

I’m not sure the nursery is the place for what’s about the happen…

I take Willow to our bedroom.

When I place her down on the bed, I observe her perfection.

These moments will never be enough or last long enough.

I may never see her like this again.

I strip her of her pregnancy pants and her panties. She’s worried about herself down there. Her belly makes it so she can’t do certain things. In other words, Willow has a beautiful patch of pubic hair that she isn’t sure of.

I think she looks beautiful.

I drop my shorts and boxers, letting my throbbing cock pop free.

Next my shirt is thrown across the room.

“Knox,” Willow purrs.

“I know, baby,” I say. “I know what you like.”

Willow moves up on the bed toward the pillows and turns so her back is facing me.

This is her favorite position right now.

It’s the most comfortable for her and something about it just hits every spot she needs hit.

I have to admit, it’s really fun on my end because I get to experience her coming really fast and really hard.

Not to mention for me… I get it all.

The feel of her wet, hot pussy clenching against my cock.

My fingertips sliding along soft, warm skin. Following the lines of her body, curves that make me grit my teeth. Curves that will forever be in my memory.

Cupping her breasts. Definitely one at a time now because they are so full. Beautifully engorged. Sometimes her nipples become wet and Willow gets worried about it but it doesn’t bother me at all. She’s perfect. She’s beautiful. She’s the mother of my unborn baby.

I climb onto the bed and nestle up behind her.

My right hand moves up her shirt.

“This isn’t going to work…”

“I agree,” Willow whispers.

I help her take her shirt off.

I twist the clasp of her bra with excitement, as though I’ve never seen her topless before.

Her breasts are heavy.

I cup her right breast and massage.

Willow closes her eyes and groans.

Her hips begin to rock, her body teasing my cock.

I move between her legs and feel her warm desire.

It’s magnetic.

I want. I need.

I take.

I have.

But most of all… I love… oh, do I love Willow…