Love Delivered (52 page)

My head jerks back. “You staying in Philly tonight?”

This is news to me. I usually know in advance when he’ll be staying over.
Here are the season shenanigans.

“Hell fucking yeah! I ain’t taking my ass up the turnpike this late.” He checks his wrist. “It’s almost midnight!”

I sigh. I really wanted to be alone tonight—or better yet, between the legs of a certain Wharton alum. That shit ain’t happening. I don’t think Zoey’s not speaking to me, but I also don’t think she exactly wants what my sacs need. Not only do I need her physically, I need to emotionally refuel. It’s been three weeks.

The plane lands safely and I whisper a word of gratitude to the Man upstairs before grabbing my things. As I make my way down the steps, debarking, the bright lights on the tarmac hit me. It’s pitch black above them, but the artificial illumination is piercing. I have my Mac, duffle and pillow in hand. The brisk night air smacks against my skin, reminding me of autumn’s lurking. I’m only wearing a white tee, pajama pants and Timbs, not enough in this chill. Alton is uncharacteristically quiet and I’m thankful as hell. My mind needs to formulate a plan of recovery. I don’t want to kick my season off with this level of stress. I’ve done that enough over the past seven years. I just want to be with my—

Niña?

She stands there, just off the tarmac, wearing a white mini dress and heels. Her expression is hard, body restless as she switches from one hip to the other. My heart leaps in my chest and my pulse races uncontrollably.
Why is she here?
And this late?
Is she leaving me?

Shit!

She couldn’t deal with the fertility issue!
  

As I approach her, I can hear the blood rushing through my head.

“You wanted me to grow,” she utters, nervously.

I stop in my steps.

“You wanted me to grow,” Zoey repeats with more emphasis. “I get that. You wanted me to experience the world I told you I needed to explore before committing to a man.” She snickers. “Boy, was I ideological.
And you believed me
. Well, you loved me, planted your seed, and released me to grow—
literally
. Oh, I experienced the world, all right. I’ve traveled, I’ve studied, I’ve matured, I’ve explored, I’ve even accomplished a few things on the way.” She straightens. “But I’ve never loved again. I’ve never experienced the ardor you once wrapped me protectively in. The love and intense passion you exposed me to at such a tender age. Where does a girl go from there?”

This is looking good for me.

“I’ve learned a whole lot, though. I’ve learned about commitment and dedication. I’ve learned that people who love you will hurt you. I’ve learned that love hits hard and unexpectedly, leaving you little time to prepare or recover from it. I’ve learned the moment you meet what you perceive as perfection is the moment you experience a period of obsession, accompanied by brief insanity.”

I suck in a sharp breath. She’s just articulated my plight all these years. Zoey struts toward me until we’re close enough for me to touch her. But I don’t. I’m too damn confused.

“Your plan was faulty. It hurt me. It hurt us. But your heart has always been pure. You’ve always coveted my heart, even when you separated it from me. You’ve delayed our love. Your plan sucked big time, but your intent was good.” She steps back and informs loudly, to the point of yelling. “Now, it’s time to deliver.”

Just then I see movement in my peripheral. Within seconds, I realize it’s Ezra.

What the fuck?

“I want to marry you. Now. And it’s not because of my maddening insecurities of someone else capturing your attention and delaying us even further. Neither is it because of your next baby
that I will get
.” She hikes a playful brow. “It’s because you’re the man for me. The only man I’ve ever loved. The only man, besides my father, who has committed to me and my child. I want you sexy, tatted and perfectly flawed, Stenton. I don’t want to wait until the end of the season, delaying us any further. I’m yours.” She pivots and calls over her shoulder, “We’re ready!”

Then I see other bodies shifting from the darkness off the tarmac to the lighting on the pavement. It’s Michael, Sarah and Jordan.

Zoey informs, “Those are my witnesses. And here is yours.” She extends her arm to gesture behind my right shoulder.

I crane my neck to find Alton’s dopey ass, wiping his wet face. It’s bad enough I’m fighting my damn emotions. Now, he’s here cutting the fuck up. 

“Stenton, your bride here asked that we not waste time with the traditional vow exchange. In fact, she’s given you the bulk of hers already.”

As I realize the reason for her white dress, Zoey’s parents comes closer with Jordan, who is draped over Michael’s shoulder.

“Con-dragulations, Dad,” he drawls out.

I don’t respond. I can’t. Because if I do, Alton will clown me for the rest of my life for bawling out my guts at my lady’s feet. I love Zoey so much it makes me fucking dizzy. It always has.

“Stenton do you take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, so long as you both shall live?”

I damn sure do.

“Yes,” I answer while gazing into those sexy brown eyes of hers.

“And Elizabeth, do you take Stenton to be your—”

“Absolutely.” Zoey gives a firm nod of vehemence. “Every day. Without hesitation. No reservation. He’s mine. Has been for seven years, and better be until one of us leaves this earth or I will be responsible for him leaving first!”

“Daaaaaaaaaaamn!” That’s Alton.

“Mommy?” came from Jordan.

“Elizabeth!” That’s Michael.

“Elizabeth Ardell,” Sarah gasps.

And they do it all concurrently.

Ezra chuckles loudly. And me? I grab this frustrating woman by the sides of her face and swallow her in my mouth whole. I can’t get close enough to her, can’t quench my desire to tell her that I plan to love the hell out of her until my last breath.

“Well,” Ezra continues. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” I can barely hear him. “But you, sir, are already ahead of schedule, kissing your wife.”

When I’m able to pull my mouth from hers, we’re both panting out of control. I can’t believe she’s finally mine. After all my mistakes and confusion, Zoey has made me a worthy man.

The tears finally fall from her eyes. “You feel that?” she asks, chest heaving and a smile fighting on her beautiful face.

“Yes.” I nod. “We’re breathing. Together.”

Zoey nods before taking to my mouth again.

December 11
th
, 2014

~
Zoey
~

“A
B-
? You can’t be serious, JR. We just went over this before you left for school this morning!” I hear Stenton fussing Jordan out all the way out in the foyer.

Jordan was determined to wait for him there tonight, claiming he was ready to take it like a man.
Yeah… Whatever that means!
He’s getting ripped into. I can’t help my quiet snickering just the inside doorframe of our bedroom, listening in.

“But, Dad—”

“There’s no
but Dad
! I told you after that C last week that you need to slow down and pace yourself—”

“I did take my time!” Jordan comes off a bit brolic with that one.

Don’t kill my baby, Stenton! And don’t curse. Please!

“You did not if you scored a B-, Jordan!”

“Would you just chill for a minute so I can explain myself?”

Uh-oh! He’s asking for it.

“No!” Stenton asserts. “You don’t tell me
to chill
, first of all. Secondly, you’re cool posture right now tells me you don’t take me seriously. So, you know what, JR? No iPad. No X-box. No DS. Oh, and you will be with your MaMa and PaPa delivering cookies to the shelters this weekend instead of going to the movies with your cousins.”

Ouch!

“But, Daddy!”

“Oh, so
now
I’m
Daddy
and not just
Dad
, huhn? I bet that just took the zing out of your lil’ swag.” I hear the taunting in Stenton’s tenor.

Although he’s right, I’ve had enough of snooping. Besides,
the man
is home, on fire after losing tonight at a home game against Boston. I skip to the en suite bathroom and start the water in the garden tub, light the candles and throw on some mild rock.

We’re still at my place in Philly. Stenton decided to put his apartment in Bala Cynwyd up for sale. He’s also decided to retire once his contract is up next season. I’m proud of him for making the difficult decision, although it’s time. We didn’t have a honeymoon and I’m okay with that. If there’s anything I’ve come to know, traveling is always on the horizon for me as far as Stenton Rogers is concerned. I just want to get through the season so I can have him all to myself for the summer. I hate his schedule, something I’d never considered before our reunion.

“Zo!”

Zo!
I mock at almost a whisper and giggle to myself, hoping he doesn’t hear me. He’s in a mood. A pissy mood. Me, on the other hand, I’m unbothered. I’m on cloud nine and in the mood to ruffle his feathers.

“In the bathroom, StentRo!” I call out to him.

“Here you go with that bullshit,” he growls just behind me, arms stretched at both sides of the doorframe.

Holy mother of Joseph! I hope he didn’t hear me!

Stenton looks delicious in his all black sweatsuit. His limbs extend like an octopus, making me yearn to be wrapped in them.

“How was Poppa Bear’s day?” I ask coyly.

He arches a brow. “You didn’t check the score?”

His tone is brusque, but I see it in his eyes. They’re filled with lust as they graze me from my bare cerise toes, to my nude thighs, barely draped in a small red robe, matching my nails. My hair is up in a messy ponytail, exposing my neck. When his regard lands there, Stenton mechanically licks his heart shaped lips. My nub below is pulsating. 

I don’t answer his question because he knows I have. I’ve attended my first game this season—several actually. He didn’t ask me to, but ironically I developed this intense desire to see him in action. It has been a phenomenon to experience. Watching Stenton run the court, yelling calls and using his lanky body to score has been the biggest turn on. Some of our best sex has come after games I’ve attended. I’m completely enthralled by this man.

“Today’s her birthday,” I murmur before bending over to test the temperature of the water. “Have you called, FB’d or tweeted to greet her?” Though I’m purring, my tone is admonishing.

“I spoke with her this morning. You?”

I smile.
Good
.

“I called her right after you left.”

I observe him once again, belly aflutter by his presence and in anticipation of talking with him tonight. Stenton is uptight about more than Jordan not acing a spelling test that we’ve gone over with him several times when each time he’s gotten all fifteen words correct. He’s stressed out about something more than losing tonight. He’s afraid. I want to assuage his fears.

“Why don’t you go take off your clothes so we can soak together? I need to talk with you,” I inform, trying to hide my anxious mirth.

Stenton remains in place, eyes stapled to me for seconds long before taking off for the main room and stripping down to ink. When he returns, I’m in the tub, salivating over his canvas. Holy mother of Joseph…this man is a work of art. I’m caught up in the cuts of his muscles and the colors and designs, deliciously marring his smooth skin.

“You gonna scoot up?” he asks, monotone, waking me from my musing.

“Here.” I scoot back. “I wanna hold you.” I welcome him in.

When Stenton is submerged and resting on my chest, I grab the sponge, squirt soap on it, and go about rubbing it onto his hard pecs.

“Your correction out there…with JR. It was a bit impassioned, hmmm?”

Stenton sucks his teeth. “Jordan’s slacking off. He’s been out of character this school year. That damn academy is too expensive to have him playing around,” he hisses.

I drag the sponge up to his chiseled arms.

“He’s had a number of changes over the past few months. His Mommy became his Daddy’s girlfriend…lover, then wife. Then his Dad moves into his home and brings a masculine, overseer type of energy.” Stenton grunts. “And did I mention said Dad is his best friend? There have been lots of changes…and even more to come.”

“So what the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means we should all keep in mind that we are undergoing changes when we’re dealing with each other.”

“You’re sounding just like her, Zo! It’s ironic that it’s her birthday, don’t you think? What are you trying to say? Layman’s terms, please.”

I try to minimize the tremble in my frame from laughing at his curtness.

“I’m just saying I know you’re stressed out…about me.”

Stenton steels.

“About what?”

“You know about what, StentRo. But that’s neither here nor there. The bottom line is you need to exercise more patience. Things are changing around here.”

“What types of changes? Speak English, Zoey!”

My lips twitch up into a smile behind his head.

“Well, patience for Jordan, specifically. You shouldn’t get bent out of shape over small things. You’re going to be the retired, married father”—Stenton huffs again—“of two.” I qualify, calmly.

This time, after steeling in place while he processed my words, Stenton swiftly makes a 180-degree pivot, sloshing water everywhere.

“Holy shit!” he whispers in sheer shock. “It worked?”

I can’t help my hearty laughter as he looks down at my flat belly. I can finally let it out after enduring his foul disposition.

“Zo?”

I don’t speak until I’m able to catch my breath.

“Yes!” I breathe. “After all the ovulation kits, ultrasound, and blood tests to make sure I’d been ovulating back in October, I’ve caught another one of your determined sperm boys…this time willingly.”

A wry smile opens on his face.

“Don’t pout! At least I know what I’m working with this time, and I couldn’t be happier.”

I take him at the side of his stubble cheeks and bring my face to meet his lush lips, tugging at the lower one until he joins me. Stenton’s kiss, even when thrown askew still arouses me. When I pull back to observe his reaction, I notice his eyes have softened.

“I love you, Zoey. I’m so glad you stayed and forgave me for all the bullshit.”

My pulse quickens and in that instant, I’m revved up. Stenton does this to me. He unravels me without effort. Although I know he’s having a moment, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t jostle.

“At the rate of your baby-making skills, and now that I know this artificial insemination thing actually works, I’m glad, too.” I sputter into laughter.

My mirth is abruptly halted when he breaches me below. My eyes flutter, my mouth collapses and my lungs empty as I release a long chain of air from the instant pleasure of his fullness.

Holy. Mother. Of. Joseph.

“This is not the time for humor, Elizabeth,” he growls into my parted mouth. “This is how we Rogers celebrate an incoming.”

He rears back before thrusting once more. And sure enough, I’m breathing again.

The End.

######