I sweep into the room, pulling Stephanie into my arms. This won’t be slow and sensual like I wanted it to be. If she’s as horny as I think she is then she wants something earthshattering. I kick the door closed, and we’re all hands and clothes coming off.

  Her glorious tits are ripe and ready to be toyed with. I lower my lips to them, taking them in my mouth, licking her nipples to a peak. She moans, running her hands through my hair.

  I lower her to the bed so I can devour her properly. She arches her back into me, thrusting her body upwards.

  She slides her hands down my chest, continuing downward. Her palms rub my cock through my pants. God that feels so fucking good. I slide my digits down over her body, dancing over her skin. Lowering my lips, I lick trails of hearts over her soft skin as I make my way between her legs. I rub my hand over the silky fabric of her pants.

  She moans above me, sending an electric current down to my cock. I continue to tease her body, making it hum. I want to drive her completely crazy before I take her. Rubbing her clit, she begins to grind against my hand.

  “Jake, just take them off, damn it,” she moans in frustration.

  Hooking the elastic in my grasp, I pull them down, revealing her naked pussy. No panties. That is about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

  One smell of her need and I’m done. I dive right in with my mouth, unable to contain my desire for her any longer. Flicking my tongue over her clit over and over, she rubs herself against me.

  Yeah, this is what my girl needed, and I’m glad I can give it to her. I slide two fingers inside her slick sheath and pull them out, then push them back inside deeper, making her cry out in pleasure. I continue my movements as she convulses around me.

  Her orgasm builds, and she begins to shake against me. One last flick of her clit with my tongue and she explodes all over my hand, crying out her orgasm. She lowers herself down on the bed after one intense ride.

  “Wow. I needed that,” she whispers.

  “You think I’m done with you? Crawl back up the bed baby, and open yourself wide for me.” I crawl behind her like a lion stalking its prey. Hovering over her, I lean inches from her, not allowing her to kiss me.

  “Can we use the ropes again, please?” she begs.

  “We will. But first, I need to feel your pussy on my cock. Get on your knees.” She rolls and lifts as she does, thrusting her hips backwards, telling me what she needs and wants. Rubbing my cock over her pussy, I push it inside her. Inch by inch, slowly at first, then I pull back, thrusting in again. She moans loudly.

  I do it over and over. She loves it and starts moving up against me. She pulls off to push back. Fuck this is amazing. I’m glad I didn’t wait.

  Before I know it, my orgasm is brewing, and I grip her hips, needing to fuck her harder. I want to leave her completely satisfied. Thrusting in and out of her, I feel her body begin to shake again. My balls tighten as her pussy grips me like a vice.

  She moans out her orgasm as I thrust into her once more before I fill her with cum. She groans against me as we breathe heavily for a moment. Pulling out, I roll us, so we’re laying down.

  She leans against me, laying light kisses over my chest. “Can we use the ropes now?”

  I laugh. “Demanding aren’t you?”

  “You have no idea.” She winks as she pulls the rope out of my drawer.

  If it’s what she wants, then I’ll do anything to please her. I lean down, placing a kiss on her lips.

  My heart is shattering open and in a good way. There’s no one else I want to have my heart in her hands but my Stephanie.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jake

  “Push baby,” I urge Stephanie.

  She’s red-faced, pushing her heart out, and then I see the baby come out into the midwife’s arms.

  But things aren’t what they seem. The baby is purple, unbreathing.

  The midwife’s sombre look tells me everything I need to know, and my heart sinks.

  I turn my attention back to Stephanie. She’s shaking and struggling to breathe.

  “Is the baby okay?” she asks.

  “No baby, but let’s concentrate on you,” I manage with a hoarse voice.

  She shakes harder.

  “Jake, I can’t live without our baby.” Her hand goes limp and the next thing I know she’s stopped breathing too.

  A light hand taps my shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but they’re gone.”

  What does he mean gone? Surely, not dead?

  Looking up into the doctor’s face, I find Joe’s staring back.

  “You couldn’t save me. What made you think you could save them?”

  I fall to my knees but don’t stop falling until…

  I jerk awake, bolting to sit upright, breathing heavily, and my entire body is shaking.

  “Babe, are you okay?” Stephanie’s sleepy voice says beside me.

  Turning my head, she’s rubbing her eyes, then sits up too. She slides a hand onto my bicep.

  “Did you have a nightmare?” she asks, gently rubbing my arm. It’s comforting.

  I gulp. “Yeah.”

  “Want to talk about it?” She slides into my lap and hugs me.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I bury my face in her hair. “Not really, but I know it’ll help. I dreamed I lost you and our baby.”

  Tears fall onto my shoulder. “Oh, Jake. That’s awful.”

  “You’re telling me. It’s my worst nightmare. I don’t want to lose you or the baby.”

  “You won’t. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.” She places light kisses on my shoulder right up to my lips. Her kiss is gentle, comforting and very much needed. I don’t feel completely comfortable yet, though, and so I decide I need a drink.

  “I’m going to get a whiskey.”

  “Okay.”

  I arch an eyebrow her way. “What, no lecture that it’s not a good idea?”

  “Nope. Jake, I want to be your girlfriend, not your keeper. If you want to have a whiskey, then do it. What you must’ve gone through over there can’t have been easy on you. I don’t want to put any more pressure on you.”

  I grin. “You’re just trying to sweet-talk me into bed again.”

  She gives me a mischievous grin. “I meant it, Jake. If you think it will help, then have a whiskey. When you are ready, come back to bed, I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “I have no doubt you will.”

  Standing up, I search the room for my clothes. Pulling them on, I turn to Stephanie, who stands to hug me.

  “Jake… I…” she stops hugging me. I feel that she had something else she wanted to say, but couldn’t bring herself to say it. I’m pretty sure my sweet sugar has fallen in love with me, and I have no fucking clue what I’ve done to deserve her love.

  “I won’t be long.”

  “Take as long as you need,” she says, climbing back into bed. I tuck the blankets around her and step out of the room.

  Making my way downstairs, I’m surprised to find a light on in the lounge and a familiar figure sitting at the kitchen bench sipping his whiskey.

  Toby.

  I grab a glass from the cupboard, pour my own and sit next to him.

  “Rough night?” I ask, taking a sip of my drink.

  “Yup. You?”

  “Nightmare.”

  “Steph knows?” he asks.

  “She does, and I took your advice too. I’m getting help from the base counsellor, but no one knows.”

  “Shit, you took my advice. You never take my advice.”

  “I know. I guess I want the girl so bad I’ll do anything to help myself.”

  “Do you think it’s working?” he asks.

  “Dunno. I’ve only had one session so far.” I drain my glass, allowing the dark liquid’s smoothness burn down my throat.

  I pour another and Toby holds his glass out to me.

  “More?” I ask.

  “Just one, then I’m heading to bed.”

  “Good idea.”

  Finishing our drinks, we both head to our bedrooms.

  I slide beneath the blankets, close to Stephanie, and wrap my arms around her. I don’t know whether I’ll have another nightmare or not. Something tells me I won’t with the woman I’m falling in love with by my side.

  Stephanie

  I’m out shopping with Aria, Riley and Sasha and hoping I find a dress I love for my date with Jake. I want to look great for him, but so far, everything I’ve found hasn’t fit at all. I look fat, not pregnant.

  I walk out of the changing room wearing the latest in a string of different selections.

  Aria waves her hand dismissively. “Nope, I don’t like that one either.”

  “I hate this whole thing. I’m going to find a top and some pregnancy jeans to wear.” Just as I express this, Riley and Sasha come over carrying a long flowing gown.

  “We found the pregnancy section, Steph! Look at this emerald green number. It has a zip in the back for easy removal, and it’s made of stretchy fabric, too.” She dangles the dress in front of me. It’s gorgeous—Emerald green, glittery, with spaghetti straps.

  “I love it.”

  “Jake is going to rip it to shreds.” Aria laughs as I disappear into the changing room. I try on the dress, and to my surprise, it’s a perfect fit. I’m in love with it. Stepping out into the room, I hear gasps of “wow” and “stunning”. That settles it. I’m buying the dress.

  I change and head up to the counter with the girls to buy my date outfit. I’m surprised when the sales assistant who serves me tells me that the dress is on sale: thirty dollars down from one hundred.

  Bonus!

  “Are we all going back to your place, Aria?” Riley asks.

  “I have to, my car is parked there, and we still have to do the favour bags and think about games for the baby shower,” I say.

  “Aria and Simon’s place it is. I’ll get James to pick me up there,” Riley says.

  I collect my receipt and the bag with the dress; then we make our way back to Aria and Simon’s house.

  Aria has decided she wants a gender-neutral party. They want something where everyone can come and celebrate the birth of their child with them.

  Sasha and Riley are stuffing the last of the favour boxes when I get up to make myself a hot drink and find myself daydreaming about Jake. He said he was going out with Toby, Simon and James today to help them pick up the baby furniture for Aria and Simon’s baby.

  I wonder if he’ll look around for anything for our little one.

  Just then, I hear noise coming from inside the garage, and voices trail down the hall.

  “Babe, we got the furniture. The guys have volunteered their time to help me put it together,” Simon announces as he walks into the room.

  “Oh, really? Are we being paid for our hours?” James asks.

  Simon chuckles. “I already pay you.”

  “We’re doing it because it’s for Aria,” Toby says.

  Jake nods at him and walks over to me. He’s holding a gift bag in his hand which he hands to me.

  “Jake, what is this?”

  “I saw it today while out shopping with Simon and thought you’d like it.”

  “That’s so sweet, but it’s not for me, is it?”

  He shakes his head. “It’s for our daughter.”

  Our daughter.

  Hearing those words roll off his tongue is the sweetest thing in the world. Opening the gift, I find a cute onesie that reads ‘I’m adorable just like my mummy’.

  “This is gorgeous, Jake,” I gush and lean up to kiss him on the cheek.

  He slides his arms around me and leans down. His lips brush my earlobe. “I can’t wait to take you out to dinner.”

  “Me either. I got a new dress for it.”

  He pulls back to stare into my eyes and arches an eyebrow. “Is it anything like the one you wore to Toby and Sasha’s engagement party?”

  “I’m not telling.” I wink at him. “I love the outfit.”

  He beams at me. “Can we talk about some stuff? Like furniture, colours, things you want? I want to start buying more than just clothes.”

  “Jake, I’m only meant to be living with Toby and Sasha temporarily.”

  “I know. That’s something else I want to talk about.”

  “Can we have our first date first?” I ask.

  He nods. “Sure. Just promise me we will talk.”

  “I promise.”

  He leans down, placing a kiss on my lips. “Good girl.”

  “Come on, lover boy. Let’s go help Simon with the furniture for the baby’s room.”

  He, Toby, Simon and James disappear while I make my way into the lounge with my coffee.

  “Are you okay?” Aria asks.

  “Yeah, but Jake and I need to have a serious talk at some stage. I can’t live with Toby and Sasha forever, and I need somewhere to raise this baby.”

  Aria looks at me with a stern look. “You think Jake will kick you out of the house? You’re mistaken. He won’t let his child and her mother have nowhere to go. If I’m not mistaken, I believe my dear twin brother definitely wants a future with you.”

  “Do you think he’s going to ask me to stay?”

  “I do. I’m also pretty sure he’s ready to come home.”

  “I’ll ask him next week after our date.”

  I need him next to me at night. He’s stayed the last two nights at the house and in bed with me. I find that when he has a nightmare, all I need to do is wrap my arms around him, and he calms instantly.

  Jake is my forever. I just need to get the courage to tell him that.

  You almost did a few nights ago.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Jake

  Operation romance Stephanie is a go!

  I’m sitting at my desk, finishing some notes from today when my phone buzzes beside me. I really hope it’s not my boss asking me to work late like he has all week. I’ve got plans with my girl tonight, and I’m not wasting time sitting here.

  I’ve spent the last week, on my lunch breaks, organising to spoil Stephanie tonight. I’ve bought her flowers, jewellery and even a bottle of sparkling grape juice. I want her to feel special and see that I’m the man for her.

  Nights have been the hardest this week as I haven’t slept next to Stephanie. I’ve woken several times, tossing and turning in my bed on the base. Hell, I’ve almost fallen out at one point. Thinking of Stephanie calms me, but it’s not the same as having her arms wrapped around me, holding me tight and comforting me.

  Picking up my phone, I slide my finger to unlock the screen, then find Stephanie’s name in my message app. Opening the latest message, I see a photo of her in her new emerald green dress. It’s obviously made for pregnancy, and it looks damn good on her. It’s a plunging neckline, stopping in a ‘V’ at her cleavage. I’m disappointed the dress blocks any more of my view of her gorgeous body, however. It hugs her curves in all the right places. Pregnancy definitely suits her, and it’s a real turn-on for me.

  I’ve got to keep my head on straight; I can’t think about sex right now.

  Tonight isn’t about sex, it’s about us being together as a couple, but I’m certainly not going to turn down sex if she wants it.

  Shifting in my seat, trying to relieve the ache in my cock, my phone buzzes again telling me she’s sent me another message.

  Steph: How do I look?

  Me: Good enough to eat. How about we skip dinner? I want dessert.

  Steph: I don’t think so, handsome. You promised me a proper date.

  Me: I’m teasing, sugar. See you at 7.

  Steph: Don’t be late.

  I smile as I glance at my watch and file my last note away, then shut down all the programs on my computer. I turn off my computer and pull on my jacket.

  As I exit the base, I ring my sister. She answers on the second ring.

  “Hey,” she says.

  “Hey. Did the flowers arrive?” I ask as I unlock my car and get in.

  “They did. The jewellery is here, too. I have to say you have great taste. Your suit is dry-cleaned and ready to go, now get over here.”

  “Little Miss Bossy, aren’t you?”

  “You know it.” A beep tells me she’s gone.

  I turn on my car engine and begin the drive to my sister’s house. Lucky for me, I’m only on base in Trentham, so her house is over Wallaceville Hill, just a short drive away. I can’t get my mind off tonight. I’m a bundle of nerves. I shouldn’t be, but I am. I’m hoping Aria will have some words of advice for me.

  I park the car outside Simon and Aria’s front entrance. The door opens, and Aria is standing there eating something. She smiles as she sees me.

  I get out of the car and walk towards her.

  “How are you?” I ask as I hug her.

  “Craving chocolate. I cannot wait to have this baby. I want my damn body back. How are you? Are you nervous?” she asks.

  She knows my secret as well as Toby; they’re the only two I trust with it.

  “A little. What if I fuck it up? What if it’s not the romantic dream she wants?”

  “J, it’ll be great. You’ve got her favourite flowers, chocolate, sparkling grape juice, and you bought her a necklace. It’ll be perfect. Just be yourself.”

  “Be myself? That’s the worst advice you’ve ever given me. I’m usually a dick.”

  “To other people sure, but you’re not to her. Besides, I never said my advice was good. Now, I’ll show you to the spare room where all your stuff is.”

  “Thanks, sis,” I say as we get to the room’s door.

  I walk through the entryway and close the door behind me.

  I strip out of my clothes and hit the shower. Stephanie loves my uniform, of that I’m sure. I’ve caught her staring at me as I wore it over the years. I’d never thought anything to her staring, but I know now I should have.

  The water is warm when I step beneath it. I notice Aria has placed some shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in the stall for me.

  I wash myself down, get out, and brush my teeth. On the bathroom sink, I find Aria has included deodorant, hair gel and my favourite cologne.

 

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