Jacked (71 page)

This wasn’t my first live childbirth as I’d done a month-long rotation through obstetrics my first year, but it had been something I’d avoided ever since. Seeing my friend experience it though was an eye-opener, especially as she tore through the emotions from her husband so selfishly leaving her here alone to go to that seminar.

At least I was able to use some of my Psych 101, talking her down from everything from castration to murder. I imagined Adam wouldn’t miss his child being born for anything. He was on his way here and it wasn’t even his child.

Sarah breathed through the contractions and when the baby’s head was out, I was close to sharing Sarah’s tears. Our bodies were fucking marvels, capable of mysterious and astonishing things. I felt like an interloper while all the activity flourished about, but I wasn’t here as a doctor; I was here as her friend—a friend who stuck with her through the entire process.

“DO YOU WANT
to hold him?” Sarah asked after all was said and done, cooing at her newborn. Gone was the strained face of a woman birthing a child; in its place, complete serenity and adoration. The nurse had wrapped her son like a little baby burrito, down to the little blue cap.

Part of me wanted to put as much distance between her child and myself as humanly possible, but another part, a much larger part, was surprisingly curious.
My fears are irrational
, I told myself. After all, I knew my touch didn’t cause death. I didn’t put that antifreeze into that innocent child’s formula. I knew that. Still, just the mere thought of being accused of doing something so atrocious, of even putting myself in the position of being suspected or accused, was paralyzing.

My friends didn’t know. None of them knew of the horrid crime I’d once been accused of. If they did, I was sure they wouldn’t be so willing to hand over their newborns.

“Erin.” Sarah smiled, encouraging me. “Take him for a second. I want to sit up.”

She left me no choice. I swallowed hard and fought the rising panic.

Okay, I can do this
.

Oh my God. What if I break him?

Stop shaking before you drop him
.

Okay, I can do this.

Holy shit.

I tucked him close to my chest, cradling him as best I could in my arms. The little bundle was warm and cozy and so fragile—a tiny human in a cotton cocoon. Little button nose. Such tiny little pink lips.

Oh, he yawned! How cute!

His face scrunched and puckered.

No, No. Don’t cry. You’re safe. I got you.

His cheek was feathery soft.

“Hey little one,” I crooned, gently patting him to keep him soothed. “Happy birthday. It’s nice to meet you.” I didn’t even realize it at first, but I found myself swaying from foot to foot, a rocking motion that seemed so natural.

Could I do this?

I never thought I’d regain those maternal instincts, but here they were, coming out without me even trying. A strange tingle rolled all throughout my body, easing the worry.

Could I really do this one day? Be holding
my
child like this? Adam’s child—a son or daughter that he and I created together? A tiny human with the same soft cheeks and perfect eyelashes?

His tiny mouth formed into an “O” and then he scrunched up again, poking the little tip of his tongue out.

Amazing.

There was a small knock and then the answering smile of my badass police officer, clad head to toe in his badass black uniform. His strides ate up the distance separating us.

Adam beamed at me with such awe, I felt electrically charged and giddy. It was hard to hide my excitement—Sarah had created life and I wasn’t afraid. That alone was mind-blowing.

He graced me with a cherished kiss and a grin filled with wonderment. “Who’s this little guy?”

I loved Adam’s soft, sweet voice—overflowing with pure tenderness. I felt my heart clench. Would I ever stop falling in love with this man?

“Meet Aiden.”

“Hey, Aiden. Welcome to the world, little man,” Adam whispered. I knew exactly what Sarah was thinking without her saying a word. Her broad smile said it all, duplicating my thoughts exactly.

Maybe motherhood wasn’t so bad after all?

I exhaled and let the fear, anxiety, apprehension, and paranoia I’d held tightly within for years flow out.

ADAM AND I
barely made it into the kitchen before stripping each other out of our clothing.

He showed me a new way to utilize the dining room table, making a meal out of me. Fingers, tongue, his expert touch. I unraveled.

I straddled him on the dining room chair while he rocked his hips up into me. His mouth on mine, sharing each breath, scoring my cheeks with his stubble. His strong hands held me, lifted me, branding my heart forever with his fingerprints.

My back hit the cold wood, feeling him drive into me with purpose. This was lust and carnal desire mixed with the feeling only invoked by merging with the other half of your soul.

His thumb circled vigorously, rending all the air from my lungs when my second orgasm hit.

“That’s it,” he whispered out. “Come for me. Fuck, baby.”

The cool air brushed my back when my body bowed into the sensation. Adam shifted my thigh and slammed up into me, groaning as came. My legs were like jelly, feeling the last stutters of him pressing inside me.

“That was incredible,” he panted, resting his face on my chest.

I succumbed to the after-orgasm happy giggles and the powerful aftershocks that quaked through my muscles.

Adam scraped his stubbly chin between my breasts, playing with me. “I think we should break in all the furniture this way. Sound good?” He pressed his hips again. Another shudder rippled across me.

I wiped a lock of hair off his damp brow. He made me laugh. “Is it too early to worry about serving Thanksgiving dinner on this table?”

Adam chuckled, making those adorable dimples appear. “No, it is not. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, Doc.”

“I love you.” My smile was so wide, my face started to ache.

“Just remember who said it first.” He kissed my bare chest and then moved up to recapture my mouth. “Thanks for helping me celebrate.”

“Celebrate?” I clutched his neck. “You got them?”

“Yep.” He grinned proudly. He pushed his hips up into me one last time and then slowly withdrew, leaving me feeling sticky and chilled from the loss of his warmth.

“Mancuso, his brother, the crew that hit your dad’s dealership—
all
of them.”

“All of them?”

“
All
of them. The name that Scott gave up to us? Switch? He was shocked as hell to see us at five a.m., I tell you
that
.”

“I bet.” Elated didn’t seem like an accurate description to define how I felt. “I’m so proud of you!”

He hid his face on my chest, smiling while I ran my fingers through his hair. His shy grin rolled up to greet me. “I’m proud of you, too.”

“For?”

Adam kissed me softly. “In the hospital earlier.”

I could see he was more than proud—he was gloating. The smirk he wore was filled with it.

Adam helped me off the table and strolled into the kitchen, giving me one hell of a delicious view. Those muscles in his lower back… the way they blended into those sculpted ass cheeks and down into those muscular thighs. He exuded power and authority without even trying.

“Babe, we seized four laptops, a pile of key fobs, forged shipping manifests… all sorts of electronic equipment and software. He’s fucked. That combined with the sting op Newark ATTF conducted last week, we netted all seven drivers. We met with the DA right before I met you at the hospital. He told us we have enough solid evidence to prosecute them.”

He washed his hands and then grabbed a few paper towels. “Man, I wish I would have been the one to apprehend the Mancusos, but NYPD took care of them.” He shrugged. “I’m sure Turk will tell me all about it.” Adam’s head swayed. “This is going to get messy with all three jurisdictions involved.”

I picked our clothes up off the floor. “What about the one who shot your informant? Carter Mancuso?”

Adam’s jubilation crumbled down quickly. “He’s still a fugitive. We haven’t been able to form any solid leads.” His eyes were somber, though he tried to be comforting. “Don’t worry. We’ll catch him. Let’s get cleaned up. I’m exhausted. I’m sure you are too.” He pulled the pile of clothing out of my arms and set everything on top of the table. “Just leave it. We’ll get it later.” He took my hand. “Come on, Doc. Let’s get some sleep and then afterwards I’m taking you out to dinner.”

Watching his incredible naked body and that luscious ass lead me up the stairs to his bedroom, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

I DIDN’T LIKE
answering Adam’s door, especially while I was home alone. My stomach was full from the delicious breakfast he’d cooked for us and my lips still tingled from the amazing kiss he planted on me before he’d left a half hour ago, clad in his badass cop duds.

I’d rearranged my schedule when Sarah went into labor, so I was off today while Adam was working. The doorbell sounded again. So much for staying in bed enjoying my post-breakfast orgasm.

Even though I was living here it wasn’t my house, and the likelihood the person on the other side was actually here to see me was very slim. I made a mental note to tell Adam that the bush in his landscaping blocked my view of the front door. There wasn’t a peephole either.

I cracked the door open, instantly regretting answering. “Can I help you?”

Melissa Werner’s surprised sneer was annoying. “Is he here?”

“What do you want?”

She clenched her teeth. “Is he here? I need to speak to him.”

I held the door firmly. “I suggest you try calling him first.”

Melissa held up her cell phone, scowling at me. “Tried that. He’s not answering. I went to the station twice; they won’t tell me where he is.”

I fought my smile. “Then I would take that as a sign that he doesn’t want to speak to you. And you showing up at his house like this? How the hell did you even know where he lives?”

“It’s listed on his contract.” She pressed her hand to the door. “Where is he, Erin?”

I was shocked she even remembered my first name. “His whereabouts are none of your business and if he isn’t returning your calls then he has nothing to say to you.”

“Adam!” she yelled over my head.

There was no way she was getting invited in. “Save it. He’s not here.”

“You tell him to get his ass out here right now.”

“Excuse me?”

“His bullshit is costing me millions,” she shrieked. “We need to start filming again. Everyone cleared their lie detector tests.”

“
His
bullshit? Unbelievable. It was
your
sound tech that put their lives in danger, not him. Now move.”

“I fired Scott.”

“Convenient, seeing as he’s in jail.”

“There’s no reason why they can’t keep filming. Adam needs to tell them that.”

“You need to get off my porch.” I pushed the door, but she pushed back.

“You don’t understand,” she insisted. “My reputation will be ruined. I can’t let that happen. I have shareholders… He needs to fix this—
right now
—or else—”