Tell Me a Lie (The Story Series Book 3) (4 page)

“I can’t wait to meet her. Or him.”

“We made a human,” Caleb said softly, caressing my stomach.

It was moments like these when I felt like life was happening as it should. As if, after thirty-five years, I’d finally hit my stride. I went to prenatal yoga and delegated tasks for my new bookstore and for the old one. Life held purpose on every level, and I couldn’t recall ever being so happy. I found myself singing in the shower, in the car, and in the kitchen.

Still, my blood pressure often remained on the high side of normal, and doctors watched me carefully. So did Caleb. He made a point of taking my readings in the morning and at night with the expensive little machine. He looked so serious one day as he wrapped the cuff around my arm that I giggled. We were on the sofa, me propped against some pillows in a sitting position. He knelt over me, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“Don’t move,” he said. “And stop laughing.”

I bit my tongue until he got the reading, which was in the normal zone.

“See, Dr. King? I’m perfectly healthy.”

He grinned as he carefully folded the cuff into the box, and I twisted to face him, my hands at the buttons of my short-sleeved pajama top.

“You were an excellent patient, Mrs. King.”

“Doctor, I was hoping you’d also check my heartbeat.” I undid one button of my shirt, then another. “I feel like you need to do a thorough physical.”

“Hmm. It seems like I’ve forgotten some key instruments, so I’ll have to use some old-fashioned diagnostic tools,” he said, caging me with his arms. One hand opened my shirt, which allowed my breasts to spring free. They’d gotten huge over the past month.

“Oh, no, what kind of tools?” I said, pretending to be concerned.

“My mouth,” he whispered, putting his lips to one nipple, then the other, sending a frisson of desire through me.

“But, Doctor!” I gasped in a fake, high voice. “Whatever will my husband say?”

“Mrs. King, we’re not going to tell your husband about my unorthodox medical practice.” Caleb’s long-lashed eyes were half-closed now, and a little smile played on his lips.

“What methods do you use, Doctor?”

He murmured a laugh and put my hand between his legs. He was already erect, and I wrapped my hand around the outline of his erection and widened my eyes.

“I have certain instruments that will allow me to gauge your overall health, Mrs. King.”

I opened my mouth. “What a big instrument you have, Doctor. Is this safe for pregnant women?”

That made him laugh hard. “I’m sorry, but I’ll need to perform further tests before I judge.” His hand roamed up my bare leg and under the hem of my pajama shorts, making me laugh. Then he pressed his mouth to mine and kissed me, hard and virile.

All roleplaying was over, because I wrapped my arms around his neck so I could devour him.

He was about to slip a finger inside of me when I heard the elevator ding. Caleb sat up with a start.

“Caleb, who’s here?” I scrambled to button my top. I kept meaning to do something about the damned elevator; anyone we’d approved to visit could soar right up and into our living room. This setup had worked for Caleb as a bachelor, but now we were having a family, I didn’t want unannounced chaos. I made a mental note to talk to the concierge.

“Oh, shit, I forgot I told Colin to come over. We’re playing racquetball tonight.”

I rolled my eyes as the doors slid open. “And I thought I had pregnancy brain.”

Caleb stood up, glancing to make sure I was clothed as his brother walked in. He smelled like a cloud of cologne, and I sneezed.

“I thought you were going to spend every night at home until you went to Brazil.” I sounded like a nagging wife, but seeing Colin’s even, white grin annoyed me.

“Hey, lovebirds,” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “Sorry to have interrupted.”

I sat up, grunting. It was probably obvious we’d been fooling around. My hair was wild, my nipples poked through my pajama shirt, and my face was hot and probably pink.

Hoisting myself off the sofa, I waddled slowly into the kitchen. It only took Caleb two steps to catch up with me.

“Babe, I’m sorry. I’ll only be gone a couple of hours, okay? I’ll take a full day off from work before I go. How’s that?”

He looked like such a sheepish little boy, and I grinned. It was impossible for me to stay irritated with Caleb.

“Have fun.” I put my arms around him. “Can you stop and get me one of those huge oatmeal cookies from Whole Foods on the way home?”

He pressed his lips to mine. “Anything for you. I’ll get you two.”

“
I
hate leaving
you like this.” Caleb sighed into my neck.

“I know. I’ll miss you too.” I ruffled his hair. We were lying on the bed, him clothed, me in pajamas. It was nine in the morning and he was waiting for a limo to arrive to take him to the airport, where he’d fly to Brazil. “But it’s only for five days. Quick trip. No big deal.”

I was just over six months pregnant and now spending a lot of time in leisure wear while I worked on the computer from the bed or the sofa. That’s what I called it, anyway. Leisure wear. Caleb called them jammies.

At least they were silk maternity pajamas. I had a different pair for every day of the week, and that morning, I had put on a light blue ensemble after showering.

He groaned. “I know. But you’re so pregnant. I don’t want to be so far away from you. What if something happens?”

“Nothing’s going to happen. I don’t want you to be away, either, but you’ve been working on this project for years. Since before I met you. Remember? You told me about this the first night we met at Story Brothel. You
have
to go to the opening party. The Brazilians would be put off if you didn’t show up.”

“Yeah. You’re right. I wish you could see it with me. Be there with me. It’s an incredible building, Emma. Twice the size of this one.”

“I know. And I’ll see it someday. We’ll see it as a family. And, anyway, even if the mosquito viruses weren’t a concern, I wouldn’t feel like going now. Not when I’m this big and uncomfortable.” It was difficult to believe I had two and a half more months of this. I felt like I’d been pregnant for years.

He sighed and propped himself on his forearms. Stared at me with those big blue eyes of his, in the way he always did that made me feel both vulnerable and loved.

“I don’t care about the opening. I can stay home. If you’re uncomfortable, I should stay.”

“No,” I said, shifting and flopping to my left side, facing him. I glanced down at my legs and caught a glimpse of my ugly, swollen ankles. “You need to do this. I know how important this is. How difficult it’s been to get this building through. It’s been three years, right? More? You need to celebrate. Put the project behind you. I’ll be fine.”

I rattled off all the things I had to do over the next five days, which included changing out of my leisure wear. “Bookstore, baby clothing store, organic market, pregnancy massage…”

Caleb interrupted me. “Please? Try to take it easy, okay? Tack an hour on to the massage. Make it a two-hour session. Between massage and the yoga, your blood pressure’s holding. Thank God it went down last week.”

“I think it’s actually because you’re satisfying my carnal needs,” I teased, then lowered my voice, thinking of how I’d been on top in a reverse cowgirl position that morning and I’d rode him hard. “You
really
satisfied them this morning.”

He exhaled so his bottom lip pushed out and shook his head. “One minute I was thinking about how amazing your ass looked and the next minute I was considering whether to dial 911. I was scared you were going into labor.”

This made me chuckle and I bit his neck.

He growled at me. “God, I’ll miss you. And don’t forget to go to the doctor on Wednesday.”

“Have I ever forgotten a doctor’s visit?”

“No, but you did accidentally put the coconut milk in the freezer.”

I laughed. “It’s called pregnancy brain. Which I think you’re suffering from by proxy. You’ve been really absentminded lately.”

“Probably, yes. Or it’s those damned malaria pills I’ve had to take. I hate those things. Oh, make sure to take your pressure readings twice a day, like we’ve been doing. I’ll send you a text to remind you.”

I swatted him on the arm. “You don’t have to do that.”

Caleb’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. He sat up to check it. “It’s the concierge. The car’s here.”

“Okay,” I said, my voice suddenly small. A pang of fear went through me. Maybe I really wasn’t prepared for him to be gone for five days. Since I’d gotten pregnant, Caleb had ceased all work travel. Not because I’d asked; he’d done it on his own.

But his job needed him this week. I had to stop being childish about this because there would be plenty of times in the future where he’d have to travel all over the world, alone. I struggled to sit up, feeling like a manatee out of water. Caleb helped me into position, then pulled me to standing.

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m okay. Really.” My heart started beating, hard, and I put my arms around him. Why did I feel so needy all of a sudden? It was wild how pregnancy made my emotions shift with the wind.

“Okay. I’m a phone call away. Don’t hesitate to text, email, call, whatever. I have a timetable of all the direct flights to Florida, so I can try to be on one if you need me immediately.”

“Okay.” I clung to him tighter, willing the tears away. Until now, I thought I was fine with his solo trip. Now, I wasn’t so sure.

“Sarah and Laura will be checking in, too. They know to text or call me if anything happens.”

“Please don’t worry about me, Caleb. I want
you
to be safe. Do you have your malaria medication?”

“I do.”

“You need to keep taking it, you know.”

He nodded and kissed my forehead. He’d been taking the malaria meds for a couple of weeks now, and in addition to some forgetfulness, the pills had given him headaches and vivid, terrible dreams. We both couldn’t wait until the trip was over so he could purge his body from the drugs.

“And if you need anything else, Colin’s here.”

I sighed. “I’m sure I can handle everything by myself. Don’t worry. Now go. The car’s waiting.”

“I love you, Emma doll.” He put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me close, devouring me with a deep, desperate kiss.

When he broke away, my heart was beating even faster. “And I love you.”

Keeping his eyes on mine, he knelt and put his hands on my stomach, then touched his lips to the swell. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered.

Then he rose and we walked arm-in-arm to the elevator.

We kissed about five more times until the doors slid open.

He stepped in, and I hoped he didn’t see the tears in my eyes. I pressed my fingers to my lips, then extended my hand in the air toward him.

Caleb did the same, and the doors slid shut.

T
he first morning
without Caleb I woke, sprawled on our huge bed, my body pulsing and aching for sex. I’d had the most sensual dream, a fuzzy interlude involving Caleb’s tongue flickering between my legs, tormenting and teasing. Prince’s “Adore” played in a loop in my brain, fueling my neediness. Lately my dreams had been graphic and dirty, filled with hyper-real sounds and emotions.

More than once, I’d had a delicious sleep orgasm. Not this morning, though. This morning I was aroused and wishing my husband was next to me.

I reached for the phone and dialed Caleb on video call. It was only seven in the morning in Brazil, six in Florida. Surely he wasn’t at meetings already? I arranged my hair on the pillow, hoping I looked tousled and sexy.

He didn’t answer, and I jabbed at the screen, letting out a little indignant grunt. I allowed my hand to flutter over my breasts, trying to recall my dream, and then my phone rang.

“Hey,” I murmured. “Why didn’t you answer? Why aren’t you calling on video?”

“I was in the shower. Why are you up so early? Are you okay?”

I hummed dreamily. “I was woken by a very sexy dream. Involving you, your mouth, and the Prince song I love.”

Caleb chuckled. “Are you in bed?”

“Yes.”

“Are you calling me for phone sex?”

“How did you guess? Switch to video so we can see each other,” I giggled.

He groaned. “Babe, I’m sorry. I’d love, to but I can’t. I’m already running late. I got awful sleep last night and then blew through the alarm this morning.”

I frowned and stopped stroking my inner thigh. “That’s not like you. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. A little distracted. But, Emma?”

“Yes, babe?”

“I miss you. More than I’ve ever missed anything.”

His voice sounded wistful, maybe even a little sad, and I wanted to cheer him up. “Every minute that passes is a minute closer to seeing you again. You’ll be home soon, sweet boy.”

I heard a buzzing noise in the background on the other end and Caleb sighed. “I have to run—the driver’s here. But, Emma doll, tonight when I’m finished with work, I promise to give you the best video phone sex you’ve ever had.”

“It’s a date.”

“And right now? I want you to touch yourself and think of me fucking you. Can you do that? Don’t get out of bed until you’ve come. Promise?” His voice dropped, and a corresponding molten heat surged between my legs.

I grinned and moaned a little. He was such a tease.

“Promise.”

T
he days
without him passed quickly. Each night Caleb called and we’d talk for an hour, then his purring, buzzy voice would direct me to do nasty things with my fingers and vibrator. But I was missing
him.
His laughter, his wit, and yes, his body.

Thank goodness he was coming home soon. Still, I wanted to get as much done as possible in his absence so I could enjoy him for a couple of days. We’d planned to get away to his family’s lake house near the Ocala National Forest, a private estate that included a natural spring where we could swim naked. I couldn’t wait, even though I suspected I’d look more like a sea cow than a mermaid.

After a breakfast of fresh-squeezed juice, two eggs, an English muffin, and a slice of cantaloupe, I threw on my favorite black jersey maternity dress, some sensible ballet flats, and a pair of oversized red sunglasses.

My phone buzzed right when I was about to step in the elevator.

Emma darling, how is your morning? I miss you. Feeling okay?

I smiled and returned the text.

Hey, babe. I’m on my way to the bookstore. Feeling great, the baby is kicking like crazy. How’s São Paulo? I miss you, too.

Caleb quickly texted a photo of the building, telling me the party was in less than eight hours and he was doing some work in his hotel room.

Wish I was there with you. I love you.
I took a selfie and sent it to him.

Beautiful as ever. I’ll call you later. I love you, Emma doll.

Whenever he texted me, emailed, or called, I still got a little charge. Even after three years together. That reminded me; our anniversary of the night we’d met at Story Brothel was coming up. I wanted to buy him a gift. But what?

I pondered this while I drove to my bookstore, which was only five blocks away. I had so many stops to make today I didn’t have time to walk. Or, in my case, waddle.

Gina, the store’s new manager, was already there when I arrived. And so was my brother-in-law. I rolled my eyes. Colin was dressed in one of his expensive tailored suits, leaning over the counter and grinning at Gina with familiar predatory eyes.

“Hey,” I said dismissively. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

“We met at your New Year’s Eve party. Don’t you remember?” Gina asked.

I shrugged, stuffing my purse in a drawer. For some reason, I thought Colin had brought another woman to our party. I hadn’t kept track. The TV reporter, perhaps?

The urge to say something snarky about Colin’s never-ending parade of women was on the tip of my tongue, but I liked Gina a lot, so I didn’t. Later, maybe I’d tell her about his inability to commit. Or maybe I wouldn’t because it was none of my damn business. Still, I wanted her to stay with the store and didn’t need any tension between us when my brother-in-law inevitably ghosted her.

“Oh, right, I do remember you two dancing on the terrace.” I patted my stomach.

“Yes, Gina was showing me how to salsa. She’s quite rhythmic. And those cake pops of hers…” Colin grinned lustily. I could fully understand why he’d be smitten with her; Gina was gorgeous and fun. She had wavy, honey-blonde hair, wore dark-rimmed glasses, and had a curvy body. Gina was also bright, witty, and wrote for a popular feminist website.

So why would she want anything to do with Colin?
I wondered.

“Em, did Caleb send you the photos of the building?” Colin passed his phone to Gina, and she cooed.

“He did. It looks amazing. I’m really proud of him.”

“We all are.” Colin straightened and caught my eye. God, he was tall. Like his brother. I hoped the baby would get their height. “Well, I need to get to the office. Em, see you around. Gina, I’ll text you tonight. Maybe we can catch a movie or something.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she called out in a higher-pitched voice than usual.

As Colin walked out, I shuffled through the mail. Gina came up next to me.

“I won’t go out with him if you don’t want me to. If you think it would be awkward.”

I looked at her, puzzled. “Why would it be awkward?”

“Because you’re my boss and he’s your brother-in-law.”

I shrugged. “You’re free to do whatever you want.”

“But?”

“There’s no buts.” I paused, then smiled. “Okay, there is a but. And I’m telling you this woman-to-woman. As a friend, not a boss. I’m not sure Colin is, um, the best choice for anything but a fling.”

Gina grinned. “Who says I want anything more than a fling?”

I rubbed my stomach and burst out laughing at Gina’s words. I’d said the same thing once upon a time, right in this very store.

I
didn’t stop moving
all day. There was the baby clothing shop, where I intended only to look but walked out with a dozen organic cotton mint-green onesies, each with a different animal embroidered on the front. I spent two hours at my new bookstore, talking to contractors who were finishing an annex to the main sales floor where I planned to throw romance-themed parties and hold book signings. I dropped off a check to the interior designer of the nursery, drank a fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, bought two oatmeal cookies and ate one, went back to the bookstore to pick up checks, and then ran to the bank before it closed. After, I was famished and ate an entire gluten-free vegan pizza.

Along the way, I sent Caleb photos.

Do you like the onesies?

I ate this entire pizza.

And this cookie.

Do you still have a headache?

He responded immediately each time.

When’s your massage? You need to slow down and relax.

Yes, I am still feeling a little weird. I think it’s something I ate.

Can’t wait to be home.

Why did he always have to push himself?

Don’t drink too much tonight. I’m going into massage place now. Don’t worry about me!

After the two-hour rubdown, I felt boneless and spent. The shred of energy I had left was spent on driving home, and when I arrived, I stripped off my clothes, peed, drank water, peed some more, and then flopped on the bed. I looked at the time. It was already six o’clock.

Are you at the party?
I texted to Caleb.

Yes, check out the food and flower spread.

He sent several photos of the tropical displays, each one more beautiful than the last.

Ohhh I wish I could be there.

I do, too.

Have fun and don’t worry about texting me over the next few hours. I’m going to nap. Or maybe go to bed for the evening. I’m sleepy. Make sure you get enough rest.

I hoped Caleb would work less when the baby came. We’d have to have a talk about it when he got home.

Yes, I will. But please relax, my love. And take your blood pressure at some point. Don’t forget. I miss you. Quero passar minha vida te amando.

I grinned and tapped on the screen.
I’m so impressed with your Portuguese.
What does that mean?

I want to spend my lifetime loving you.

I sighed. Could I have married a better man?

I love you so much. Text me when the party’s over and you return to your hotel room.

I didn’t even have the strength to set my phone on the nightstand. Instead, I held it as I drifted off.