Once Upon A Half-Time: A Secret Baby Romance (42 page)

“What’s so special about me that I get that honor?”

“Because you’re so goddamned beautiful I can’t help staring at you.” He graced me with another sidelong glance that lingered over my curves. “Say the word, and I’m fucking yours baby. I’ve got twenty-five pounds of ground beef in that cooler to prove it.”

My heart beat too fast to hear over the rushing blood coursing through my body. I swallowed. Nate didn’t expect me to answer. His sweet smile soothed the raging blitz of emotions and hormones that stole my voice.

I had no idea what to say. I knew which words he wanted to hear.

And those were the ones I couldn’t say yet.

Not if I kept the secret.

Nate nudged me to prep the ingredients, and I helped to organize once we cooked the meat and chopped the onions and diced the tomatoes. I shoved as much as I could in the fridge. It took a few hours, but we prepared everything and stashed it away without me combusting from standing too near the stove or straying too near the man who owned my heart, my body, and was slowly wearing down the only defense I had against him.

He turned off the light over the stove and stared at me.

“All done.” His voice was a low, gravelly rumble. It hummed through me, and I couldn’t breathe. “The wedding is saved.”

“I…I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Yes, you do.” He leaned in, but he didn’t kiss me. “I should get going. Need a shower to get all the grease off me.”

I licked my lips. “You could shower here.”

“Only if I get some company.”

The thought thrilled me. I bit my lip and took his hand, tugging him towards the bathroom. He grinned.

“Mandy, you don’t have to. I was joking about the tacos.”

“I’m not joking about this.” I pulled him closer. His eyes burned so bright and beautiful it was amazing I hadn’t surrendered to him before. “Nate, I can’t tell you how I feel yet…but I can show you how much you mean to me.”

“I don’t want to make it complicated.”

“It’s not anymore. It’s really, really simple.”

I wanted to be with him. I wanted to tell him every secret, every fear, every amazing possibility that came from carrying his baby.

But first I wanted to prove just how I felt about him.

In case revealing the truth destroyed everything we might have had.

M
andy led
me to the shower. She didn’t let me speak, but I already said everything she needed to hear.

And it was more than I ever admitted to any woman.

Mandy was always so
warm
. Her heat boiled inside me, and the soft brush of her skin enraptured me. Her arms tucked around my neck, and her fingers tickled in my hair. I hardened from just her touch.

I’d never let her go.

She refused to admit what she felt for me, but nothing would stop me from making this woman mine. She fell for me, and I caught her. I wasn’t letting go.

I thought it’d be frightening to confront my own feelings.

It wasn’t.

This was the easiest decision I ever made.

The bathroom wasn’t big enough for two people, but we wouldn’t be separated for long. Mandy fit in my arms perfectly. Why didn’t I realize she belonged there long ago?

I kissed her, nibbling her lip and flicking her tongue. I’d do anything to hear her quiet little mew, and I do even more to turn it into a moan. I ripped my shirt off, battling against her touch to pull hers off too. Her fingers brushed my skin, as if she finally gave herself permission to enjoy what I could offer.

She had every permission, every right, and every reason to touch me.

I was hers.

I tugged her shirt off. Jesus, her tits got bigger every time I saw them.

That was a damn nice surprise.

Not that Mandy wasn’t absolutely perfect before, but now she was curvier, more beautiful, and utterly
feminine
. What was it about this woman that made me want
more
? Desperation threaded my veins. I craved to touch her, hold her, take her as my own. Her silken body lured me close, and something primal hardened my cock.

Desire was too sweet an instinct.

I had to prove she was mine once and for all.

Her bra dropped to the floor. The chocolate-dark of her skin warmed under my hand. I cupped her breast and rolled my thumb and finger over the hard, waiting bud. My mouth watered for a taste, but her hands worked quicker than my lust-addled mind. She shimmied from her yoga pants.

Oh, Christ. She wasn’t wearing panties.

I’d drop to my knees and worship this woman. Just one taste. Just one lick.

Just one quivering, mouth-watering, creamy bite from her most sensitive secret.

Mandy took my hand before I knelt down. Her sweet smile turned sultry, and she glanced at the shower.

Fuck it. It didn’t matter how. Either on the floor or under the water, Mandy was getting wet.

I kicked off my jeans and gathered her into my arms. I flipped the water on too hot, but I didn’t care. Nothing burned more than my blood, and the steaming droplets striking my back soothed me, calming me with a sting before I overwhelmed the woman I poised to attack.

I shielded her from the water until it ran cooler. The beaded heat struck my skin, and she teased me with the sensual caress of her fingertips. Her touch traced my muscles, my pecs. She smirked and drew her nail over my nipple. My cock hardened. Twitching. Her hands lowered, but not quick enough, lost within the hard-packed strength of my abs.

I grunted. “If you knew what you did to me…”

“If you knew what you already did to me.”

I kissed her, pressing her into the shower wall. The water cradled us in warmth and a cocoon of quietness. The rhythmic cascade roared over my rasped breath. Mandy moaned into me, still somehow hotter that the steam. The heat curled between us, and every pelted drop of water urged me on, encouraging me to shelter Mandy with my strength, my body, everything I had for her.

I couldn’t get any harder. My cock pressed against her belly, and she broke my kiss to stroke me. Her hands were tiny, but I appreciated the effort. Every tug, every loving pull enthralled me, and I stared at her hands to watch the dark and light pleasing me with every caress.

I strained against the near agony of her touch. Mandy giggled, even as I pinned her against the wall, my arms on either side of her shoulders. She wasn’t going
anywhere
.

She squeezed my cock. I nearly came then, imagining how sexy she’d look splashed with my desire.

“I never showered with a woman before.” I swore as her pace increased. “First time for me too.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Do what?”

“You don’t have to make me feel better about giving you my virginity.” She slowed her motions, but her delicate fingers wrapped so lovingly over my cock I had to force myself not to come. “I wanted it to be you. And I’m glad it was you.”

“If I had known—”

She got a little mischievous. She yanked me, drawing me closer with a sexy smile. “You couldn’t have done it any better than you did, Nate. Every time you touch me it’s good.”

“I’m not a man who settles for
good
.”

“You’re not just
good enough
.” Her words quieted. She nibbled on her lip. “You’re more than I thought you were. When I close my eyes at night, I see you. I
dream
of you. I wake up thinking of you.”

There she was, finally brave enough to speak some of the truth, to tell me how she felt, what she needed.

And all I had to do was drop three hundred bucks on taco supplies, cook for four hours, then seduce her while confessing more to her than I’d ever admitted to any other woman.

Best decision of my life.

I kissed her, tasting her full lip and savoring every moment our bodies touched without any barrier. She quieted again, staring at me with eyes wide with sincerity and uncertainty.

Why was she still guarded?

It didn’t take courage to ask a girl out. That was an acquired skill. I chased them, I seduced them, I fucked them, and I ran when things got too real. Mandy was the only person who untangled me from that dominating lust to show me something…more.

That’s why relationships were hard. I left myself at her mercy, begging for a relief that came from a kiss, a touch, and three simple, uncomplicated words. I risked everything to give that much of myself, to put her happiness ahead of my own. That selflessness didn’t take courage or skill.

It required
honesty
.

Admitting what we felt. Accepting what it meant.

Trusting her more than I trusted myself.

I pressed into her. Her hips arched, a little hope that I’d gather her in my arms and fuck her then and there in the shower.

No. For the first time in my life, I didn’t want sex. I wanted
her
. Completely. Mind and body and soul.

More importantly, I planned to capture her heart.

My voice growled low. “I didn’t fall in love with you.”

Her eyes widened. I kissed away the fear before she voiced it.

“I never hit bottom or stumbled into how I feel. I just
loved
you. I’ve probably always loved you, but I never took the risk.”

“I…” She trembled. I kissed her neck, chasing away her hesitations. “I had no idea.”

“It wasn’t a surprise to me. I can’t imagine
not
feeling this way for you. I can’t imagine not having you here, in my arms. I was
lonely
, Mandy.”

“I was too.”

“We could be together.”

She bit her lip. “But you never…wanted a commitment. Or a relationship. With anyone.”

“I never found a person who
made
me want that. You do.” I brushed my hands over her body. Water streamed along her curves. She tensed as I touched her tummy.

“Tell me you want me,” I said.

“I want you.”

“Tell me why you’re still hiding everything.”

Her voice turned to a whisper. “Because I’m scared.”

That ended now. “Nothing will change how I feel about you.”

“Promise?”

I grinned. It was the easiest promise I’d ever made.

Mandy welcomed my kiss, but she needed more than a touch. The girl was a knot of nerves and anxiety and stress. It killed me for her to suffer such insecurities.

Vanilla wasn’t my favorite scent, but on her it made my mouth water
.
I pooled her body gel into my hand and faced her with a wicked smile.

The cool soap touched her skin, and she coo’ed. I nearly poured the entire bottle over her to hear that soft breath once more.

I spun her to face away from me, and I guided the soapy streams of suds and water over the softness of her body. She sunk into me. I liked that. Gave me access to all the beautiful and curvy parts of her I longed to hold. My hands wove tight circles over her shoulders, back, and to her waist.

I watched with a perverse joy as the most beautiful woman in my world squirmed and groaned. I massaged her hips, belly, and teased the bubbles to her breasts. Even they felt tight and swollen, but I considered that a perk. The silky soap washed over her nipples, and I chuckled as they budded within my hand.

“Feel good?” I murmured, nipping her neck.

Mandy nodded. “More.”

“Always.”

She hummed as I snaked my touch lower, guiding the warm water to caress an already slickened part of her.

Her body pulsed hotter than the water. I bit her neck and shuddered with her. Nothing would satisfy me but that heat again.

And it was mine.

I had the
freedom
to touch her. Take her. Love the feel of her.

We weren’t sneaking around or playing games. I didn’t bathe her to begin some rushed, desperate fuck so we could get off and become almost-strangers again.

This was
real
. I could have her and hold her.

And it was the greatest revelation of my life.

Mandy giggled as I reached for the shampoo, but her smile faded into a soft moan as I massaged the gel into her hair. She fell against me, using my strength to stay upright.

Christ, if I knew I could turn her on without even touching her slit…

That was some dangerous knowledge.

And I’d planned to exploit it at every opportunity.

Mandy’s moans became breathy whimpers as the conditioner rinsed away. She grinded against me, and I held her to keep her still as the water teased as much as I did. I never knew a woman could be so desperate and aching for more than my undivided attention.

Mandy slammed a hand against the shower controls and flipped the water off.

Fine by me.

We tumbled from the stall. I didn’t release her from my kiss. A towel waited, bundled on the sink, but I hated the thought of something so rough scouring her skin. Then again…Mandy groaned my name the instant the material stroked her quivering body.

I should have known. She wasn’t a princess who needed pampering unless that’s what I wanted to give. We had fucked against the poison ivy spanned tree, and I learned she could take a pounding.

And that she loved it.

I didn’t bother drying off. The heat surging through me should have turned the droplets to steam. I picked her up, and I tossed her onto the blankets.

She giggled.

I didn’t.

I wasn’t in the mood for fun or flirty or anything that wasn’t taking this woman hard, until she understood how much I needed her.

And she was ready. She opened her legs for me, holding me as I steadied over her waiting slit.

I didn’t warn her. She clutched at me and whispered her desire in hushed, desperate whispers.

I sunk into her—all the way, to the hilt, and I nearly lost it.

Her softness, that tight and wonderful milking, cascaded pleasure along my spine.

Mandy cried my name with such a breath of perfection and completeness I vowed I’d never stop fucking her. We’d stay together, locked in place, writhing in the absolute pleasure of the other.

Except she wanted more.

And so did I.

I withdrew to the head, watching as her beautiful expression crumbled in panic and loss. She begged me in unspoken words and choked gasps to stay inside her. I couldn’t leave a lady in misery. I thrust within her, driving into her core. She came, clutching at me and the bed and anything that could keep her hold on the world.

She could hold onto me from now on.

I wouldn’t let that ecstasy fade from her.

I gripped her hips, plunging inside her again and again to feed that clenching, unrelenting tightness from her constant orgasm. Mandy thrashed with a quaking wave of pleasure. She clawed me, her quiet mews transforming into a melody of grateful and beautiful moans. She surrendered, fell limp in my arms, and offered her body for any delight I could incite.

And I gave her everything.

Every thrust was meant to slam her breasts between us. Every fierce movement designed to earn her squeal. Every frantic breath I grunted fueled our shared passion. I stretched her. I took her. I
fucked
her.

I made love to her.

And her constant, unrelenting orgasm built my own. Harder. More intense. More
meaningful
than any other moment with any other woman in my life.

I gripped her close, fell over her to shield her with my body, and plunged as deeply as I could into that welcoming, sensual heat.

And I came. Again and again. I jetted inside her, filled her, and gave her everything that was me.

My whisper rasped, too harsh and desperate for how peacefully she rested in my arms. I didn’t know what to say. Hadn’t I proved everything I felt? “Christ…I love—”

“Wait.” Mandy’s fingers pressed against my lips. “Just…wait. Before you say it again. Before you even think it. I have to tell you something.”

She could silence me all she wanted, but nothing changed how my heart beat for her. I gave her a smile, pressing deeper inside of her. She shuddered, but her eyes welled with tears.

“Nate…I never wanted to hurt you. I wanted to tell you, but the timing…I
couldn’t
.”

“What are you talking about?”

Mandy pushed against my chest. I hated leaving her, but she shifted away, curling her legs under her and avoiding my touch.

“I have to tell you the truth.”

That didn’t sound good. “The truth?”

“I wished I hadn’t kept it from you.”

I tensed. Mandy brushed tears away neither of us wanted her to shed. She couldn’t look at me.

It didn’t matter. No matter what she said, what she thought, or what she feared, this woman was too good and innocent for secrets. Whatever it was, I could handle it.