NiceGirlsDo (16 page)

He hugged her close, kissing her hair. “I think this ... no marriage concept might be difficult for you, honey, but I'll do my best to make you happy.”

She knew he'd try, but would it be enough? And how would she explain having a baby with a man who wouldn't marry her to her mother? The fact that she was even prepared to consider doing what he asked crystallized her feelings for him in her mind. “I know.”

“I want you and I want you to be the mother of any kids I have, Darbi. Are you taking some type of birth control?”

“Yes.” She spoke slowly because she knew what was coming.

“I want you to stop.”

“That’s a bigger step than allowing you to come in me, Clay.”

“I know it’s a big step, but it’s one I want us to take together.”

“I’ll need to think about that, Clay.”

“What’s there to think about? Either you want --”

“No, Clay. Don’t press the issue. You might not think there’s nothing to think about, but you won’t be the one who’ll have to carry the baby for nine months or face a disappointed mother.”

“I know that, but I’ll be there with you every step of the way. It’s not as if I’m asking you to do this alone.”

“And I’ll take that into consideration when I make my decision.”

“Darbi --”

“Clay, please. Let me sleep on it. Okay?”

He sighed. “Okay.”

She sighed and laid her cheek against his shoulder.

He held her and she dozed in his arms.

He made love to her twice in his big waterbed that night. When he pulled out of her and moved to lay behind her, she pressed her knees tightly together, wanting to keep every drop of his seed buried deep in her. She did it without conscious thought. When she realized what she’d done, she knew she’d made her decision.

The next morning, she woke to find him propped on an elbow in the bed beside her, staring down at her.

She blinked, then smiled. “Hi.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “Hi.”

She stroked her hand over his cheek, loving the feel of his five o’clock shadow. “Why are you staring?”

He pushed the sheet covering her body aside and stroked her breasts. “Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?”

She widened her smile and rolled onto her side. When he moved behind her, she pressed her bottom against his groin. “Clay?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Did you mean what you said last night?”

“About what?”

She elbowed him. “You know what I mean.”

He laughed. “About loving you? No. I just said that to get some pussy.”

She bolted into a sitting position and swung around to stare at him.

He remained on his side, grinning.

She took a deep, calming breath and lay back down, settling against him.

He tightened his arm around her waist and kissed her ear. “Of course I meant it.”

She compressed her lips together and blinked rapidly to keep her eyes tear free. “I ... kind of meant it too.”

He cupped her breasts and whispered against her ear. “I know you did.”

“You cocky bastard!”

He laughed and nipped at her ear. “I'm cocky just because I know you're in love with me?”

“I said I kind of meant it.”

“Whatever.” He stroked his fingers through her pussy, found her wet, and rolled her onto her back. “We’re going to have at least one baby together, aren’t we?”

“Why are you always so sure of everything -- including me?”

“Because I love you and I know you love me. And you want to have my baby. Don’t you?”

She shivered at the idea of feeling his baby growing inside her. “Oh, God, yes, Clay. I want to have your baby.”

He smiled and caressed her cheek. “Then part those lovely legs of yours for me, sweetheart.”

She parted her legs and moaned with pleasure as he slipped inside her. “Oh, Clay, sex with you with a condom was so good. But without a condom, it’s off the scale.”

“Way off the scale,” he whispered and silenced her moans with his lips.

This bare cock lovemaking was likely to become very addictive, she thought, as she wrapped her arms and legs around him. She surrendered to the endless waves of pleasure washing over her, pulling her under until she happily collapsed under a wall of ecstatic delight.

Chapter Nine

“So? How are things between you and Clay?”

Seated in the sauna with Sharde and Jadan on either side of her, Darbi sighed. “They're going so good, I'm getting scared, Dani.”

“If they’re going good, why are you scared?”

“Because things are going so good. Whenever we're out, he never looks at other women, his ... sexual interest in me is stronger than ever, he's a great lover, and he has no problem with my weight. He thinks I'm gorgeous.”

Sharde leaned against her shoulder. “Newsflash, Darbi, you are gorgeous.”

She smiled. “He certainly seems to think so.”

“How are things with his sister, the brat?”

“Surprisingly enough, they're pretty good. She called me last week and we had lunch. She didn't say one bitchy thing during the entire meal, but for such a tiny girl, she has a huge appetite.”

“Maybe she's eating for two.”

Darbi frowned and turned to look at Jadan. “Do you know her?”

“No. How could I? I don't even know him. Speaking of which, don't you think it's time you introduced him to your friends? How long have you two been an item now?”

“Two months.”

“He still littering your wastebasket?”

“Dani!”

“Okay. None of my business.” Jadan leaned past her to look at Sharde. “Girl, I stopped by unexpectedly one Saturday morning and there must have been ten used condoms in her trash. I'm telling you, when I saw all those condoms I was amazed she could still walk! Of course, when she did, she was doing it bow legged.”

Sharde and Jadan laughed.

Darbi sighed and gave Sharde a warning look. “Do you want to tell us about your love life with Jeff?”

Sharde's smile turned into a grin. “Nope.”

“I thought not.”

“Never mind, Sharde and Jeff, they're old news.” Jadan grinned at Sharde before turning back to face Darbi. “So when do we -- as in me and Willow -- get to meet him?”

“I'm not sure.”

““How about sometime this weekend? Willow will be back from her trip tomorrow afternoon and I'm not leaving for my sci-fi convention until next Thursday so how about sometime this weekend?”

“The weekend is booked.”

“The entire weekend?”

She nodded. “He's been working a lot of overtime this week so he said he just wanted to relax and watch a movie tomorrow night. Saturday is his company picnic.” She bit her lip. “That's the first time we'll be together as a couple at one of his company functions and we'll be there most of the day. On Sunday, we're having dinner with a woman he says is like a second mother to him.”

“He's introducing you to his second mama? Then he must be serious.” Jadan squeezed her hand. “I think you have him hooked, Darbi.”

She hesitated. “I hope so because for the last two weeks ... we've been making love bareback.”

“Bareback?”

Sharde and Jadan spoke at the same time.

Darbi nodded.

Sharde and Jadan exchanged a long look before Sharde spoke. “That's a big step for you. Have you changed your mind about marrying black?”

“I didn't expect or want it to happen, but I'm in love with him. And he says he's in love with me.”

“That's a good thing, Darbi. So why don't you sound happy?”

“He doesn't believe in marriage. If I get pregnant, I can't expect him to marry me.”

“What?”

She shook her head and clasped Jadan's hand. “Don't get the wrong idea, Dani. He'll stand by me and assume financial responsibility. I know he'll make any child we might have feel loved and wanted. He just won't marry me.”

“And you're okay with that?”

“I don't know.”

“Are you still on the pill?”

“No.”

“So you really are trying to get pregnant. Are you sure that's wise, Darbi? If you're not sure you can handle being an unmarried mom and if you want the ... thrill of him coming in you when you make love, you can still take the pill.”

“I think Jadan's right, Darbi. If you're not sure, you should go back on the pill until you are. You can always go off again, but once you're pregnant, you're pregnant.”

“I am sure I’d love to have his baby, but ...” She sighed and nodded. “You're both right. I'll get back on track.”

Sharde and Jadan both hugged her and kissed her on either cheek.

“Perk up, Darbi. As fast as things are moving, I have a feeling what you two share is real and he'll soon realize being married to a woman he loves who's having his baby is the best thing that ever happened to him.”

“And if he doesn't, you can always ask him to marry you,” Jadan said.

“No, I couldn't!”

“Why not?”

She stared at Sharde. “Why not?”

“Yes. Why not? Things might have moved faster for me and Jeff if I had been more assertive and told him right away what I wanted and needed.”

“I've been plenty assertive. I'm the one who tracked him down after he'd decided I was only going to be a one-night stand. I went to his office and told him I wanted him as my lover and I asked him out and followed it up with roses and a phone call until he said yes.”

“Then asking him to marry you should be a piece of cake.”

“Word,” Sharde said and she and Jadan high-fived each other.

“One of these days I'm going to have to get myself a better class of friends.” Darbi cast her eyes ceiling ward and laughed. Sharde and Jadan joined in and they started to discuss the wedding.

* * *

Clay sat back in his seat as Damien walked through the open door of his office. “Just the man I want to see.”

About to sit on the sofa, Damien gave him a wary look. “If it's not about business, I don't want to hear it.”

“What kind of remark is that?”

Damien sat on the sofa. “What do you want, Clay?”

“Nothing too taxing. I just need you to take Amber for the weekend.”

“The hell you do! You dumped her on me unexpectedly two weeks ago. I came home tired and found her sprawled in my bed, leaving me to sleep on the damned sofa.”

Clay struggled not to smile. “If I hadn't sent her to you, I would have turned her over my knee and spanked her narrow ass raw!”

“That would have gone over well with your mother and Xavier.”

“If they don't like how I handle her, they can take her home and handle her themselves!”

“So? What did she say to piss you off?”

“That skinny little brat had the nerve to ask me if Darbi was a nympho I had to fuck all night before she was satisfied.”

Damien tossed back his head and laughed.

Clay stared at him through a narrow gaze. “What’s funny about that?”

When he sobered, Damien arched a brow. “Well? Is she?”

“That's something you'll never know. Are you going to take Amber this weekend?”

“Why should I? I have a life too you know, Clay.”

He nodded. “I know, but I really need this weekend, Damien.”

“Things are really heating up between you and Darbi?”

“I'm in love with her.”

“No shit?”

“No shit.”

“What does Betty think of her?”

“I'll find out this weekend. We're having dinner with her on Sunday.” He studied Damien’s face. “What about you? Who are you seeing? Anyone special?”

Damien shook his head. “No.”

“Are you still seeing Cami?”

He shrugged. “Why do you ask? Are you worried that we might be having unprotected sex behind your back?”

He was hardly in a position to comment on that again. Nevertheless, he was Damien’s older brother. “Are you?”

“That's none of your business, Clay.”

He sighed. “Fine. About this weekend?”

“If I take her this weekend, you're going to owe me big time.”

He nodded. “Ok.”

* * *

The following afternoon while serving up hamburgers and fries in Fairmount Park, Darbi noticed Clay standing several yards away, his head bent as he listened to a pretty woman with golden skin and long legs. He had introduced her as Cami Washington. When Darbi inquired at which office she worked, Cami and Clay had exchanged a quick look before he told her Cami was a friend rather than an employee.

As Darbi watched, Cami frequently put her hand on Clay's arm with an annoying familiarity.

“That's Cami.”

Darbi blinked and smiled as Amber appeared in front of her with her plate extended. “Yes. Clay introduced us earlier.” She glanced at Amber's plate, already laden with potato salad, mixed vegetables, and several mini sausages. “What can I get you?”

“Two cheeseburgers.”

“Two?”

Amber nodded. “I'm starving.”

Amber accepted her two burgers and moved along. There were several people behind her. By the time Darbi served them, Clay and Cami had disappeared.

“Hi, Darbi.”

She smiled as Damien stopped and held out a plate. “Hi, Damien. Ham or cheese?”

“Hamburger.”

“Two?”

“One. Thanks.” He smiled and glanced around the plateau. “Have you seen Clay?”

“The last time I saw him he was talking to Ms. Washington.”

Damien turned to face her, his gaze narrowed. “He was with Cami?”

“Yes. Why?”

His quick smile didn't quite reach his eyes. “No reason. How long are you going to be playing chef?”

She glanced at her watch. “Just for another ten minutes.”

“I'll see you around before you leave.”

Another line had formed behind Damien. She nodded and starting serving again.

Her relief arrived and she handed over her apron and serving fork.

Smiling and nodding at several people whose name she couldn't recall, she made her way to the spot where she'd last seen Clay. Several yards beyond the spot was a path that wound around a bend. She stood staring down the path. Moments later, Clay and Cami appeared. Although they weren't touching, they walked close together and Cami looked as if she'd been crying.

Darbi released a small, relieved breath when she could detect no signs either of them had hastily straightened their clothes. There were no traces of the mauve lip gloss the woman wore on Clay's face or lips.