Chapter 15 April
April
Ben unlocks the door and leads me inside. Before I can say a word, Corinne rushes over and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, April,” she murmurs, squeezing me so tight I almost drop my bag. “Are you okay?”
That’s all it takes, I start sobbing, words spilling out in a rush. “I’m so sorry, Corinne, I swear I wasn’t lying about the baby. I really thought it wasn't Ben's, I did, until tonight, he just told me.”
Corinne pulls back, brows together, completely confused. “Wait. What? How…?”
Arrow swoops in, slinging an arm around Corinne and steering her away, all smirk and swagger. “Come on, let’s give them some privacy. I’ll catch you up after I see what Ben’s been hoarding in the fridge.”
Corinne’s still glancing back, but Arrow just grins wider, lowering his voice, “Baby, how do you feel about a trip to Heaven? Or hell, if you’re feeling extra spicy.”
Corinne elbows him hard, “If you try to turn our bedroom into a sex playground, I’m setting your ass on fire.”
Arrow winks. “Guess that means I’m sleeping in Purgatory tonight. Worth it.”
They disappear into the kitchen, Arrow’s laughter echoing behind them.
I look up at Ben, “Are you sure about this?” It comes out so quiet, I barely recognize my own voice. “About me. About all of it. I…if you don’t really want this, you can say so.”
Ben doesn’t even blink. “April. Listen to me. I want you.” He cups my face, “All of you. Doesn’t matter what’s happened, or how we got here. I want you, and our baby, every fucked-up part of your story.”
The relief is so huge, I actually laugh a little, a shaky sound that slips out before I can stop it.
My shoulders drop. The tension that’s been wound up in my spine for five months finally melts away.
Ben watches me unravel for a second, then reaches for my hand. His skin is warm and rough, fingers wrapping tight around mine, pulling me closer till I can feel his breath on my mouth.
“I want you. Now.”
Before I have a chance to say anything, he’s pulling me down the hall.
We barely make it to his room before his hands are all over me, as if touching me is the only thing keeping him alive.
He backs me further into his bedroom, kicking the door shut with his foot.
Our mouths crash together, he tastes like heat and desperation, tongue hot and slick against mine, lips bruising with want.
His hands slip under the hem of my shirt, knuckles grazing my bare skin, making me shiver. I raise arms for him to pull it the rest of the way off. My bra hitting the floor next. His hands are everywhere…cupping, kneading, thumbs circling my nipples until I’m arching into his touch.
“God, April,” he rasps, voice rough as gravel, “I need you so fucking bad.”
I pull at his shirt, yanking it up and off, needing his skin on mine.
My fingers roam over his chest, all hard muscle and inked lines.
The beat of his heart wild under my palm.
I drop my hands to his jeans, undoing the button with urgency.
He gives me that crooked grin, eyes dark as he kicks off his clothes, cock already thick and flushed between us.
He pushes my jeans down my hips, yanking my panties with them. I’m completely bare to him, his gaze burning over every inch of me…eyes lingering at the swollen curve of my belly. He kneels, pressing his mouth where our baby girl is growing.
“So, fucking perfect.”
He backs me up, till I’m sitting on the edge of the bed. From there, he begins trailing kisses down, lips soft on my inner thigh.
He grips my thighs, spreading me open until I’m exposed, bare and throbbing beneath his hungry gaze.
“Beautiful,” he breathes, reverence and raw need tangled in every word.
Then his mouth is on me, tongue plunging deep to taste every slick inch.
He feasts on me, lips sealing over my clit, sucking hard, then teasing with slow, torturous circles that make my hips jerk helplessly.
His tongue flicks and presses, I grind shamelessly against his face, desperate for more, for everything he’ll give.
He slides two fingers inside me, curling just right, finding that spot that makes me see stars. I come undone on his tongue, body shuddering, pleasure so intense it borders on pain. “Ben…Ben, please…” I sob, thighs trembling as I fall apart, soaking his mouth.
He comes up, wiping his chin with the back of his hand, eyes hooded and glazed. “Good girl. I want you just like this. Ruined for anyone else.”
He positions himself between my thighs, the head of his cock gliding through my wetness, teasing me with every slow stroke.
I realize I’m too close to the edge, so I scoot back on the bed, letting my legs fall open, inviting him in.
He keeps rubbing along my slick folds, dragging out the anticipation.
“Look at me,” he growls, “I want to watch you while I fuck you.”
As soon as our eyes meet, he slowly begins to push inside me.
I gasp, “God, Ben. You’re so big.” The feel of him stretching me wide punches the air from my lungs. I clutch at his shoulders, nails digging as he pushes deeper, filling me completely. He bottoms out and pauses, letting me feel every thick, perfect inch.
He sets a rhythm that turns into deep, powerful thrusts that rock the bed, headboard thumping the wall. He braces himself with one hand splayed protectively over my belly, the other tangled in my hair, guiding my mouth to his.
The room instantly fills with the sound of skin slapping, our ragged breathing, and my choked moans. The world narrows to just this moment. Ben inside me, fucking me, claiming me over and over until I’m shaking, begging for more.
He shifts, angling his hips so every stroke rubs right against that spot inside. I’m close again, nerves buzzing, thighs locked around his waist.
“Touch yourself,” he orders, voice hoarse.
I obey, hand snaking between us, circling my clit as he pounds into me. The pressure builds, unbearable and electric, until I break. Coming around him, my pussy clamping down so tight he curses.
“Fuck, April.” He groans my name, burying himself as deep as he can until he’s spilling inside me, filling me. He stays there, head bowed against my shoulder, both of us gasping.
He collapses next to me, his hand never leaving my body…tracing the curve of my belly, to the Lilyes on my hip.
He pulls the blanket over us, kisses my temple, and whispers, “I love you. I want this forever. I want you, our baby, all of it.”
I turn into him, still raw, still reeling. “I love you too, Ben. I always will.”
We eventually fall asleep, our bodies entwined, hearts beating in sync, the promise of everything we’ve survived humming between us.
This is real.
This is home. The place I’m wanted.
And for the first time, I truly believe it.