30. PAUL
The house is thumping with music, the drinks are flowing, and the excitement in the air is palpable as people fill every nook and cranny of the downstairs. It’s a typical New Year’s Eve night for college students, and this year, Lord help us, Nate and I decided to play hosts to the partygoers.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Natalie and Vanessa walk inside, brushing snow off of themselves as they greet Nate by the front door. Sarah’s not with them because she’s coming straight from the art studio on campus after working on her pieces for her show, but I thought she would have been here by now.
Squeezing the back of my neck, I pull out my phone to check my message chain with her and find she still hasn’t responded.
Paul
Let me know when you’re here.
Unease fills me, but I’m sure she’s okay.
Inhale.
Everything is okay.
But it’s snowing heavily outside. What if she got in an accident on her way here?
She has to be okay.
Exhale.
What if Greyson found her?
But I haven’t heard a peep from Greyson. If anything, he’s been keeping his distance from me during basketball games and practices.
I guess after almost being beaten to a pulp, he understood my message loud and clear.
Stay. The. Fuck. Away. From. Sarah.
With a deep breath, I take a large swig from my drink and observe my friends.
Tonight’s the night Sarah and I will tell them about us. We decided a few days ago that it was time. Well, more so me because I’m finding it impossible to keep my hands to myself when I’m around her, and it’s only a matter of time before someone notices.
So yeah, call me selfish, but I’m ready to let the whole damn world know that she’s mine.
Not to mention, Sarah’s baby bump is developing as she’s in her second trimester—a word I learned from one of the baby books I purchased—and it won’t be long until it’s apparent that a baby is growing inside her. There might even come a point when the oversized sweatshirts aren’t enough to keep our secret anymore.
So, it’s time.
And I’m good with that because, on top of wanting everyone to know that this woman is mine, I want everyone to know that this woman is having my baby.
I quickly put another drink together and stride toward the group to find Nate kissing Natalie as though it were their last night on Earth together. These two can’t keep their hands off of each other. And I’m pretty sure I used to be jealous about that, but now that I have someone I can’t seem to keep my hands off of, I understand the feeling.
It’s love.
And goddammit, I love Sarah more than life itself.
The word has been bubbling inside me for weeks, months, no… If I’m being honest with myself, it’s been bubbling inside me since the moment I first laid eyes on her.
That was the moment I fell in love with her.
I’ve been overthinking when I should tell her—wanting everything to be perfect for her. Wanting to be sure she feels the same way. But is there ever a right moment to say those three words? Or is it something you just rush out because you can’t hold it inside you for another damn second?
Either way, it’s time to let her know how I feel.
To let her know how I’ve always felt.
And always will feel.
Reaching the group, I hold out the red solo cup for Vanessa. “Hey, Vanessa. Want a drink? It’s your favorite.”
She takes it from me, notices the red liquid, and smiles. “Thank you, Paul. Always such a gentleman.”
I take a sip from my cup. “Anything for you, ladies.” Nate and Natalie are locked in a staring contest, having a private conversation with their eyes. “Hey, love birds. You’re supposed to wait until midnight.”
Natalie giggles, pulling away from Nate. “I tried telling him that, but he wouldn’t listen to me.”
“How do you put up with them?” I ask Vanessa.
“Aw, I think it’s cute.” Vanessa smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes as sorrow overpowers her features. I would bet money it has to do with Jason, who is currently on his way to California for the Rose Bowl game tomorrow.
“Hey, guys!” I hear her voice and immediately feel a lightness in my chest.
She’s here. She’s safe. She’s okay.
Still drinking from my cup, I let my eyes rove over Sarah as she approaches, loving the short silver dress she’s wearing that pushes away from her waist, hiding her baby bump and showing off those sexy tattoos on her body. She pushes her jet-black hair over her shoulder, and I’m already counting down the minutes until I can fist it as I shove my cock in her pretty pussy.
Fucking hell, I wish everyone would leave right now so I could take her upstairs and devour every goddamn beautiful inch of her.
“Oh my God, Sarah, this dress is everything.” Vanessa twirls her finger, waiting for Sarah to give a spin for her, which she does. The light catching on her dress makes her sparkle, and the smile that flashes on her face makes her shine.
Is it possible to think a disco ball is sexy? Because that’s what she looks like, a fucking sexy disco ball.
“Don’t you think she looks hot, Paul?” Vanessa lightly shoves her elbow into my stomach, catching me out of my trance.
“Yeah. Yes. Yes. Definitely. You…umm, you look really beautiful, Sarah,” I respond, clearing my throat.
A lovely shade of pink spreads over her cheeks. “Thanks, Paul.”
“So, Sarah, who’d you come here with?” Nate asks, looking between the two of us. The fucker. He’s dying for us to tell everyone so he doesn’t have to keep the secret any longer.
All in good time, my friend.
Sarah plays it cool, shaking her head. “Oh, no one.”
“Really? What a coincidence because Paul’s not here with anyone either. Right, Paul?” Nate raises his brows with a smirk that I wish I could wipe from his face.
A bit of my drink goes down the wrong pipe, so I bang my chest as I glare at Nate and say, “Right.”
“Hey, Paul. It looks like Sarah could use a refill,” Vanessa points out, and I’m thankful for the distraction.
“Yeah, of course. I can get you whatever you want.”
Knowing she couldn’t have any alcohol, I put a bottle of sparkling cider aside in the fridge so she could still feel like she was having a normal New Year’s Eve night with everyone. I motion for her to follow me, and she walks closely behind me. I let my hand hang behind my back, and once we’re out of the group’s eyesight, her fingers intertwine with mine as I lead her through the crowded house and into the kitchen, which is a little quieter.
“Do you think they know?” she asks. “Well, we know Nate does, but do you think the others do?” She throws her hands in the air and then rubs her temple. “God, I’m so nervous to tell them.”
I shake my head, laughing. “No way. But they will soon enough.” She leans against the counter, and I place my hand on her hip, my fingers trailing over the fabric of her dress. “How did everything go at the studio?”
She smiles. “Good. I just had one last painting to work on, but I’m pretty much finished with the others. Maybe just a few last-minute touch-ups.” She lets out a deep breath. “I think…I’m as ready as I’ll ever be for the show in a few weeks.”
Knowing she’s nervous when she has not a damn thing to be nervous about, I kiss her temple and say, “I’m sure they’re beautiful, and I can’t wait to see them.” Reaching into the fridge, I pull out the sparkling cider.
“I can’t have champagne.”
“I know, so I went to the store today to get you this.” I turn the bottle around so she can see the label, and I watch as a grateful smile appears on her face.
“You did that for me?”
“Don’t even act like this is a big gesture, baby girl. This is just a man making sure his woman is taken care of.”
She pulls on my shirt, bringing her face closer to mine. The intoxicating scent of her apple honey shampoo fills my nostrils. “I really do love it when you sound like a caveman and act all possessive of me.”
I place the cider on the counter and lean down, brushing my lips across her ear. “Well, I hope you’re ready. Because as soon as the secret is out, everyone, and I mean everyone, will know that you’re mine.”
She bites her bottom lip. “Keep talking like that.”
“Like what?” My hand grips her chin, forcing her lips dangerously close to mine. “Like how all I want to do is fuck you in that closet.” My eyes linger on the small closet door down the hall before landing back on her, watching her lips part. “I want to thrust my cock so hard into you that you’ll feel me for days, thinking only of me.” I back her against the counter, caging her in as I brush my erection against her stomach. The whimper coming from her luscious lips drives me wild with need. “And I want to feel your pretty pussy coming apart on my cock harder than you ever have before.” She subtly starts to grind against me, searching for friction. And I can’t wait to find out how wet she is for me. “Do you think you can do that for me?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” she whispers, half in a lust state.
Hastily, I take her hand and look around, ensuring no one notices us before pulling us into the cramped closet stuffed with jackets and who knows what else. Turning the dim light on, I observe Sarah being the good girl she is as she braces herself against the wall, legs apart, scrunching up the hem of her dress, revealing her black lace panties as she sticks her ass out and waits for me.
“Don’t make me wait,” she says in a breathless plea.
I stand directly behind her, my cock practically rubbing itself on its own against her voluptuous ass. My hand reaches down between her legs, slowly tracing a single finger across the middle of her underwear, back and forth.
“You’re soaking wet.” I spread a trail of kisses across her shoulders. “Does the thought of getting caught turn you on, baby girl?”
“Paul…”
“I think it does.” I tear her panties off in one go, loving the gasp that escapes her, and then release my painfully hard cock from my pants, rubbing just the tip between her wet center. “I think the idea of someone seeing you being claimed by me makes you wetter every second. Would you agree?”
She nods eagerly. But she takes me by surprise, taking one of my hands and placing it over her mouth.
I chuckle. “Scared you’re going to be too loud?”
She looks over her shoulder at me and, against the palm of my hand, remarks, “Make me scream, big guy.”
Locking eyes with her, there’s no hesitation as I thrust inside her in one go. I feel her clench around me as she moans into my hand, bracing the wall for support as her head falls back against my chest.
My free hand wraps around her waist, seizing her against my body as I quicken my pace, slamming into her in a frenzy.
“Mmm, yes,” she moans into my hand.
“You take my cock like such a good fucking girl.” My lips brush against her neck before I bite down, sucking on her skin. I reach into the top of her dress, finding one of her hardened nipples ready for me to twist and pinch over and over again before eventually doing the same to the other one.
She’s panting persistently, chest heaving, by the time I remove my hand.
I wonder if I could make her come from nipple play alone. I’ll find out another day, though. That’s for damn sure.
I reach around her, sliding my hand down her dress and beneath the fabric to get where I want to be. Steadily, with the palm of my hand, I begin to circle her clit faster and harder, giving her the pressure she needs to send her body over the edge.
Her body molds against mine, shuddering beneath my touch. I can feel her legs shaking as she pushes her ass against me as hard as she can, keeping pace with me. “That’s my girl.” She continues picking up speed. “Fuck, Sarah, you feel so damn good. Your sweet pussy was made for me and only me.”
The praise is all she needs to come undone. Her back arches into me as she screams into my hand, biting down on my skin. My release quickly follows her own as my balls tighten almost painfully before spilling inside her.
My forehead rests against her shoulder as I continue holding her up for support, listening to her panting breaths matching my own.
“I’ve got you.”
“You always do,” she breathes.
I press a kiss on her cheek. “We should get out of here before someone comes looking for us. I would have to kill anyone who saw you like this.” I slide out of her, tucking myself back inside my pants, wishing we had more time for another round.
She laughs softly.
“You think I’m joking?”
“No, I know you’re not. That’s why I’m laughing. You’re crazy.”
“Only for you.”
Reaching for the hem of her dress, I pull down the fabric, confirming it fully covers her ass. I watch as she smooths out her hair and fixes her lipstick, her cheeks holding a rosy sheen.
She looks like she was thoroughly fucked.
But most importantly, she looks like she’s mine.
Taking her hand, I open the door and walk out casually. A few people nearby turn their attention toward us, but I keep walking until we get back to the kitchen to get Sarah some water and then continue our journey to the front room couch so she can get off her feet.
I know she’s perfectly healthy, as stated by her doctor at every appointment, but after the workout I just gave her, I want to ensure she’s hydrated and rested.
We’re sitting for only a few minutes when I hear a blood-curdling scream and instinctively jump up, blocking Sarah from whatever threat is nearby. However, when my eyes catch on the bottom of the stairs, where the sound came from, my heart plummets with a harsh force.
Vanessa is lying unconscious on the last step as Natalie hovers over her, frantically trying to wake her up.
“What’s going on?” Sarah asks, unable to see around me.
I turn toward her. “Stay here. Don’t move.”
“But—”
“Don’t move,” I warn.
She hesitates before pursing her lips and then nods, crossing her arms.
Within seconds, I’m over by Vanessa and Natalie, with Nate reaching down for Vanessa.
“I’ve already called for an ambulance,” Nate states, bending over Vanessa. “Vanessa, can you hear me?”
She mumbles inaudibly.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” Nate runs a hand through his hair and then slides a nearby couch pillow under her head. And that’s when I see it.
Blood.
Lots and lots of blood.
“What the fuck happened?” I ask.
“She…she was gone for a while. S-so I went to look for her and…all of a sudden, she crashed down in front of me as though she was thrown.” Natalie can barely control her sobs. She brushes the hair away from Vanessa’s eyes. “When I looked up, I saw…a guy around our age. I didn’t recognize him. But he disappeared down the hall.”
Without thinking, I race up the stairs, looking between all the rooms, but come up empty. Walking down the stairs, I say, “There’s no one up here.”
“He probably took the fire escape out,” Nate responds, sounding calm when I know he’s anything but that. He wraps an arm around Natalie. “Do you remember what he looked like?”
She shrugs, wiping tears from her eyes. “He just seemed average and…wait.” She stops, lost in thought, before saying, “He had this weird skull tattoo on his neck. Yeah. I’m sure of that. I remember seeing it.”
“Okay, we’ll find him.” Nate kisses the top of her head as his hand finds Vanessa. “She’s going to be okay.”
The next hour is spent talking with the police and getting Vanessa on a stretcher and on her way to the hospital. Nate and Natalie went with her so I could stay here and try to find out what I could about who may have been at the top of the stairs. And after getting some information that might be useful, I kick everyone out of the house.
“Is she going to be okay?” Sarah approaches me hesitantly. Tears stream down her cheeks as she wraps her arms around her stomach.
“Yes.” I slide my arms around her waist, holding her close to me. “She’s going to be okay. They’ll take good care of her at the hospital.”
She shakes her head, sniffling against my chest. “Why would someone do that to her?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll find him.” I glimpse at the time on my phone. It’s just after midnight. “I should get you home. I need to go to the hospital. Nate just texted me to let me know that Jason’s flight was delayed for California, so he left to go to the hospital, and I have some information I need to give him in person.”
She nods. “Would it be easier for you if I stay here?”
The answer is yes. Her apartment is in the opposite direction of the hospital, not to mention there’s a freaking blizzard going on outside, but I know how she feels about staying in other people’s rooms.
Not that I would ever blame her for feeling that way.
“I mean, yes, it would be. But I know you’re uncomfortable with it, so I’ll take you to your place.”
She shakes her head. “No. I…want to stay here.”
I arch a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she says confidently.
I mull over her decision. “Okay, let me get you set up.”
Taking her hand, I lead her up the stairs to my room. Pointing to the special lock I had installed on my door a few weeks ago, I state, “The code is 0801. Only Nate and I know it, and well, now you.” I smile, pushing open the door, wondering if she caught on to her birthday passcode. I wave a hand around the room. “Every piece of technology, besides the TV, has been packed up and placed in the closet. There’s no video game cameras or speakers or anything.”
“Why would—”
“Why would I do that? Simple. To make you feel comfortable if you ever wanted to spend the night here.” I lift a shoulder nonchalantly.
Staring down into her glimmering eyes, I see awe. She bites her bottom lip, holding her emotions inside like always. Something that she’s quite good at and something that I wish she would stop doing.
She doesn’t need to hide her feelings from me. I want her to let me in. I want her to know she no longer needs to go through anything alone.
Never again.
The protectiveness I feel over both Sarah and our unborn baby fiercely surrounds me. Maybe it’s not a good idea to leave her here without me. We don’t even know where this guy is, for sure. And if anything happens to her, I would never forgive—
“I’ll be fine.” She reaches up, gliding her hand over my stubble, her thumb stroking my cheek. “Don’t worry about me.”
“That’s easier said than done.” I run a hand over my head, a nagging feeling that the last thing I should be doing is leaving her. “Promise me you’ll stay in here. And if anything happens, you’ll call me.”
She nods. “I promise.”
Her eyes catch on something behind me, and I turn to see what’s got her lips twisting up into an adorable smile.
“You really did keep it,” she mutters softly, admiring the piece of priceless artwork.
Our piece of art hangs on the opposite wall of my bed and provides some much-needed color to my dreary room.
“I told you no one was ever seeing that perfect ass except me.”
She blushes. “You should go. I’m just going to shower and head to bed, anyway.”
“Okay.” I turn to the dresser and take out one of my shirts for her to wear. Leaning down, I caress my lips against hers softly before devouring her, giving her a kiss that tells her everything I need her to know at this moment.
I love you so goddamn much, baby girl.
I pull back, knowing I won’t be able to stop if I continue. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Keep the bed warm for me. And enjoy the art.” I wink as I close the door and wait for the lock to activate. Heading toward the stairs, I walk away with an impending doom that I shouldn’t leave her alone.
That I should never leave her alone again.