16. Maci
16
MACI
“O ne down, one to go,” I say. Tysen squeezes the inside of my leg, where he’s been holding me the short trip from my parents’ house to his. There were times he’d travel inward, his fingers would brush against my center, and I’d open my legs without even realizing I was doing it. Then he’d move away, causing me to arch my body and groan in frustration. He knew what he was doing, getting me hot and bothered while simultaneously keeping my mind off our next stop. The only problem I have now is that I’m aching and wet. I can only hope my cheeks aren’t tinged with redness and my eyes aren’t glazed with lust burning through my irises.
We’re currently sitting inside of his SUV at the curb. I’d have preferred to meet his mom in different clothing. Truth be told, the man sitting beside me would have waited a millennium on me to go through the boxes to find what I was looking for, except the mere thought of putting something too tight on my stomach had me admitting defeat.
“This will be a cake walk, similar to your parents. Mom and Dad only want me to be happy and, babe, you make me really fuckin’ happy.” He dips his head, then his mouth coasts along mine. A slight sigh leaves my lips, and as much as I’d love for him to deepen it, he pulls back.
“Says you. I’m ready to come if a light breeze slides across my clit.”
“Later,” he promises.
“Well, I mean, it has to be since we’re here, but that doesn’t mean I won’t pay you back in some sort of way, Tysen.” He gives me a wolfish grin. Then he pulls his door open, steps out, closes it, and walks around the hood of the vehicle to help me out. I already tried to let myself out yesterday and was told in no uncertain terms not to touch the door handle. The same can be said when the time comes to get into said vehicle.
Another grumble came from me when Tysen and my dad basically ganged up on me and told me I’m not to so much as lift a box. I can pack and unpack, that’s it. Mom told me to roll with it. Clearly, Tysen and my dad seem to be a chip off the old block in their way of thinking.
“Ready?” Tysen asks, opening my door. I slide one foot out and climb out. I’m in leggings, a tank top, a cute spring open knit sweater, and a pair of suede mules. It says I’m put together but not over the top trying to impress Tysen’s mom. I also had it packed with me when Samuel and I worked together, though if I were going out to grab a bite to eat at night, I’d probably slip on the jeans I had with me.
“I am.” I take his offered hand, holding it tightly with mine. I’m trying to appear like I’m made of nerves of steel when in fact, I am not. Tysen spoke about his parents with a very high regard last night. Much like mine, they’ve been married forever. He has a younger brother who came later in life, whereas I’m an only child, and he said his mom is notorious for asking twenty-one questions. Hence why I’m way more anxious to spill the beans than I was to my parents, plus my parents have to love me. They’re my blood, and while Dad made no qualms about his feelings about Chad the chode, Mom kept quiet and was there in a way that you’d go to a girlfriend. Which I did, many a time. She listened, didn’t judge, and she always gave suggestions even though I didn’t take any of them with me once we were off the phone.
“There you are. I hope you’re hungry,” Tysen’s mom greets from the front porch steps. I watch as she walks down the steps, Tysen’s dad following behind her, shaking his head.
“Hi, Ma, told you food wasn’t necessary.” He drops my hand, yet I don’t lose his warmth. He slides it across my lower back, bracketing me in a way that calms my ever-present nerves.
“And has your mom ever been one to not have food ready at any given time?” his dad asks. My eyes bounce from his mom back to his dad, who is much like Tysen, propelling his wife forward. Tysen gets his looks naturally. While he favors his mom’s skin tone, he also has her warm eyes and easy smile. I can also see where he gets his dad’s similarities, especially in personality. The take charge kind of man who will protect his woman no matter the cost, and I notice the dimples he's showcasing are exactly like Tysen’s as well.
“Hush, you. I warned him yesterday in our message to come hungry.” Mrs. Vaughn moves away from her husband, stopping to place a kiss on Tysen’s cheek, and I notice he has to bend down to reach her. She does the same on his opposite cheek while squeezing his arms.
“Hey, Ma, I want you to meet Maci. Maci, this is my mom, Loretta Vaughn.” I hold my hand out to shake hers.
“Hello, Mrs. Vaughn,” I say.
“I’m Loretta or Retta. Mrs. Vaughn is my mother-in-law, God bless her soul. It’s so good to meet you, Maci.” She does the exact same to me that she did to Tysen, kissing my cheek and all. I make a mental note that Loretta is a lot like my mom; she’s affectionate.
“I’m Carter. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Tysen’s dad comes right behind her, giving me a quick hug before pulling back. I watch as Carter goes to his son, cups his neck, and they give one another a nod while having a silent conversation.
Once they’re done, Tysen’s hand is back in mine, and my other hand holds on to his inner bicep as we follow them into their home. They lead us through the house, meandering through a hallway before coming into the kitchen. Still, we don’t stop until Carter is opening the sliding glass door and holding it open for us to proceed him.
My eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets at the smorgasbord of food she has spread out on the table—fresh fruit and a vegetable platter, sandwiches on a tiered tray with different options, a pitcher of lemonade and sweet tea are off to the side, as well as chips. Then there’s the most decadent cake I think I’ve ever seen in my life, covered in thick schmears of what looks like buttercream frosting, and I’m ready to dive face first into the sweet treat.
“Mom,” Tysen says with an underlying tone. My hand swats at his hard stomach.
“Tysen, be quiet. I’m hungry,” I say in a teasing tone.
“Listen to your lady, Tysen,” his mom says, taking her seat.
“Son, you know she’s not going to let you leave hungry.” Carter pushes in Loretta’s chair before he takes a seat beside her. I do the same, and clearly, Tysen got his manners from his dad because he does the exact same thing, helping me scooch closer to the table.
“Ma, Dad, we’d like to tell you something.” Tysen is standing behind me, his hands cupping my shoulders.
“I already know. She’s glowing.” Loretta points at me with one hand and picks up a plate with the other. Then she does similar to Tysen and says, “Plus, you’re looking at the world like it’s already yours.” My mouth opens and closes. Okay, clearly, I was the one in denial this whole time because everyone knew except me. To be fair, I did have a normal period right after our night at the hotel, but I guess that can be normal in some pregnancies.
“Loretta,” Carter clears his throat.
“You’re right, I’m pregnant,” I say in a hushed tone.
“Then this is cause for a celebration.” Carter jumps out of his seat. Loretta does similar, and hugs are given all the way around. I hear Loretta ask when he’ll pop the question, and he tells her she’ll know after he asks me first.
God, how I love this man. We all settle back in our seats, Loretta stacks our plates sky high, and I notice that Tysen isn’t getting his usual red meat in the form of a steak but instead with roast beef. I go for similar since it looks like Loretta had it simmering in an au jus and it’s thoroughly cooked. This morning, I made a point to sit down with my phone and read the dos and don’ts of pregnancy. The list is ridiculously long and one I’ll definitely adhere to.
* * *
“Be right back. Gotta text the guys. They’ll activate the women and bring you into the fold within ten minutes,” Tysen says, placing a kiss on my forehead and excusing himself from the conversation we’ve been having with his mom after I’ve filled myself to the gills.
“My boy knows what he wants and goes after it or her,” Loretta says once Tysen leaves the room. “I knew when he sent me a message yesterday that he’d found the one.” She takes a sip of her lemonade. “My boys, they don’t bring anyone around unless they’re serious. Tysen never has. Neither has Kai. Welcome to the family, honey.”
“Thank you. This isn’t exactly planned, but I can tell you the feelings I have for Tysen are the real deal.” I move the piece of cake around on my plate.
“You’re welcome, and I already know, Maci. I can tell by the way you look at my son. Now, should I pull out Tysen’s baby pictures?” she asks, changing the subject.
“Please do.” A look of mischief appears on her face, and I know I’m going to be getting every detail of Tysen growing up that I can.
“What did I miss?” Tys reappears within a few minutes.
“Oh, nothing,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders.
“I’ll be right back.” Loretta ignores Tysen’s question and bustles into the house. Carter excused himself a few minutes before his son did, stating he had a business meeting he needed to attend.
“Christ, what is she going after, Mac?” Tysen’s voice drops an octave, his lips going to my ear, where he whispers, “You better tell me, babe, or I’ll hold out on you when we get home.” I’m an absolute puddle and have been since we got here, something that’s been hard to conceal. His hand settles on the inside of my thigh again, but this time, it’s all the way to the apex of where my leg and pussy meet. My eyes close, a low moan leaves me, and I feel a shiver work its way through my body. “Better hurry. She’ll be back in a minute, and it’s your orgasm on the line,” Tysen groans. I fist my hands on either side of the chair.
“Baby pictures.” The tip of his pinky slides across my clit, pressing down at first. Then he goes in for the kill, pinching my clit, and call it what you will, but my orgasm rolls through me as fast as a tidal wave. I’ve been on edge for too long, the need to hold back no longer possible.
“Fuckin’ fuck, that fast, that hot. My baby needed me. Go clean up. I’ll grab her attention and get through this version of hell. Later, though, I’ll be taking you hard and see if I can get you off again that fast.” Tysen licks his lips. My eyes linger on the motion, wanting to feel them all over my body. “Go, before I say fuck it, toss you over my shoulder, and carry you out to the car.” I slide the chair back, and he stands up to re-situate himself. I’m still left speechless. Never did an orgasm hit me that fast. Tysen spins me until my back is to his front, probably to hide the massive hard-on he’s sporting.
“Tys.” I finally regain some of my senses.
“Shh, Maci. You say my name like that again, and I’ll be coming in my damn pants.” We clear the sliding glass door, and when he points in the direction of the hall, I nod, and then he’s off to waylay his mom while I get ahold of myself. A task I’m finding harder and harder to accomplish when Tysen is in my presence.