With a grin, Ryder’s hands went to his belt buckle, and he began to undo it. He slowly, painfully slowly, popped the button on his jeans and lowered the zip. He pushed the jeans down to his knees and turned his leg to the right, showing me his inner thigh. I hunkered down, pushed up the hem of his briefs, and stared at Ryder’s stretch marks. Granted, they were just a bit lighter than his skin colour, but he actually had them.
“How have I not noticed them before?” I murmured aloud as I used my fingertip to trace the mark.
“Because my dick is right next to them,” Ryder replied nonchalantly.
I laughed and swatted at his thigh, causing him to jump back away from me.
“Never slap me close to my dick,” he said, his tone firm. “You scared me.”
I grinned as I stood up. “You’re scared of me?”
“Are you kidding?” he asked, his eyes focusing on mine. “From the first moment I met you, you have terrified me.”
“Why?” I asked, shocked.
“Because,” he said with a small shrug, “I knew you were different, and I knew you had the ability to wiggle your way into my life and set up camp for the long haul.”
I puffed out my chest with pride, and it caused my husband to laugh.
“I knew I’d marry you, you know?” he said softly, brushing strands of hair from my eyes. “From that first night in Darkness.”
“Get out,” I joked.
“I’m serious,” he pressed. “It was an instant reaction that I didn’t want to be without you. You made a hell of an impression, Sweetness.”
“Because I had sex with you?”
“Because you stuck around after we had sex,” Ryder clarified. “I’ve never had much to offer a woman other than my body, but then you came along, and you stuck around because you liked me for me, not because of my abs or face.”
“They were big sellin’ points, though,” I teased.
Ryder chuckled. “The abs have reduced to a four pack, and I’ve more lines on my face than when we first met, and you don’t seem to mind.”
“Sweetheart, you could be skinny as a rail or as fat as a whale, and I’d still get butterflies the second I saw you. I love you for you.”
“And that is why you’re my wife.”
I looked down at our wedding bands.
“I still can’t believe we’re married,” I said happily. “It’s so surreal.”
“I hope it always feels like that because I doubt I’m ever going to not be amazed that you picked me.”
Before Ryder could speak another word, I got on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. His hands rested on my waist as he opened up to me and allowed me to take control of the kiss. I jumped when I felt his hardened length suddenly poking against my stomach.
“Ry,” I said and looked down.
“That is what you do to my body,” he said, and took my hand in his so he could place it over his throbbing erection. “Not pregnant Branna and pregnant Branna are both sexy as hell.”
I laughed again. “You’re worse than a teenager.”
“It’s not my fault my wife is hot,” he countered.
I beamed up at him. “You’ve made me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.”
I closed my hand around his erection, and it caused the hardened flesh to pulse under my grip.
“However shall I deal with this?” I said aloud.
“I’m down for anything,” Ryder groaned as I delivered the first stroke.
I hunkered down once more. Leaning into Ryder’s groin, I took the head of his cock into my mouth. My tongue swirled over the tip, and salty pre-come coated my taste buds. I took him to the back of my throat four times before I had to use my free hand to grip his thigh to avoid falling back on my arse.
“Are you—” Ryder hissed when I suckled on him but managed to finish his sentence. “Okay?”
My thighs were burning, and I could have sworn my legs began to involuntarily shake. Instead of voicing my concerns, I nodded and continued to suck on him. I pulled back for a moment just to catch my breath. It suddenly felt like my lungs were going to explode.
“Give me a second,” I said.
“Are you okay?” Ryder asked, his fingers sliding into my hair.
I nodded and took a few deep breaths.
“Stand up,” Ryder ordered. “You’re not okay.”
“I’m okay,” I stressed.
“Bran, you don’t have to—”
“I can do this,” I angrily stated.
I looked up when Ryder laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“You’re arguing with me over a blow job.”
I sighed, released him, and stood upright.
“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling awful. “I feel weird.”
“A bad weird?” he asked, worried.
“Just weird,” I said with a shrug. “Really tired all of a sudden.”
“Then a nap is back on the table.” My husband winked as he tucked himself back inside his boxers and buttoned up his jeans. “You rest, and I’ll make us dinner... once I figure out how to use the oven in the kitchen. Did you see how many dials were on that thing?”
I didn’t know why, but I started to cry again, and Ryder’s face lost its colour.
“Baby…” He frowned, and hugged me to him.
“I’m the worst wife,” I blubbered. “I can’t even give you a blow job.”
“Bran.” Ryder pulled back on a chuckle. “You’re the best wife you can possibly be, and you’re perfect at it in my book. I’m not stupid enough to think you can do things you used to before you were pregnant.”
“But you didn’t get to come and—”
“I’m not going to die,” he cut me off. “We can fool around later in bed, but for now, let me feed my wife.”
I cried harder.
“I can’t stop,” I sniffled.
He smiled softly. “It’s your hormones.”
“I hate them.”
My husband guided me back into the sitting room where I sank back down onto the sofa. I calmed down enough to pick up my phone from the coffee table and check it for messages. There were none, so I held it in my hand while I stared at the flames dancing in the fireplace and let it pull me into a trance. I wasn’t sure how long I stared before Ryder came and sat down next to me, gaining my attention.
“Branna.” He sighed. “Why do you look like a puppy just died?”
“I just have a bad feelin’ about something’,” I said, feeling confused. “I don’t know why, though. It’s annoyin’ me.”
“Have you considered your sister?”
I frowned. “What about ‘er?”
“Just yesterday, she was a mess over Georgie not breastfeeding anymore.” Ryder winced. “She also drank herself into oblivion with Alannah.”
I perked up.
“I bet you’re right,” I said excitedly. “I bet I’m just worried about Bronagh.”
My husband raised an eyebrow. “Is there a reason you sound excited about that?”
I managed a laugh. “I’m not excited about Bronagh bein’ upset or possibly dyin’ of a hangover. I’m excited that nothin’ else is worryin’ me.”
Ryder brushed a few strands of hair from my face. “What else would be bothering you?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “And that’s what bothers me. I have nothin’ else to worry over, yet I still worry. Not all the time. Just sometimes. When things are feelin’ too good to be true.”
Ryder’s features tensed a little.
“Branna,” he began. “I can’t convince you, given my past, but nothing else is going to happen to us. Not only have we suffered more than enough for one lifetime, but everyone who had a grudge against us is dead.”
And thank God for that.
“I know that, I do. I just can’t help but expect somethin’ bad to happen.”
Ryder frowned.
“You can’t be blamed,” he said softly. “It’s not like bad things haven’t happe
ned one after the other since we met.”
I hadn’t meant to make him feel guilty, so I took his hands in mine and placed them on my stomach.
“Somethin’ incredible has happened since we met too.”
Ryder’s expression changed to one of joy.
“You’re precious to me, Sweetness,” he said, lifting his hands to my face. “You and our baby—you both mean life itself to me. I love you.”
I placed my hands on his. “I love you, too.”
He grinned. “Call your sister.”
Ryder went into the kitchen and started on our dinner, while I dialled my sister’s number into my phone.
“Hello?” Dominic answered on the third ring.
“Brother-in-law,” I mused. “Is me sister alive?”
“Define alive?”
I grinned. “Is she breathin’?”
“Let me check... yep, she’s breathing,” he confirmed. “Sweating and drooling, too.”
“Nice.” I snorted.
“Will you stop shoutin’, Dominic?” my sister’s voice pleaded through the receiver of my phone. “Me head is goin’ to explode.”
“I’ve been whispering all morning.”
“Lies,” Bronagh rasped. “I heard you bangin’ pots and pans for no other reason than to cause me pain.”
“I was putting the dishes away.”
“Yeah, right,” my sister groaned. “Is there a reason you’re in ‘ere?”
“I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Shoot.”
“What’s your perfect morning?” Dominic asked.
“No one talkin’ to me,” Bronagh replied.
“I knew you’d say that.”
“Babe, I love you with me entire heart, but please, fuck off.”
“Language,” he teased. “Your sister is on the phone.”
“Give it ‘ere then,” she grumbled.
I heard Dominic’s chuckling then a loud, pained groan.
“You should have raised me better,” Bronagh whined. “You should have preached how evil alcohol really is.”
I smiled. “Would you have believed me?”
Silence.
“Probably not.” My sister sighed. “Anyway, good mornin’.”
“Mornin’, sister dearest.”
More groaning.
“I hate meself with every fibre in me body,” she said softly. “I’ve never felt so ill in me entire life.”
“If it makes you feel better, you gave me, Keela and the lads a right laugh.”
“It doesn’t make me feel better; it makes me feel worse.”
I laughed. “Sorry.”
“Are you really?”
“No.” I cackled.
Bronagh began to laugh but quickly groaned in pain.
“Dominic,” she called. “Can you get me a painkiller?”
“Two pills and a glass of water are already on your nightstand.”
“Oh,” Bronagh replied. “I love you.”
“I know,” came his response.
“Aw,” I cooed. “How sweet.”
“Shut up,” she grumbled. “These tablets better take me headache away before I cry me eyes out.”
I waited until she took her painkillers and rehydrated herself.
She smacked her lips together and said, “That water was the nicest thing I’ve ever swallowed.”
Don’t let Dominic hear you say that.
I shook my head. “I’m sure it was.”
“I’ve either had the worst nightmare ever, or they’re flashbacks from last night. I’m seriously prayin’ for the former.”
“Fire some of them at me, and I’ll let you know.”
“Karaoke with Lana.”
“Flashback.”
“Almost getting kicked out of the pub for strippin’.”
“Flashback.”
“Dancing on the stage.”
“Flashback.”
“Kissin’ Lana.”
“Nightmare... I think.”
“Oh, my God.” Bronagh groaned.
I chuckled.
“I don’t know why I’ve done this to meself.”
“I do. You were sad over Georgie possibly self-weanin’.”
“She’s definitely weanin’,” Bronagh mumbled. “She drank a full eight-ounce bottle last night and slept through the night for the first time ever. She had another bottle this morning and some pureed breakfast, Dominic said.” My sister sighed. “I held ‘er on me chest and she didn’t even hint for me boob. I still can’t believe it.”
“I know, kid, but it’ll get easier for you.”
“I hope so because I feel pretty damn useless right about now.”
“You still have to do everythin’ you’ve been doin’ for her but just usin’ a bottle and a spoon now.”
“I guess,” Bronagh mumbled.
“Want to hear somethin’ shitty about my day?” I offered.
“Of course,” came my sister’s immediate response.
I chuckled. “Guess who discovered a billion purple stretch marks on ‘er body?”
My sister winced. “It’s that bad?”
“It’s like a roadmap to hell, and I’m only in me second trimester.”
Bronagh laughed. “You’re probably bein’ dramatic.”
“No, Bee, seriously, they’re everywhere.”
“Well, they’ll fade eventually, if it’s any consolation?”
“It is,” I said. “Ten minutes ago I’d have told you to shove that consolation up your arse, but me fabulous husband made me feel beautiful —”
“I am possibly dyin’ of a hangover, so the last thing I need to think of is me brother-in-law doin’ the nasty to me big sister.”
I burst into laughter. “Chill, we didn’t get that far. I had to wee, and the mood was killed.”
“The joys of pregnancy.” My sister snorted.
I smiled. “I’ll let you go so you can die in peace.”
“Wait,” she said quickly. “Are you and Ry at the cabin yet?”
“We are, and it’s stunnin’.” I beamed. “It’s perfect.”
“Take loads of pictures,” my sister reminded.
“I will.”
“Enjoy it, you and Ry deserve the best honeymoon possible.”
My heart fluttered. “Thanks, baby.”
“I’ll call you later if I haven’t already passed on to me next life.”
I laughed. “Bye, crazy.”
When I hung up with Bronagh, I stood up and joined Ryder in the kitchen. He had figured out how to turn the oven on, I could feel the slight heat coming from it as it began to preheat. I nudged my way onto a stool, leaned my elbows on the island countertop, and stared at Ryder as he began chopping up vegetables.
“I got the food we bought out of the car while you were on the phone,” he said, and gestured to the food he was dicing. “How is Bee doing?”
“She claims she’s dyin’.”
Ryder snorted. “Not surprising, considering how drunk you said she was.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Alannah is probably just as miserable.”
I snorted. “I’ll call ‘er later to see.”
Ryder’s lips quirked.
“I wonder how Aideen is,” I said, voicing my thoughts.
Ryder looked at me intently.
“What?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I’m thinking that coming away while Aideen is so close to birthing this baby was a bad idea.”
“Why a bad idea?”
“Because…” My husband sighed. “What if she has the baby tonight? Would you be okay with waiting nearly two weeks to meet the kid?”
No.
“Yes.”
Ryder laughed. “You’re a terrible liar.”
My lips twitched.
“Okay,” I conceded. “I wouldn’t exactly be jumpin’ for joy at havin’ to wait so long, but this is our honeymoon. She knows she’ll be in good hands with Ash and Sally. I wouldn’t want to leave ?
??ere if it can be helped.”
Ryder smiled, satisfied with my reply.
“Let’s hope Aideen holds it together a little while longer,” he said, his tone hopeful.
I smirked. “I’m gonna tell her you wished for her to go overdue.”
“Evil wench!” he hissed.
I erupted with laughter when he snaked his way behind me and tickled up and down my sides.
“Mercy,” I pleaded, cackling like a mad woman.
My husband relented. “I love you.”
I leaned back against his chest. “I love you, too.”
He kissed my shoulder then went back to cooking.
“What can I do to help?” I asked.
“You can just sit there and let me look at you.”
I snorted but did as asked and remained seated.
“You know Alec got a job at the animal shelter he volunteers at a couple of times a week?” Ryder said, bringing a huge smile to my face.
“No way!” I exclaimed.
“Yep, they offered him a full-time job. He starts tomorrow.”
My stomach flipped with excitement.
“I’m so happy for ‘im,” I gushed. “I know you’re all strugglin’ over what to do for work now that you’re all straight laced.”
“Don’t tell Bronagh, but Dominic is applying for a full-time position in the new leisure centre that’s opening next month. The gym they have there is supposed to be huge. He loved working privately with his clients, but the money is better at the centre, and it’s a fixed paycheck so he doesn’t have to worry about not having enough money for bills and food week to week.”
“That’s amazin’, but why hasn’t he told Bronagh?”
“He didn’t want to get her hopes up. She knows he only fought under Brandon Daley to help get info for me when the feds were breathing down my neck, but she isn’t convinced he is done with that part of his life.”
I nodded my head in understanding.
“I hope he gets it,” I said. “I’ll pray every night.”
Ryder was quiet for a moment then said, “It’s got me thinking about what I’m going to do for work. Especially now that we’re married and you’re pregnant.”
“Do you have an idea of what you want to do?”
I didn’t want him taking a job just for the sake of a wage because he’d be miserable if he did that.
“My options are limited because I’ve no schooling or college qualifications behind me, but I don’t want to do the back to education thing. I wouldn’t have the patience for it. Kane mentioned to me that Aideen’s father is looking for a few drivers for tows and roadside rescue now that they’ve moved to a bigger auto shop and expanded the business. He put in a good word for me, and Mr Collins wants to meet with me when we’re back from our honeymoon. I like cars, and Aideen’s brothers are cool since we sorted our differences. It might be a good fit.”