I still don’t like this fucker. “I’m not gonna bullshit you. I do not care for you at all—and I really don’t like you being with my sister—but she’s old enough to make her own decisions. If she chooses you, then that’s her mistake, but I’ve got my eyes on you. You fuck with my sister—or my wife—and you’re mine.”
“I have no intentions of doing either, but you need to get used to the idea of me being around. I don’t plan on going anywhere as long as Chloe wants me here.”
Fucking perfect. I’ll need to thank Addison for this shit later.
The party wasn’t a total bust. L met three of my mates—Trevor, Ellis, and Wade—which made her extremely happy. I guess she feels like that’s an area she knows nothing about since she hasn’t met them before. But there are reasons. They’ve been thick as thieves this year. I’m not sure I want to know what they’ve been up to because it can’t be good. And I’m sure I’d have been part of whatever they have going on if I hadn’t been so wrapped up in finding Laurelyn, but I have my priorities in order. They have theirs too: T and A—tits and ass.
All three were checking out my wife right in front of me, but Ellis was shameless in his adoration of her breasts. They looked awesome in the dress she was wearing but I still ended up telling them all to fuck off. Doesn’t matter who it is, no one looks at my wife like that. Assholes.
They cackled, thought it was fucking hilarious. I can’t believe I was once just like those dicks, but that was all before Laurelyn. She can’t imagine all the ways she’s changed me.
I’m driving us back to the apartment we keep in Sydney. I’d prefer to be home with L at Avalon for my birthday, but I wouldn’t dare go against Margaret McLachlan’s plans when it comes to an annual birthday celebration. She loves tradition, even demands it.
L didn’t seem to mind and I think it’s because she enjoys her new place in this family. It’s quite different than what she had growing up. She enjoys being surrounded by those who love her, and boy, is my family crazy about her, especially Mum. There was something different between them tonight and I don’t know what. Whatever it is, I’ve never seen Mum like this with Emma, or even Chloe.
“You’re not okay with Ben and Chloe.”
“No, I’m definitely not but what can I do? She’s not a child. I have to remind myself often that she’s the same age as you.” Laurelyn and Chloe are different kinds of twenty-three-year-olds. L was forced to grow up fast so she’s always felt more mature to me. As much as I love Chloe, she’s been spoiled by all of us, including me, so it’s difficult to think of her as an adult.
“Ben isn’t a bad guy. Take me out of the equation and you wouldn’t have had a problem with him. The two of you have a lot in common. I could see you being friends.”
Maybe, but L is in the equation. “I don’t know if I could ever be friends with him. He knew you were mine and still went after you.”
“But he didn’t get me and he never will because I’m yours and that isn’t going to change.” She reaches for my hand. “He was very sincere in his apology to me and I truly believe he likes Chloe for the right reasons. Please try to tolerate him for her sake—she really likes him.”
I better not regret this. “I’ll give him a chance, but his ass is mine if he does anything to hurt my sister.”
“I’ll gladly turn you loose on him, McLachlan.” L reaches for her phone. “Nothing from Addison. She and Chloe have been hanging out a lot since the wedding, but I’m puzzled about the reason she didn’t tell me about them.”
I’m not puzzled. “She didn’t want you to tell me so I could ruin it before it got started.”
“Maybe. She’d expect you to go apeshit crazy, so maybe that’s it. But she’s been weird lately—sort of like she’s checked out on me the last couple of weeks.”
Addison’s never been great at being there for L so I’m not sure why she’s surprised by this. “Ask her to breakfast when we get back to Wagga. Take her to Fusion and you can coerce the truth out of her with their Belgian waffles. They’re magnificent.”
“Speaking of breakfast, I’m going out to eat with your mum and the girls in the morning before we go back.”
“That sounds good.”
“What will you do while I’m gone?”
“Sleep in.”
She looks at me skeptically. “You don’t sleep in.”
“I do once a year because I need my rest after my wife gives me birthday sex all night long.” Her laugh tells me she must think that’s pretty funny. “Don’t tell me you find that humorous because I’m wrong.”
“You’re not entirely wrong but there’s more to it than that.”
“Partially wrong?”
“I refuse to answer that. You’ll find out in two minutes when we’re inside and you open your gift from me.” Nice. I bet she’s going to wear some sexy lingerie.
We go into the apartment. L tells me to sit on the couch while she gets my birthday gift from our bedroom. I’m not so sure it’s what I was thinking. She isn’t acting like herself—she seems nervous.
She returns to the living room and sits next to me before placing a small rectangular box in my hand. It’s wrapped in chocolate-brown paper with a blue ribbon bow and definitely isn’t big enough for lingerie—unless it’s really tiny.
“Open it.”
I remove the bow and tear into the paper as I ponder what could be inside. It’s a simple white gift box. What is this? A bracelet? I hope not since I’m not a fan of men in bracelets, but I’d wear it if it’s what she gave me.
I remove the top and I’m confused by what I see. “A pregnancy test?” She just had her period a couple of weeks ago, so she can’t possibly need to take a test.
“No. It’s an ovulation predictor. It tells me when I’m most fertile.”
I can only think of two reasons she’d use this: to avoid having sex on the days she’s fertile so she doesn’t become pregnant, or the complete opposite—because she’s ready to. “And you want to know when you’re fertile because … ?”
“You asked me to have your baby, and this is me saying yes.” A smile spreads across her face. “A baby … it’s my gift to you.”
I lean over to kiss her mouth and stroke my thumb over her cheek. “Best gift ever.”
She lifts a brow. “I took a test earlier and I’m ovulating.”
It’s weird. Something about hearing her say those words makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and haul her down to our bedroom so I can bury myself deep inside her. “Does that mean you want to start trying now?”
“I do.”
“I love when those two words come out of your mouth. It means something crazy good is about to happen.”
I get up from the couch and tug so she’ll stand with me. I put my hands on her lower back and pull her close. No hug. No kiss. I simply look into her eyes. “This is what you want, right? You’re not agreeing because you feel pressured or because you know it’s what I want?”
She strokes her hand down the side of my face and I reach up to cup my hand over hers. “It’s all I’ve thought about since you asked on our honeymoon.” She laughs. “It’s totally insane to be married a month and try to have a baby on purpose, but it’s what I want. I’m ready to start our family.”
“Our family. I love the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
I clasp her hand in mine and lead her down the hall to our bedroom. “Can I have a minute? I want to change into something special for you.”
Yes! I knew she’d be putting on some hot lingerie for my birthday. “Yeah. You can have two if you need it.” She walks into the closet and comes out with a shopping bag. Whoa. I wonder what’s in there? “Take as long as you need.”
She gives me a naughty grin. “Be back in a jiffy.”
This is it, McLachlan. You and L are going to make a baby. There’s no
going back after it’s done. Hmm. I’m surprisingly calm about it, but I guess that’s how it feels when you know it’s right.
There’s no reason to still be dressed when L returns. We both know what we’re here for, so I take off my shirt and trousers and place them on the chair in the corner of the room. I’m only wearing my boxer briefs when she comes out of the bathroom and stops in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She shifts her weight to one leg and places a hand on her hip, pushing her breasts up in her ivory chemise. It’s a bra at the top with sheer fabric flowing to the edge of the tiny triangle between her legs. It’s the ultimate prelude to baby-making.
“What does the birthday boy think?”
I walk toward her and she moves to meet me in the middle of the room. I’m remembering the times when she’s been her most beautiful: the night I met her; seeing her again after I thought she was gone forever; watching her walk down the aisle to be my wife. I thought she was beautiful all those times but the way she looks now as she comes to me so we can make a baby … it isn’t something I know how to label. Beautiful doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m in awe.
I’m overcome by the love I feel for this woman. My eyes fill and a single tear escapes. She’s trembling as she comes up on tiptoes to catch it with her lips. “I know.” This is a surreal moment for me. This beautiful woman has agreed to take a part of me into her body and join it with hers to make a new being—a little person who looks like us.
She puts her hands on my hips and walks backward toward the bed until the backs of her legs hit the mattress. She sits and glides to the middle. She lifts her foot and curls her toes around the waistband of my boxer briefs, pulling them, and me, in her direction. She uses her index finger to coax me. “Come here, birthday boy. I’ve got a little somethin’ for ya.”
I crawl up her body, taking my time as I leave a path of kisses beginning at her belly. When we’re face to face, she grasps the back of my neck. “Kiss me,” she says as she pulls me down so our mouths can meet.
Her mouth is making love to mine. Slow. Deep. Loving. “I love you, Laurelyn McLachlan.”
She stares at my eyes as I hover above and runs her fingertips down my cheek where she kissed my tear away only moments earlier. “And I love you, Jack Henry McLachlan.”
I kiss the side of her face and move my mouth down the length of her neck before reaching to unfasten her top. She arches her back, allowing me easier access to the clasp, and I can’t resist placing a kiss between her breasts, over her heart.
When I’m finished removing it, she lifts her bum and we repeat the same process with her knickers. “I’m feeling a little underdressed here.” She pushes at the waistband of my boxer briefs. “Maybe you should take these off so I don’t feel out of place.” She helps me push our last barrier away and I discard it over the edge of the bed.
Her legs are parted and I nestle my body between them until my hard cock is against her warm, inviting entrance. But I’m not quite ready. Making love is something we’ve done countless times, but it’s never been for this reason. This time is different. “This is about so much more than us.”
She’s trembling beneath me. “I know,” she whispers. “And it scares me to death, but in a good way.”
I’m pressed against her, ready to enter, but I have to ask one last time. “You’re sure?”
She lifts her hips and my tip glides just inside her entrance. “Yes.” She squeezes her legs and brings me closer. “No doubts.”
I press my hand into the mattress so I can wrap it around her lower back. I lift to pull her hips upward and sink into her as far as possible—I’m sure deep is best when trying to impregnate your wife.
Impregnate my wife. I like the sound of that.
I’m moving inside her slowly and my hands move to skim the underside of her arms. I push them over her head and lace my fingers through hers. Our hands are joined as one, just like our bodies.
This is it—two will become three. Maybe. If things go well, this could quite possibly be the last moment we’ll share before our child finds its place in her womb.
I release her hands and move mine down her body. Her legs are bent on each side of my hips so I grasp them and push back. Laurelyn moans and I slide my hand between our bodies to the point where we become one. No beginning. No end. But I know L’s body as well as my own. She needs more so I find that spot—the one that drives her crazy every time I touch it—and stroke my fingers against the nub. A moment later, her breath quickens as she grasps my back and pulls me against her tighter. She grinds her hips upward so I know I’m right where I need to be. “Right there. Don’t stop.”
This woman knows better. I never stop until she comes undone.
Her legs tighten and I know what to expect next. And then it happens. Her inner walls squeeze around me, contracting in rhythm. Once. Twice. And then again and again until I lose count because I’m lost in my own world coming apart. Exploding.
I push her legs back and apart as I thrust deeply one last time. I’m making this one count but it won’t be a shame if she doesn’t get pregnant and we have to do this again. And again. I enjoy it right nicely.
My upper body is braced on my elbows as I hover above her. I’m still inside, unmoving. I push the hair from her face and she smiles, giggling. “What’s so funny?”
“I was thinking of all the extreme measures we took to prevent a baby and now we’re trying to have one.”
It’s called irony. “That’s what happens when your world is turned on its head. Things you once thought you’d never want transform into your greatest desire.”
“You certainly did a one-eighty.”
“I decided to go all in, baby. No folding.” I kiss her before pulling out slowly and rolling onto my side. “I never imagined myself loving a woman the way I love you. You changed my everything.”
She points toward the head of the bed. “Pass me a pillow.”
“Sleepy so soon, love?” I hold the pillow out and she takes it. “I thought we might try that again in case the first time wasn’t successful.”
“It’s not for my head.” She lifts her hips. “Help me get this under my butt.”
Okay. I get this now. She’s taking advantage of gravity, which means she’s been researching. It could be entertaining to go back and look at the history on our computer. “Where’d you find this tip?”
“Your mother told me to put a pillow under my hips and stay in bed for a while … after you’ve done ‘your thing.’ Her words.”
Oh fuck. L told my mum? “She’ll probably call to see how things went. She has no boundaries when it comes to her kids and that now includes you. You know that, right?”
“I love your mom. We’re close so I caved when she asked what I was giving you for your birthday.”
L straightens her legs and holds them in the air. Wonder if this is another tip from my mum? “Want me to stand you on your head and give you a good shake?”
“No, but I wouldn’t turn you down if you came over here and let me prop these on you.” I move over and hook an ankle over each of my shoulders. She puts her hands behind her head and her breasts have never looked fuller. Gravity always works for my girl, never against. “I’m not sure this helps the sperm get in there or not, but it won’t hurt.”
Shit, how’s a guy supposed to have his wife’s vagina staring him in the face and not pounce?
I smile down at her and she can guess what I’m thinking. “Don’t even think about it for at least ten more minutes.”
She’s got to be kidding me. “Easier said than done, L.” I reach down and run my thumb through her moist slit. “This is practically begging to be licked.”
“Don’t you dare, McLachlan.” She warns me but I don’t listen. I’m too captivated by what’s in front of me screaming to be tasted. I lean forward but she locks her knees around my head. “It’s not a Tootsi
e Pop. We’re not gonna find out how many licks it takes to get to the center—at least not for nine more minutes.”
Nine minutes seems much longer when your horny husband has his head between your knees staring at your stuff like he’s starving and you’re a buffet. He spent the entire time taunting me, using his filthy mouth to tell me what he was going to do as soon as I would let him.
And I am so turned on.
He’s describing how he’s going to lick me and I can’t wait any longer. “Time’s up.”
“Hmm … I don’t believe it is. I think there’s at least two more minutes to go.” Great, he wants to taunt me further.
I reach up and grab the back of his neck, pulling him down so we’re eye to eye. “Your mouth. On me. Now.”
He’s amused, as evidenced by his grin. “Now I’m the one who has a little somethin’ for you … and this drenched goodness below your waist.”
Oh shit. I’m going to die if he doesn’t put his mouth on me soon. Or touch me. Something. Anything.
I rock my hips on the pillow because I’m restless and needy. It’s excruciating and he could put a stop to it—if only he would. “Please don’t tease me because I don’t think I can stand it.”
He puts his finger on my pubis and presses against the bone. I lift my hips, hoping to coerce it downward, but he resists my coercion. “You mean don’t tease you the way I was teased just now while I was forced to look at this?” He looks down and drags his finger through my center. I groan and bite my lower lip as I shift on the pillow. “You’re so wet.” He strokes one labia and then the other. “Did you know this whole area fills with blood when you’re turned on? The action is very much like an erection.” He strokes me a few more times before stopping. “It’s magnificent to watch the physical changes that occur as you become more aroused. Your breathing increases and you get a flush across your chest. I’ve never sat back and watched your body change like this. It’s beautiful.”