Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Romy
It’s almost midnight when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I know it’s him before I even roll over.
I swipe the screen, and sure enough, his name lights up.
You awake?
I grin in the glare of the phone screen, biting my lip.
Yes.
Naked?
I laugh quietly.
Nope. Pajamas. Very unsexy pajamas.
You look sexy in everything you wear.
I glance down at my flannel pants and the oversized “Harvest Depot Fall Festival” tee with stains on the front.
Believe me, you’re wrong.
Only one way to end this argument. Take them off.
Please tell me you’re not going to ask me to send you a pic.
Nah, too chancy. I don’t want anyone seeing what’s mine.
I shake my head, unable to stop smiling.
You sure like to stake your claim.
Three dots blink.
Do you not like it?
Heat licks through me, which is ridiculous given he’s not even here. He knows exactly how to push me.
I didn’t say that.
Good. So back to the pajamas…
I drop the phone to my chest. I’m falling so fast for him, those fears are prickling to surface even though he’s given me no reason to think he isn’t my future and my forever. After the farmers’ market and the pictures that surfaced of the two of us, he’s only doubled down.
Beau is busy making sure things don’t get too crazy.
I’ve stayed off socials like they both told me to, but I heard Beau talking to Lottie and Poppy the other day about how they need to stay out of the comments sections and that they aren’t my protectors.
I can only imagine what they’re saying to people on there.
I finish typing my message to Zander and hit Send.
You have a good imagination. Use it and put me in something really sexy. Where I don’t feel bloated and huge.
My stomach has grown, the baby bump starting, and I’m addicted to placing my hand on it.
Look out your window.
I frown, heart hitching. I push off the covers and walk across the room, then tug back the curtain.
“Oh my god,” I whisper.
Zander is climbing up the side of the house on my mom’s old trellis that we haven’t done anything with in ages.
I fling the window open, and the cooler air rushes inside. “Are you insane? Beau is going to murder me if you fall.”
“Well, you refused to strip, so I figured I should offer a hand.” He hauls himself up another couple of feet.
“I should shut the window.”
“But you won’t.” He hoists himself onto the sill with alarming grace, sliding one leg over. His boot slips against the siding, and my stomach plummets, my arms reaching for him.
“Zander!”
But he catches himself, laughing under his breath, and tumbles into my room in one piece. He straightens. “See? Perfectly fine.”
“Get ready for Poppy to storm in here any minute with something to beat you with.”
He laughs, and I shut the window.
I fold my arms, trying not to smile too big. “We’re adults. I would have opened the door for you.”
“Nah, this is romantic.” His gaze flicks down my body. “Sorry to start this argument again, but you were wrong. You’re sexy in flannel.”
I glance at myself and shake my head.
He steps closer, hands finding my hips. “Baby, that shirt is hiding everything I want to see.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re impossible.”
His fingers coast up under the hem of my shirt. My pulse skitters, and his eyes remain on mine as his fingers inch up.
He dips his head, and his lips graze my ear. “Take it off, Romy.”
“You came this far. I’d hate to ruin your quest.”
He tugs the fabric upward. “You’re too kind to me. We’ll do it together. Arms up, baby.”
I raise my arms, letting him peel the shirt off me. He drops it onto the floor.
His gaze drags down me as though he’s memorizing every inch. “See, so damn sexy.” He slides his hand down the slope of my waist, dipping beneath the waistband of my pants.
“Are we having a sleepover?” My breathy voice gives me away.
“Hell yeah we are, but I forgot my pajamas, so I guess I have to sleep in the nude.”
“Too bad.” I give him a mock frown.
Then he kisses me. Hard and fast with a hunger I’m growing addicted to. Our banter dissolves, our mouths clash, his hands roam. My knees hit the mattress, but he holds me steady.
He pulls down my pants. “Commando? You forgot to mention that in your text.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay, we’re even.” He unbuttons and unzips his jeans, pulling them down his body, and his dick springs free.
My hands grapple for the hem of his shirt, tearing it off his body.
“Can you be a good girl and keep quiet? You’ll wake the whole house.”
I swat his shoulder. “Good girl?”
He brings me flush to his body, and his hard length hits my stomach. “No?”
I shrug. “I don’t hate it.”
He laughs and nudges me onto the bed, climbing over me. He’s already lowering himself, placing kisses along my stomach. “Say you missed me.”
“I missed you.”
“Good girl.” He quirks an eyebrow with that half smile on his lips. He pauses at my stomach and kisses it again. “You’re showing.”
I nod.
“This makes you so damn sexy, you have no idea.” He presses his hands gently on my belly. “Mine,” he says. Not in the possessive way he does during sex, but more to himself as though he still can’t believe we’re his. He inches down, his shoulders nudging my thighs open. “Say it.”
“I’m yours,” I affirm, and he smiles right before his mouth slips between my legs.
His mouth is hot and soft, his tongue sliding up and down as his hands grip my hips, holding me still as though he’s not about to let me get away.
“Shit,” I whisper, my head falling to the pillow.
His groan vibrates along my skin, and his tongue circles my clit in measured strokes, as if he’s taking his time.
“Zander, oh my god—” My hands whip down to his head, fisting his strands, and he growls, dragging his tongue lower, plunging inside me.
He pulls back and smirks, lips glistening. “Look at me. I want your eyes on me when my mouth makes you come.”
I tremble from the command in his voice, and I drag my gaze down my body to meet his gaze. Seeing his messy hair and his lust-drunk eyes undoes me, taking me halfway there already.
His mouth closes over me again, sucking my clit, and my world tilts. Pleasure floods through me.
“Zander—” I cry out, crashing hard.
But he doesn’t stop until I’m whimpering and weakly pushing his shoulders, trying to clamp my legs shut because I’m so sensitive. Then he pulls away, resting his chin on my stomach and licking his lips.
Why is that so hot?
“Always so sweet,” he says hoarsely, elbowing over me until the tip of his dick nudges at my entrance. “I’ll never get enough of you.”
He kisses me deep and thoroughly, and I taste myself on his tongue. It only spurs my desire.
“You’re—” I moan when he slips the tip inside me. “You’re insatiable.”
“And yet…” He thrusts deep, and my words and thoughts collapse in an abyss of pleasure.
We move together as though we’ve been doing this forever, and he whispers the filthiest things in my ear, making me flush and tremble.
When I come, it rips through me so hard I’m certain Poppy or Scarlett must’ve heard. He follows, collapsing against me, his laughter muffled against my neck.
“You gave us away,” he whispers.
“Because of you.” I swat his shoulder.
The banter fades, and for a while, we just lie there, tangled limbs, catching our breath.
He strokes my hair, softer now. “You drive me insane, you know that?”
“Good,” I whisper.
His lips brush mine in the most tender way, and tears sting in my eyes. I could stay here forever.
He pulls back, eyes shadowed. “Romy…” A chill rushes over my body from his tone. “I have to leave to go edit the video.”
My heart stutters. I knew the time for him to leave was coming, but I didn’t realize how soon it would be. “When?”
“Couple days,” he admits.
I stare at him, trying not to show how upset this makes me. We knew his job wouldn’t make this easy. “Okay. Does this mean that I have to invest in sexy pajamas?”
He chuckles and kisses me briefly. “No, I like your flannel ones.”
His arms wrap around me, and I hold him. I’m going to be strong, and we’re going to get through this.
Then he slips down and kisses my stomach. “Don’t grow too fast, little one. And be good for Mommy.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I push them back when he crawls back up and moves my hair off my face.
“We’re going to be fine,” I say, trying to reassure him I can handle this, and I’m not going anywhere.
He doesn’t say anything, but he holds me the rest of the night as though he worries I’m the one running off.