Judas (14 page)

The reply was swift. “Ya wantin me to leave my own home, and come ta live with a pig?” she bit out, before continuing, “I suppose I'd do it fer you but he best just stay outta my way.”

              “Do you really dislike him so much? He's a good man, I promise and you'll see once you see how well he cares for me. For us,” she added, patting her belly.

“Aint no shame in havin kinks, but there is shame in shamin yer wife. You deserve better, Adessa. He don't straighten up before that babe is born, you're better off givin it up, than doin it alone.”

Adessa nodded, but she knew the woman was over-reacting. And giving up the baby was absolutely not an option. She would stick it out, and things would be just fine. She would just stop talking to her about their marriage. This was about the baby now, and Ms. Verino was qualified to help her.

             
Adessa had a lot on her mind and with the severe reaction she had gotten from explaining about Jaime, she knew this wasn't the time to touch onto the other matters. The ones who were important to her. She was still determined to show him that she could handle whatever he was, and she was willing to take her time to get there. They had known each other only six months, but she had learned so much by now that it almost felt like a lifetime. She barely recognized the shy, simpering girl she had been before and when she looked into the mirror, she saw the face of a woman. One who knew what she wanted and needed and wasn't afraid to go after it. He had changed her for the better.

             
Adessa tied the strings on the thin gown and checked her appearance in the long mirror of the small dressing room. She wasn't showing anything yet but at ten weeks, she had only gained one pound. She heard that it was possible to actually lose a few, during the course of morning sickness but she hadn't much of that and she was thankful. She placed her clothing in a metal locker and opened the door to the adjoining room.

             
“All set?” the nurse asked as she stood there writing on a clipboard.

Adessa nodded, “As ready as I'll ever be.” She settled onto the bed and covered her lower half with the paper sheet that had been provided. “You ready, love?” she smiled over at Judas, who was already reaching for her hand.

“I've been ready,” he grinned up at her.

The nurse asked a few more questions and then left them to wait in private. She could tell Judas was nervous by the way his eyes roamed over every inch of the little room.

“Good morning! I'm Felicia. I'm the technician doing the ultrasound today,” the woman said, entering the room. She extended her hand to them both, giving a hearty shake before turning to press buttons on the screen beside Adessa.

             
“So this is your first baby?” the technician asked, still setting up her workspace.

“It is,” Adessa told her, adding, “Oh gosh, I'm so excited!”

“That's normal. Mommy's are excited and Daddy's are nervous with their first,” she explained lightheartedly, as she pulled Adessa's gown up to expose her still flat tummy.

Adessa laughed. “That's definitely true! He watches me like a hawk!”

Felicia grabbed the bottle of blue gel from the warmer and squeezed a huge dollop onto Adessa's tummy and pressed the wand to it. “Awe, come on, Daddy. She's not that fragile, you know.”

Judas rolled his eyes. “Hey, give me a break here.  I...,” his words were cut off when he heard the sound of a fast and strong heartbeat come through the speaker. His eyes darted to the screen.

              Adessa's eyes were glued to the tiny gummy bear shaped mass on the monitor, speechless as she listened to their baby's heart. Felicia labeled the formations on the monitor, placing small arrows by the developing head, spine, and miniature feet. The room was silent for several minutes while both Adessa and Judas held hands, listening to the faint murmur, and staring at their baby. “And that... is the sound of your little one,” Felicia said, switching off the sound. “I think I got all the pictures I need. It looks like everything is going perfectly, for an eight week pregnancy. Congratulations!” They both breathed a sigh of relief.

             
“I have a question. When will we be able to tell the sex of the baby?” Adessa asked.

“You could technically know as early as week twelve but it really depends on when your doctor orders another ultrasound and of course, the position of the baby when we take a peek. The longer you wait, the better. Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?”

“I don't think either of us care, but I would really like to have one of each,” she answered honestly.

Judas grinned, stroking her hair. “Let's just get through this one before we plan for more.” They all laughed and when the technician left, Adessa climbed down from the bed to go retrieve her clothes.

              They left the clinic separately. He was headed back to the office and she was on her way to run some errands. She was so happy and full of love at that moment, she couldn't wait to find out the sex. It was killing her to not be able to shop. She drove through town, lost in her own little world, thinking of the baby and who he or she might look like. The thought of having a son with his Daddy's coal black hair and emerald eyes or even a daughter with his smile and the single dimple that appeared whenever he flashed that adorable grin.

Either way, this baby would be loved, and cherished by both of them. He would be an amazing father.

CHAPTER FOuRTEEN

He arrived back at the office just before noon and immediately started his day. It had been a stressful two weeks but he had managed to hold it all together. His life had changed, making both his days and his nights more meaningful. He had a clear purpose and he was determined to keep his focus. He stopped arranging for women to come to him at work, instead, inviting Adessa, so he could keep a closer eye on her. She distracted him more than anything but he wasn't sorry she was there. Besides, it wasn't often that she popped in but when she did, he could hear laughter and life beyond the still walls of his office. She and Carrie had hit it off immediately and he was glad that Adessa finally found another woman she enjoyed talking with.

             
The absence of the extra women in his life had been an adjustment. The temptation was always there, and when he was stressed, he needed them most. They never complained, no matter how he treated them and as long as they left with a fist full of cash, they were eager to return. Before he married, it didn't make any difference.

There was no one to answer to and the lifestyle suited him. Every time he had tried to date, things went too fast and he was forced to slam on the brakes. It seemed the only women he could attract were either digging for gold or just wanted the social status that came with being his girl. Users. All of them. Until Adessa.

              The office was too quiet, allowing him more time than usual to just sit and consider the situation. He knew that eventually, the absence of those small releases would begin to wear on him, and now more than ever, he knew he had to keep his hands off his wife. He wanted so much to experiment with her and show her new ways to find pleasure but there was always a risk of him going too far. Their previous endeavors had come to a grinding halt. A single unintentional act could trigger him and he refused to take that chance. He needed to get help.

             
He picked up the phone and dialed her number. “Jaime, I need to see you.”

Her voice was light and playful as she answered. “Well hello to you too.”

“It's not the usual. Just a talk,” he told her. The lump was already rising in his throat.

Her voice became suddenly serious. “Okay.”

“I'll be there first thing in the morning. Please be clothed,” he instructed.

He knew she was confused but he didn't explain. Just as he replaced the phone on the charger, he heard his wife's voice from down the hall.

              “Hi, baby!” she said, peeking in on him.

He waved her in and settled against his chair. “Miss me already, doll?” he grinned.

“Actually, yes. But that's not why I'm here.” She gave him a mischievous wink and entered the room. She had changed into a short flesh tone wrap dress and matching heels. The cut of the material created a seductive view of her cleavage. His jaw clenched on sight.

She flipped the lock on the door and sauntered over to him without another word. Oh shit. His eyes grew dark with desire as he watched her lift her matching high heel from the floor and place it on the edge of the chair between his legs, giving him a firm nudge. Her intentions were clear and whatever had been on his mind before, was completely lost.

              He reached out his hand and began to stroke the lovely leg, keeping his gaze locked securely against her own. “Christ, doll,” he said as the palm of his hand reached her inner thigh. She yanked her leg back, breaking the tender touch as she wagged her finger at him. “Uh, uh. Not yet,” she cooed, before dropping to her knees in front of him. His breath caught in his throat, strangling the words from coming out. Urgent fingers twisted through her silken tendrils as she began to work the zipper on his jeans.

             
A loud groan escaped as her lips surrounded him, taking him fully into her mouth. She played long and firm strokes against his length, while she pressed his balls into her palm, kneading and caressing. She brought him to climax within minutes and instead of allowing him to recover she pushed the piles of paperwork and books from his desk and hopped up on the cool surface.

She raised a brow in an unspoken dare as she hooked the heel of her shoes against the edge, spreading her legs wide to reveal the absence of panties. He reached out and stroked her glistening sex, gently probing as he watched her shutter with desire.

              He covered her with his mouth and began to deliver meticulous strokes against her feminine folds. His tongue raked the entire length of her, over and over as her white knuckles gripped the desk with all her might. She was panting now, as she watched him. He felt her fingers begin to work through his hair, clutching him to her as she moved her legs to his shoulders, wrapping him within her. He used his fingers to spread her lips wide, creating a sensual tiara that framed her opening.

He found the tiny swollen bud that crowned the display, urgently sucking it into his mouth to create a surging rhythm. She cried out her release without shame, digging her heels into his shoulders as she rocked against him in abandon. He kept the delirious pace until he felt her subside.

              “I'll see you at home,” she said, stepping down from his desk. She was still shaking, but she didn't look back as she stepped over the pile of papers scattered across the floor and left. He fell against his chair, breathless and wondering what the hell had just happened. He finally fixed his bottoms and stood to go pick up the mess she had left behind. He was still reeling when Carrie knocked on the door. “Need any help with that, Mr. Quinn?” she asked as she entered, already bending down to scoop up an armload of books.

“Please tell me you had nothing to do with that,” he smiled.

“I have no idea what you mean,” she said innocently. “Don't worry, I turned the music up to muffle the sound,” she smirked.

He shook his head and continued sorting the files, knowing damn well Carrie had put Adessa up to the brazen attack.

             
He knocked on her door, carrying two cups of Starbucks. She was still half asleep when she let him in. “This some sorta peace offering?” she mumbled, accepting the steaming container.

“You could say that,” he said, flopping down on the overstuffed sofa.

“Let me go get dressed,” she called over her shoulder, as she headed down the hallway.

He took another sip of his coffee and lit a cigarette. “Take your time.”

For the first time in all these years, he scanned the room. The décor was simple, and modern. None of the furniture matched, yet it somehow came together. He had never taken the time to notice how immaculately clean and uncluttered she kept her home.

             
His visits were never pleasant for either of them and the last thing on his mind when he visited was the color of her walls. Which were blue. A nice serene shade, that instantly reminded him of his childhood. The ocean and the breeze were the only things he had honestly missed about the place and he figured one day, he might even go home to stay.