Chapter 16
“It’s a bad one.”
She nodded, still trying to get her breath back. Leaning against him, she closed her eyes and took deep breaths. The first three months had been like a walk in the park and then as soon as she touched on the second trimester, the problems had started.
Some days, the nausea was so bad, she had to stay in bed. She had lost weight, but the doctor with her unfailing cheerful disposition had told them it was nothing to worry about.
“Your blood pressure is normal, and you are healthy except for the nausea. Keep taking the pills.”
Sonya had wanted to kill the woman. If it wasn’t for her history and reputation, she would have gone somewhere else.
Robert was even more distraught. He wanted to hire someone from out of town or even out of the country. He checked on her every few minutes and insisted on staying home and working from here whenever she was feeling poorly.
“You told me you were all right when I was leaving this morning.” He forced himself to tamp down the anger. He had been home with her for the past couple of days, tending to her in between negotiating the acquisition for the new cruise line.
“I was.” She turned her head to give him a tremulous smile.
“You lied to me.” That was something he wasn’t able to come to grips with.
“Not exactly.” His steely glance had her sighing. “You had meetings and have been away from the office for two days.”
“Do you think I care about any of that?” He scooped her into his arms and marched with her over to the sink so she could rinse her mouth out. When she was finished, he took her into the bedroom and placed her on the pillows. “You pretended that you were well and all the time you were puking your guts out.”
“Okay, fine. Be mad with me.” She folded her arms under her breasts and glared back at him. “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired and I wanted a break from your hovering.”
He reared back as if she had struck him and had her feeling like a major bitch.
“I’ll go and get some tea.”
“Robert…,” she blew out a breath when he simply turned away and strode from the room. He had been nothing but supportive of her. The man had done everything except carry the baby. He made sure she was eating right and had instructed the housekeeper to prepare meals she could stomach. He was with her for every appointment.
His sister would check on her often and would stop by whenever she was free. Surprisingly, her mother was very enthusiastic and could not wait to be a grandmother. But Robert – he had canceled his out-of-town appointments so that he could be near in case she needed him.
He came back with a tray of not only the steaming cup of tea, but some saltines as well. Her husband did not miss any details. The man was a gem, and she was a fool for taking him for granted.
Placing the tray table over her lap, he stepped back. “I will be in the office if you need anything else.’ His tone was cool and distant and made her want to cry. That was it. She hated the changes, especially the emotions ones that had her crying at the drop of a hat and turning into a flaming bitch. And she had no right to take it out on him.
“Stay.”
“I have work.”
“I need you.” Taking up the tray, she put it on the side table, her hands not quite steady. “Please. I’m sorry. I am a mess.”
She could not help the tears and did not want to. “I thought I would be this hot and independent pregnant woman who would carry on as usual.” She sniffed. “Instead, I am sick all the time and throwing pity parties and taking my husband for granted and being an uber bitch.”
His anger dissipated, and a smile touched his lips as he came and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Is that what you have been doing?” His hand lifted to her face and his thumbs rubbed at the moisture. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“I love you so much and I still getting used to having someone anticipate my every need.” She placed a hand over his and leaned into him. “I also hate the weakness that makes me need you so much.”
She turned her head to look at him. “You have been putting off your business trips so that you can stay with me. I don’t like that. I don’t like feeling this way, vulnerable and needy.”
His expression softened. “And you especially do not like staying at home while there are homelessness around and people who need help. Don’t you think you have more than made up for the past?”
Her lashes drifted over her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Lifting her head, he forced her to meet his gaze. “You were a child then and had no idea and did not care that you were hurting people. What you are doing now, all those charities that you are involved with, more than make up for past mistakes. You do not have to try so hard. You have already made your mark and I am so proud of you.”
His words and the intensity of his deep voice had her tearing up again. The man had such a way with words! “What have I done? Except beg for money to contribute to the various causes. You on the other hand have managed to remake yourself.” She sniffed. “I have been to several functions and have seen the way people gravitate towards you.
They ask for business advice and listen when you talk as if they have never heard those words before. You’re magnificent, darling and I am incredibly proud to be your wife.”
Emotions stormed through him, and he marveled that he was not swept away by the force of it. Her opinion was all that mattered to him, no one else’s. She was what mattered, and it will always be that case.
“Now you’re making me feel wobbly.” He took a shaky breath. “I adore you. And I would like the chance to hover. I cannot help myself darling. I see you going through all of what you’re going through and loving you the way I do, it pains me to see you suffering.
I want to take the sickness away. If I had the power, I would take everything away so that you never feel a moment of discomfort. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Come to bed,” she whispered achingly. She had the sudden violent urge to show him how much she loved him.
“I will in a minute. I want to make certain you get some sleep. I…”
“No.” Her fingers were digging into his wrist. “I want to make love to my husband.”
He simply stared at her and could not help the stirring of a desire so thick; he had to push it aside. He was not a damn monster, not even the fact that they had not made love for the past two days was going to make him turn into one.
“No.” He shook his head firmly. “You’re not well.”
“I am feeling fine now and there’s a law against refusing a pregnant woman anything.” Her eyes were glowing with desire and lighting a fuse inside him.
“Darling, please don’t look at me like that,” he pleaded.
“Then take off your clothes and come to bed.”
“We can’t,” he murmured weakly, hating himself for being so damned susceptible to her. “We can’t,” he repeated, trying to sound authoritative.
She shredded his self-control or the little he had, by simply moving away and shrugging out of her robe. She had lost some weight, but her breasts had not followed suit. Because of the weight loss, they appeared to be more rounded and were certainly fuller.
His eyes wandered over the pointed peaks of her nipples which were already responding to his avid gaze, and he knew that even if a gun was held to his head, he was going to make love to her. His body was already consenting, even if his mind was desperately trying to hold onto reason.
“We shouldn’t.” His weak mind was still trying to hold onto reason of course but had slowly lost the battle. His cock was straining against his slacks and had a life of its own.
“Are you going to just sit there?”
Damn her, he thought hazily, feeling his brain turning into mush when she cupped her breasts and offered them to him. He was lost and they both knew it.
Jumping off the bed, he wrestled with his clothing, the frustration obvious as he tried to ease the zipper down.
Her tinkling laughter had him smiling as he finally managed to rid himself of his clothing and joined her.
“Uh, no!” She stopped him when he reached for her. “I am in charge here. Pregnant and all, I call the shots.”
“That’s emotional blackmail,” he growled.
“Call it what you will. Now lie back and no touching.”
“That’s not…”
“No talking either!” He did not say anything when she straddled him and wrapped both of his hands around the thick intricate pattern of the headboard.
“You’re tense.” Her eyes met his as she started to work on the tight knots of his shoulder muscles. “Ah, here we go.” Her fingers kneaded slowly as she kept her eyes on his face.
Stress at work?”
Her beautiful and sexy lips curved into a smile when he merely lifted his brows and did not respond.
“Being cooperative, I see.” Her fingers drifted to his neck and pressed down, feeling the erratic beating of his pulse. “Why don’t I do the talking? I was thinking if it is a boy, we name him Charles.” Her smile widened as he glowered at her.
“No? How about Francis? It is a nice strong name and I think it’s English.” She laughed at the look on his face. She was now massaging his chest and whisking her thumbs over his nipples, relishing the change of expression and the groan that escaped him.
“If it’s a girl…?” Her breathing was hitching in her chest as she continued to toy with his nipples. “Sarah with a ‘H’ – or Eleanor…” She had moved down his chest, scooting further so she could work on his flat stomach.
“Or we decide together.” He still had not said anything, but his breathing had accelerated to the point where he could barely speak let alone think.
“Know what I admire most about your magnificent body?” She did not expect a response as she circled the indentation of his navel. “The tautness of your belly and the way the hairs form a whorl right here.” She trailed her fingers through the pattern that meshed with the hairs covering his very impressive sex.
“And this of course.” His breath escaped in a whoosh when she started to stroke his hot shaft slowly. Moisture was already beading the reddened tip, and he couldn’t control his reaction when she slid a fingernail into the slit.
“Don’t,” he rasped.
“Don’t what?” She slid down even more. “Exploit my power? Blow the top of your head off?” Her head hovered over him, and he felt himself tensing, his breath backing up inside his throat. “I want to taste you. I love the musky scent of your desire. You have done this to me too many times to count and I’m returning the favor.”
“You don’t have to.” His fingers tightened on the board so hard that he could feel it digging into his flesh.
“Too late, darling.”
Even though he was poised ready and prepared for her mouth, he could not stop the jolt from lancing through his unsuspecting body. When her tongue started swirling around the tip, he simply lost it. His hips heaved towards her mouth and the pleasure was so excruciating, he felt as if he was dying.
Sensations slammed at him, coming from all directions. His groans echoed around the room. When she closed her mouth and drew him in, he cried out her name over and over again, his body bucking towards her as the pleasure became more than he could bear.
Somehow in the midst of a passion so strong, he found the strength to reach out and pull her up and over him. Settling her on top of him, he bared his teeth in a growl when she sheathed him completely, taking in all of him. His hands clamped around her waist, possessively massaging her baby bump.
His face was harsh from passion. A vein ticking at his left temple. “You undo me.” His voice was thick, his chest heaving. His hands drifted up to cup her breasts and he could feel her sucking him in even more.
“I cannot get enough of you. I will never be able to fully describe what you do to me, for me.” He twirled the tip of her nipples and watched as she sucked in her breath. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You are my weakness; my Achilles heel and I don’t give a damn.”
He added roughly as he eased up to take a nipple between his teeth. He had no sooner started suckling, than she exploded around him. Her back arched, her fingers digging into his chest as the violent waves of sensations rocketed through her body.
Her explosion set his off and he had just started driving into her, when his own climax swamped him. His body convulsed and shuddered, his heart pounding so loudly, he could barely hear anything else. He called out her name, his arms drawing her down, so that he could crush his mouth on hers as he emptied himself inside her.
She was sprawled on his chest, her body still trembling. His arms were wrapped around her waist as he struggled to regain some sort of composure and control.
When she stirred, he shifted so that she was lying half on top of him. Concern etched his forehead, and he lifted her chin to study her face. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” She curled into him and felt like purring. “I feel great.” Her fingers were tangled through the damp hairs on his chest. “Invigorated. I think that’s what great sex does to a woman.”
“Is that so?” Lifting one hand, he brushed back the tendrils clinging to her damp forehead.
She nodded. “You’re my weakness too.”
“Pardon?”
She grinned. “You say things when you’re overcome.”
To her amusement, a faint blush stained his tanned skin. “Well….” He cleared his throat and gave her a wry look. “You should drink the tea. I will go and warm it up.”
“You’re my Achilles heel as well.” The humor had fled to be replaced by the emotions that were storming through her. “I was never a romantic. Love was just something people say to pretty up lust. I never watched romantic movie because they always have impossible expectations and seemed so sappy.”
She took his hand and brought it to her lips her eyes moist. “Until you. God, I love you so much that I cannot breathe. I cannot take a breath without drawing you in, tasting you, smelling you. I am almost thirty-three and I feel like a schoolgirl with her first crush.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh Robert.”
He gathered her to him, crushing her against his chest, his body shuddering. For several minutes, they remained that way as the emotions swamped them completely.
*****
“Are you okay?” Cat asked anxiously when she noticed her sister-in-law rubbing her stomach.
“Why?” They were outdoors having a barbecue, something her husband had put together with his sister’s help along with several friends to celebrate her birthday. She loved the man, but had told him pointblank that she would have preferred spending the time with him. Just a quiet dinner for two and cake.
They were having a son, and she was busy seeing to the design of a jungle themed nursery. The nausea had been replaced by swollen ankles and weird ass cravings.
“You haven’t touched your steak, and you look tired.”
“Why thank you, honey. Will you stop being a damn doctor for a few minutes? Or did your brother sent you over to keep an eye on me?” She swung her gaze over to where he was, chatting with several friends.
The party was being at her place because of the large backyard that was conducive to grilling and the scent of steak, burgers and hot dogs permeated the air.
“I am a doctor,” Cat grinned at her. They had become close because she realized how much the woman made her brother happy. In all the years she knew him, she had never seen him so relaxed and contented. “And yes, he did. He wants you to sit and elevate your legs.” She stared at Sonya’s ankles. “They are swollen.”
She lowered herself onto the chaise lounge and had to admit that it was a relief as her back was also hurting.
“There, satisfied?” She grumbled.
“Why don’t I get you some cake?” Cat suggested.
“Now you are talking. Go.”
“So very bossy.”
“I’m pregnant and since I am the one carrying this precious cargo, I get to call the shots.” She placed a hand over her stomach and felt a jolt when the baby kicked.
“Was that…?”
“Yes.” She laughed as Cat sat down and placed her hand over hers.
“My nephew.” She blinked away tears. “I cannot wait to meet you, darling.”
“Cake. Now.”
“Coming right up.”
Robert cut off the man abruptly and made his way over to her.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” She snuggled against him as he pulled her into his arms.
“Everything okay?”
“Your guard dog is doing an excellent job.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said airily, kissing the top of her head.
“Yeah, right,” she snorted. “I sent her to get cake.”
Easing back, he studied her exquisite face. One that he adored beyond comprehension. “Did you really want cake or was that a ploy to get rid of her?”
“Both. Thanks for the party.”
“Even though you would have preferred something less.”
“Hmm. It’s not that bad. But get rid of them quickly. I want to celebrate my birthday with you in private. It involves us naked and in the pool.”
His eyes flared. “Let’s give them a few more minutes to get rid of a bit more of the food.”
“Deal.”
*****
Their son, Caleb Anthony, was born on a searingly sweltering day in the middle of August. The anxious father spent the twelve hours alternating between despair and anxiety as he supported her and refused to leave her, unless he had to take a journey to the restroom.
Two days later she was allowed to return home, with her mother and sister-in-law dropping by to see the newborn.
They had decided to stay at her home for the time being, with her husband teasing her about having to supervise the decoration of two identical nurseries.
“Food, yes.” She smiled as he came in bearing a tray. “I am starving. And as much as that hospital was like a five-star hotel, the meals were bland.”
“Is he sleeping?” Robert whispered as he brought the tray over.
“He’s such a good baby, I cannot believe he’s mine.” She had been reluctant to put him in his cot after she finished breastfeeding him but had spent a few minutes staring at the sparse light brown curls, the long lashes and coffee and cream complexion. His eyes were also light brown, and she suspected he was going to be a tiny replica of his daddy.
“Tired?” He asked as he sat at her hip and watched her pick up the spoon. He had taken a week off to be with her and his son. They had interviewed several potential candidates for a nanny and had hired a motherly looking type who would be starting a week from now.
“I slept most of the day, remember?”
“Hmm.” Picking up the napkin, he dabbed at the sides of her mouth. “I have a present for you.”
“No.” She shook her head firmly. “Darling, you gave me a diamond set when I told you I was pregnant. And when we realized we were having a son, there was the brand-new Prius. When I delivered your son, there was the emerald bracelet. You have to stop.”
He grinned at the frustrated look on her exquisite face.
“Then I suppose I will have to try and sell the building back to the previous owners.” He held up a folded document, just out of her reach.
“What building? Gimme!” She reached up and snatched the document from him and opened it. The lump settled in her throat and lodged there as she read through the legal document which stated that she was now the owner of the building she was operating her charitable business from. No more lease. In fact, Carlette was now leasing from her.
Looking up from the document, she stared at the man who had loved her since she was a teenager without her realizing. “I often wondered if it was possible to love you more than I already did.”
“And?”
“I have been proven wrong.” She reached for him, and he came, removing the tray to wrap his arms around her as she melted against him.
“Thank you for never giving up on me,” she whispered.
“You are more than welcome darling.”
The end…