SEAL's Bride: A Secret Baby Romance (33 page)

“
G
ave up the heels finally
?”

Audrey turned to see Elspeth shouldering open the gallery’s glass front door, juggling two cases of white wine.

“Here, you need help?” Audrey asked, pushing up out of the chair she’d dragged out onto the gallery floor.

She’d needed a few minutes to rest, considering the bustle of the last few days.

“Seriously, pregnant lady,” Elspeth sighed, shooing Audrey away as she carried the wine boxes to the long, elegant oak table where refreshments were served during events. “I don’t need your help carrying heavy boxes, but thanks.”

Audrey fidgeted, running her hands over her heavy belly, tugging down her flared black-and-white polka dot dress.

“Heels are out,” she sighed. “My ankles just can’t do it.”

“I think you should go barefoot the rest of your pregnancy, make a real statement,” Elspeth teased as she unpacked wine bottles.

“Yeah, I’m sure that will go over really well tonight, with a gallery full of millionaires.”

“I think the artist would like it, though,” Elspeth said, picking up the empty boxes.

“Well, she ought to learn to be a little more discerning, because Cassie Tarr is going to be a big name after tonight,” Audrey said. “At least... I hope she will be.”

“It’s going to be great,” Elspeth reassured her. “I remember my first solo gallery exhibit. I felt so nervous, worried that nothing would sell, that my reputation would suffer…”

“Yeah, that’s basically where I’m at. Not to mention being twenty-two weeks pregnant. I desperately don’t want to answer the inevitable questions about ‘my husband’ and baby names and stuff.”

“Yeah, I eavesdropped last weekend when some lady was telling you about her water birth,” Elspeth said with a shudder. “People have no boundaries these days.”

“Hey, hey,” Audrey said, nodding toward the door. “Our first guests are arriving. Can you distract them while I put my shoes on and then pee for the hundredth time?”

“You’re the boss tonight,” Elspeth said with mock solemnity. “Now let’s sell some art!”

The first two hours of the event went by faster than Audrey could have imagined. She talked to a few gallery regulars and a few people she’d invited, but mostly she talked to potential buyers, explaining the pieces and why she found them so moving.

One man in particular kept circling back around to listen in, a distinguished silver-haired gentleman in a Brioni suit. When Audrey finally managed to introduce herself, she was startled to find out that she knew him by reputation.

“You’re the Sam Waters? As in the Sam Waters who owns a gallery on High Street?” she asked, trying not to freak out.

“The very same,” he said, shaking her hand. “I must say, my dear, that you really have a talent for this business. You make your passion for the artwork perfectly clear without overwhelming the buyer.”

“Thank you, that means so much coming from you!” Audrey gushed.

“If you ever relocate to Europe, do let me know.” Fishing a business card out of his wallet, he handed it to her. “London, specifically.”

Audrey bit her lip and nodded, but her flattered excitement quickly deflated. If things had gone a bit differently in her love life, perhaps she could take Mr. Waters up on his offer, but…

The second she was able to escape, she slipped away from the party and went back to her office. Closing the door, she sunk onto the chaise lounge and kicked her shoes off with a groan.

The image of herself working in London, of the life she could’ve had…

It might be the damned pregnancy hormones, or the fact that she hadn’t been comfortable for a single moment in the last five months, but the idea of
the life that
could have been
made her feel sad.

And because she was ridiculously knocked up, the mere thought of being sad made her tear up a little. She glanced at her watch and decided that she could wallow for precisely four minutes, and then slumped back and let herself mope.

Then she glanced over and saw that there was an enormous gift basket sitting atop her desk, all done up in cellophane and bows. Curious, as it hadn’t been there at the beginning of the party.

She took her time struggling to get upright, then walked over and plucked the card off the top.

No signature, but it was clearly an Elspeth move. Audrey kept refusing any and all baby gifts, unable to deal with them. But when she unwrapped the basket, it was overflowing with baby and new mom gifts.

Books about children — birth and rearing. Some kind of weird nipple ointment, a gift card for post-maternity clothes…

It was the loveliest possible gift, more kind than Audrey could properly express, but she couldn’t even bring herself to sort through most of it. It was just… the very prospect of actually having the baby, holding it in her arms, was too stressful to explain.

She was an unwed single mother who worked fifty hours a week and lived with her irresponsible pro-athlete brother. Nothing about that situation was right for bringing a baby into the world.

She picked up the basket and set the basket aside, clearing off her desk. She paused when she saw the yellow post-it stuck to the top left of her desk, the only concession to motherhood she’d yet made.

A list of baby names, the ones she loved the most. She picked up a pen from her desk and leaned over, carefully crossing off James, Rex, and Jack.

“Won’t be needing any of these…” she murmured.

A knock came at the door, and she tossed the pen back onto her desk.

“Come in,” she said, expecting Elspeth.

Instead, it was Jack.

“Hey! Why are you here?” she asked, resting on the edge of her desk.

“Don’t be mad,” Jack said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Why would I be mad that you’re visiting me at work?” she asked. “I know I’ve been a little temperamental lately, but I’m not crazy. At least I hope I’m not…”

She ran her hand over her belly, feeling the baby moving around. Her unborn daughter was every bit as restless as Audrey herself, it seemed.

“Welllllll….” he said, then shook his head. “Stay right here, okay?”

“Jack. Jack, what did you do?” she asked, trailing him to the office door.

He vanished out into the gallery, leaving Audrey shaking her head. She turned and hunted down her shoes from where she’d abandoned them earlier. She carried them to her desk, dropping them to the floor and wedging them onto her feet with a frown.

When she turned around again, she was face to face with Liam.

“Audrey…” he said. The deep timbre of his voice, in that thick English accent, sent gooseflesh all across her body.

“I… I…” she said, shocked beyond belief. “What the
hell
are you doing here?”

The second the words were out of her mouth, she was crying. Her voice broke, her eyes teared up, and she could feel her chin wobbling in a way that said
there will be ugly-crying soon
.

“Is it true?” he asked. “Is… is it mine?”

Clearly, he didn’t have to explain what he meant.

Audrey couldn’t quite talk, so she just nodded and swallowed, trying not to disgrace herself.

Liam moved closer, crowding her up against her desk. He raised his hand, holding it a few inches from her belly, then looked to her for permission.

“Please?” he asked.

Audrey bit her lip, her eyes scanning his face. He seemed so awed by the fact of it, of the baby’s existence. Every time she’d imagined telling him, she pictured him getting angry.

She’d prepared herself for that. Eventually, when she got up the courage to tell him.

But this… there was no defense against this. Not when Liam’s eyes were bright with wonder, maybe even excitement.

“Yes,” she breathed.

Liam brought his hands up to bracket her belly. Audrey could actually feel him trembling. The second he pressed his cool hands to her stomach, the baby stirred.

Liam’s gaze snapped up to Audrey’s. “Bloody hell. He’s really in there.”

Audrey’s lips pulled up into a smile. “She.”

“She?” Liam asked, his voice hoarse with emotion. “It’s a girl?”

“Yep. She’s… she’s your daughter,” Audrey said, clearing her throat and wiping at her eyes.

“Aud…” Liam said, taking one of her hands captive. “We need to talk, love.”

That simple term of endearment, the sound of it so familiar, made her want to scream.

“About the baby, you mean,” she clarified. “You’ll want… well, visits, or something, I guess.”

Liam’s expression darkened. “The hell I will.”

Audrey stiffened. “What does that mean?”

“It means that I didn’t come here to get some half-assed promises of future visits. I came here for everything, and I intend to have it.”

“Liam, I…” she began.

Liam cupped her cheek, brushed his thumb against her lower lip. Audrey sucked in a breath.

“I want you. I want you in my bed, and in my home,” he whispered. “I want to raise this baby together, Audrey. I want to get married. I meant what I said, I want everything.”

“Liam—” she protested.

“Audrey, tell me you don’t want me,” he said, his emerald gaze burning into hers.

“I…” she said, then stopped. She couldn’t say that, not even a little.

“I love you, Audrey,” he said.

Audrey’s breath caught in her chest, her heart squeezing at his tender words.

“Oh, Liam,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears again. “How can you possibly want me now? Look at me.”

She ran her hand over her belly and winced.

“I think you’re beautiful, love. This might have been a mistake, but… I can’t say it isn’t what I would have wanted, what I would have asked for. Maybe a little sooner than we’d have liked, but… this is perfection, to me.”

He leaned down to kiss her, pressing a hand to her bump, and Audrey sighed against his lips. When he pulled back for a moment, she thought she’d die from want.

“I’m going to have you, Audrey. Right here, right now. And then I’m going to make you mine,” Liam promised. “Just you wait.”

Heart in her throat, Audrey knew she wanted it all, just like he said. Gathering all her courage, she raised up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his once more.

For once in her life, Audrey was willing to take a risk. After all, if it paid off, she’d be getting everything she’d ever wanted…

B
efore Audrey could respond
, he was inches from her body. Towering over her, invading her space, brushing the heat of his big body against her skin. A chill of pleasure skittered down her spine as she tipped her face up to look at him.

Liam's eyes paralyzed her. He brushed his fingers against her jaw, his thumb turning her face up a hair more. His thumb brushed her lower lip, and she flushed with pleasure. Her lips parted even as he leaned down, his lips feathering over her own. Soft, hot, damp.

Audrey gave a tiny, breathy gasp that seemed to set Liam off. His hands gripped her waist, and he took her mouth. Their lips locked, and he flicked the tip of his tongue against hers. When she opened for him, he took her offering. His tongue slid along hers, teasing, dominating, demanding. Audrey slid her arms around his neck, and Liam pulled her flush against his big body.

She stilled for a moment when his erection pressed into her rounded belly; it had been so long since she’d been touched, since she’d touched Liam, she’d nearly forgotten how well-endowed he was.

Her fingers itched to touch him, to explore his incredible length and girth, but she felt suddenly and ridiculously shy.

Liam's hands burrowed in her hair at her nape. He softly tugged her head back further, pressing her breasts against his chest. When she gave a hiss of pleasure, he grinned.

“I think you missed me, Audrey,” he whispered. “I think you missed how I make you feel. Didn’t you, love?”

Her mouth watered, body burning with need. She bit her lip, uncertain.

Liam took her hand and drew her toward the chaise lounge, crowding her with all that muscle and heat. His hand came up to cup her breast, thumb running over her nipple. Audrey arched her back with a gasp, liquid heat flooding her body.

“Audrey…” Liam crooned, giving her another cocky smile. “If I touch you right now, will you be wet for me?”

She blushed and dropped her gaze.

“Liam… my body is so different… I don’t look the way I did when we were together,” she blurted out, her face going bright pink.

Liam chuckled. His big hand skimmed her thigh, lifting her dress up as he slid it up to her hip. He brushed his fingertips along the waistband of her panties. She gasped, and he leaned in close to give her another hard, possessive kiss.

She was on fire, her panties growing damp. 

His touch dropped lower. He skimmed the backs of his fingers over her mons, provoking. Another kiss, and he cupped her mound. He gave her a hard squeeze. Moisture pooled at his fingertips, soaking her panties.

“Look at me, Audrey,” he commanded. When she obeyed, his lust-darkened gaze bored into hers.

Liam pushed aside her panties with two fingertips, exploring the damp curls. Audrey moaned, heat blazing from her breasts to her clit. When his fingers dipped into her wet slit, she cried out and pushed him away.

“We can’t do this here!” she protested. “We still have so much to work out…”

When she turned to flee, Liam gave her ass a hard slap.

“Don’t you dare move,” he growled. “I want you, Audrey. I love looking at you, love the fact that you’re carrying my baby. And I don’t think I can wait another second before I have you again.”

Audrey practically came right then and there. 

Liam kicked off his shoes, eyeing her the whole time. Audrey opened her mouth, turning to tell him that there had to be rules, that she needed to feel in control. Liam shook his head.

“Don’t protest, love. I know you want this,” he said.

His dominance should have frightened her, should have turned her off, but it was the opposite. He was in control of her, and for the first time since Atlanta, she wanted to give it all up to him.

She moved to sit on the chaise, giving a squeak of surprise when Liam came up behind her to grip her hips. He pushed her forward, pinning her to the chaise and pushing her chest down to the cushion. She thought he might rip off her panties and take her just like that, but he didn’t.

Instead he ran his hands up her arms, trailed them over the soft, bare skin of her neck. His fingers touched her hair, and she felt him tug at the pins that held it in place. He ran his fingers through the glossy, vibrant strands, bringing the heavy mass down around her shoulders.

“Very nice,” he said, lifting up her dress and pushing it up around her hips. Her ass was in the air, protected only by her lacy boy short panties. Liam stripped the panties off, taking even that little bit of cover. 

“Spread your legs,” he ordered, inserting a knee between her legs to widen her stance. The tiny bit of contact made her bite back a groan, her ass pressing back against his hip.

Liam ran his hand up the back of her bare thigh, causing blooms of heat to rise beneath her skin. His hand cupped a bare ass cheek, pinched her sensitive flesh. When she gasped, his hand left her skin, only to crash down again with a loud smack.

“Oh!” Audrey moaned, surprised. Her right cheek burned and pulsed, and her face flushed.

“Look at this pretty little ass,” Liam said, both hands cupping her ass cheeks, lifting and spreading them apart. He brought one hand forward to cup her mound from behind. Two fingertips probed her wet, needy slit.

“Yes,” she whispered, gripping the pillow before her.

Liam's fingers ran from the top of her slit down to her snug entrance, circling once before trailing back up to find her clit. When Audrey cried out at his touch, he chuckled.

“Like that, do you?” he purred.

Two fingertips made soft circles on her clit, a slow tempo that made her wild with need. His touch made her burn, made her core flood with the liquid heat of her desire, made her breasts ache and her nipples grow tight.

She was too hot, her skin too tight, and yet he kept stroking her. Drawing the lust from her body, making her hips rock against his naughty fingers.

Too soon, his fingers slid from her clit, traveled down to her entrance. 

“Yes!” Audrey cried, ready for him to fill her, give her what she needed most.

“Audrey, you’re so wet for me,” Liam said, his fingers circling, teasing. “You need this, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she whimpered. She was already so close, she just needed his touch on her clit, on her g-spot… anywhere.

“Tell me what you need. Tell me how you want me to do it. Say, ‘Liam, I want you to fuck me…’”

“Liam, I want…” she gasped, writhing against those teasing fingers.

“Say it, Audrey,” he urged, his voice rough and raw.

“I need your fingers,” she said.

“You want me to fuck you with my fingers?” he asked, taunting.

“Yes!” she said, desperate.

“Say please,” he ordered. “Say my name.”

“Liam, please!”

He gave a low growl of pleasure.

“Open yourself wider for me, Audrey.”

She obeyed, leaning further onto the chaise and parting her legs another inch. Liam's free hand came up to spread her ass cheeks as he slid a single thick finger into her throbbing core.

Audrey cried out and arched her back, thrilling in the invasion. She moaned when he withdrew, only to plunge two fingers inside her.

“You’re so tight. You don’t get fucked enough, Audrey. I’m going to stretch you out tonight,” he threatened.

“Yes,” she whimpered. He withdrew and thrust, withdrew and thrust those fingers until her legs trembled, her taut inner muscles clenching. She was just on the brink, her orgasm a heartbeat away.

“I’m going to come,” she panted, rocking into his touch.

“No, not yet,” he said, pulling his fingers away.

“Liam!” she protested, turning to look at him. He looked her right in the eye and brought his fingers to his lips. He slid his fingers into his mouth, sucking her juices from his fingers with a pleasured mmmmm, his eyes never leaving hers.

Audrey bit her lip, desire bubbling anew.

He pulled his fingers from his mouth with a faint pop, giving her a sly grin.

“You taste even better than I remember, Audrey. I want more. Turn over and strip for me, darling.”

Audrey didn’t think, just rolled over and pulled her dress up over her head.

As she undressed, so did Liam. He shucked his shirt and pants in an instant, leaving him in a pair of tight navy blue boxer briefs.

Audrey fumbled with the clasp of her lacy bra, unable to look away from his powerful thighs and the massive, rigid bulge in his boxers.

Liam reached out to draw the bra’s straps down over her arms, tossing the flimsy material aside. His gaze dropped to her breasts, his eyes darkening to a stormy hunter.

He grabbed her hips and pulled her to the very edge of the chaise, hands sliding up to cup her heavy breasts.

“Look at you,” he said, almost to himself. “You’re so beautiful. I want to spill my cum here—”

He trailed his fingertips between her breasts.

“And here—”

He touched her lips.

“And here…” he said, teasing the hairs on her mons. “And then there’s that pretty little ass of yours. I wish I could take you there, love. Maybe after the baby comes…”

Audrey's eyes widened and she shook her head.

“You’re so bad,” she whispered.

“I’m going to fuck you with my mouth first. Give you the release you obviously need. Just a little taste. Then I’m going to fuck your mouth. Just for a minute, because I don’t want to come too soon,” he told her.

Audrey looked up at him, biting her lip. She squirmed; his words were so blatant, so dominant, they made her ache. 

“Then I’m going to fuck that hot pussy. It felt so good when I touched you, Audrey. Did you like it when I touched your clit and fucked you with my fingers?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, her voice breathy. His voice was making her wetter than ever, his words making her blush because she knew she would love every bit of it.

“Good girl,” Liam said.

His hands came back to her breasts, fingers finding her hard nipples. He rolled and pinched them, sending electric waves from her breasts right down to her throbbing clit.

Liam went to his knees, sliding his palms up her thighs. He braced his thumbs on her mound and pushed her legs apart.

Parting her curls with his fingers, he looked up at her as he leaned in and flicked the tip of his tongue along her soaking slit.

Audrey cried out, tunneling her fingers into his dark hair. His tongue found her aching bud, stroked it in lazy circles. She arched into his mouth, head tipping back.

Her hair tumbled around her shoulders, the silky weight teasing her bare skin. His tongue worked faster, setting a quick rhythm. 

“Yes, yes,” she urged, rocking her hips.

Liam's hands grabbed her hips and pulled her forward another inch, one hand coming up and pressing her body back onto the chaise. She went with ease, her body too eager to deny him anything.

He shifted, continuing to lick her clit, raising his hand to brush his fingertips over her entrance once more.

His lips sealed over her clit, and he gave her a gentle suck as his fingers thrust deep into her core.

“Ah!” she cried, writhing with pleasure.

Liam curled his fingers, his fingertips stroking her g-spot. When she bucked and gasped, he sucked her clit harder, fucking her with his lips, his tongue, and his fingers.

Her body was warm and full and tense, pleasure curling her toes. Need coiled thick in her core, and the muscles in her thighs jumped and trembled.

Her breasts tightened and throbbed. She felt the first spasm as she began to clench around his fingers, the sweet burst of release flooding her veins. 

“I’m going to come,” she panted.

A long, low cry filled the air as she shattered on his tongue. She rocked and writhed, and Liam never stopped, sucking and stroking her through her orgasm.

When she sighed and sagged against him, he slowly withdrew from her still-sensitive flesh.

“Ahhh,” she moaned, floating in the bliss of her release. She hadn’t known just how much she’d needed that until now.

Liam sat on the chaise beside her. She looked up at him with a lopsided grin. When she saw the need darkening his eyes, she licked her lips. Though she’d just come, her body wanted more of him, much more.

He leaned over and kissed her, his lips and mouth wet with her juices. She tasted herself on his tongue, shuddering when he flicked its tip against her own. He pulled back, bringing his glistening fingers to her lips.

“Lick my fingers clean, Audrey,” he said, a soft command.

She looked into his eyes as she opened her mouth, running her tongue down the top of one of his fingers. She took his hand, turning it, and slid his wet fingers into the heat of her mouth, sucking them deep.

He shifted to lie on his side, his free hand brushing her breast, then trailing up to her neck. His fingers caressed her before he wrapped his fingers around the front of her throat, giving a soft squeeze.

She gasped a little, but his touch stayed gentle. He was dominating her, letting her know he was in charge.

“You like to suck, Audrey?” he asked, giving her throat another squeeze.

“Yes,” she said, watching him with wide eyes.

“Get on your knees,” he said.

He stood, pulling her along with him. He pressed her shoulder, pushing her down to the wood floor. She looked up at him, at his towering frame, and realized something.

Though Liam could hurt her, he wouldn’t. There was something about him, something about his tight control, that made her feel safe.

“I trust you,” she said, though he hadn’t asked.

Liam's expression tightened for a moment before he nodded. He ran his fingers over her lips, a smile teasing the corners of his mouth.

“You please me, Audrey,” he said. 

He brought his hands to the band of his boxer briefs and pushed them down his hips, letting them fall to his ankles. Audrey's breath caught in her throat when she saw his erection in all it’s glory.

Long, thick, and proud, it jutted from his body and made her lick her lips in anticipation.

“Open your mouth for me, darling,” he said, grasping his erection in one hand.

Audrey's lips parted, tongue rolling out in offering. Liam slid his hand into her hair, pulling her close. The heavy, hot crown of his cock pressed into her mouth, and he gave a soft groan.