Chapter 12
When I opened my eyes, I found that I was in a hospital room.
The subdued light helped with my tender head.
However, there was no mistaking the antiseptic smell that always permeated the air.
I licked my dry lips and wished I had water nearby because my mouth was dry, too.
My gaze fell on Jessop, who was asleep in the chair next to my bed.
Unexpectedly, I started to tear up at the sight of him. He looked sexy in that rugged way that always made my heart skip a beat. I reached out to touch his hand and felt a rush of emotions. Seeing Jessop there gave me a sense of comfort and, dare I say it, happiness.
His eyes snapped open and met mine, filled with the same emotion I felt. He sat up straight and moved closer to take my hand. In that moment, I knew everything would be all right.
"How are you feeling?"
"Other than a fuzzy head, I feel good. Well, tired." I smiled, enjoying the feel of his hand in mine. "Talla?”
He smiled and brushed a kiss on the back of my knuckles.
"Her wrists have been bandaged. She got out of the zip ties.
" He chuckled. "A fighter, like you. No more of that, though.
" His face changed to a serious expression.
"I mean it, Pen. It scares the shit out of me when you're having fun with Talla, but you're carrying our future. "
"Don't worry. I have no intention of getting into trouble again." I searched his face and admitted, "Our baby is everything, Jessop." I fought back tears, but they fell anyway.
Jessop moved and gathered me into his arms. I climbed onto his lap until he had no choice but to pull me against his chest and sink back into the chair. "I want to keep you locked in my house."
I snorted and chuckled. "I love you, you crazy man."
His chest rumbled as I found his lips and kissed him sweetly and tenderly. "I love you, too, my beautiful girl," he whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
The sound of a throat being cleared ended the tender moment. "You need to get back into bed, Penelope," said Brigid Potter. I had gone to school with her and her twin sister, Brenda. They were both nurses at this hospital. "The doctor will be here shortly."
Jessop lifted me up and helped me get settled in bed. "Can I go home?"
Brigid smiled and patted my hand as she took my blood pressure. "I'm not the doctor, but everything looks good."
Just then, the doctor walked in, followed by another nurse.
He started talking about how important rest is, and I kind of tuned him out.
I was a grown adult, and I knew how to relax.
Ever since Aiden left, I've enjoyed reading a good book while soaking in a bubble bath.
I couldn't imagine a different way to relax now that I was pregnant.
I caught Jessop glancing my way, and he tried to hide his smirk. He interrupted the doctor with a loud clearing of his throat. "Can I take my woman home?"
"Yes, I'll write a prescription for prenatal vitamins."
"Okay," I said.
I ignored the doctor's mumbling and climbed out of bed. Jessop scrambled to cover me up. I snickered and quickly wrapped myself around him the second the door closed. "I have to stay in bed."
"To rest, babe.”
I nibbled his earlobe and whispered, "We can rest together."
"I'm fairly sure the doctor meant you should rest, Penelope."
I pouted and smiled when Jessop rolled his eyes. "We'll see," I mumbled, grabbing my clothes that had been left on the side of the room. "I won't be long."
"Will you be okay?" He nodded toward the bathroom.
"Yeah." I winked and entered the bathroom with a smile on my lips.
I placed the clothes on the vanity and peered into the mirror. I was surprised by my reflection because I felt fine, yet my complexion was pale.
With a heavy sigh, I quickly cleaned up and changed into a fresh outfit that someone had brought for me. It felt nice to be wearing my own clothes instead of the drafty hospital gown.
Back in the room, I smiled at Jessop. "Let's get out of here."
He took my hand and led me out of the hospital after collecting my prescription. "I'll get this filled on the way back to the house." He paused. “The hotel. The house is shot to hell.”
"We could always go to my house."
He winced, avoiding my gaze, and then he huffed out a breath and turned to me. "Your house has been trashed."
I gasped and suddenly felt dizzy. Jessop steadied me. “Everything?" I asked quietly. My voice quivered.
"I have a crew on standby to clean up as soon as you give the word."
Tears hovered, and my lips quivered. Jessop wrapped me in his arms and held me close. "Tomorrow. I can't face that today," I admitted.
"Babe, I've got you." He kissed the top of my head.
I let my tears fall.
As I laid in Jessop's arms, I felt safe and comfortable. He held me close all night and refused to be tempted into doing anything other than resting. It had been nice, though. Perfect, even.
"We should get married," Jessop said, smiling.
I blinked a few times, wondering if I'd heard him correctly.
"Pen," he sighed. "I've loved you forever.
You're my woman. I love you. I'm too old to beat around the bush about what we both want, which is each other.
We're having a baby, and regardless of that fact, I want to call you my wife.
More than anything." He tugged me deeper into his embrace and touched our foreheads together.
"If you need to wait, we can. I need you to be sure that I'm what you want. "
I covered my mouth with a hand. "I want you, Jessop.
That's something I've always been sure of.
I'd love to be your wife." His eyes sparkled as I continued, "I love you.
Whatever I felt for Aiden died a long time ago.
I didn't want him dead, but he's to blame for what happened.
I can't bring myself to grieve him. He beat my affection for him out of me. "
My voice wavered, and tears came to my eyes. I didn't know why I was crying. But they wouldn't stop, and Jessop held me.
Ten minutes later, I was carried into the bathroom for a warm shower. His hands on my soapy body made my nipples pucker and my lady parts swell and ache.
Jessop was gentle, tender, and caring, making me feel safe and loved. I glanced down his body and smiled at his rigid cock, which was ready for action.
All the sadness I had felt before disappeared as I reached out with a teasing hand and wrapped it around his gorgeous cock.
He let out a breath. I moved closer, pressing my tender breasts against his chest, and his dick became trapped between us. I let go of him when he pulled me into his arms. His large hands held my bottom as he rubbed me on him.
He felt wonderful. I wrapped my legs around his waist. "Take me, Jessop. I need you to fill the ache you've created."
“Fuck, Pen." He gasped.
"I can't get pregnant." I grinned.
He huffed out a laugh that turned into a groan when I squeezed his dick while trying to get him inside me.
"Slow down, babe."
"No, I need it hard and fast."
"Fuck, Pen!"
"Yes, please."
"Goddamn it, woman! I'm so fucking ready to blow my load." After a slight adjustment, he slowly slid inside me. My whole body quivered at the sensation of him stretching me.
"Pen," groaned Jessop. "We shouldn't be doing this."
"Yes, we should. Don't stop." I panted and clung to him. "Oh, Jessop," I whimpered.
He lifted me slightly higher and started pounding into me with unrelenting force. His warm mouth captured a nipple, and he suckled hard.
My fingertips dug into his shoulders as my muscles spasmed. My orgasm was so powerful that it nearly ripped me in two.
Jessop grunted, his cock twitching with each spasm of release. Our slick and trembling bodies pressed together against the shower wall.
“Has anyone ever gotten pregnant while already pregnant?”
I felt him still against me and burst out laughing. "I'm joking." I ran my hands through his hair. "You should have seen your face." I cackled.
"That wasn't funny." He slipped free of my embrace and quickly washed us both.
After wrapping us both in warm towels, he swept me off my feet and carried me back to bed. He planted a kiss on my forehead and said, "I'll make us breakfast, and then we'll visit Talla and my brother. I know she's desperate to see you."
"I like that idea." I settled down in bed and watched him get dressed. He looked back at me with a smile before leaving the room.