Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
EMMETT
Because I like taking risks with my life, I stayed over at Billie’s place.
In her bed.
It’s not even light outside, but my mind couldn’t be any more awake as I lie on my back, staring up at a ceiling that I’ll be calling Billie’s landlord about as soon as a semi-reasonable hour rolls around.
If the mold festering in my girl’s bedroom is dangerous, then Billie’s lazy-ass landlord can join Tucker at the top of my shit list.
Morning skate looms in the back of my mind. I don’t even have a toothbrush here, let alone training gear, which means I’ll need to swing by my place before I head to the rink. Still, my delinquency—and potential fine—couldn’t be more worth it.
Yesterday was … indescribable.
When I finished making Billie scream in the shower, we curled up on the couch with snacks and watched The Little Mermaid with Blake.
It was around eleven p.m. when I finally carried Billie’s crashed-out body to bed and decided right there that I couldn’t get up and leave. Not after the day she’d had and definitely not after we’d slept together for the first time.
Small whimpers filter from Blake’s bassinet, and I gently pull my arm from under Billie’s body. Floorboards creak beneath my feet as I round the bed and lift her onto my chest.
“What’s the matter, B?” I whisper quietly.
Like I’ve seen so many times before with Billie, Blake nuzzles into my bare chest, mouth searching for milk I obviously can’t provide.
I look back at Billie, peacefully resting and getting a first night of unbroken sleep in weeks. One hand rests on my pillow, the bracelet I got still fastened around her wrist.
“Let’s see what we can do, yeah?” I say to Blake, quietly stepping into the kitchen to find the formula and sterilized bottles I know Billie keeps somewhere in the kitchen.
Big eyes watch me carefully prepare Blake’s bottle, no doubt way slower than her mommy can do.
“Measuring out formula and water and screwing a lid on, all with one hand—it’s way harder than it looks,” I quietly whisper to a feeding Blake as I lean against the counter and cross my ankles, in awe of how quickly such a small baby can nail a relatively large serving.
Five or so minutes later, I’ve got a full but uncomfortable Blake squirming around on my chest and not a fucking clue how to burp her, which is what I’m pretty sure she needs.
Relieved I left my cell on the kitchen island last night and not on the nightstand, I pull up a new browser and start researching the best burping techniques when a text from Archer grabs my attention.
Archer
For reasons I’m not willing to discuss, I will be driving past your place on the way to morning skate. Do you want a ride?
Me
It’s not even light outside. Why are you up?
Archer
I said that I didn’t want to discuss it.
Me
How about you share with me the best way to burp a baby, and I’ll stop asking you why you’re going to be passing by my place later?
Archer
You’re banging Billie, aren’t you?
Me
For reasons I’m not willing to discuss … yes. Yes, I am. Keep your lips firmly sealed.
Archer
I am nothing if not a vault.
Me
Remember the time I temporarily split with Maria a couple of seasons back and you tried to set me up with Jenna?
Archer
Fair point. I got carried away and ran my mouth.
Me
Precisely. Don’t do it again.
Archer
I’ll send you a screenshot of the page in the baby book I used when Emily was born. It really helped me perfect feeding and burping techniques.
*screenshot attached*
Me
Thank you.
Archer
I’ll assume you don’t need a ride since you’ll be banging Billie one final time before racing back to your place to get changed.
Me
Got it in one.
Archer
And then you’ll be heading straight from the rink to Scott’s place to confess before he finds out?
Setting my phone down, I manage to raise a couple of burps from Blake, and a few short minutes later, she’s resting peacefully against my chest.
Me
I need to talk to Billie first. Everything kind of came to a head yesterday, and she crashed out in bed.
Archer
Jesus, you’re in way over your head.
Me
…
Archer
Let’s look at the evidence, shall we? Sleeping with the off-limits girl after you vowed to stay away, and now you’re feeding her baby in the dead of night while she sleeps peacefully.
No doubt recovering from the initial months of motherhood, along with the effects of your dick.
Tell me that you used protection because with the way you’ve been pining, she’s now likely expecting triplets.
Me
I’m rescinding on our earlier deal. Tell me why you’re in my part of town.
Archer
Don’t deflect.
Me
Likewise.
Archer
I needed to run an errand.
Me
Not good enough. And now I’m suspicious.
Archer
I’m on my way back from Jon and Felicity’s place. I had some paperwork to sign.
Me
Archer, you’re starting to freak me out.
Archer
Darcy doesn’t know yet, and I need you to keep it that way.
Me
Looks like we both have secrets we need to guard.
Archer
I just signed the deed to Jon’s old apartment in Seattle.
Brows pinched together in confusion, I stare down at Archer’s last message.
Me
Why?
Archer
I bought it for us as a second home. Darcy gets sentimental over things, and Jon mentioned that they were putting it on the market. They’re planning to buy a bigger place in Seattle, one with a backyard for the grandkids.
Me
So, you bought a whole property in an entirely different state, just in case Darcy wanted to keep her stepdad’s apartment in the family?
Archer
I’m the perfect husband, I know.
Me
Simp.
Archer
I think we both know that you’re winning in that department.
“Is everything okay?”
Dressed in the training top she wore the first night she stayed in my bed, Billie appears in the bedroom doorway.
As I set my phone down and move toward her, her eyes scan the kitchen, landing on Blake’s empty bottle and then her comatose little girl.
“Did you feed Blake?”
I’ve no idea why I flush—probably because Archer’s right. I am a simp.
“She woke and was restless. When I picked her up, she was searching for food so I …”
The warmth of Billie’s lips causes me to trail off.
“I didn’t want to wake you,” I breathe into her mouth as she backs us into the bedroom, and I set Blake back down in her bassinet.
When our eyes next connect, the training top I gave her is on the floor, and she’s sitting up on the bed, sliding her feet along the edge of the mattress.
“You promised me a ton of sex,” she whispers. “And I want to cash in.”
I’m out of my boxer briefs and crawling over her body in seconds, braced on my elbows so I can appreciate her beauty.
“If there’s one thing about me, I always keep my promises.” I grin against her lips.
She slides her body down the bed beneath me until her face is level with my pelvis, and her mouth swallows the head of my cock.
I reach down between us and tip her chin up to look at me. “Are you sure?”
She wets her lips, hunger burning in her eyes. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Kneeling over her face, I pump my hard cock a couple of times and groan quietly so my desperation doesn’t wake Blake. “I’m going to blow down your throat. There’s no way I won’t.”
That seems to spur her on, lips forming the perfect O.
Holy shit. She’s waiting for me to slide inside her warm mouth.
I wrap her bedhead in my fist and slowly guide my cock to the back of her throat.
Holy fucking shit. She doesn’t gag once, eyes locked on mine when I pull out and push back inside.
It’s been a long-ass time since a girl’s given me head, but now I know why the blow-jobs before tonight were never particularly memorable—Billie Quinn’s mouth was made for my dick, just like her pussy.
“Look at you,” I purr, bringing a single finger to my lips. “Sucking my cock in silence.”
Her eyes fill with lust, tongue looping around my shaft on the next pump.
“Fuck, Mama,” I moan low. “Daddy’s little angel is a dirty fucking devil.”
I pull completely out of her mouth, her tongue chasing the tip of my cock. I move down her body and lean down for a kiss, the taste of us both is the perfect combination.
Billie’s lips tip into a wicked smile, and I adjust myself until I’m kneeling between her thighs.
“Did I do a good job disarming you with my innocence?” She spreads herself wide.
Heaven help me, I’m going straight to fucking hell without passing Go.
“Billie,” I rasp, squeezing my eyes tight so I don’t come at the thought of fucking her raw, “I need a condom, baby. There’s too much risk for you right now.”
When I open my eyes, she’s studying me intently. “I’m on birth control, but you’re right. Even if all I want is to feel you.”
I kiss her gently, head spinning out at the thought of one day having zero barriers between us. Both in and out of the bedroom. “If I get you pregnant, I will never forgive myself.”
Pulling back, she analyzes me carefully. “Are you saying that because of our situation or because you never want children?”
My heart is hammering in my chest. I intended to wait before we had this conversation. But just like Archer told me earlier, I’m in over my head with this girl, and it’s useless to try and pull back.
Fuck distance and fuck the rules.
“I want children, Billie. Even if I don’t have any by blood, that doesn’t mean I can’t picture being a dad one day.”
Her eyes glaze over, and I seal my words with a kiss.
“And what about biological kids?” she presses.
I swallow thickly, emotions clogging up my throat. “With the right girl and at the right time, yes.”
Lying down beneath me, she pulls my mouth to hers. “Am I the right girl for you, Em?”
While there are so many doubts over how we’re going to get there, I have no question about my desire to make Billie Quinn mine to keep.
Forever.
“If I didn’t think you were, then I wouldn’t be here, risking everything, just so I could descend a little deeper under your spell.”
Eyes still glassy, she silently points to her nightstand, and I reach into the drawer, eyes trained on hers while I ready myself for the girl I’m falling in love with.
With a condom in place and her legs around my waist, I spend the next hour making secret love to my best friend’s only daughter.