Expect Me (Rivers Edge Book 3) (16 page)

*****

Last night did not prove to be a good night to ask Travis to not work on the house tonight. He didn’t get home until almost midnight after dealing with some plumbing issues. I waited up until about ten-thirty but when I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, I finally gave in and went to bed. I remember hearing the shower start – and that’s when I cracked open my eyes and glanced at the alarm clock – and vaguely recall him falling in bed next to me, but that was the extent of it. No words were spoken. I woke up alone this morning to a note on the counter that said he was going back to the house to deal with whatever problem he was having.

So, I’ve decided not to push the date night right now, but I am concerned that he’s working himself too hard and too much. How much more of not eating and not sleeping can he possibly take before it finally catches up with him and he crashes?

I’m pondering that thought as I grab my stuff from the back room at the diner. It’s just after four and I’ve worked all day on my feet which makes me dog tired. But, now I’m heading to Dr. Freeman’s for my six month check-up.

Since I didn’t have the opportunity to chat with Travis last night – or this morning for that matter – I decide to send him a quick text reminding him of our appointment.

Hey! Don’t forget doc appt in 20 minute
s


I hit send and hop in my stifling hot car to head to the appointment. Travis had my air conditioning fixed last month, but I still feel like frying bacon every time I get in. This wet humidity is the only downfall to the Midwest. I love Missouri with its wide open plains and sprawling landscapes. It’s a beautiful place, really, but this heat and humidity is for the birds.

I pull into the parking lot, grab a parking spot as close to Dr. Freeman’s office as humanly possible without stealing a handicap spot, and reach for my phone. No response from Travis. Hopefully, he’s on his way. I smile as I step into the air conditioned office and give my name to the receptionist. Appointment days are my favorite days. I’m excited to hear our little guy’s heartbeat. I’ve realized that it’s the part I look forward to the most with each appointment. It’s like a beacon reminding me of his pending arrival.

I grab a Parent magazine and am browsing an article on potty training when my name is called by the nurse. I quickly set down the magazine and give the front door one last longing look before I head down the hallway.

As if on autopilot, I hop up on the scale, saying a silent prayer that it’s gentle to me this month. Though with all the junk food I’ve been consuming - especially Mrs. Steven’s chocolate caramel brownie cake yesterday - I’m sure I’m in for the weight-gain lecture from the doctor.

I shut my eyes as I hear the little metal bar slide - and slide some more. I crack open an eye and notice the number. Six pounds. Ouch.

I jump off the scale before it can start adding more pounds to that already growing number and extend my arm to the nurse for a blood pressure check. I’ve been fortunate that my blood pressure has been steady and within the normal range since I’ve been pregnant. I was reading in the baby books lately about preeclampsia and the dangers to both baby and mother.

“Huh,” the nice nurse says as she takes my blood pressure.

“What does ‘huh’ mean?” I ask with a little concern.

“Your blood pressure is a little high. I want to take it again, okay?”

“Sure,” I say but she’s already pumping air into the cuff around my arm for the second time.

“140/80,” she says but doesn’t elaborate any further. She reaches in the basket, hands me a little plastic cup, and sends me to the small bathroom in the hallway.

Once I’ve completed that task, she shows me to one of the exam rooms. “Hop up on the table and Dr. Freeman will be in shortly,” she says as she exit’s the room.

A few minutes later a knock sounds at the door before it’s thrown open. But it’s not Dr. Freeman that enters the room, Travis is there with a sheepish grin on his face.

“Hey,” he says as he walks over and places a kiss on my forehead.

“Hi,” I say, instant relief washes over my body as my shoulders sag and release the tension I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Sorry, I’m late. I got caught dealing with the plumbing changes and the electrician.”

“That’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here now,” I tell him with a smile.

Another knock sounds at the door and Dr. Freeman walks in moments later. “Good afternoon, Josselyn. How are you feeling?”

“Good,” I reply.

“Excellent. I see you have a six pound weight gain since your last appointment. Not horrible, but we’ll want to monitor it. Make sure you’re eating healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. The concern I have now is your blood pressure. It’s a little on the high side. Nothing to be super alarmed about, but I definitely want to keep monitoring that. How have you been feeling? Any dizziness, headaches, or noticeable swelling of the hands or face?” she asks.

“No,” I reply and glance over at the concern on Travis’s face.

“Good. I want to monitor it for now. If you feel any dizziness or are having headaches, I want you to call the office for an appointment. Or if you are out and about, just stop in and tell them to check your blood pressure, okay?”

“Yes, of course,” I reply as if on autopilot.

“Let’s check you out now, shall we?” she says as she grabs the portable heart monitor from the drawer.

Travis and I both listen to the strong heartbeat for as long as she allows us. “128,” she says out loud and notes the number in my chart. She pulls the little tape measure out of her pocket and runs it along my abdomen from my belly button to my pubis area.

“Next month we’ll have some blood tests for your glucose screening and anemia. The stuff tastes like really sweet, thick orange pop. It’s not the best tasting, but it’s a necessary test. Do you have any questions for me?” she asks.

“Nope, I don’t think so,” I reply as I hop down off the table. Dr. Freeman hands me my paperwork for the front desk and sends us on our way.

Outside, I turn to Travis who hasn’t said much the entire visit. “Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, I just need to get back. The electrician was going to hang around while I came to your appointment, but I don’t want to keep him waiting any longer than necessary,” he says without making eye contact.

“Oh, okay. I guess I’ll just see you at home later sometime then,” I reply as I turn to head towards my car.

“Joss, I’m probably going to be late again tonight. We’re trying to finalize the wiring and plumbing. But, I’m taking Sunday off. I want to spend the day with you and go to the home improvement store in St. Charles. We have a whole list of stuff to pick out for the house. Plus, we have dinner at my parent’s house afterwards.”

I smile at the prospect of spending an entire day with Travis. I’ve barely seen him over the last couple of months and the thought of spending fifteen hours straight with him has me more excited than I could have possibly imagined.

Travis must sense my excitement. He steps into my personal space as a big grin spreads across his handsome face. A face that has dirt smeared on it which only makes him look even more handsome, if that was even possible. It makes him look rugged and hardworking. And sexy as hell.

We stand there for a few moments, each smiling, before he leans forward and places a tender kiss on my lips. “I’ve missed you so much, Joss,” he whispers against my lips.

“I’ve missed you, too,” I tell him before he deepens the kiss and slides his tongue deep within the recesses of my mouth. That all too familiar tightening begins in my lower stomach. I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him as close as possible. Well, as close as I can get with the bump protruding from my stomach. I long to rip his clothes off of him right here in the middle of downtown Rivers Edge, giving everyone a show. I don’t care.

“I’ve been craving these lips all week,” he mumbles and takes little nips with his skilled mouth.

A horn honks from the street breaking the moment which is probably a very good thing. “Jake is taking my place tomorrow night in softball so I can work all day and get everything finished to take Sunday off.”

“Do you want me to bring lunch or supper out to you?”

“That’s up to you, Joss. Maybe dinner would be the best option since it’s starting to cool off and hopefully won’t be as humid for you,” he says.

“Okay,” I reply as I slip into my Camry and crank up the air. As I pull away, Travis is already in his truck and whipping a u-turn in the middle of Main Street and heading back out to the edge of town.

I smile as I head back to the apartment. No, I’m not getting my date night, but I get dinner with Travis at the new house tomorrow night. Maybe I’ll try out one of the new dishes I’ve learned how to make from those cooking shows. Hell, maybe I’ll wear that blue negligee that I haven’t worn since the night of the karaoke.

I smile the entire ride back to the apartment as I plan an unforgettable dinner with Travis at the new house for our little family.

The plumber just left after finally finishing his part. I have a few loose ends to tie up before the inspector can come and approve the plumbing, but we are well on our way. I’m actually looking forward to spending time with Josselyn tomorrow at the home improvement store. It’s sure to be a long day as we pick out all of the light fixtures, toilets, sinks, tub and shower units, cabinets, counter tops, and about a million other small details, but I’m up for it as long as she is.

The sound of a car coming up the long lane has me turning around and heading out the temporary front door. I can’t control the smile that spreads across my face as Josselyn steps out of her car and a huge, beautiful grin lights up her entire face as she takes a look at the house for the first time in a month.

“Oh, wow, Travis. This is going to be stunning. I can’t wait to see how much you’ve completed,” she says as she pops open her trunk.

I hop down the temporary stairs and head towards her car to help her unload whatever she has in the trunk. As I step up next to her, I can smell her sweet scent. The scent that is a mixture of lotion and pure Josselyn. The scent that turns me on more than a Playboy magazine. I forgo the cargo in the trunk and pull her into my arms for a long, lingering kiss.

“You’re all sweaty and gross,” she says as she wrinkles her nose at me. But she doesn’t pull away.

“It’s hot outside and in the house,” I tell her as I run my nose up her neck to her ear. I nip her earlobe and lightly suck it in my mouth. I hear her gasp as I run my tongue along the shell of her lobe. I’m harder than the concrete we just poured out back last week.

“We better get this food out of the trunk and inside,” she murmurs, her breath hot against my neck. Food is the absolute last thing I’m thinking of right now. All I want to do is drag her out to the tall prairie grass, lay her down and ravish her body with my tongue. And that’s just the beginning. 

The voice in the back of my head reminds me that she’s pregnant and eating for two. So, getting food inside of her is a priority of mine. I adjust my throbbing cock that hasn’t seen action in a couple of weeks and step back from Josselyn. I glance down in the trunk and see the cooler, picnic basket, and blanket. “Please tell me you didn’t load this cooler by yourself,” I say with a pointed look as I lift it out of the car.

“I put it in there empty and then added all of the stuff. It was much easier that way,” she says as she reaches in and grabs the picnic basket and blanket.

“How about we eat out back under the big oak tree,” I say as I start to head around the house towards the backyard. I love this backyard. The tree is big and will provide plenty of shade for a patio and swing set. I have plans to plant more trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the yard to provide even more shade.

Josselyn spreads out the blanket as I set the cooler down next to it. I open up the cooler and find bottles of water and even a few cans of Budweiser. I decide I better start with a bottle of water before I grab a beer since I’ve been working long enough today to know that I haven’t had near enough to replenish what I’ve been sweating out.

Josselyn opens the basket and pulls out a large Tupperware container of something that smells delicious. When she pops the lid off, I can see the steam rise from the contents.

I pull out the plates and the bag of silverware and spread them out on the blanket. Josselyn starts scooping cut up pieces of red potatoes, green beans, and Italian chicken on my plate. My mouth waters as the aroma hits my nose like a two by four.

“Wow, this looks and smells delicious. Where did you get it from?” I ask as I pull the basket of rolls out of the picnic basket.

“I made it,” she says with a smile.

“I didn’t realize you knew how to cook like this,” I say with a quick cringe, hoping she isn’t as insulted as my comment now sounds to my own ears.

She gives me a small smile as she reaches inside the smaller basket and pulls out two rolls. “Actually, this is a recent hobby. I’ve had a lot of free time lately, and you can only clean for so long,” she says with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Guilt hits me straight in the chest like an arrow as I read between the lines. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy on the house and haven’t gotten to spend as much time with you as we’d both like.”

“It really is okay, Travis. You have good reason to be busy,” she says as if shrugging it all off. The smile she gives me doesn’t reach her eyes through, and I can see she’s trying to mask the hurt in her eyes.

“No, it’s not okay. I’m sorry, Joss,” I tell her as I lean forward and place a tender kiss on her lips. She responds instantly which I take as a good sign that she’s forgiving me for my thoughtlessness. “This smells amazing. I can’t wait to try it,” I tell her with another small kiss of her lips.

“Dig in,” she says.

The chicken is perfection. The seasonings are unbelievable, the fresh green beans are crisp, and the potatoes are excellent. I grab my roll and take a huge bite. Mom’s rolls. “Did my mom make these?”

“Nope, I did. I spent the afternoon with her and Brooklyn a week or so back and she taught me how to make her yeast rolls.”

“She did?” I ask surprised that my mom would share her recipe.

“Yeah, I altered it slightly, though. I’m going through a huge cheese kick right now, so I mixed in a little garlic and Colby cheese into the batter,” she says as she takes her own bite of her roll.

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think these are better than my mom’s. And I didn’t think that was possible,” I tell her before taking another huge bite.

“I won’t tell her you said that,” she teases.

“I would deny it if you did,” I quip with a small grin.

After dinner, she opens back up the cooler and pulls out another container. Inside is my mom’s chocolate caramel brownie cake. I raise my eyebrow as she slides a piece on a plate for me.

“And before you ask, I did this too. I’ve spent a few mornings with her at the bakery and since I’ve been bugging her to make it for me every chance I get, she finally broke down and showed me how. This is the first one I’ve made by myself, though so I’m not sure how it has turned out.”

I take a bite and instantly know she’s nailed it. It’s heaven. I can’t even speak as I chew and eventually swallow the cake. “It’s perfect,” I tell her. The smile she gives me is both rewarding and encouraging. I love knowing that I brought that smile out of her.

After dessert, Joss pulls out a small white box with a big blue bow on the top. She seems nervous as she sets it on the blanket in front of me.

“For me?” I ask, not quite sure why she would get me a gift.

“Yes,” she whispers with sparkling eyes.

It only take me a second to remove the bow and pull off the top of the box. Inside is the smallest blue outfit. It seems so crazy that in just a few short months, a little person is going to wear this. And not just any person, but my son. The sleeper seems so small, and the thought of him being tiny enough to wear this outfit sends little tinges of nervousness through my entire body.

I pull the blue material out of the box and instantly see three words that strike straight to the heart of me.  Daddy’s Little Helper. I choke on the words I want to say. Words that I can’t seem to get past the lump in my throat and Sahara dry tongue.

“This may be the greatest gift anyone has ever gotten me,” I tell her honestly, staring deeply into those soulful eyes of hers.

“You like it?” she asks with a smile.

“Like it? I love it,” I tell her just before I get up on my knees and my lips find hers. The kiss is sweet, soft, and full of unspoken sentiments. “Thank you,” I whisper against her lips. It’s not what I long to say, but it’s the only thing I can say right now.

“You’re welcome. Can I see the house now?”

I grab the blanket and take Josselyn’s hand as I give her a tour of the house. All of the walls are up and are ready for drywall now that the electrician and plumber are done. I hate dry walling, but it is part of it and something I’m willing to do. Fortunately my friend, Clint, has volunteered to help me with that task since it’s definitely quicker and easier with two people.

When we get inside the master bedroom, she smiles as if she’s picturing the room that we will soon be occupying - together. I spread the blanket down on the plywood floor and grab her hand.

“This is where I was picturing our bed going,” I tell her as I slowly lower her down to the blanket. “This isn’t nearly as comfortable as the bed, but I wanted to try it out anyway and make sure this is the right place for it.”

And then my lips claim hers. It’s a possessive, dominating kiss full of need and passion. Her hazel eyes turn brown instantly as I press my body against hers, securely holding her between the blanket covered plywood floor and my hard body.

I run my hand up her leg from her knee to her thigh. I can feel the heat coming through her panties and feel the wetness through the thin material. I can’t control my hands as I slide the material aside and rub her wetness around her swollen center.

Josselyn gasps and moans at the contact which adds fuel to my already raging inferno. I slide one finger inside her and can feel her insides quivering and shaking around me.

“Travis, I need you inside me. Right. Now,” she demands breathlessly and with a sexy growl.

It’s all the encouragement I need as I rip off all of my sweaty, dirty clothes. She’s removing her dress as well, but not moving near as fast as I need her too. And I do - need her. I crave her like no other.

Once she’s completely naked underneath me and I’m propped up on my arms so as to not crush her belly, I position myself at her entrance.

“Now,” she whispers a split second before I surge home in one stroke. Our breath mixes together as we both moan at the same time. My knees and elbows already ache from the thinly covered plywood, but I don’t care at all. Being with Josselyn - buried deep inside her - is the only place I want to be right now. No throb or pain can take away the ache I feel deep inside for her. That ache I feel deep in my heart. The place where no woman has been in a long time. In fact, no woman has ever consumed this much of my heart. Hell, she has it all. She has my entire heart because I love her. I know it.

I lean down and take her lips with mine, careful not to squish her protruding stomach. The kiss turns hungry and lustful as I surge into her heat repeatedly.  Josselyn is getting close, I can tell by the way her breathing is hitched and her hands are grabbing a hold of my body with urgency.

I feel her internal walls start to squeeze me, milk me from the inside in the most delicious way. I thrust into her harder and send her flying over the edge. My name on her lips as she comes sends me over the edge myself as I slam into her a few more times and empty myself deep inside of her.

We lay there, holding each other for a few moments as we try to get our erratic breathing under control. I love how out of control I am with her. I roll to the side as I start to relax, pulling her flush against me. We both are covered in sweat - from the heat of the house or from the exertion of sex, I don’t know - as we lay close, our limbs tangled up in each other.

After several minutes, I reach down and grab the corner of the blanket to assist in cleaning Josselyn up. She stands up, gloriously naked, and I feel myself starting to tighten in the groin all over again. Josselyn looks down, surprise registering on her beautiful face.

“You better hurry up and get dressed before I pull you back down on that blanket and take you every which way to Sunday. Again and again and again,” I tell her with a pointed try-me look.

She grins and reaches for her sundress and bra. Once both are on, she reaches down and palms her panties. As soon as I have my pants back on, she stalks over to me, and when she’s mere inches from me, she stuffs them down in the front pocket of my jeans with a mischievous smile.

There is no way I’m letting her leave here without me tonight. I throw on the rest of my clothes and my work boots without even lacing them up and reach for her hand, tugging her towards the front entrance of the house.

“Where are we going?” she asks as I pull her out the front door, locking it behind me as I go.

“Home. I’m done working for tonight. I think we both need a shower and the only thing I can think of now is getting you naked and wet in my shower, running my hands and tongue over your entire body from head to toe,” I say as we reach my truck.

“What about my car?” she asks as she slips inside the cab.

“We’ll pick it up tomorrow after we go shopping in St. Charles. Right now, I want you right next to me until I can get you home and strip you naked again,” I tell her as I steal a kiss.

Josselyn smiles against my lips as she says, “Well, then you better take me home.”

So, I do. And, believe me, it was damn difficult not to pull over to take her again on that ride home.

*****

Sunday proved to be a very productive day. We spent five long, semi-aggravating hours inside that store but we left with orders for everything I had on my list. The counter tops, cabinets, carpet and tile, light fixtures, and everything for the bathrooms. I even have my trailer loaded down with insulation and drywall which I plan to start tomorrow night.