Bad Boy's Bridesmaid(35)

That's why relationships were hard. I left myself at her mercy, begging  for a relief that came from a kiss, a touch, and three simple,  uncomplicated words. I risked everything to give that much of myself, to  put her happiness ahead of my own. That selflessness didn't take  courage or skill.

It required honesty.

Admitting what we felt. Accepting what it meant.

Trusting her more than I trusted myself.

I pressed into her. Her hips arched, a little hope that I'd gather her in my arms and fuck her then and there in the shower.

No. For the first time in my life, I didn't want sex. I wanted her. Completely. Mind and body and soul.         

     



 

More importantly, I planned to capture her heart.

My voice growled low. "I didn't fall in love with you."

Her eyes widened. I kissed away the fear before she voiced it.

"I never hit bottom or stumbled into how I feel. I just loved you. I've probably always loved you, but I never took the risk."

"I … " She trembled. I kissed her neck, chasing away her hesitations. "I had no idea."

"It wasn't a surprise to me. I can't imagine not feeling this way for  you. I can't imagine not having you here, in my arms. I was lonely,  Mandy."

"I was too."

"We could be together."

She bit her lip. "But you never … wanted a commitment. Or a relationship. With anyone."

"I never found a person who made me want that. You do." I brushed my  hands over her body. Water streamed along her curves. She tensed as I  touched her tummy.

"Tell me you want me," I said.

"I want you."

"Tell me why you're still hiding everything."

Her voice turned to a whisper. "Because I'm scared."

That ended now. "Nothing will change how I feel about you."

"Promise?"

I grinned. It was the easiest promise I'd ever made.

Mandy welcomed my kiss, but she needed more than a touch. The girl was a  knot of nerves and anxiety and stress. It killed me for her to suffer  such insecurities.

Vanilla wasn't my favorite scent, but on her it made my mouth water. I  pooled her body gel into my hand and faced her with a wicked smile.

The cool soap touched her skin, and she coo'ed. I nearly poured the entire bottle over her to hear that soft breath once more.

I spun her to face away from me, and I guided the soapy streams of suds  and water over the softness of her body. She sunk into me. I liked that.  Gave me access to all the beautiful and curvy parts of her I longed to  hold. My hands wove tight circles over her shoulders, back, and to her  waist.

I watched with a perverse joy as the most beautiful woman in my world  squirmed and groaned. I massaged her hips, belly, and teased the bubbles  to her breasts. Even they felt tight and swollen, but I considered that  a perk. The silky soap washed over her nipples, and I chuckled as they  budded within my hand.

"Feel good?" I murmured, nipping her neck.

Mandy nodded. "More."

"Always."

She hummed as I snaked my touch lower, guiding the warm water to caress an already slickened part of her.

Her body pulsed hotter than the water. I bit her neck and shuddered with her. Nothing would satisfy me but that heat again.

And it was mine.

I had the freedom to touch her. Take her. Love the feel of her.

We weren't sneaking around or playing games. I didn't bathe her to begin  some rushed, desperate fuck so we could get off and become  almost-strangers again.

This was real. I could have her and hold her.

And it was the greatest revelation of my life.

Mandy giggled as I reached for the shampoo, but her smile faded into a  soft moan as I massaged the gel into her hair. She fell against me,  using my strength to stay upright.

Christ, if I knew I could turn her on without even touching her slit …

That was some dangerous knowledge.

And I'd planned to exploit it at every opportunity.

Mandy's moans became breathy whimpers as the conditioner rinsed away.  She grinded against me, and I held her to keep her still as the water  teased as much as I did. I never knew a woman could be so desperate and  aching for more than my undivided attention.

Mandy slammed a hand against the shower controls and flipped the water off.

Fine by me.

We tumbled from the stall. I didn't release her from my kiss. A towel  waited, bundled on the sink, but I hated the thought of something so  rough scouring her skin. Then again … Mandy groaned my name the instant  the material stroked her quivering body.

I should have known. She wasn't a princess who needed pampering unless  that's what I wanted to give. We had fucked against the poison ivy  spanned tree, and I learned she could take a pounding.

And that she loved it.

I didn't bother drying off. The heat surging through me should have  turned the droplets to steam. I picked her up, and I tossed her onto the  blankets.

She giggled.

I didn't.

I wasn't in the mood for fun or flirty or anything that wasn't taking  this woman hard, until she understood how much I needed her.

And she was ready. She opened her legs for me, holding me as I steadied over her waiting slit.

I didn't warn her. She clutched at me and whispered her desire in hushed, desperate whispers.

I sunk into her-all the way, to the hilt, and I nearly lost it.         

     



 

Her softness, that tight and wonderful milking, cascaded pleasure along my spine.

Mandy cried my name with such a breath of perfection and completeness I  vowed I'd never stop fucking her. We'd stay together, locked in place,  writhing in the absolute pleasure of the other.

Except she wanted more.

And so did I.

I withdrew to the head, watching as her beautiful expression crumbled in  panic and loss. She begged me in unspoken words and choked gasps to  stay inside her. I couldn't leave a lady in misery. I thrust within her,  driving into her core. She came, clutching at me and the bed and  anything that could keep her hold on the world.

She could hold onto me from now on.

I wouldn't let that ecstasy fade from her.

I gripped her hips, plunging inside her again and again to feed that  clenching, unrelenting tightness from her constant orgasm. Mandy  thrashed with a quaking wave of pleasure. She clawed me, her quiet mews  transforming into a melody of grateful and beautiful moans. She  surrendered, fell limp in my arms, and offered her body for any delight I  could incite.

And I gave her everything.

Every thrust was meant to slam her breasts between us. Every fierce  movement designed to earn her squeal. Every frantic breath I grunted  fueled our shared passion. I stretched her. I took her. I fucked her.

I made love to her.

And her constant, unrelenting orgasm built my own. Harder. More intense.  More meaningful than any other moment with any other woman in my life.

I gripped her close, fell over her to shield her with my body, and  plunged as deeply as I could into that welcoming, sensual heat.

And I came. Again and again. I jetted inside her, filled her, and gave her everything that was me.

My whisper rasped, too harsh and desperate for how peacefully she rested  in my arms. I didn't know what to say. Hadn't I proved everything I  felt? "Christ … I love-"

"Wait." Mandy's fingers pressed against my lips. "Just … wait. Before you  say it again. Before you even think it. I have to tell you something."

She could silence me all she wanted, but nothing changed how my heart  beat for her. I gave her a smile, pressing deeper inside of her. She  shuddered, but her eyes welled with tears.

"Nate … I never wanted to hurt you. I wanted to tell you, but the timing … I couldn't."

"What are you talking about?"

Mandy pushed against my chest. I hated leaving her, but she shifted away, curling her legs under her and avoiding my touch.

"I have to tell you the truth."

That didn't sound good. "The truth?"

"I wished I hadn't kept it from you."

I tensed. Mandy brushed tears away neither of us wanted her to shed. She couldn't look at me.

It didn't matter. No matter what she said, what she thought, or what she  feared, this woman was too good and innocent for secrets. Whatever it  was, I could handle it.

I braced for anything.

"Nate, I'm pregnant."

But I wasn't ready for that.





19





Nate





Why was I still sitting in silence?

I should have said something.

Anything.

Mandy dressed in the quiet. I didn't remember putting my jeans on. I hadn't zipped them. I just sat on her couch.

I could have talked, but I didn't know what I'd hear over my pounding heart.

Pregnant.

I didn't expect it. I never thought of myself as a father. The possibility never crossed my mind.

I swallowed.

Pregnant.

A baby.

My baby.

With Mandy.

I rubbed my chin. " … How long?"

The question sounded too harsh. I probably should have asked it while  holding her. These were the moments men held their women. When we kissed  them. When we got excited and celebrated.

When we planned for something like this.

The shock numbed everything. Facts helped. Piecing together the puzzle  calmed me down. I had to think as rationally as I could. No matter what,  I had to make this right.