Chapter 9 #2
Sensing her urgency, he seized the nipple and suckled hungrily.
Heat exploded within her and had her shaking.
Instinctively realizing she was on the brink, he reached between them to cup her sex, one finger slipping into her warmth.
She came immediately, her cries echoing around the room, body jerking.
He transferred to the next nipple, giving it the same thorough treatment.
Eliza felt as if her world was slowly coming apart. When he lifted his head, he felt the jolt through his system at the look on her lovely face. And he was aching. Fumbling with the zipper of his trousers, he managed to release his erection, fingers trembling.
“I need you in bed,” he told her thickly.
When she nodded, because words failed her, he took her hand and drew her up. The meal and the glass of brandy on the table were forgotten. The only thing on their minds was losing themselves in each other.
He made quick work of undressing before joining her on the bed.
“Your skin is as smooth as silk,” he whispered, running his hands from her collarbone to the bulge of her belly. He stayed there for a while, feeling the movements of his babies and experiencing the familiar ache in his chest at the wonder of it all.
“How was your day? Were you ill?”
“Just a little queasy.”
“You never called, so I wondered if you were all right. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I couldn’t bear it.”
“I know. Make love to me, darling.”
Turning her onto her side, he slipped into her, his body shuddering as her warmth wrapped around him like a glove.
“My love.” His lips nibbled at the back of her neck as his arms wrapped around the bulge of her belly. “Mine.” He started thrusting, his body jerking when she pushed her bottom against him, so he sank even deeper inside her.
The sensation of making love to her this way was unbelievable! Passion exploded inside his unsuspecting body and had him calling out her name.
Twisting her head around, she lifted her lips to his. He took it hungrily, his tongue battling with hers as he ravaged her mouth. He drove into her with a desperation that had her trembling.
He swallowed her cries as the climax slammed through her already weak and vulnerable body. He came then, his seed spilling deep inside her, his body shuddering. He held her against him, heart pounding as the climax continued as if it would never end.
“Welcome home,” she whispered when he finally released her lips.
His response was a shaky laugh, which was all he could manage under the circumstances.
For several long minutes, they remained silent, each caught up in their own thoughts.
“So, how was your day?”
“Decidedly better now,” he murmured. “Your hair smells like something I could eat.”
She laughed softly. “Sounds like you’re hungry.”
“Not really. I grabbed something at the studio.” His hand wandered over her belly possessively. “We need to come up with names.”
“I already started making a list.”
“Of course you did.” His deep voice was indulgent. “What are the options?”
“I was thinking we stick with the ‘S.’ So, Samuel Jr.”
“No,” he said firmly.
She grinned, knowing he would have objected. “Stanley?”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Your father would love that.”
“Absolutely not. What else?”
She poked him in the stomach. “Mark, Luke, and Blake.”
She turned her head to see him looking at her with narrowed eyes. “As in the gospel?”
She nodded, a smile curving her lips. “Those are very good names.”
“And will guarantee them getting bullied.”
“No one would dare bully our children. You’re one scary dude.”
“Still, no. How about Jeremy, Jason, and Jayden?”
She pursed her lips as she thought about it.
“I like those.”
“Good. Now the girl’s name.”
“I like Sofia with an ‘f.’ Sofia Marianne. What do you think?”
“Mother will be thrilled,” he remarked dryly. “And you don’t have to do anything to appease her.”
“I want to try, and Marianne is a good name.”
He kissed the tip of her pert nose. “You’re a good woman.”
“Now the nursery.”
“Nope. We’re not doing that tonight.” His lips took hers in a kiss that had her insides melting. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m hard again.”
“So you are,” she whispered back.
“You should sit down, my dear.” Marianne watched and tried not to notice how much her daughter-in-law’s stomach was protruding from the soft shawl-like dress she was wearing and how she grimaced with each movement as if in pain.
“I’m sure the designers know what they’re doing. Should I call Samuel?”
“Whatever for?” Quelling the note of irritation in her tone, Eliza turned to the woman with a forced smile on her lips.
Marianne had invited herself over to give input on the outfitting of the nurseries.
She and Samuel had decided that for now, they would let the three boys share a room, and had chosen a large, airy one with floor-to-ceiling windows and window seats.
Next to it was a smaller room where their baby girl would have her room.
She had chosen shell pink as the color scheme and gone for teal blue for the boys.
“I apologize. I’m more than a little grumpy.”
“Are you in pain?” the woman asked curiously.
Eliza hated the fact that she was staring at her as if she was some alien in a freak show, and wished she would go away. She was trying to build a relationship with the woman, but Marianne was making it very difficult.
“No, just my back…” She paused to rub the ache in the center of her back. “Perhaps I need to have a seat. Oh, Lyka-Mae, here you are.”
“And the right time too.” The woman bustled in with a tray and placed it on the table in front of them. “Master said rest.” She took out the phone from her pocket. “He called and said to make sure you’re resting.”
“I am, and don’t you go snitching on me like you did the last time. You know Samuel will just drop everything he’s doing and come over. I’m fine. See?” She pointed to the chair. “I’m sitting.”
“Good.” The woman nodded her salt-and-pepper head, casting a disapproving look at Marianne. “You should see to it that she’s resting.”
“I beg your pardon?” Marianne stiffened her thin shoulders and proceeded to look down her nose at the housekeeper. “How dare…”
“I dare to because you’re not doing the job of a mother. Eat.” Lyka-Mae pointed to the tray before turning and walking from the hallway.
“You allow her to speak to you like that?”
“She’s the boss,” Eliza reminded her with a tired smile. “Your son put her in charge, and she means well. She’s concerned.”
“She’s a maid.”
“She’s a housekeeper and also a person. I don’t make distinctions.
What she does is of monumental importance, just like what I did.
There’s no room for discrimination in this house, Marianne; I will not tolerate it.
My children will grow up to know that no matter who they are or how much money their parents have, they are not more special than another child.
Yes, they’re special to us, because we’re their family, but I will not have them thinking they are superior. Is that clear?”
The woman nodded stiffly, her expression rigid.
“Now, help me decide on the eggshell pink bedding for the cot, or should I use a darker pink?” Eliza asked.
That got her attention, and for the next hour, they were busy deciding on color schemes.
“What do you think?” Eliza had her hand through his arm as they examined the nurseries.
“I think it’s time for you to go and lie down.”
“Please tell me what you think.”
He sighed and concentrated on the now fully furnished nurseries.
The designers had the names they had picked out on the walls above the three cots.
Sky-blue lace etchings were at the windows.
There was a large tan cabinet stocked with enough stuffed toys to outfit a toy store to the left of the cots.
A changing table, a specially designed one that could hold three babies, was propped up against the wall.
Soft Indian rugs were strewn at various places on the board floor. A very comfortable sleep chair was to the side of the cots, as well as a sofa in blue-and-white stripes.
“I love it.”
“Now to Sofia’s room.” She just managed not to grimace at the ache in the small of her back as they made their way into the little girl’s room. His expression softened as he took in the obviously feminine room.
“I thought you didn’t like pink.” Letting go of her, he crossed over to pick up a pale pink elephant.
“Pink and lavender, a delightful combination. And I have a feeling she’s going to be a princess.” She had to sit down. Walking to the plush rocking chair in front of the cot, she lowered herself carefully. She was going to have to get his help to get out of it.
“I cannot wait to meet her.” He took in the rest of the room, admiring the white furnishings and the cabinets of stuffed toys. Putting the elephant back, he came over and hunkered down. “I’ve been trying not to notice that you’re in pain.”
“I thought I was hiding it pretty well.”
“Eliza.”
“Okay, fine. Let’s get this poor pregnant woman to bed.”
“How bad?”
“Just an ache in the small of my back, and I think my ankles are swollen. I have a week before I’m due to go in and want to make sure everything is ready.”
Easing her up, he wrapped his arm around her thick waist. “I hired those people to ensure that you don’t have anything to do. Christ, how can you be so damn stubborn?”
Leaning against him, she closed her eyes and willed the ache away. “I’ll do better, I promise.”