37. Lake
LAKE
The pouton his handsome face was adorable.
Bronson sat on the bed watching me as I rummaged through my drawers, grabbing clothes for my overnight bag. He was happy that I was bonding with the ladies, but also worried I would be out of his sight. However, I believed that the look on his face was due to me not being in our bed tonight.
Truthfully, I knew that might be a hardship for me too, but I was thrilled to have been invited to the renowned sleepover that I’d heard a great deal about.
I pulled out some undergarments and heard my husband groan.
“Can’t you take something less sexy?”
Spinning around to face him, I rolled my eyes. “It’s just underwear.”
“How am I supposed to concentrate at work all night knowing you’re going to be wearing those enticing, black, lace panties and I can’t remove them from your body?”
“I promise to let you take them off me tomorrow,” I gave him a sultry look before turning back to my task at hand.
After grabbing some sweats from my bottom drawer and snagging the t-shirt off the top of the dresser, I moved toward the bed where he was perched watching me so I could shove everything in my bag.
“You’re taking my dirty shirt with you?”
Still looking down at the items in my hand, I nodded and softly said, “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, Cupcake.”
His shirt wasn’t dirty, but he had worn it for a short time earlier that morning, which was precisely the reason I was taking it. I brought the fabric to my nose and inhaled, lifting my head to meet Bronson’s gaze.
“I want your smell surrounding me when I go to bed.” Because that woodsy scent of his was one of my favorite things.
Gone was his pout, his face transformed right before me. In its place was a suggestive-grin and bedroom-eyes that blazed with desire. My body heated as his gaze did a slow sweep of my body and then he snagged my hand, pulling me between his open legs.
I tossed the articles of clothing on top of my bag and stared down at my husband. He dropped my hand and slid both of his around to my backside. I swear my man had an ass fetish. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off mine.
“We’re going to be late,” I mumbled, a shot of lust shooting straight to my core.
Lust, Love and Laughter, the three L’s that were ever so present when my husband was around.
He pulled me even closer. “Everyone will wait. I’m not leaving without making love to you.”
It was a good thing Stormi was already at Jurnee’s house because I wanted exactly what he was offering.
Making love to my husband was at the top of my all-time favorite things to do list.
I climbed on his lap so I was straddling him and shoved my fingers into his hair, pressing my center down on his growing erection.
“Yeah, let them wait,” I whispered.
There was no other choice because I needed him to make love to me as much as I needed the sun to rise and set each day.
Startled,I jumped out of Bronson’s embrace.
“You’re late,” Alley said, standing in the now open doorway.
Guess I’m busted.
My husband still held one of my hands as she reached out and grabbed the other. I was like the rope in a game of tug-of-war.
“Shoo,” the sassy woman said, waving her free arm at Bronson.
Chuckling, he leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. “Miss you,” he whispered next to my ear before releasing me.
Now I was torn in two. My heart was moving down the sidewalk and the rest of me was being pulled into the fun I could hear already happening in the house.
Following Alley inside, she gave me a once over as she shut the door.
“Seriously, you too?” she said.
I looked around the room at the ladies who were all cracking up.
“What did I do?”
That sent them all into a bigger fit of giggles.
I tossed both hands halfway in the air, palms up, and shrugged my shoulders. “I’m clearly missing something.”
Alley moved by me into the open living room. “You certainly didn’t miss getting noodled like half the other ladies before you came in late,” she teased.
My mouth dropped open. “Did you just say noodled?”
“That’s Alley’s way of telling you that she knows you had sex before you came,” Summer said.
Oh heavens, I was a minute in and it was already interesting. I should have known there wouldn’t be a dull moment from start to finish when it came to the group of women who’d become dear friends.
I winked. “Just to be clear. Bronson’s more like a long, fat, all beef sausage than a noodle.”
Laughing along with everyone else, Alley replied, “Way to rub it in. I was so busy getting everything ready that my man didn’t get to slip me anything before Teal here”—she pointed at the petite woman next to her—“showed up early.”
“Hey, it’s not my fault Kace is on duty outside tonight and wanted to check the surroundings before everyone got here.”
I’d seen Kace and Lyric standing guard outside. Bronson wanted to be there, I knew, but they needed him at work that night. I hoped that the ladies could have their sleepover without any tragedy because I heard how a couple of events didn’t end on a good note for them.
And I was looking forward to a night of fun with my girls.
“Fine, I’ll let you make it up to me,” Alley told Teal. “Be prepared when I come knocking for a favor,” she added as she walked over and jumped up on the coffee table like it was her stage. “Okay beautiful people, let”s get this party started!”
The raven-hair dynamo launched herself back off the table and motioned for everyone to follow her into the kitchen where shot glasses sat on the counter, waiting for everyone. Or almost everyone.
“London, this one”s yours, filled with sparkling cider,” Teal said.
She wasn’t far along but she hadn’t been sick at all and her happiness shined across her gorgeous face. I may not have known her for long but London had become a wonderful friend in just a short time and I was so happy for her, Lance, and Oliver. Theirs was a second chance love story for the books.
London said thank you and everyone grabbed their drinks, but I hesitated. Maybe it was wishful thinking but deep down something was telling me shots were not meant for me that evening.
“You’re not drinking?” Ruby asked from beside me, causing my head to swivel in her direction. She had a sly smile on her face that I wasn’t sure how to decipher.
I bit the inside of my cheek unsure what to say as I took in everyone’s gazes on me.
“Oh my god!” Capri yelled. “You’re pregnant too, aren’t you?”
The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop as they waited for my response. But I didn’t have the answer, only a suspicion or a feeling.
“You don’t know,” Brinley said, pinning me with a laser-eyed stare. It wasn’t a question, she seemed to have read my thoughts. “Were you trying?”
I hadn’t really spoken about it with anyone, but Bronson admitted to calling Lyric the second we decided we wanted to try to have a baby, so…
A lightbulb went off in my head. “Lyric told you.” I pointed at Ruby and her smile widened.
She jumped to defend her man. “He was so excited for you guys, don’t be mad at him. Plus we tell each other everything unless specifically asked not to, and Bronson never told him not to say anything.” Her eyes scanned mine as if looking to see if I was angry. “But we didn’t say anything to anyone else.”
I wasn’t mad at Lyric or her. I guess I never told anyone because I was worried I’d jinx our chances or something.
“It’s okay, I’m not mad. Truth be told, I’m glad you all know now because I’m going crazy.”
For the next few minutes I recapped the story of Stormi’s Santa letter, our conversation about having a baby, and then our Christmas gift to her with a return letter from Santa. They thought it was adorable.
“And since then we have been going at it like rabbits.”
Alley slapped her hands down on the countertop, everyone having put their drinks back down when the conversation started.
“I’m two seconds away from calling my man for a quickie.”
We were all packed into Alley’s small kitchen like sardines in a can, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else for the sleepover and I didn’t think anyone else would either. She may have had a smaller house than most of the ladies but it was cute, and it was special. It was where the sleepovers all started and it was tradition.
The laughter at her comment echoed throughout the room. She grabbed an empty shot glass and poured sparkling cider into it before sliding it across the counter to me. Then she grabbed my original shot and picked it up along with hers. One in each hand.
“I’m pretty sure at this point I deserve two since I’m probably the only one who didn’t get laid tonight.” While she was talking to everyone, her eyes landed on Teal.
Teal huffed. “I said it wasn’t my fault, geez.”
It was all in good fun and I loved the banter between the women.
Raising both hands up, the amber colored liquid in each small glass that I assumed was whiskey, sloshed around, and Alley yelled, “To true friends, our hot men, beautiful families, and to hoping Bronson has Olympic swimmers!”
Everyone cheered and threw back their shots. I was so busy laughing at her Olympic swimmers comment, I could barely get mine down. I should have known there would be ribbing about that when I told them moments before about mine and Bronson’s conversation.
“Why doesn’t she take the test now?”
All heads turned to the voice that had just spoken.
“I’m so proud of you,” Jurnee said, wrapping her arm around Patience”s shoulder. “You’re finally figuring out what this sisterhood thing is all about.”
“Yeah, being nosey,” Summer said, jokingly. “But don’t get me wrong, I’m all for it.”
I sputtered. “W-What? But I don’t have a test.”
Next thing I knew Gemma was on her phone. Everyone watched her as her fingers flew over the screen. “There, all taken care of.”
“What did you do?” I asked her.
She looked back up and gave me a smug smile. “I DoorDashed you three pregnancy tests to be delivered.”
“Holy cheeseballs,” I whispered.
Alley pointed at Gemma. “You are the bomb. Time for another shot while we wait.”
Alley poured everyone”s drink and then raised her glass once more.
“Holy cheeseballs!” she yelled and everyone followed suit, even me.
It was going to be one hell of a night.
Even without any alcohol in me.