Chapter 39
THE B WORD
FLETCHER
Ifumble for my keys in my pocket, digging them out and unlocking the front door. I adjust the giant bag in my right arm, so it’s hidden in my jacket as I open the door. The sight that greets me stops me in my tracks. I nearly drop the popcorn as I break out into a sprint to get over to her side.
Fat tears roll down Lydia’s round cheeks as she sits on the couch, huddled under her thick blanket with open bags of popcorn surrounding her. Music blares from the TV, and Lydia flicks her gaze to me for only a moment before throwing her head back with a groan.
“Go away.” She wipes her tears.
“No chance of that.” I have to push like four bags of popcorn out of the way, but I get closer, sitting beside her and holding her and rubbing her arms. “What’s going on?”
Lydia lets out a frustrated groan. “My mom.”
“What happened?” I don’t want to upset her more, but I can’t help unless I know what’s going on.
She sniffles, taking a deep breath. “She missed the scheduled call this morning because she decided we need to use my baby shower as a networking event for me. Well, us, I suppose.”
“A networking event?” I frown. “Why on Earth would we do that?”
“Because my job ‘isn’t going to get me far,’ and I should be using you to ‘take my career further.’” Lydia looks over at me, her eyes shining.
My anger at her mother burns. I should be upset that she wants to use me, but right now, I’m only focused on Lydia.
“Then, I was so upset, and all I wanted was popcorn, but none of it is as good as the popcorn they have at the arena. So now I’m crying because of the four bags of popcorn I got, they all taste horrible.”
I laugh softly, reaching into my jacket. “Well, I can solve one of your problems right now.”
“Oh, really?” Lydia replies with a hint of sass, waving her hands flippantly. I love it when she gets a little feisty. “Pretty sure you can’t get the concession stand at the arena to open just to make the pregnant woman in your life a bucket of popcorn.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Even I realize how ridiculous I sound. I’m crying over popcorn.”
“Beautiful, look at me.” I use my other hand to grip her chin between my fingers.
Lydia squeezes her eyes shut for a moment before opening and locking her gaze with mine.
“There’s my girl.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “I got you something.”
Pulling the large—but definitely not big enough—bag from under my jacket, I hold it out to Lydia like a present. “Maybe this will make you feel better.”
Pure shock breaks out on her face. “How did you get that? Fletcher! Did you break into the arena?”
I laugh, passing her the bag. “No, I didn’t. Don’t worry about it. But when you run out of this bag, I’ll get you more. You only have to ask.”
“Really?” More tears well in her eyes.
“Absolutely. That’s my job, isn’t it? To take care of you and our little ladybug.” I reach out, resting my hand over her bump.
I haven’t felt the baby kick yet. Hopefully soon. I can’t wait.
Lydia’s watery grin sends sparks of lightning through my body.
My life’s purpose is her. She’s my reason for breathing, for living.
And now, we get to bring a baby girl into the mix, and I couldn’t be happier.
An image of Lydia teaching a little girl with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes flashes in my head, and it makes me so irrationally happy.
I know that I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do.
They’re my people, the ones I want to make my family.
“Thank you.” She cups my cheek with one hand, kissing me quickly. The popcorn is in her other hand, and when she pulls away from the kiss, I know she’s trying her hardest not to rip it open and devour it.
“Dig in, beautiful.” I open the bag for her.
To my surprise, she yanks it from my reach, her eyes wide. She lets out a heavy sigh when she sees the smile on my face.
“I thought you were going to take it from me,” she admits. “Apparently, I’m a little territorial of my popcorn.”
I laugh. “I can tell.”
She opens the bag, sniffing in the buttery smell and taking a handful of popcorn, shoving it into her mouth. The instant look of relief on her face is almost comical.
“Good?” I ask, not daring to grab some, even though I desperately want to.
She only nods, scooping more into her mouth.
It’s funny to see how instantly she relaxes.
I know we still need to discuss things more with her mom because it clearly upset her, and I can’t have that, but for now, she needs the comfort.
I adjust myself on the couch so I’m comfortable beside her.
Lydia scoots in and rests her head on my chest. Right where she should be.
“Do you want to talk about it more?” I ask Lydia a while later, when the popcorn is gone, and the movie is over.
We adjusted a bit during the movie, so I’m lying flat, and she’s tucked between me and the couch on her side, her head on my chest, knee hooked up over my legs, almost like I’m her own personal pregnancy pillow.
She nuzzles her head into my chest. “Probably. I’m more hurt than anything. She wanted to be involved in planning the baby shower, practically demanded it. But when the time came, she ditched the meeting to plan something totally outside of any realm I would ever want.”
I smooth my hand over her messy curls, twisting one around my finger mindlessly. “What exactly did she plan?”
“She made a reservation at a fancy hotel in downtown Minneapolis called Le Chateau Arnaud. Told me that since you’re so high profile, they’d love to host the shower.” Lydia frowns, her eyes growing glassy. “She used you.”
I wrap my arm around her, squeezing her gently. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugs. “I guess I should have known. She didn’t even congratulate me on our relationship when I dropped the B-word.”
“The B-word?” I question, a smirk toying on my lips. “Lydia Ward, did you call me your boyfriend to your mom?”
She tucks her head into my chest, surely hiding red cheeks. “To be fair, she already kinda assumed it. At least, I think she did. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” I kiss the top of her head, reveling in the familiar scent of her, with a hint of buttered popcorn. “I think it’s fair to say that I’m your boyfriend, Lydia.”
“Yeah?” she asks, leaning up on her elbow.
“Yeah.” My heart pounds wildly at the simple word, one that alters everything.
She cups my cheek and rubs her thumb over my stubbled beard that definitely could use a cleanup.
“I really like you, Fletcher. You stepping up and taking care of me means more than you will ever know. I can’t lie and say I’m not scared of this, of how big my feelings are, and the potential of losing you, of my baby losing you, but it feels right. ”
“It does. You mean more to me than anyone in this world. I know this baby will be all the best parts of you, and I already love her more than I can even explain.” I rest my hand over my thumping heart.
“You’ve been etched into my heart for a long time.
Now, there’s a spot that’s been carved right next to you, and it’s for her. ”
A single tear falls down her cheek. “Thank you.”
Leaning forward, she kisses me, and it’s not long before the kiss deepens, our mouths melding as our hands explore.
My hands trail down her body, caressing over her growing bump. I slide my fingers under her top, and she adjusts so she can pull it up and over her head. Her breasts fall free, brushing on my chest as she rests against me, her hips rocking against my hip.
My cock grows impossibly hard in my sweats, and I can already feel a drop of pre-cum leaking from the tip. Lydia kisses her way up my neck to my jaw, then to my mouth, where she captures my lips in a bruising kiss. I love these moments when she takes over.
One of her hands slides down my chest, and I yank my shirt over my head, while her small hand cups my hard length through the fabric of my pants.
“Fuck,” I groan.
“I need you,” she begs.
I work to get my pants and boxers off quickly. Lydia pulls her leggings off, and we’re both naked in a matter of moments. I pull her back to me so she’s resting on my chest, her leg hiked up over my hips. Her pussy is hot against my skin as I trail my fingers over her hip.
“You need me, beautiful?” My fingers knead into her skin.
She nods, her head dropping to my chest, while her fingers grip my pec. I move my hand lower, sliding two fingers deep inside her in a smooth thrust. Lydia gasps, her fingernails digging into my skin.
I pump into her, my fingers hooking to find her G-spot as she rocks into my movements, her gasps hot on my chest.
“Fletch—”
I find a spot deep inside her, and she grips me even tighter, and her mouth comes down on my pec, her teeth sinking into my flesh. Not enough to break skin, but enough to send a zing through my body, making my dick twitch against my thigh.
“Holy hell, did you just bite me?” I ask through a clenched jaw. I’m not upset. If anything, I’m more turned on than ever.
She lets go, her head falling back on a cry as her orgasm rocks through her.
My fingers thrust in a steady pace, her wetness completely soaking my hand.
When she comes down from the full body climax, she breathes heavily, and I slow my movements, sliding out and using the wetness that remains to cover my cock.
I shift us so we’re on our sides, fixing a pillow underneath her head.
“Good?” I question, and she nods.
She adjusts her leg so it’s higher on my hip, opening herself up to me. Reaching between us, I grip my length so I can slip inside her.
That first thrust is like pure bliss. Cupping her cheek, I slant my lips over hers, soaking up the now familiar flavor of her. I have so much adoration for this woman. I can’t believe this is my life, that I actually have her the way I always dreamed of.
Her tight cunt flutters around me as I pump inside of her. God, she’s so perfect.
“Fuck, Lydi,” I moan, kissing her again.
I can't stop touching her everywhere with my lips and hands, until finally my hand cups the back of her thigh, lifting it higher to give me deeper access to her.
“You feel so good,” Lydia breathes. “Please don’t stop.”
“I won’t. Not until you come again.”
I chase my release, my balls tightening as I coast higher and higher, bringing Lydia with me. She clenches her pussy around me, and it sets me off. Her body tightens, brows furrowing as she comes for the second time.
The fluttering of her pussy makes my release shoot from me in waves as I fill her with my cum. When I’ve emptied every single drop inside of her, I stay still for a moment while we catch our breath, but when I move to pull out, Lydia presses a hand against my chest.
“Wait,” she whimpers.
“What is it?”
She shakes her head. “I just want to feel close to you for a little longer.”
I nod, pressing gentle kisses all over her cheeks, jaw, neck, down her chest, anywhere I can reach.
We stay like that, with my cock still inside her, for a long time. Having this connection with her is something I didn’t realize I needed, but I can’t deny it feels amazing.
Lydia’s eyes slowly close, until finally, she’s fast asleep. I cradle her against my chest, reveling in the closeness.