Chapter 28
Cole
Four weeks of silence from Ted.
Four weeks of looking over our shoulders.
Four weeks of Lacey’s nerves being fried.
Four weeks of me losing my mind and her begging me not to pay him a visit in case I make the situation worse.
I’ve never been one for violence – I genuinely believe it doesn’t solve anything – but I’ve never wanted to take my anger out on someone as much as Ted.
Lacey has been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I’ve not wanted to admit it, but so have I.
Last week, we had a meeting with Clive, and we gave him everything we had on Ted, including everything he’s done and suspected of having done, such as the information about his past that Vik dug up and the threat he made about sending someone after Lacey.
Clive was disgusted and said he would do everything in his power to make sure Ted wasn’t allowed near her, and the first step was a restraining order.
Admittedly, it’s just a piece of paper to someone like Ted, but in the eyes of the law, it’s a deterrent and another notch in our favour.
The plan. To make sure he can’t exercise any rights over Lacey and Peanut.
The past four weeks haven’t been all doom and gloom. The house is almost complete. Lacey has been spending her days furnishing it or working at the Aquarium, and this weekend we plan to move in just as she finishes for her maternity leave.
This morning we’re going into town for her first antenatal class, and I have no idea what to expect.
She told me they talk about the birth and birthing plans, what to expect, techniques to use and a whole host of other things.
I’ll admit I’m nervous just thinking about it.
There are going to be real dads there, and part of me feels like I’m the one pretending.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, dragging me out of my negative thoughts.
Rafe
Heard Lacey has her first antenatal appointment today. Good luck, brother
Arch
Aww can I come?
Nate
Why on earth would they want you there? It’s for the parents, dumbass
Arch
I mean just in case Cole isn’t there, shouldn’t one of us know what to do? *eye roll emoji*
Nate
As opposed to the midwives, you mean? *face palm emoji*
Me
Thanks Archie but we’re good. I’m nervous guys, don’t know what to expect
Ethan
I saw on a movie once that they sat in a circle, rubbing their partners stomachs, and talked about the birth…in gory details…I’d definitely pass on that
Rafe
Don’t be a dick *middle finger emoji* you wouldn’t if it was the love of your life having a baby!
Ethan
Never gonna happen since I’m A) never having kids and B) never getting married…bachelor all the way
Cas
Jesus, do you two always have to bicker. Don’t worry, Cole, you’re gonna be great
“Cole! Can you come here for a second, please?” Lacey’s shouts have me dropping my phone and running to her bedroom. When I burst through the door, I don’t know whether or not to laugh or put her over my knee.
She sits in the middle of her almost empty bedroom, surrounded by the last few boxes left to organise before she gives her keys back to her landlord. Her eyes meet mine, and her cheeks flush.
“Uhm…I’m kind of stuck down here. My leg has pins and needles, and I can’t get back up.” One side of her mouth lifts up, and she shrugs.
“What am I going to do with you? I told you to leave this, and I would help.” I walk over to her and grab hold of her hands while helping her to stand. Holding her hand, I walk her out of her bedroom and to the ratty old sofa that sits lonely in the living room.
“I just wanted to get it done and move into our new home, that’s all.
I underestimated how tired I would get.” She looks lovingly down at her stomach and rubs a hand around it.
“Ugh, I feel so bloated and huge. I can’t see my feet anymore, and these shoes are in no way supportive or comfortable.
It’s September, Cole, and it’s getting cold.
What am I going to do when it’s officially autumn and even colder? ”
I go to respond, but she carries on.
“I have eight weeks of pregnancy left. I am in no shape to be called sexy. I don’t feel sexy anymore, Cole, and you don’t think I’m sexy because you haven’t been near me in a week, Cole! A WEEK! Sorry if my body disgusts you so much that you…”
I don’t let her finish what she’s saying. From my position, kneeling in front of her, I push open her legs with my body and cage her in with my arms. She lets out a squeak of delight when I push her further back into the sofa.
“If I haven’t already told you every single day that I love you, that I think you’re amazing and sexy as hell, then I’m sorry.
Never think for one second that I don’t find you attractive, because I do, whether you’re pregnant or not, Lacey.
It’s you and always has been you.” Her eyes start to well up, but we aren’t going to have any tears.
My lips land on hers, and I kiss her with force, pouring everything I have into that one kiss.
It doesn’t take long before she’s kissing me back with just as much force.
Today she wears a white tank top and a long, flowing black skirt with daisies printed on it.
I break away from our kiss, and she looks at me, confused for a moment.
I pull her towards the edge of the sofa and start to bunch her skirt up to just underneath her breasts.
She leans back, eyes falling closed as I slide her underwear down her legs and off.
I push open her legs until she’s bare to me and spread out like my own personal fucking delicious buffet.
I drape her legs over my shoulders and, at the first gentle lick, she gasps.
Her fingers thread their way through my hair as she grabs hold of the strands, guiding me to exactly where she wants me.
Flattening my tongue, I lick all the way from the bottom to the top, flicking my tongue over that sensitive bud. She squirms in my hands, trying to get me to hurry up.
“There is no fucking way I am doing this fast, Lacey. With every lick” – I flatten my tongue again –“every bite” – I gently bite down on her bud – “every fucking suck” – I suck it between my lips – “I am going to make sure you know who you belong to, who makes you feel this way, and who fucking loves you to the ends of the earth.”
I quicken my pace, flicking my tongue over her bud as two fingers slide gently inside of her to the hilt, then I curl them and find that spot that makes her scream.
And scream she does. Her legs try to clamp together; if I die this way, I’ll die a happy man, so I keep up the pace, biting, licking and sucking until her mouth falls open as she shatters beneath me, giving herself over to me as I greedily take it all.
I gently take her legs off my shoulders and move to stand up, but she surprises me by grabbing the front of my shirt and kissing me with all her might.
When she pulls back, her eyelids are half closed, a look of pure lust on her face.
Her hand moves down to cup me through my jeans, but I place my hand over hers.
“Lacey, that’s not why I did this. This was for you, baby. I wanted to make you feel good.”
She whimpers as she kisses me. “I swear, Cole, if you don’t give me what I want, what I need right now, I promise you…”
I kiss her breathless. “And what, sweet Lacey, is it you need?” I’m teasing her; this could backfire at any moment.
“You know what I want, Cole…please…” I look at her like I haven’t a clue what she means. She huffs and rolls her eyes. “Cole, if you don’t fuck me hard right now, I can promise you that…”
I stand in one swift movement and grab hold of her hands, bringing her to stand with me. My hands cup the sides of her face, and I kiss her gently before moving to the side of her neck and biting down where her neck meets her shoulder. She gasps at the contact and her thighs rub together.
She pulls away from my grasp and, before I can register what is happening, she turns and kneels on the sofa, lifting her skirt and baring herself to me.
She shakes her hips from side to side while blowing me a kiss over her shoulder.
It’s all the invitation I need before unbuckling my jeans and freeing myself.
I stroke myself a couple of times before stepping up behind her and taking all of her in, still hardly believing she’s all mine.
I stroke my hands up her back and round to cup her breasts.
They’re heavy in my hands as she moans. Rolling her nipples between my fingers to draw out those little gasps of pleasure, I reach down and, with one hand, take hold of my aching cock, then line up with her entrance and slide deep into her.
I brace myself for a few seconds, torn between wanting this to last and chasing my release. Lacey decides for me and starts to move herself, and I lose all sense of being a gentleman.
Grabbing her hips, I pull almost all the way out and slam back in. She braces her arms on the sofa and clings to the soft material as I pick up a punishing pace.
“Oh…my…god…Cole…” She’s close, I can feel it, so I brace one hand on her shoulder. With my other hand, I snake around her hip and rub slow circles on her clit. In a matter of seconds, she’s falling apart with my name on her lips, and I gladly fall with her.
We fall breathless to the sofa, and I make sure to land on my side and pull her close. I kiss the side of her neck and wrap my arm around her stomach. It hurts me to think she’s been feeling like I don’t find her attractive.
“Please don’t ever feel like I don’t love you or find you attractive, because I do. I’d have you in bed every day if I had it my way. Please tell me how you’re feeling next time, don’t let it sit…okay?”
She nods and places a small kiss on the back of my hand. “I’m sorry. The hormones are making me crazy. I haven’t even wanted anything for weeks, but after I couldn’t get up off the floor, I had it in my head that you must think I’m pathetic…and fat…”