Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
EMMA
I never thought this could happen.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Charlie could want me, want us, the way I wanted him. For months, I’d been preparing myself for heartbreak, convincing myself that this was temporary, that he’d eventually tire of playing house.
But now... now everything had changed.
He loved me.
He wanted our baby.
He wanted a future with us.
How could I have been so blind to miss the signs?
His fingers traced my skin as he tugged my panties off, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He stared down at my naked body with a look of pure need painted across his gorgeous face. I’d get to wake up to that face for the rest of my life. It barely felt real. I couldn’t wipe the stupid, happy grin from my face even as my body clenched with desire.
We were going to be a real family. The thought brought tears to my eyes, happy ones this time.
I reached up, cupping Charlie’s face in my hands. His hazel eyes met mine, brimming with love and desire.
“I hope you never stop looking at me like that,” he whispered before capturing my lips with his.
His kiss was gentle but desperate, long and drugging. It consumed my thoughts, leaving me glowing with the absolute certainty that he was mine.
He trailed kisses along my jaw and down my neck. I shivered and the empty ache in my core intensified. Maybe it was the hormones, or maybe it was the newfound certainty of our relationship, but every caress felt electric.
“Charlie,” I breathed, running my fingers through his hair as he lavished attention on my collarbone.
He paused and my fingers dove into his hair, trying to pull him back. He resisted.
“You okay, love? Is this too much?”
I shook my head, smiling at his concern. “No, it’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
His answering grin was breathtaking. He moved lower, pressing soft kisses to my swollen belly. The tenderness of the gesture brought fresh tears to my eyes. This man, who I’d convinced myself couldn’t possibly want this life, was worshipping the very evidence of our shared future.
“I love you,” he murmured against my skin. “Both of you.”
His hands skimmed up my sides, cupping my breasts gently. I gasped at the sensation; my body had become so much more sensitive lately. He seemed to understand without me saying a word, his touch becoming feather-light as he explored.
“You’re so beautiful,” Charlie said, his voice filled with awe. “I can’t believe you’re finally all mine.”
I pulled him up for another kiss, pouring all my love and newfound certainty into it. “I am yours,” I whispered against his lips. “And you’re mine. Always.”
As Charlie’s hands continued their exploration, I lost myself in the sensation, in the love and desire coursing through me. His touch trailed lower until his fingers danced just above my aching clit. “Yes,” I hissed, my hips thrusting upwards in search of relief.
Charlie chuckled darkly. “You want it, darling? Beg for it.”
“Please,” I moaned.
“Please what?”
“Make me come.”
His finger brushed against my clit, and my entire body shuddered. While he continued to stroke me, he lowered himself to kneel at my feet. I choked on a moan as he added his tongue to the mix. He teased me, varying the pressure while his fingers thrust inside of me.
“Oh, Charlie,” I whimpered, already hovering on the edge of orgasm.
“Come for me, Emma,” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.
Between his skillful touch and wicked tongue, I flew over the edge before I was ready. I cried out, my body convulsing.
“Yes, fuck yes,” I moaned, riding his hand unashamedly, chasing the intense waves of pleasure.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous when you come.” Charlie straightened up and buried his face in my neck, pressing a soft kiss below my jaw, then licking a soft kiss to my earlobe. “I’ll never get enough of putting that blissed-out expression on your face.”
I chuckled. “Good, because my needs have not changed.”
His face lit up with a sly smile. He stood up and shoved his boxers down, revealing his thick, hard cock. He climbed onto the bed and lay down, patting his lap.
“Get over here and ride me.”
I crawled towards him without hesitation, threw my leg over his waist and straddled him. My fingers curled around his cock and he bit his lip, like he was seconds away from losing control. The idea made my pussy clench. His hands roamed my body, caressing my curves and teasing my sensitive nipples. I dragged the tip through my folds, my eyes fluttering shut at the delicious but light pressure.
“If the plan is to torture me, it’s working.”
“Just making sure you want it bad enough.” I opened my eyes and grinned down at him.
He snorted. “If you don’t give me that pussy right now, I’m going to return the favour with some of my new toys.”
I sank down slowly. Not because I didn’t want to play, I definitely did. But I only had so much restraint. I groaned as I bottomed out, overwhelmingly full.
“Oh fuck, yes,” he hissed, his hands gripping my hips.
I began to ride him, my movements slow and measured, enjoying the feeling of him sliding in and out of me. Each time I bottomed out, he tilted my hips, grazing my clit against his cock. Mindless with pleasure, my movements quickly developed into erratic rocks.
“You’re mine,” he muttered as he took control, pounding into me from below. “I’m going to fill you up with my cum, make sure you remember it. Every single day.”
My inner walls clenched at his words. Why was that hot? It was fucking unhinged, yet my body loved it. Would it stop being hot once the baby arrived? When his new obsession gained real consequences?
I couldn’t say, but I wasn’t sure I wanted it to.
This was a piece of him reserved only for me.
But beneath the dirty talk, there was an undertone of love and devotion I couldn’t miss. Even in the reverent way he gripped me, the soft glint in his eyes, his love shone through.
Had it always been there?
As I continued to ride him, my orgasm built inside of me, a relentless force that could not be denied. I moaned, “Oh god, Charlie, I’m going to…”
I couldn’t get the words out before my body locked up and pleasure rushed through me.
Charlie let out a triumphant roar, following me over the edge. His body bucked beneath me as he came inside of me, filling me to the brim. It was an intense, soul-baring moment, one that left me feeling both drained and yet somehow fuller than before.
Still wracked with aftershocks, I slid off him and laid on my back, completely spent and sleepy.
“If you keep satisfying me like this, we’ll never have another argument again.”
“I like that idea.” He chuckled and curled around me, his hand sliding down to my belly. “Next time, I’ll just bend you over the nearest surface and make love to you until you forget why you were pissed at me.”
He pressed a soft kiss to my lips. His fingers caressed my entrance, making me moan. I realised what he was doing. One glance in that frustratingly well-positioned mirror and I confirmed my suspicions.
Charlie was scooping up his cum and pushing it back inside of me. I moaned as he unintentionally stoked the aftershocks, teasing me with slow, deliberate strokes. I stretched languidly, my body still humming with satisfaction. Five minutes went by and still his fingers continued their gentle exploration, sending little sparks of pleasure through me. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his focused expression.
The doorbell rang, echoing through the house and with a dramatic sigh, Charlie rolled out of bed. I admired the view until he pulled on a pair of sweatpants. He left, grumbling something about disabling the doorbell and I reached for my robe.
My question still circled in my mind. If he kept up like this, I’d end up pregnant again as soon as it was medically possible.
Do I want that?
He could always get a vasectomy or I could get the implant. The idea of him indulging in his quirks without consequences held a certain appeal. But then again...
I padded barefoot down the hallway, consumed with the image of another baby, a sibling for our peanut. A real family unit, complete with a ring on my finger and Charlie by my side. The thought warmed me from the inside out.
When I reached the landing above the stairs, I stopped, staring down at the mess of our entryway with confusion. Charlie stood amongst a maze of boxes.
“What’s all this?” I asked.
Charlie glanced up at me, panic flickering across his face. “Oh, you know. Just... stuff.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Go back to bed, I’ll be up before you know it.”
I descended the stairs, my narrowed eyes fixed on him, unconvinced.
“Oh really? It’s nothing?”
He nodded but his eyes widened when I reached for the nearest box. I pried it open to reveal a tiny onesie covered in cartoon dinosaurs.
“‘Just stuff,’ huh?” I held up the onesie, smirking. “I didn’t realise you’d taken up doll collecting.”
Charlie’s ears turned pink. “Okay, so I might have gone a little overboard with the baby shopping.”
I laughed, digging through more boxes. Each one revealed more adorable baby items — clothes, toys, even a state-of-the-art baby monitor.
“A little overboard?” I shook my head, unable to keep the amusement out of my voice. “Charlie, you’ve bought enough for a small army of babies. Should I be worried you’re planning on starting a daycare?”
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Can you blame me for being excited?”
I leaned into him, my heart swelling with affection. “Buying so much stuff, anyone would think you want more kids.”
Charlie stiffened behind me, his arm tightening. “Do you?” he asked, his tone serious. “Want more kids, I mean.”
I studied him. Hope and uncertainty warred in his eyes, reminding me of our earlier conversation. How could I have ever doubted this man’s commitment?
“Well,” I said, letting a coy smile play on my lips, “I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea. You know, hypothetically speaking.”
The grin that spread across his face could have lit up the entire city of Los Angeles. “Yeah?”
I nodded, my own smile growing. “Yeah. But let’s get through this one first, shall we?”
Charlie pulled me closer, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Absolutely. But just for future reference, how many are we talking? Because I’m thinking six would be a good, round number.”
“Six?” I burst out laughing, shaking my head in disbelief. “Are you insane? Three, tops.”
“Four?” he negotiated, waggling his eyebrows.
“Three,” I insisted, still giggling. “And that’s my final offer.”
He pretended to consider this, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Well, I suppose I can work with three. For now.”
Surrounded by baby paraphernalia, my chest aching with more love than I knew what to do with, I couldn’t help but wonder how we’d gotten here.
Wonderful, clumsy but thoughtful Charlie. Who would have thought that the man who once claimed he didn’t want kids would now be haggling over how many we should have?
“What?” He asked at my chuckle.
I shook my head, smiling up at him. “Nothing. I’m just... happy. Really, really happy.”
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Me too, Em. Me too.”