Conflicted Love (Needle's Kiss) (7 page)

Something occurred to me once I’d finished showing my appreciation for said perfect tits. “You know, they have to come out soon?” I asked flicking my tongue against the metal in her nipple.

“What?” she replied on a small moan sounding distracted.

“The rings. They have to come out soon. You want me to do that for you?” I was all for playing with her boobs. The fact they were bigger than when I had pierced them wasn’t lost on me.

Thinking back to that day had me smiling with satisfaction. Teeny had come in to the parlor to have them done. I hadn’t wanted to do it. Just the thought of her exposing her goods in the back room of the shop had me rock hard. Scar had given me shit about Teeny, and at the time, I had known it was a bad idea. But once she’d stripped thinking she had one up on me when I’d blushed…needless to say I’d firmly put her in her place.

“Quit playin’ with me, Princess,” I warned her. Her answering smirk told me I was warning her in vain.

“Oh, I’d love to play with you, Trip. I hear you know how to take a girl on the ride of her life.” Reaching forward she brushed her tiny hand over the prominent bulge in the front of my pants. Moving fast, I kissed her hard leaving her stunned silent. I took advantage pushing my hand down the front of her jeans, flicking, tweaking and sliding my fingers into her amazingly tight pussy
.

I’d made her come hard while I pierced those pretty pink buds. She’d been blushing like a schoolgirl once we were done, and one thing was for sure, never had I looked at that table the same. Every time I walked into the piercing room, all I saw was Teeny and the way she had fallen apart at my hands and whispers of all the dirty things I could do to her. Afterward, she’d gotten dressed and made a hasty exit while I walked around for the rest of the day with blue balls and a smile as big as my boner had been.

“Mmm if you keep that going, you can do whatever you like.” My still semi-hard dick jumped at the sound of her husky voice and just-fucked expression.

“You’ll have to stop grinding your hips if you want me to take ‘em out, baby. I can’t concentrate when you do that.” On top of grinding, she started to breathe heavily again. Her hooded eyes made contact with mine. She smirked and clenched around me taking me from half-mast to full-sail all over again.

Teeny

Opening my eyes, I took in my surroundings; a very warm very hard body was pressed to my back, his hand wrapped around me cupping my deliciously sore lady bits. Last night hadn’t been planned, but the moment he touched me, my entire body lit up. Damn freaking hormones were wreaking havoc on me. One minute I was crying about pickles, the next I was begging to be stuffed with one. Speaking of pickles, I needed some; I hadn’t managed to get my fill. I was torn between shifting my hips onto the one poking me in the back, or the jar Trip had shoved in the fridge after screwing me senseless on the kitchen floor. Warm breath on my neck sent goose bumps across my naked flesh. Trip’s fingers twitched against me causing a small moan to escape my lips.

I’d spent weeks fighting off his sweet talk and bullshit gestures, but maybe, just maybe, he could be good. If nothing else, I would get amazing sex from it. Hope poked its ugly head out and looked around the room smiling at me with its beady little eyes.

“Mornin’, Princess.” Trip’s husky morning voice shot a bolt of pleasure straight to my crotch as he slipped a finger inside me and left tiny wet kisses along the back of my neck.

Then it happened, my morning reminder. Ripping the sheet back, I jumped from the bed and bolted for the bathroom making it just in time to lose last night’s midnight snack.

“Shit,” I heard mumbled behind me as I continued to dry heave. My hair was pulled up into a holder and the tap behind me was turned on before a wet washcloth was draped over my neck.

“Go-way,” I grumbled between gags. I was more than a little mortified that he was in the bathroom while I sat naked on the floor and retching.

“This happen often?” he asked in a gruff voice while loading up my toothbrush.

“Yes,” I reluctantly admitted, “every morning and most nights.” My stomach rolled again but didn’t bring anything up this time. Without another word, Trip handed my toothbrush over and helped me up off the floor. With an odd, pensive look on his face, he turned on the shower and left the barely big enough room. He shut the door hard enough that the flimsy beat-up vanity rattled.

I stepped into the tiny shower and attempted to let the water wash away the stress and embarrassment that weighed down my shoulders. I didn’t want anybody to see me weak, let alone Trip, yet that was exactly how I was feeling. I needed to be the strong girl I usually was. Not only had I called him while crying, I’d then gone and thrown myself at him like a nymphomaniac. Stepping out of the shower, I rationalized my situation. I had to be clear with him; this wasn’t going anywhere and it never would. We would share a child and that alone would give us a kind of bond, but that’s where it would stay. No more of this weak, helpless teary crap, I was turning into a hot and cold bitch and it was getting on my nerves.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I decided it was time to call a truce with Trip. He might be a cocky ass and a notorious ladies’ man, but he was trying to be helpful and responsible, even if it was just for the baby and most likely wouldn’t last. I needed to pull up my big-girl panties and meet him halfway.

My steps faltered when I caught a glimpse of Trip leaning his backside against the kitchen counter, legs stretched out, ankles crossed, barefoot and a pair of black jeans slung low on his hips. It took a moment to realize he didn’t look too happy. I didn’t quite understand why; I hadn’t done anything to piss him off yet. Unless, it was the fact he hadn’t gotten morning glory on account of my stomach. I could feel the anger radiating off him. His usually bright blue eyes were a stormy grey. I took a tiny step back when he moved his arms up and crossed them over his naked chest. I’d only seen him this mad once before; the moment he’d learned I was pregnant.

“This shit stops today,” he barked out. Oh good, we were on the same page, I thought to myself despite his harsh tone.

“Thanks for last night. I didn’t mean to come on to you like that, but I’m glad you didn’t get the wrong idea about us.” I told him, a mixture of relief and a little sad, that I was going back to my
special toy drawer
; the real thing was always better.

If at all possible, his expression turned even more murderous. “I’m not even touching that comment right now.” Huh? I was thoroughly confused. What was he—

Cutting off my thoughts, his ground out words completely threw me, “You need to cut back on work. You shouldn’t be working while you’re this sick.”

“Excuse me?” I asked completely dumbfounded. My confusion fell away, replaced immediately by annoyance. Like hell he was telling me what I could or couldn’t do.

“You’re too fucking sick. You need money, you come to me and don't even get me started on that shit-box car. What if you have an accident or it breaks down?” Pushing off the bench, he took a step toward me filling the room with his fury.

“I suggest you shut the fuck up before I really lose my shit, asshole.”

“I’m buying you a new car today. It’ll be here before you leave for work.” Oh hell no! I felt the last of my restraint snap like a rubber band. The need to defend my piece-of-shit car kicked in. He might be right, but it was about all I had left.

“The fuck you will! I don’t need your charity. My car will do just fine, thank you very much,” I snarled at his alpha attitude.

“How you gonna get to work if it blows up? It’s my kid which makes it my responsibility,” he barked out. I was heading quickly toward furious when he pushed me right over the edge. “You need to get out of this piss-ant apartment. It’s no place to raise a kid, especially not my kid.”

“You think I don’t know my life isn’t ideal for a baby? You think I don’t see this! I’m not a fucking idiot. Getting to work doesn’t matter because I don’t have a damn job anymore. The apartment will do until I find something else, which is none of your business. I don’t need the added stress of you and your crap, so take your concern and shove it far up your ass!” I screamed, the blood roaring in my ears and my breath coming fast. I’d gotten so mad I’d let slip that I’d been fired. I didn’t want him to know. I wanted to find a new job and just pretend it hadn’t happened.

“You lost your job? Were you even going to tell me?” he growled in a truly menacing voice. I had no idea if it was meant to intimidate, but not this woman. Fuck no.

Clenching my fists around my towel, I glared at him daring him to challenge me some more. “Like I said, it isn’t your business. Now get the fuck out!” I snapped pointing at the door.

Moving past me, he stopped suddenly leaning into my face and sneered, “We aren’t done here. I have plenty more to say when I’m not late for work.”

Before I could curse him out or punch him in the jaw, he turned and stormed out the front door slamming it hard behind him. Quickly snapping back to reality, I paced the living room. I was so angry I couldn’t think straight.

I stomped down the short hallway determined to calm down and start my day over again. Grabbing my clothes, I quickly dressed myself and padded into the bathroom forgetting about the tiny tear in the linoleum. My foot caught and I ripped forward. Before I could right myself or even throw my hands out to break my fall, my stomach slammed into the corner of the vanity. My body rigid and my mouth forming an O, I cried out as a sharp pain ripped through my belly.

Attempting to right myself, I waited for the pain to subside.

But it didn’t.

After a full minute it became very clear I was in trouble.

My very first thought as I reached for my cell was on my baby.
Oh God! God, no. Please! Not the baby.

Trip

After a quick stop at home to shower, change and swap the truck over for my Harley, I pulled into work spying Scarlett’s Cobra in its usual parking spot. Hopefully, she’d not give me shit about being late. I was in no mood to deal with it this morning. Why couldn’t she see I was just trying to do what was right? I was helping her. She had lost her job; she lived in a rundown apartment and her car should have been set fire to years ago. She was so damn stubborn. I had not meant to get so angry, but seeing her sick like that and dealing with it quietly on her own with nobody to take care of her, just pissed me right off. She should have asked me for help, or at least told me she’d been having a hard time.

Walking quickly through the parlor with my head down, I made my way to my station and set up for the day. My first appointment was already in the waiting room so I had to get my shit together.

I was still stewing on the shit-storm that had gone down hours later, cleaning up after the client who’d just left. I snapped off my gloves throwing them in the trash when Scar came running in the room looking panicked. “You have to go.” She rushed out clutching her cell to her chest.

“What? What are you on about?” I asked, confused by her words.

“It’s Teeny!” She took a deep shuddering breath “You have to go, now.” My stomach dropped and my ears pricked.

“Slow down. What’s going on?” A cold sweat broke out across my face.

“It’s the baby. Teeny and the baby. She’s hurt,” Scar cried.

Jumping up, I knocked over the tray of instruments and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Hurt, how? Scar, tell me what you know?” I begged giving her a small shake.

Snapping out of her panic, she locked her teary eyes with mine. “She fell. You need to get to St Joseph’s hospital. Now.”

Without a second thought, I was out the door and driving way over the speed limit rushing to get to the emergency room. I just had no idea what I would find when I got there.

“Which room?” I yelled toward the group of nurses. My nerves were shot and I was out of breath. I’d almost been carted off by security trying to get into the ward. I actually had to tell them I was her husband just to get past the big white doors. A woman in a white coat approached me carefully. “I might be able to help you. Who are you looking for?” she asked in a placating voice.

“My—my wi—my Teeny. She fell and…the baby. My baby. She has my baby.” I stuttered. My stomach in knots, I looked around feeling completely useless and utterly terrified.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Please follow me,” she said quietly turning and walking ahead of me.
Sorry?
She was
sorry
… My mind immediately went into overdrive thinking the worst had happened as we approached a room toward the end of the hall. “She’s just resting now. I’ll be back in about ten minutes to check on her and answer any questions you might have.”

Nodding, I pushed into the darkened room; the only light was streaming in through a crack in the curtains. With quick purposeful strides, I made it to her bed. Teeny glanced up at me and did a double take. “What—what are you doing here?” she asked honestly confused. “Scarlett,” she snapped accusingly as the pieces clicked together. My heart was still pounding behind my ribs as I ran my eyes over her.

Looking between her stomach and face, I seemed to have lost all ability to speak. Ice-cold fear gripped me; the thought that we might have lost our unborn baby had me feeling like I was standing on broken glass. It must have been written clear across my face because Teeny grabbed my large inked hand in her tiny soft one and whispered, “The baby’s fine. Everything is fine. It’s okay, Trip.” The breath I didn’t know I’d been holding rushed from my burning lungs and my shoulders lost most of their tension.

Something snapped inside me. I had been so damn scared she was hurt. I hadn’t stopped to think about the fact it wasn’t just the baby I was scared for. A squeak left her lips as mine unexpectedly crashed down on her mouth. Cupping her pretty face in my hands, I put everything I was, everything I had, and everything I wanted to be into that one kiss.

Pulling back, I stared into her surprised eyes and spoke thickly, “You scared the shit outta me. Don’t ever do that again. Never.” Taking a deep breath, I tried steadying my frayed nerves. “Damn, Princess. What the hell happened?”

She gave me a quick rundown of how things had gone after I left, up to the point I’d arrived. The sick feeling in the pit of my stomach still hadn’t lessened any at the thought of how badly the whole thing could have ended. I couldn’t even take pride in the fact my point had been proven; she needed somebody to take care of her.

“What happens now?” I asked. “They’ve checked you out properly, right?”

“Yeah. I just have to wait for the doctor to look me over once more before I can go home.”
Home?
I glared down at her wondering how I was going to make sure she wasn’t left on her own. Maybe I could call on the girls and Ma to help me out, drop in and make sure she was okay when I couldn’t.

The sound of the door opening interrupted my moment. In walked the lady doctor who’d helped me in the hall, pushing an ultrasound machine.

“Okay, we’ll just have a little look at bub to see everything is okay, and then I’ll do a quick exam”

Once again, I was completely blown away by the grainy images on the screen. The tiny flicker of a beating heart absolutely absorbed me.

“Everything looks perfect. There’s no problems there. Do we want to know the sex of your baby while you’re here?” The doctor looked at us waiting on an answer. “You’re eighteen weeks now and we usually like to wait until twenty weeks, but seeing as this is the last opportunity to see, I figured I’d ask.”

“Oh, can we?” Teeny piped up looking from me to the doctor asking for clarification from her and permission from me. She was including me, unknowingly so, but the gesture was more than a little wanted.

“Have at it,” I smiled looking back up at the screen in awe; unlike last time, the baby wasn’t a jellybean. Our kid had hands and feet, a nose and ears. It was amazing and completely breathtaking. A lump rose up in my throat as I stared in wonder at its tiny form.

“Ohh, damn. Stubborn little thing.” Teeny’s laughing voice drew me back to the present.

“What?” I asked shaking the fog from my head.

“Your little one has its legs crossed. No chance of finding the sex out before birth. Sorry guys.” The doctor turned the machine off as she spoke and cleaned the goop off Teeny’s belly.

“I’ll be back in a few moments, and if everything is okay with the last lot of blood tests, you can go home,” Doctor Wood explained once she had finished poking and prodding Teen’s belly.

“You’re sure?” I pressed, still not quite convinced.

“With a small smile, the doctor turned to me. “Teeny and the baby are fine. They were both very lucky.” She patted me on the shoulder with a small laugh on her way out the door leaving us alone in the quiet room.

Rather than standing around fidgeting, I busied myself trying to be useful. “Here, drink some more of this.” I pushed the cup toward her face again.

“I don’t want anymore,” she snapped, clearly annoyed by my efforts. “Stop coddling me “

‘I’m not coddling. I’m being helpful,” I argued with a pout.

“You’re coddling me and it’s annoying. I told you I’m fine. The doctor told you I was fine. The baby and I are fine. Stop, please,” she chided.

“You fell,” I pointed out.

“Yes I did, but both the baby and I are fine.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the doctor move back into the room and sit on a stool at the end of the bed. “What is she—“

Lifting the sheet up to Teeny’s knees, the doctor pulled her tray table a little closer and reached for a small tube. She sat closer down between her legs. My brows furrowed.

Was
she?

“Are you supposed to do that? Down there, I mean. Is that safe? I don’t think you should be putting anything up there. There’s already something up there. I mean, don’t break it or anything. I need that.” This chick was makin’ me nervous.

Shifting from one foot to the other, I leaned forward to do fuck knows what. When Teeny wrapped her hand around my arm, she hissed “Move any further down that way and I will
break
you”.

My brows bunched but I decided to heed her warning. She sounded pretty serious and the mean look on her face was enough to have anyone backtracking.

While she was down the business end, Doctor Wood asked, "How many times a week do you have sexual intercourse"

My face lit up. I answered quickly figuring Teen wouldn’t want to talk with a chick’s hand up her snatch. “A lot! Probably, umm, twenty,” I nodded my head, crossed my arms and puffed my chest out. Teeny made a gurgling sound biting down on her lip and trying not to laugh at my elaborate lie. “Yeah, about twenty times a week. That sounds about right, doesn’t it?”

Shaking her head with a smile, the doctor then asked, "What do you do?”

I pondered for half a second and answered, “Well, sometimes she's on top and sometimes I'm on top, or I take her from behind.” I thought it had some bearing on the baby being okay and all that.

Laughing and shaking her head, she clarified, "No dear, I meant what does she do for a living?”

“What’s that got to do with anything?” I asked completely confused. Far as I knew, it wasn’t good form to ask questions when you already had the goods in your hand so to speak.

“It doesn’t, dear. It’s just polite conversation,” Doctor Wood smiled, lowered the sheet and rolled back on her chair snapping her gloves off.

“Ha! All I had to do was get her drunk to get my hand up there.” The second the words left my mouth, I could feel the daggers Teeny was staring at my back. I turned and winked at her, “Don’t sulk, Princess. It’s the truth.”  And it was. The reason she was lying on the table knocked up with my kid was because after a few drinks, I’d gotten my hand up to the sweet spot.

Doctor Wood flushed and shook her head. Turning to Teeny, she said, “Everything’s fine. Baby is sitting in the right spot. All your measurements are perfect. The blood tests are all clear and you haven’t done any damage. You live alone though, right? “