Chapter Twenty-Seven
OLIVIA
Christmas and New Years came and went. Much like Thanksgiving, they were full of love and laughter.
Carter and I had settled into an easy rhythm, living and working together like we'd been doing it for years instead of months. But things were about to change, and not just because we were nearly halfway through the pregnancy.
“Of course, thank you so much. I'll talk to you soon.”
As soon as I hung up the phone, I squealed with excitement. Spinning around, I found Carter standing in the doorway, looking baffled. His steely gray eyes searched my face, trying to decipher the cause of my outburst.
“I got it!” I exclaimed, my heart skipping with excitement.
Carter's expression shifted from puzzled to curious. “The job?”
“The job!” I confirmed, nodding vigorously.
A grin slowly spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Holy shit, Sunny, that's amazing! Congratulations!”
I bounced on my toes, unable to contain my joy. “You're looking at the next Director of Community Outreach for Columbus Humane!”
Carter reached me in two long strides and wrapped me in a tight embrace. “I'm so proud of you,” he said. “I knew you could do it.”
I bit my lip as I gazed up at him. His strong arms were still wrapped around me, and his body was warm against mine. The excitement of my new job offer buzzed through me, making me bold and playful.
“How should we celebrate?” Carter asked, his voice husky.
My pulse picked up as I pressed closer to him, my fingers tracing the collar of his shirt. “Hmm, I have a few ideas.”
I gently pushed him backward into the living room. The warm glow of the fireplace cast dancing shadows across his handsome face as I guided him to the plush rug in front of the hearth.
“Lay down.”
Carter's eyes smoldered with anticipation as he complied, stretching out on the rug and placing his hands behind his head. The firelight accentuated the defined muscles of his arms and torso, making my mouth water.
I stood over him, drinking in the sight of his powerful body sprawled before me. My fingers trembled as I reached for the hem of my sweater, pulling it slowly over my head. Carter's gaze followed my every movement, his breath quickening as I revealed more skin.
Next, I shimmied out of my leggings, letting them pool at my feet before stepping out of them.
Standing there in my bra and panties, I ran my hands over my swollen belly, marveling at how my body had changed.
My breasts were fuller, more sensitive. I cupped them gently, enjoying the weight in my palms.
Carter licked his lips as he watched me explore my new curves. I unclasped my bra, letting it fall to the floor, and hooked my thumbs into the waistband of my panties. With a slow, teasing motion, I slid them down my legs then kicked them aside.
I now stood completely naked, my skin glowing in the firelight. Goosebumps flared on my skin as my hands slid over my body, starting at my collarbone and working my way down. I caressed my breasts, circling my nipples with my fingertips before moving to my rounded belly.
Carter's breathing became more ragged with each passing second. The bulge in his pants was growing steadily, straining against the fabric.
“God, you're beautiful,” he breathed.
I dropped to the floor, settling between his legs and slipping off his sweatpants and boxer briefs. He bit his lip and groaned with relief as his hard length sprang free.
I caressed him lazily, enjoying the way his breath hitched with each stroke. I trailed feather-light kisses along his shaft, teasing him with soft lips and swirling licks. His taste burst on my tongue, and I savored the moan that rumbled in his chest.
I took him into my mouth, reveling in the fullness of him, the faint saltiness of his skin. I bobbed my head slowly, enjoying the way his hips bucked gently, begging for more. His fingers tangled in my hair, urging me on. “Liv...baby, you're gonna make me come if you keep that up.”
I hummed, vibrating around him, my eyes fluttering closed as I imagined him spilling down my throat. But I pulled away, dragging my lips and tongue along his shaft as I rose.
I wanted him inside me.
I shifted. Carter's pupil-blown eyes raked over my body with unrestrained desire.
I sat astride him, guided his cock to my entrance then sank down, taking him inch by exquisite inch.
His fingers dug into my hips. I wanted to savor this moment, dragging out the anticipation until we were both desperate.
His skin was hot against mine, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I undulated my hips gently, delighting in the stretch and fullness I felt with him inside me.
He brought his hands to my breasts and tweaked my sensitive nipples. His touch was reverent as he caressed my curves and belly, worshiping me.
“I love you,” he murmured. “So damn much, Sunny.”
His affectionate words flowed over me like a sensual caress. I rocked my hips, picking up the pace as pleasure sparked through me.
Carter's hands moved down to grip my ass, kneading gently as he lifted me up and lowered me back down on him. The shift in angle had me crying out, my walls clenching around him.
“You feel so damn good,” he panted.
I rose and fell in his lap, meeting his thrusts as we built a steady rhythm. The fire crackled and popped in the background, filling the room with warmth and the scent of burning wood.
I closed my eyes, concentrating on the movement of Carter inside me, the slide of skin on skin, the sound of our labored breaths. My blood sang with the joy of being alive, of loving and being loved.
He flicked his thumb over my clit, and bright, sharp pleasure shot through me. My inner walls rippled around him, and the knot in my belly grew tighter and tighter. My body trembled as the dam burst inside me, and I cried out. “Oh God, Carter! I’m coming!”
The pleasure was overwhelming, tremors of delight radiating out from where we were joined. My inner walls clutched around him, milking him for everything he had.
A strained yell ripped from his chest as he surrendered to his own climax. His hips snapped up, driving him deeper into me, filling me with his heat.
We lay tangled together on the rug, our bodies slick and glowing in the firelight. Carter's hand rested on my belly, stroking it with his thumb.
“I can't believe how much has changed,” I whispered, my voice filled with wonder.
His lips brushed the back of my neck. “All for the better, Sunny.”
I twisted to face him. “I never thought I'd have this—a career I love, a partner who supports me, a baby on the way. It’s like a dream.”
“It's real,” Carter assured me. “You deserve all of it and more.”
A soothing silence settled around us before Carter eventually broke it. “Fuck. I’m going to have to find a new assistant.”
* * *
“Look at that little acrobat. They're doing somersaults in there.”
A choked laugh escaped me as I watched our baby move on the screen. It was our twenty-week scan, but it was still incredible to see this little life we'd created wriggling and stretching inside me. Carter's grip on my hand tightened, and tears sparkled in his eyes.
I let myself get lost in the wonder of it all. The ever-present fear and anxiety receded, replaced by a surge of love so powerful it took my breath away.
Then Mel's voice cut through the moment, bringing reality crashing back. “Everything's looking great, Olivia. The baby's size is right on track, and the heartbeat is strong and steady.”
It was right on track last time, a traitorous voice whispered in my head. Right up until it wasn't.
“Are you sure?” I asked, wincing at the sound of my small, scared voice. “There's nothing wrong?”
Mel gave me a gentle, understanding smile. “I'm sure, Olivia. Your little one is perfect.”
I stared fixedly at the screen. I wanted to believe her. But the fear was still there, lurking beneath the surface.
“Now,” Mel continued, a hint of excitement in her voice, “would you like to know the sex?”
Carter and I exchanged a look. We'd discussed this, had gone back and forth about whether we wanted to know or be surprised. In the end, curiosity had won out.
“Yes,” Carter said, his voice steady even as his hand trembled in mine. “We want to know.”
Mel grinned, moving the wand slightly. “Well then, congratulations. You're having a boy.”
I turned to Carter, tears trickling down my cheeks. Joy and fear battled for dominance in his expression. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine.
“A boy,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “We're having a son.”
I nodded, unable to form words. Images cascaded through my mind. A little boy with Carter's stormy eyes and my unruly hair. Teaching him to walk, to read, to ride a bike. Watching him grow into a man as kind and strong as his father.
But with those happy visions came the darker ones. The fear of history repeating itself threatened to choke me.
“Olivia?” Mel said. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine,” I lied, my voice trembling.
Carter's brow furrowed, his thumb catching a tear I hadn't realized had fallen. “Sunny...”
“Really, I'm okay,” I insisted, sitting up and reaching for a tissue to wipe the gel off my belly. “It's wonderful news. I'm just... a little overwhelmed by it all.”
Mel and Carter exchanged a significant look. I busied myself with pulling my shirt down, avoiding their eyes. I knew they saw through my act, knew they were worried about me. But I couldn't bring myself to articulate my fears.
“Why don't you get dressed,” Mel suggested. “Then we can talk about what comes next, okay?”
I nodded, grateful for the moment to compose myself. As I slipped off the exam table, Carter's hand steadied me. His touch was both comforting and overwhelming. I wanted to lean into him, to let him hold me and tell me everything would be okay. But I was afraid if I did, I'd fall apart completely.