15. Chapter 15

Chapter fifteen

Grady

“She did what?” Astrid asks through the phone as I shove my last pair of shorts into my duffle bag.

“She fucking kissed me in front of everyone at the game.” I can’t fight the smile spreading across my face, thinking back to how brazen Scottie was in that moment. I heard the women behind us talking, and hell, it’s not like I don’t hear that shit practically everywhere I go in this small town. But the way Scottie reacted to their words is a really clear indication that she feels what I feel— possessiveness —which means we are definitely on the right path to getting her to admit that she has feelings for me.

“So what did you say to her?”

“Nothing.”

My sister grows quiet. “Um, why not?”

“Because I could tell she was freaked out by it, and honestly, I didn’t need to say anything. She fucking kissed me, Astrid. That means she wants me, and that’s all I need to know.”

She wants me, and I’m tired of us both pretending she doesn’t .

“Don’t push too hard, Grady,” my sister cautions. “Just because she kissed you, doesn’t mean she’s ready for more yet.”

“I know, but it means she can’t deny our connection, Astrid. And fuck, I’m tired of denying it too. This trip is the make-or-break point. I need her to open up to me, to give me a shot. We can go slow, but if I don’t at least try to get her to see that she doesn’t need to be scared of me, then I’m going to regret it.”

“God, this is so romantic,” my sister says through the phone. “I feel so invested and really want everything to work out. For both of your sakes, I hope she doesn’t make you wait as long as I did with Penn.”

“Your situation was a little different though too, sis.”

“Yeah, but still, the fear is the same. Make her feel safe, and then she’ll let her guard down.”

“Protecting her and our baby is the only thing I can think about most days.”

“Please promise to call me after your trip and let me know how it goes, okay?”

“I promise. Give Bentley and Lilly a kiss for me.”

“I will. Good luck and be safe, Grady.”

We say our goodbyes and then I end the call, shoving my phone in my pocket before zipping up my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, eager to get to Scottie’s house to pick her up. When I pull into her driveway, I see her outside on the lawn in front of her mother’s house, talking to Lisa and Gigi.

“Good morning, ladies!” I call as I step out of my truck.

Gigi grins at me and Lisa sends a wink my way, but Scottie is standing with her arms wrapped around her body, almost as if she’s trying to comfort herself. But her eyes? They’re dancing appreciatively up and down my body. The weather is supposed to be warm this weekend, so I’m wearing khaki shorts, a navy shirt, and, of course, a baseball cap.

The way Scottie is looking at me right now tells me she likes what she sees, and the feeling is mutual. She has on a light pink sundress that fits snugly at the top but is loose enough around the waist to conceal her growing stomach. For a second, I’m disappointed, but then she uncrosses her arms and the fabric stretches across her bump, revealing the evidence of our growing child.

Mine.

These two are mine and it’s only a matter of time before Scottie accepts it.

“I appreciate you two looking after Chase while I’m gone,” she says to her mom and grandma, turning away from me as I join their circle.

“Of course. Don’t worry about him. We’ll make sure he stays out of trouble.”

“I already threatened him if he tries to pull any type of shit,” Gigi says with an arch of her brow.

“He’d be a fool to double cross you, Gigi,” I say.

“Any man would. Maybe I should share with him what happened to the last man that pissed me off…”

Scottie sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. “As much as we’d love to sit around and let you regale us with tales of your insanity, we have a long drive ahead of us and really should be going.”

Gigi rolls her eyes. “Fine, but you two had better be careful. I can’t handle raising another teenager. I barely survived getting this one through high school,” she says, jutting her thumb at Lisa.

“Oh, I wasn’t that bad,” Lisa protests.

“Do we need to share your crazy antics with the group?” Gigi teases, popping her hip and hand out at the same time.

With a laugh, I say, “I’d love to hear these stories, but another time.” Reaching for Scottie’s hand, I pull her toward her house .

Gigi calls out to us before we get too far, “I’d tell you two to use protection, but it seems kind of redundant now!”

Scottie groans and I stifle my laughter, leading her to her front door. “I can’t even apologize for her anymore.”

“It’s fine,” I say, not wanting to dwell on her family because she and I are the only thing I plan to focus on this weekend. “Are you all packed?”

“Yes. My bags are inside. I just need to use the bathroom and then we can go,” she says, opening the front door and leading the way inside.

“I’ll grab your stuff.”

“And I’m just warning you, Grady,” she says, pulling my attention to her as she rubs her stomach. “This kid likes to eat and put pressure on my bladder, so there might be a few more stops on our journey than you planned.”

“Scottie, I’ll stop a thousand times if you need it, okay?”

Her smile is soft and directed right at me. “Okay.”

I watch her walk down the hallway and then I grab her small suitcase and bag. I head out to my truck to deposit them in the back seat. A few minutes later, Scottie emerges, locking the door behind her. She traipses down the steps over to the passenger side of the truck, where I’m waiting to help her inside.

“I guess chivalry isn’t dead,” she says as I open the door, take her hand in mine, and help her up into the truck.

“Definitely not. But it’s also about the risk of you falling while trying to get in my truck.”

“I’m not a klutz, Grady.”

Brushing her curls from her face, I cup her jaw and direct her gaze to mine. “Didn’t say you were. I’m just taking extra precautions since the last thing I want is for one slip to jeopardize you or our baby, Scottie.” She blinks a few times but doesn’t say anything, so I press a quick kiss to her forehead, shut her door, and then round the hood to hop into my seat. “Seat belts on.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“The daddy kink isn’t one I’m interested in, unless it really does it for you. Then I might reconsider.”

She smacks my shoulder as I back out of the driveway and head for the highway, drawing a laugh from me. And as soon as we get on the open road, my pulse returns to normal, even though the clock just started ticking and I still have a lot of work to do.

***

“Bye, bye, bye!” Scottie sings while doing the famous hand movements that accompany the NSYNC song she’s currently torturing me with. “God, I still know all the words all these years later.”

“I can see that,” I grumble before signaling and switching lanes on the highway.

She cackles beside me as she scrolls through her phone for her next choice of punishment. “Okay, I can take a hint. I honestly haven’t listened to boy bands in years, but I had to torture you a bit just for old times’ sake.”

“Hey, if it makes you and the baby happy, then I can handle it.”

Scottie adjusts herself in her seat, selecting a country station that I appreciate wholeheartedly, and then turning toward me. We’re only an hour into our drive, but already I feel like having her in my passenger seat is the only way I ever want to drive anywhere again. “You know, it doesn’t have to always be about me and the baby, Grady.”

“Yes, it does. ”

“What about you? What do you want?”

I shoot her a glance over my shoulder, a look that says she knows what I want, and that shuts her up instantly. “Exactly.”

She turns back to face forward and then silence stretches through the cab as we cruise along the highway. After about fifteen minutes, she says, “Are we driving all the way to Coal City today?”

“No. We’re gonna stop in St. Paul, Virginia tonight. I have a hotel room booked and we’ll finish the drive in the morning. I’m sure you’ll want to move instead of sitting for the entire eight-hour drive. I figured we’d want to stretch our legs, get some dinner, and relax a bit.”

“I could have made it the entire trip, Grady. I wish you would have asked.”

Yeah, but if I did, then I wouldn’t have had the excuse to take you to dinner tonight and stay in a hotel room with you.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind. I’m just grateful you agreed to come with me. It gives us time to talk, you know?” I’m also drowning in the scent of her perfume that’s embedding itself in the interior of my truck, which means it’s going to smell like her for weeks. And I’m definitely not complaining.

She clears her throat. “Ah, yes. The parenting advice that you wanted. Well, no time like the present. Ask away, Grady.”

I nod, checking the navigation on my dash, making sure I’m not going to miss a turn for a while and then start the first place my mind goes. “Do you want an epidural when you deliver?”

“That’s not about parenting.”

“No, but I still want to know these things. I want to be on the same page going into delivery so we’re not arguing about shit in the hospital and in case something happens, I need to be able to speak for you.”

She lets out a sigh. “I had an epidural with Chase, but I think I might want to try having this one naturally. I guess I’ll know once I get in there and if the pain gets to be too much. It’s been a long time, but I know I’m strong enough to do it without the drugs.”

“I won’t judge you either way. I just want you to be comfortable and safe. You and the baby.” I reach over and place my hand on her stomach, rubbing small circles over our child.

“I felt a kick from the outside the other day,” she says. “That means you might be able to soon.”

“I’m ready for that.” Clearing my throat, I take my hand back and continue asking her questions. “Do you plan on nursing?”

“Yes. I didn’t do it for very long with Chase, but I would like to try this time. If we use formula, I’m okay with that too.”

“Selfishly, I want to be able to feed the baby as well, so whatever you decide I’ll go along with.”

“This is your kid too, Grady.”

“I want my kid to be fed, Scottie. I don’t care what that looks like, honestly.”

“Okay. What else?”

“How do you feel about co-sleeping?”

“Jesus, you really did read all of those books, didn’t you?”

“Yes, Scottie. Now answer the question.”

“How about you tell me what you think about it?” she counters, putting the pressure on me.

“Honestly, I’m a little afraid of rolling over and squishing my kid. I know it can make things easier in the beginning, especially for nursing in the middle of the night, but a bassinet on the side of the bed might be easier and safer.”

“You make it sound like we’ll be sleeping in the same bed, Grady.”

“Do you think I’m going to leave you alone in the beginning, Scottie?” I say, refraining from just telling her that this will happen, she just doesn’t realize it yet. Sadly, I think this woman has forgotten how dedicated I can be to something that’s important to me—and now that’s her.

“I mean…”

“We need to figure out our living situation still,” I say, not letting her finish. “I don’t want to miss out on stuff, and if we were in the same house, it would be much easier for me to be involved.”

“That’s a big decision, Grady,” she replies, her voice shaky.

“I know, but it’s important to me. If there is one thing I want, Scottie, it’s that.”

There. Now I can use her insistence that I have a say to my advantage.

“We don’t have to decide anything now, but I obviously have more room at my place—for you, Chase, and the baby.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she whispers.

Casting a glance at her briefly, I say, “Why? Afraid it would be too hard to resist me then?”

She blinks and then hits me with a reply that tells me tonight could change everything. “Yeah, I think it would.”

***

“Twelve diapers in a day?” I pop a piece of pizza crust in my mouth, trying to rein in my shock.

“Yup.” Scottie points her own crust at me from across the table. “Especially in the beginning. And don’t be surprised if you’re peed and pooped on by your kid. It’s going to happen.”

“How many times can I expect to be woken up in the middle of the night?”

Scottie grins. “You sure you want me to answer that question?”

I wince. “How bad can it get? ”

“Well, there was a three-night stretch where Chase screamed from eleven at night to four in the morning for no reason. I swear, I tried everything to get him to calm down, but nothing worked. I felt like the worst mother on the planet because I couldn’t calm my baby, but it’s very normal for babies in the beginning to cry like that.”

“Where was your ex?”

Scottie scoffs. “Andrew was in our room complaining about how loud the baby was, but never once offered to help soothe him.”

Fury races through my chest. “Don’t take this wrong, but every time you talk about your ex, it makes me want to throat punch him.”

She grins, so at least I know she still doesn’t harbor feelings for the guy. “Believe me, I want to too.”

I feel like the moment to push is here, but at the same time, I don’t want to ruin our night. We pulled in to St. Paul less than an hour ago, and the only options for food around our hotel were barbecue and pizza. Scottie chose pizza, so here we are, sitting in a booth in a mom-and-pop restaurant, talking about parenthood like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

But I want to know more. I need to know why this woman is so hell-bent on keeping me at arm’s length. So, risking turning this evening sour, I decide that now is the opportunity to get her to open up.

“Why did you marry him, Scottie?”

My question catches her off guard. “Excuse me?”

Leaning forward in my seat, I clasp my hands in front of me and look her square in the eye. “From what you’ve told me, the guy was a piece of shit. He didn’t care about you or Chase, so I want to know. Why did you marry him?”

Her eyes bounce back and forth between mine for so long, I think she might run out of the restaurant to avoid answering the question. But then she takes a deep breath, blows it out, and starts talking.

“Andrew and I got married a few months before Chase was born. I did what I thought I was supposed to do—marry the man I was having a kid with and give us a shot at being a family. We were in love, or so I thought, and the last thing I wanted to believe was that my life would amount to nothing because it didn’t go according to my plan. Softball wasn’t an option anymore, so I decided to give all my time and energy to my family. I always wanted kids, I just didn’t think it would happen that soon.” I nod, urging her to continue. “But very soon after our wedding, I realized the man I thought I knew wasn’t him at all. Andrew never was a doting father. He didn’t help or spend a ton of time with Chase. As Chase got older and could play sports, I thought maybe that would change. And it did for a while, but then Andrew started missing practices and games. He would come home late, and many nights I would soothe my crying child to sleep because he missed his dad, wanted his dad there, but he never was.”

She stares down at her lap for a beat until she pops her head up, straightens her spine, and the fierceness I’ve always known her to possess comes back into her eyes. “I was feeling sorry for myself, accepted my fate, until one day, I thought about the example I was setting for my son. I was showing him it was okay to accept less than what he and I both deserved, and that’s when I knew we had to get out. I was teaching but knew I could make more money as an administrator so I pursued that, and while I did, I made plans to leave him.”

My throat grows tighter as I wait for her to continue.

“Andrew controlled our finances, but he didn’t share anything with me, so I started putting my own money aside, and waited until I knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold financial security over my head. He works for a very wealthy law firm down in Georgia and was working on being named the next District Attorney in our county. A divorce would look bad for him, but I didn’t care, especially after the strip club incident. We divorced two years ago, but he continued to hurt Chase. So, we left.”

“How did he react?”

Her gaze drops to the table. “I don’t know.”

My pulse spikes at her response. “What do you mean you don’t know?”

As if on cue, her phone starts vibrating across the table, Andrew’s name flashing on the screen. She lets it go until the call ends and looks back up at me. “Andrew doesn’t know that Chase and I left. At least, he didn’t at first… But I’ve been getting more phone calls from him lately, so I think he may have figured it out.”

“Fuck, Scottie.” I grind my teeth together, feeling as if things make much more sense now, but also that there is even more to figure out. “You took his kid to another state without telling him?”

She tilts her head, and her voice is firm as she says, “The last time Chase saw his father was almost a year ago, Grady. The last time they even spoke was two months before we moved. My son doesn’t deserve that. He deserves someone who values him and is invested in his life.” Sighing, she continues, “If Andrew’s been by the old house, he knows we’re gone, but I refuse to live in fear of what he might do. I’ve spent too long basing my decisions on that man, and I owe Chase a better life than that.”

“Legally though, he still has rights.”

She stiffens, narrowing her eyes. “I’m aware of that, but if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll relinquish them. Chase is old enough to have a say in court, and I have proof of Andrew’s extracurricular activities at the strip clubs that can always come out if need be. ”

“Why didn’t you bring that up when you two divorced? Terminating his rights?”

“Because I wanted to believe he would value what little time he’d get with his son, but I should have known better than to think that even a divorce would change him.”

I take a long sip from my beer, processing all this new information. “Do you think that’s enough to keep him away? Or make him agree to give up his rights?”

“I don’t know, but I was willing to take the risk when we left.”

“Do you think he could be looking for you in Carrington Cove?”

“Maybe, but that would mean leaving his life down in Georgia, and that man cares about no one but himself.”

I brush a hand through my hair, eyes fixed on the woman across from me. “God, Scottie.” My mind is racing with so many thoughts, but the one that prevails is the one I choose to voice. “You’re so fucking strong—do you know that?”

Her brows draw together. “Not sure strong is the word I’d use, Grady. I put up with too much shit for too many years…”

I reach across the table for her hands, clasping them in mine and intertwining our fingers. “But you left. You planned, made sacrifices, and took risks for your son.” Shaking my head, I continue, “You’re exactly the mother Chase needs, and I couldn’t ask for a better mother of my child. You’re fucking amazing.”

Tears form in her eyes. “I don’t feel amazing.”

“How do you feel?” I say, lowering my voice so only she can hear it.

“Scared, Grady. So scared of repeating my mistakes.”

“The only way that happens is if you trust the wrong people.” I take her hand and place it over my heart. “Do you feel like you can trust me?”

She swallows hard, her voice a whisper. “ I want to.”

“I can work with that, Scottie. That means we’re already halfway where we need to be.”

***

“Um, why is there only one bed?” Scottie glances around the room as I bring in the last of our bags. The hotel room is a mix of rustic and modern with finished wood details and iron accents.

And yes, there’s only one bed.

“This was all they had left. Don’t worry, I don’t bite.”

Scottie huffs out a laugh. “Ha. Um, you’re a liar because I’ve been a victim of your biting.”

I glance at her over my shoulder as I hoist her suitcase onto the stand in the corner. “Eager victim, or enthusiastic participant?” Her cheeks flush, confirming what we both already know. “We’re adults, Scottie. We can handle this, right?”

Grumbling, she walks to the bathroom, shutting herself inside as I fight the pleased grin on my face. I take a moment to unpack a few things while Scottie uses the restroom and when she emerges, she stares back at the bed like it’s a volcano preparing to erupt. “I’m gonna take a shower.”

“Okay.” Gesturing to the bed, I say, “I’m gonna see if there’s a movie or show on that we can watch before we call it a night.”

She nods, grabbing a change of clothes from her suitcase and her toiletry bag before heading back to the bathroom. I hear the water turn on and instantly, all I can think about is her naked, covered in soap suds as water cascades down her changing body, wishing I was in there to appreciate it—a body I can’t stop fucking thinking about worshiping and owning again .

“Jesus, Grady,” I mutter to myself, contemplating how the rest of the night is going to play out. After Scottie’s confession in the restaurant, I feel like I’m on high alert. I know her ex has no idea where we’re at right now, but the idea that the man could show up at any time and cause more strife in her life makes me want to take matters into my own hands—not only for Scottie but also for Chase.

That kid has become as much a part of my life as Scottie has in the past month, and when we get back home, I have to do something to make sure I don’t lose them too.

Any man that would let either of them go is a fucking idiot as far as I’m concerned.

They’re mine now though, and that’s all that matters.

I turn on the television, flipping through the channels, hoping there’s something for us to watch that could help Scottie feel more at ease. A rerun of Friends catches my eye, so I stop there, loving that no matter how many times I watch this show, it never gets old. Ironically, the episode on the TV is the one with Rachel’s baby shower, which just seems fitting given our circumstances.

“Just so you know, I know what a Diaper Genie is,” Scottie says, coming out of the bathroom, drying her hair in her towel. “This episode always makes me laugh.”

Fuck, she looks so sexy—no makeup, oversized t-shirt and small shorts that barely peek out from the hem of her shirt. And her nipples—they’re standing at fucking attention, enticing me.

“I’m glad one of us does,” I say, trying to conceal my growing erection as I adjust myself on the bed. But hell, I’m always fucking hard around this woman, so it’s not like I can hide it completely.

“Did I tell you that Astrid offered to throw me a baby shower?”

“No, but that doesn’t surprise me. ”

Scottie removes the towel from her head, hanging it on the hook on the bathroom door, and then moves closer to the bed, reaching for a bottle of lotion she set on the nightstand earlier. She pumps the bottle a few times, places her foot on the edge of the mattress, and then begins rubbing lotion into her smooth skin, all the way up and down those silky legs of hers I just want wrapped around my fucking hips again.

Jesus Christ, this is torture. And it was all my idea. What the fuck was I thinking?

“It almost made me cry, but then again, most things do right now.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I decide I should probably shower so I can jack off before I have to sleep next to this woman all night. If I had it my way, I’d be buried inside of her when I come, and even though I hoped we’d get to that point again eventually, I am not expecting our night to end that way.

“I’m gonna get in the shower,” I announce, standing from the bed and walking over to my suitcase, trying to conceal the bulge in my shorts.

“Okay.”

Taking my change of clothes into the bathroom with me, I turn on the water and wait for it to warm up. I reach for my dick the second I’m under the warm spray.

It’s easy to forget what you’re missing when you haven’t had sex for a long time. And even though Scottie and I slept together almost five months ago now, I still remember every detail of that night. I know what she sounds like, feels like, smells like, and tastes like. And knowing all of those things makes being a gentleman that much fucking harder.

As I pull on my length, I think back to the image of her on my Nova, legs spread, pussy wet, moans leaving her plump lips. That familiar tingle races down my spine as I tighten my grip and move faster over my cock.

“Fuck,” I groan on a whisper as the first spurt of cum hits the shower wall, leaving my body in ribbons that I wish I could see painted on Scottie’s skin instead. When I’m spent, I finish washing my body and then get dressed, feeling a little more at ease before reentering the room.

But as soon as I see Scottie sitting up against the headboard with her shirt rolled up, staring down at her bare stomach, rubbing her bump in soft circles, my dick grows hard again instantly.

Fucking hell .

“Whatcha doing?” I say as I run the towel through my hair, hanging it on top of Scottie’s on the back of the door.

She darts her eyes over to me and they immediately darken when she realizes that I don’t have a shirt on.

Yeah, I might have made that choice on purpose.

“The baby is moving.” She pats the bed, indicating I should join her. When I settle in next to her, she grabs my hand and places it on her stomach where our kid is doing somersaults. “Can you feel it?” A tiny push hits my hand, and I swear, I feel my heart crack open in my chest. “Did you feel that?”

I chuckle as my lips spread into a grin so big it hurts my fucking cheeks. “A little.”

She moves my hand to another spot, and the movement I feel there is more pronounced. “That was a big one,” Scottie says through a laugh.

“Yeah, I felt that one more, for sure.”

Scottie and I sit there for a few minutes, soaking up the miracle growing in her stomach before she says, “You know, I haven’t said thank you to you. ”

“Yeah, you have.”

She shakes her head. “No. Not just for bringing me food I’m craving or rubbing my feet when they hurt…but for this.” She presses my hand into her stomach. “For this child, Grady.”

Fuck. This woman is killing me . “I know it wasn’t planned, Scottie, but I wouldn’t want to have a child with anyone else.”

Our eyes lock on one another as my pulse hammers in my neck. For one second, I contemplate moving closer to her, seeing what she would do if I tried to kiss her, but then she yawns, breaking the moment. “Sorry.”

Clearing my throat, I move my hand from her skin and stand from my spot. “No problem. It’s definitely getting late. We should probably head to bed so we can get on the road early in the morning, right?”

She nods, moving from her spot in the bed, swinging her legs over the side, preparing to stand. “Yeah. I’m tired.”

I give her privacy to do her nighttime routine, and then I enter the bathroom to do the same. The entire room smells like her, imprinting her scent on my brain, making me long to have this smell around for the rest of my life.

When I go back to the main room, Scottie is turned on her side in the bed, facing away from me. I take my spot closest to the door, the side I insisted on having. Scottie didn’t understand my reasoning until I explained that I want to be the first person an intruder encounters, rather than putting her or the baby at risk. She rolled her eyes but went along with it and, honestly, I would have slept on the floor next to her if she hadn’t.

I settle into the bed, lying on my back and staring up at the ceiling as the noises from outside filter through the room, along with Scottie’s light breathing. “Good night, Scottie.”

“Good night, Grady. ”

Silence stretches between us for so long, I think she’s fallen asleep. But then she surprises me when she whispers, “Grady?”

My voice cracks when I answer. “Yeah?”

“Do you mind massaging my lower back, please?” She groans. “I’m in a lot of pain from sitting all day, I think.”

“Fuck, Scottie. I’m sorry.” Rolling over, I scoot closer to her and grip her hips, pulling her toward me.

“It’s not your fault. It’s part of growing a human. My hips always hurt because they’re opening up for the baby.”

Pressing my thumb into her lower back, I start to work out the tightness in her muscles, all the while feeling my dick grow harder in my shorts. But instead of trying to keep Scottie from feeling what she does to me, I move closer, pushing myself into her ass.

“Grady…”

“I’m not going to apologize for what you do to me, Scottie.”

She lets out a long sigh. “Keep touching me.”

“I didn’t plan on stopping.”

Her groans of relief fill the room as I rub and push into her hips and back, relieving the pressure. But when she speaks next, I nearly choke on my saliva.

“Did that offer to help with anything I need still stand?”

My hands freeze. “Anything.”

She rolls onto her back as I pull my hand away from her, staring up at me from the bed. I can barely remember to take in a breath as she bites her bottom lip and says, “I’m so horny, Grady.”

Jesus fucking Christ .

“Don’t ask for something you’re not one-hundred percent positive that you want, Scottie.”

She reaches up and places her hand on my shoulder, moving her palm down my bicep and to my forearm before grabbing my hand and placing it between her legs, where I instantly feel the heat of her pussy. “I want it. I—I need it.”

“Fuck, baby.” I rest my forehead on hers as all of the blood in my body rushes to my cock.

“I’m so on edge, and you said…”

She doesn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because I cover her mouth with mine, my restraint snapping. My pulse fires rapidly as my tongue dances against hers with so much force and passion that I’m afraid I’m going to overwhelm her.

But my hesitation is gone, my need for her is raging, and as soon as she pulls me down to her, I take what she’s offering—for both of us.

“I’m dying here, woman,” I say, grabbing her hand and placing it over my cock that feels like fucking steel at this moment.

“Me too. God, touch me, Grady. Please.”

I kiss her deeper, rubbing her pussy through her shorts as she pushes her pelvis against my hand. “I want to do everything to you, Scottie. You have no idea how hard it’s been not touching you like this again.”

“Yes. I want it all. Fuck me. Own me.” Her breaths are erratic. “Touch me everywhere. Make me come until I lose count.”

Breaking our kiss, I push up from the bed and sit against the headboard, much like she was earlier. “Come here.” I gesture for her to sit between my legs as my cock tries to climb out of my shorts, but he’ll get his turn. First, I’m going to make this woman come all over my hand. Then my mouth. And then my cock. And then we’re going to do it all over again.

“Take your shorts and underwear off.” With her lip between her teeth, she stares at me while I watch her undress, ripping her shirt over her head as well, and then she crawls over to me, twisting around too soon because the sight of her tits and her swollen belly with my child is enough to make me come already .

“God, you’re so sexy like this. Carrying my baby,” I whisper in her ear as I reach around her, encasing her in my arms before cupping her breasts. The moan that leaves her lips is like a symphony only made for me. I twist and pinch her nipples softly at first, getting a feel for what she can handle. “Like that?”

“Harder.”

Increasing the pressure, I tweak and turn her nipples in my fingers, feeling my cock twitch between us. Her breasts have definitely grown since the last time we were together, and I can’t wait to show her how much I appreciate that change, how much I appreciate her body and how it’s transformed as she grows my child.

“Yes,” she mewls as her head falls back to my shoulder and her legs widen.

“How wet are you, Scottie?”

“Soaked, Grady. God, I need your fingers. Please touch me. Make me come until I can’t breathe.”

I dip my hand down over her stomach, stopping to appreciate that curve, and then travel down to her slit, dragging my index finger through her wetness. And she’s right—she’s fucking drenched.

“So greedy.” I circle her clit softly with the tip of my finger. “You need this, don’t you?”

“You have no idea how badly.” Her nails dig into my forearm as I work her up slowly, but by the way she’s already struggling to breathe, I’d say she’s primed and ready to come.

“Tell me you’re tired of fighting this,” I say, stopping all of my movements as she tenses in my arms.

“What?”

I turn her head to face me with my hand that was just on her breast as my hand between her legs stays poised right at her clit. Looking into her eyes, I say, “Tell me that you’re tired of fighting our connection, Scottie, and I’ll make you come all fucking night.”

Her eyes widen just slightly, but then she reaches up, drags her nails through the scruff on my jaw, and says, “I’m tired, Grady. I want you and I—I need you. I’m just…”

I place my finger over her lips to stop her. “That’s all I needed to hear. The rest we can figure out later.” Without missing a beat, I capture her lips with mine, kissing her hard as my finger goes back to working her over. I bring both of my hands between her legs now, pulling hers over my knees so she’s completely exposed to me. The fingers of one hand slide right into her tight heat as my other hand puts more pressure on her clit.

“Oh God. Yes, right there…”

“Are you gonna come for me, Scottie?”

“Yes!”

I rub deeply inside of her, finding her G-spot and putting pressure there as wetness floods my hand. “Fucking squirt for me, Scottie. Let me see it and feel it.”

With a few more strokes, she detonates, drenching the bed beneath her, covering my hand in her orgasm and convulsing in my arms as she struggles to breathe, but I don’t let up.

“Grady…Grady, I can’t,” she breathes out as I keep playing with her, knowing that she’s sensitive, but I don’t stop.

“Yes, you can, baby. I’m not even close to being done yet.” My hands keep moving, stroking her deeply, circling her clit until she comes once more, breathless and panting but satisfied, just the way she deserves to be.

With a press of my lips to her temple, I help her off me, spinning her so she’s flat on the bed. I stand up, push my shorts and underwear down, stroking myself as Scottie watches me, licking her lips as her eyes drop down to my cock.

“He’s all yours, baby. But first, you’re going to get my tongue because tasting you the first time made me realize that I have a new drug of choice…and that’s your pussy, Scottie.”

Her lips curl in a delighted grin as I climb on the bed again, situating myself between her legs, dipping my head to her pussy and lapping up her releases that I worked for. “So fucking good.”

Her hands bury in my hair. “God, Grady...yes!” She fucks my mouth as I eat her out, grinding herself on my face. “More. Please, more!”

I push two fingers inside her as my tongue explores her cunt, licking her clit, spearing her opening in tandem with my fingers, and building her up again like a man fucking starved.

For the past five months, I’ve been fasting, waiting for the perfect time to fuel my body with what it needs—and that’s Scottie.

I reach up and play with her nipple with my free hand as my tongue continues to tease and torture her between her legs. Her pussy tightens around my fingers, and that’s when I know she’s about to explode again.

“That’s it, baby. Give it to me,” I mumble against her, and a few moments later, she’s screaming, letting everyone know how good I’m making her feel, soaking my hand and making me hard as stone.

And I don’t give a shit who hears.

“Fuck,” she groans as I crawl up her body, pressing a kiss to her stomach, nervous about how rough I can be with her in her state, but trying not to focus on anything but what makes her feel good.

I lap at her nipples on my ascent, kissing and groping her breasts, giving them the attention they deserve—because in a few months, these won’t belong to me anymore. And I want my fill before that happens.

“Grady…”

“Yeah, Scottie?”

“I need your cock.”

Chuckling, I reply around her nipple. “I’m going to give it to you, dirty girl.” She groans, turning her head to the side as I hold myself above her face. “Look at me, Scottie.” I wait for her to turn back to face me, and when she does, I reach for my dick and drag it up and down her slit. “I want to memorize the way you look as I stuff you full of me.” Gently, I press into her, letting her adjust to my thickness. Her back arches off the bed as she lets out a sigh of contentment, but our eyes are still connected as I work myself inside her, trying to keep my composure because feeling her bare, knowing that we don’t have to worry about protection this time, is blowing my fucking mind.

“Fucking hell, Scottie.”

“I’m not going to break, Grady. Fuck me, please.”

I lean back on my heels, holding her legs open wide as I watch my cock disappear inside her, my length coated in her wetness, her pink flesh pulling and sucking me in as I pick up my pace. Her breasts jiggle and bounce with each of my thrusts, but when our eyes meet, I know that this woman has made my life complete, and fucking her for the rest of my days is the only thing that I want.

“You’re dripping, Scottie.” My dick glistens in the dark as I keep sliding in and out of her.

“It’s so good...”

Keeping myself propped up on my hands, I hover over her face, lowering my lips to hers, kissing her and connecting with her, taking in every moment, every thrust, every moan that leaves her lips. My cock grows harder, that tingle in my spine warning me that I’m not going to last much longer if we keep this up, so I slow down and wait for Scottie’s eyes to pop open before I say, “I want you to ride me, baby.”

She nods in agreement, and after we shift around on the bed, I watch her slide down my cock again, getting a front row seat to this woman in all of her exquisite glory.

I never knew the sight of a pregnant woman could make me go fucking insane, but I think it’s because it’s Scottie, and she’s carrying my baby that I feel like I can’t get enough.

She lifts her hands and buries them in her hair as she swirls her hips over me, rubbing her clit against my pelvis while hitting that spot inside of her that I know will set her off.

“That’s it, Scottie. Fuck that cock until you come. Break for me.”

Her breathing picks up speed. “I’m almost there.”

Pushing myself up, I hold her to my chest and latch onto her nipple with my mouth, sucking and nibbling while I tweak the other one, giving her every sensation that I know she loves, that I know she needs, so that when she finds her climax, I can let go with her.

Her hips move up and down, her stomach rubs against my chest, I pull her mouth to mine, and seconds later she screams against my lips, taking me over the edge with her. White hot pleasure sears my limbs, makes me dizzy, and leaves me breathless as we both come down from the high of being with each other again.

Slowly, still encasing her in my arms, I lower us to the bed so we’re both lying on our sides. After we gain control of our breathing, I open my eyes to find Scottie staring at me, the wheels in her mind clearly spinning.

“Don’t freak out, Scottie,” I say, cupping the side of her face that’s slick with sweat.

“I’m not.”

“Are you sure?” Stroking her back, I wait for her to respond .

“Yeah. It’s just…”

“What, Scottie? What are you thinking?”

She pauses but then says, “I’m just wondering how soon until we can do that again.”

It takes a second for her words to register, but when they do, I tip my head back and let out a laugh that runs through my entire body. “Jesus, woman. Can I get a minute to recover, please? I’m not that young anymore.”

Giggling, she pushes my hair from my face. “Don’t take too long, Grady. My body is wound up tight and it seems your cock is the only thing that can cure that.”

Rolling over her once more, careful not to crush her beneath me, I stare down into her eyes and say, “Good thing you’re finally admitting that. Now buckle up because it looks like sleep isn’t in your future tonight. We have lost time to make up for, and I’m taking advantage of every second.”

***

“That’s it. Squeeze my cock, Scottie.” I’m sitting on the corner of the bed, and Scottie is riding me, facing away from me so her back is to my chest. With my hand between her legs, I find her clit and make slow circles around the nub as she moves up and down. “Go slow, Scottie. Feel every inch.”

“You’re so thick,” she moans, wrapping an arm around the back of my neck as her hips roll and glide in a rhythm that is making my legs shake. “God, I needed this.”

“Fuck yes. Jesus, I want to bend you over and fuck you so hard.”

“Please…”

Knowing she wants that too, I lift her off me and spin us around, pushing her down so her torso is on the bed now. She props herself up on her forearms, glancing back at me as I drag my crown through her slit.

“Don’t tease me.”

I give her ass a little slap. “Patience.”

“I need to come,” she whines, dropping her head to the comforter.

Sliding back inside of her slowly, she lets out an erotic moan when I push all the way in, bottoming out and circling my hips before drawing back out and repeating the process.

“Yes…oh, fuck!”

I must have hit the magic spot because she’s coming quickly, shaking and screaming into the mattress as I stroke her deep and hard, waiting for her to reach the end of her orgasm before I let myself take my own.

When the last drop leaves my body, I collapse onto the bed next to her, my hand covering my chest as I regain my composure. This is the third time we’ve had sex tonight, and as much as I want to keep going, I know we need to rest too.

I roll over and pull her into my chest, kissing her shoulder and running my hand over her stomach while she faces away from me. “You okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You sure I didn’t hurt you?”

She glances over her shoulder to look at me. “No, Grady. You took care of me and gave me exactly what I needed.”

I rest my forehead on her shoulder now. “Fuck, I needed it too.” The yawn that leaves her lips makes me laugh. “I think it’s time we sleep though, Scottie.”

“Fine. ”

After we both use the bathroom and put our clothes back on, Scottie turns on her side again, but this time I pull her closer to me, breathing her in as we drift off.

“What happens now, Grady?” she whispers as sleep overtakes us both.

“Now we sleep, Scottie. The rest can wait.”