Something Forever (10 page)

Chapter 1
3

Jenna

“Hi, Jenna,” Mom greeted from her phone.

The sound of her voice got my heart thumping so fast, I could hear it beating as Mom waited for me to answer. “Hi, Mom.”

“How are you? Is everything fine?”

There was a little pause before I spit out what I needed to say...before I could change my mind. “I’m pregnant.”

“I’m not sure if I’d heard you correctly. Did you say you were pregnant?” I knew it. Her tone was very concern
ed and I could just imagine her disapproving expression.

I inhale
d a deep breath and swallowed before I spoke. “Yes.” There was a stretch of silence. I thought I heard a soft cry, but I wasn’t sure. “Mom? Are you there? Before you get mad, Max and I are in love. We’re going to get married. And—”

“I’m so happy for you, baby,” Mom blurted out
, loud and fast. I could still hear the tiny gasps from her cries. She was making me cry, too. “I’m so happy that you don’t have to go through what I went through, years of misery of miscarriages and false hope. This is wonderful. And we can’t wait to be grandparents. I can’t wait to tell your dad. I know he will be so happy for you. We were hoping that you and Max wouldn’t have to go through what we’ve been through.”

“Thanks, Mom.”
Her blessing meant the world to me. And hearing my mom’s reaction, I knew dad would feel the same for sure.

Matthew

Jenna walked into the office elegantly dressed in a dark gray dress suit. Her hair was neatly pinned up with some lose strands by the sides. However, what caught my eyes after her outward appearance was how drained and pale she looked. Max had told me about Jenna’s morning sickness. If I felt the need, I was ordered by Max to send her home even if she disagreed. That was easier said than done. Knowing Jenna, she would fight me. And knowing myself, I would probably give into her.

“Good morning, Matthew,” Jenna greeted
me with a smile. After she acknowledged the others, she sat in her chair and turned her attention to the computer.

Jenna had no idea that I was watching her from the corner of my eyes.
She had an amused smile when she looked at her desk, as if she were recalling a memory. She chuckled to herself, then got to work.

Oh my dear brother, Max
...something happened on that desk. I snapped out of it when Jenna called my name.

“Matthew. You can stop
staring at me. Did Max tell you to watch me like that?”

Shit! She caught me. “Max? What makes you think he did?” Forget this. I
could be honest with her. I scooted my chair to her and whispered, “Jenna.” I waited for her attention. “Max told me about your morning sickness. If you don’t feel good, you can work at home. Please let me know if you feel the need to go home.”

Jenna lowered her voice. “I haven’t told anyone in the office. Wouldn’
t it seem odd if I went home often?”

“You might as well start telling people
; you can’t hide your pregnancy forever.”

Jenna let out a snort. “True. But
you know the rules, don’t you? Pregnant women never announce pregnancy until after the first trimester...just in case. Anything can happen in the first trimester.”

“Oh,” I said, taking a pause to think. Those thoughts
had never entered my mind; that was how little I knew about pregnancy. Then again, that was far from what I needed to know at this point in my life. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Just think happy thoughts.” I had no idea what I was saying, but it seemed to work.

“Thanks.” Jenna smiled and some color
was added to her cheeks.

“Max told me he acted like an asshole when he first found out.”

“He did?” Her eyes lit up with embarrassment.

Shit!
I didn’t mean to bring up the unwanted topic, and I certainly didn’t want to embarrass her. I had to fix this.

“He did. And I’m pretty sure most guys would have responded in the same way. If Becca told me she was pregnant, I think I would have flipped. I mean
...not that I don’t want children with her, but because we just started to get to know each other. Having a baby would complicate things. Becca and I haven’t even spoken about marriage yet.” I was rambling, trying to make Jenna understand Max’s actions from a man’s point of view.

“I understand
.” Jenna nodded.

“Have you spoken to your parents about it?” Another slip of
the tongue and this was none of my business.

“Yes.” Jenna nodded with a smile. Finally, I saw a pinkish glow. “They can’t wait to be grandparents, my mom especially.”

“That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Now...don’t take this in the wrong way, Jenna. You don’t look so well. Go home. Take a nap. You already turned in your formats. We can take it from there. This isn’t a suggestion. This is an order from your boss.”

Jenna released a small smile. “I’m going to listen to my boss today.
I haven’t been able to eat much, and I’ve been so tired lately.”

“F
or a very good reason,” I added. “It looks like you’ve lost some weight.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be gaining as soon as my morning sickness is over.”

“Why do they call it morning sickness anyway? Are you only sick in the morning?” I was really curious about this.

Jenna’s smile got bigger. “I wish I knew.”

I was glad to temporarily help her forget her nausea. Little did she know a big surprise was waiting for her when she got home. I was just glad I didn’t have to twist her arm to get her to cooperate. Jenna agreeing to go home only indicated how much her sickness was affecting her. I felt so bad for her.

When I
had first found out about women’s monthly cycles, I was glad that I wasn’t one. Now, watching Jenna and what she was going through, and knowing what she would be going through, I was most certainly glad I was not a woman.

Jenna

I stepped into the apartment, dropped my workbag next to the sofa, and draped my coat on it. I was so tired and exhausted, my insides felt like they were doing somersaults. A bitter taste lingered in my mouth and though I was hungry, the thought of food made the feeling worse. The strong need to vomit took over, so I rushed to my room.

Seeing
a figure from the corner of my eyes, I screamed for dear life as my heart leapt out of my chest.

“Jenna, it’s me.” Max ran to me and held me until I was able to calm my shaking body.

I pulled back. “What are you doing here? I mean...I’m happy to see you.” I gripped his white T-shirt tightly. “Don’t scare me like that ever again.” My voice was stern. I didn’t mean to sound irate. I was already aggravated from not feeling well.

“I’m sorry,
babe.” He kissed my forehead. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“You surprised me al
l right. Is that the reason Matthew wanted me to go home so badly? He was very convincing, you know, but he didn’t have to try too hard. I don’t feel good today. Sometimes I think I’m getting better, but then days like this happen,” I sulked.

“I know,
babe. It’s the reason why I took today off. I cancelled my appointments so I could take care of you. You’ve lost weight and you look drained. You’re making me worried. I’d like to go to your next appointment with you.”

“Y
ou would?” I sounded surprised.

Max arched his brows and cupped my face. “Of course I would. Why wouldn’t I? I told you I would be there for you every step of the way
, and I meant it.”

Wrapping my arms around the nape of his neck, I
hugged him tightly in response. He knew my answer by my gesture...he always did.

Max released me and held my hand. “Let’s get you something to eat. I didn’t take off work so I
could scare you.”

“I’m not hungry
,” I fibbed. Somehow I found the strength to not act as sick as I felt in front of Max. He made me too happy.

One of his eyes narrowed at me while his lips pursed. His forehead creased.
It was one of his hottest expressions that made me melt. Yup, he could make me do anything with that look alone.

“I don’t believe you.” He tugged me to the kitchen. “I made you homemade organic chicken soup with organic onions, carrots, celery, and fresh made noodles.” Max opened the
lid and the smell of something delicious filled my nostrils. Why I didn’t smell this mouthwatering aroma when I first walked in was beyond me.

Hunger pangs
struck me like they had never done before, then tears started pouring. My pregnancy hormones were kicking in strong.

“What’s wrong,
babe? You don’t have to eat. I’m sorry. Shit...I didn’t mean to be so demanding,” Max rambled. His hands reached for me, then stopped. He looked confused on how to comfort me.

Wi
ping my tears with my back to him, I turned to him with a smile. “These are happy tears. Thank you. You’re so good to me. I would love to have some soup now.”

Max took me to the dinner table and
, though he didn’t need to, helped me settle in my seat. He came back with a bowl of soup and crackers. I didn’t even know they made organic crackers. Leave it to Max to find me some.

“Only the best for my family.” With a smile, he handed me a
spoon. Finally, he got a bowl for himself as well and sat next to me.

Warmth
soothed my throat and down to my empty, achy stomach at the first sip. The more I ate, the less pangs I felt in my stomach. I couldn’t eat it all, but I ate enough.

“I guess our baby was asking for
Daddy’s chicken soup,” I commented. Feeling satisfied, and with the nausea fading, I felt good for the first time...just a little bit better.

Max finished his last sip. “I have to say, I
make one hell of a chicken soup.”

I
nodded to agree. “Yes, you do.”

“I mad
e a large pot for you.” Max winked.

“Thank you so much,” I gushed,
gazing into his eyes while caressing his cheek. Max leaned into the palm of my hand and kissed it.

“Time for you to rest and time for me to work.”
After taking me to my room, Max helped me out of my clothes into more comfortable ones. He lifted the covers and helped me into bed. When he’d cleared the dishes away, he laid next to me with the computer on his lap.

“Are you staying the night?”

“I’m right here, babe.” Max gave me kiss on my cheek and shuffled the blanket closer to my body. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll have chicken soup for dinner unless you want something else. I’ll have to go to work tomorrow, but I’ll be back.”

“
I should go to work tomorrow.”

“Only if you think you feel up to it. Matthew told me the layout was finished.
He can take it from there. You need to take care of you and baby first. So whatever you need, it will be taken care of.”

“Thank you
.” I sighed, feeling full, loved, and gratified. Then sleep came quickly to my peaceful mind.

Chapter 1
4

Becky

“You ready, Becca?”
Matthew leaned against the frame of the bedroom door. With a form fitting black sweater and jeans, he looked like a GQ model on a shoot. And that sexy grin was just enough for me to want to rip the clothes off him.

“I’m not sure
.” I walked up to him, and running my hands across his ripped chest, I flirted with my eyes. Tantalizing him with my smile, I licked and sucked on the lollipop that was already in my mouth.

A
sexy, slow growl escaped Matthew’s mouth. I could feel his hot breath brush against my ear. “You’re such a tease, Becca. I love that about you.” His tone was low and smooth.

Changing the subject, I ran my finger across his supple
bottom, lip. “I really like your parents.”

Matthew gently nipped and licked my finger.
With a fast yank of my hips, he pulled me closer. His eyes shifted from my eyes to my lips. “They like you, too...but I like you even more.”

Twisting my lollipop
, I said, “I was so nervous they wouldn’t like me.”

Matthew licked his bottom lip, mimicking what I was doing. “Of course they would
...why wouldn’t they?”

Hell, I was turned on the second I saw him, but now he was driving me insane. While one of his hands gingerly rubbed my ass, t
he other one was undressing me, unbuttoning my jeans. I cleared my throat, feeling the need between my legs building. “You know...the whole ‘she’s not good enough for my son’ kind of thing.”

Matthew’s tongue licked my lips from bot
tom to top with one long stroke as if I was his lollipop. Holy shit! I was losing it. I was supposed to be the one playfully seducing him, not the other way around. “My parents aren’t like that. And if they were, it wouldn’t stop me from wanting to be with you. I’m all or nothing, Becca. You should know that by now.”

“We haven’t gone out that long. How do I know?” I swallowed.

“I practically stole my parents’ airplane, went to a book convention where I had to endure all that book boyfriend shit, and forced Jenna to tell me where you were. I think that proved it.”

I closed my eyes and enjoyed
Matthew’s soft kisses on the side of my neck. “I guess.” I chuckled lightly, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it.

Matthew’s kisses trailed down to my shoulder
, up my back again to my jaw, and then to my lips. “What flavor is it?” he asked when I wouldn’t let his tongue slip into my mouth. He pulled back to look at me with a frown.

I sucked on it harder to tease him. “I’m not going to tell you.”

“I want to taste it,” he demanded with a hiss.

With a soft laugh
, I pulled out my lollipop. Maneuvering my tongue ever so slowly, I licked from bottom to top, taking my time and giving him the show of his life. Then I glided it in and out of my mouth while I bored my eyes into his. I had a huge smile on my face until...Matthew pinned me against where he had stood a second ago. It happened so fast, not only did I suck in air, I also bit into my lollipop and broke it in half.

“You
want to tease me, Becca?” he seethed through his teeth. “I can tease you right back.” With hungry eyes, he dove in for a kiss while his hands held tightly to my hips. Not only was his tongue playing with mine, he was licking and tasting the broken lollipop in my mouth, too. “Cherry, my favorite.”

“It comes in all different flavors
.” I managed to say the words between his lips devouring mine.

“I’d like to taste every single flavor just like this,” he
murmured, slowing down. “But now…it’s in the way.” Matthew pulled the stick out and continued to kiss me. Then he placed his hands on my cheeks and pressed in deeper.

I had no idea how he moved
us without me knowing, but the next thing I knew we were on our bed. How I got completely naked and not him, I had no clue. When I looked to make sure the door was closed, just in case Max and Jenna decided to pay us a visit, there was a trail of clothes on the floor. Somehow, I’d gotten so lost in his arms that I couldn’t recall what had happened a second ago or how I got to that position.

“Matthew,” I moaned. “Take off your clothes.”

“You’re my lollipop, Becca. And I’m going to lick every inch of you. I’m going to tease you like you teased me.”

Matthew did not disappoint. He practically bathed me with his tongue. He started from my face, down to my collarbone, to my nipple. Then his tongue glided down my stomach to my clit. Begging him to stop did not work. I
tried everything to take off his clothes, but he would not budge. I couldn’t believe how much self-control he had. When it seemed like his will had been spent, he stopped.

Taking a deep breath, Matthew stood up
, raking his hair back. “Time to go, Becca. We have a schedule to keep.” He was trying to look calm and collected, but I could tell by his chest rising and falling rapidly that he wasn’t.

Spread out
, shamelessly naked and short of breath, I tried to tame the torturous yearning between my legs. I lay there unable to move or say a word. I was utterly drained from being licked like a lollipop.

“But mine was just a lollipop,” I whined, running my hand down my face. “You’re bad
...terrible.” I shook my head with a naughty thought circulating my mind. Two could play at his game. Before he could walk out the door, I called his name. Licking my fingers to make them very wet, I placed them on my clit and started rubbing myself. With the other hand, I fondled by breast and squeezed my nipple. “We have time for a quickie,” I teased, making pleasure sounds he could not ignore.

Matthew’s eyes grew wider than I had ever seen
before. He was thoroughly turned on and I loved knowing that I could make him feel this way. The last thing I heard before he stripped off his jeans and sweater was the word, “Fuck.”

After flipping
me over with one swift move, he pulled my thighs to him so that my feet touched the floor. My back was toward him and my arms were tucked in. Spreading my legs with his knee, Matthew lightly pressed his chest on my back and entered. I was already climaxing from all the build up he had inflicted on me.

When Matthew wrapped his arm under my thigh and started rubbing my clit while he was rocking me, I was brought to another level of ecstasy. Oh my God! It felt so freakin’ good. I didn’t want this to be a quickie. Just when I thought we were done, Matthew flipped me over again and lifted me on
to the bed. I was now facing him.

Anchoring my leg over his shoulder, he
pushed down, making my knees bend. Gazing lovingly into my eyes, he said softly, “I’m all in. You’ve got all of me. Now you’re going to pay for your teasing.” He gave a wicked grin.

The way he had me position
ed gave him a deeper access to me. I could feel him to the depth of my core. His words and actions made me utterly weak. I surrendered to him, allowing him to take me, all of me. He felt so amazing and I didn’t want him to stop, yet I couldn’t take any more as I climaxed again and again.

“I
want to live inside of you and never come out,” Matthew murmured against my ear. Hearing low groans, I knew Matthew’s will had been spent.

“Then live
and breathe inside and never come out,” I managed to say before I completely came undone. Matthew and I had climaxed together. He dropped down next to me, panting like he had run a mile. Out of breath, I turned to him with a smile. With our eyes locked on each other, we fell into a deeper level of connection...a deeper level of understanding...a deeper level of us.

Matthew

“You want to talk about your friend?” I asked, holding Becca’s hand with one hand while the other held the steering wheel. She had been quiet for quite some time and I could tell something was on her mind. We were headed to her friend’s gravesite, and I knew there was more to her story then she had shared with me before.

Becca looked at me for a second, then focused elsewhere.
“Her name was Amber. She was my best friend and roommate.”

I waited for Becca to tell me more, but she stopped.
“And?” I dragged out the word. “You already told me that. Tell me something I don’t know.”

Becca released a deep sigh. “She died from a car accident.”

I signaled left, turning when it was clear. “You already told me that, too.” It was like pulling teeth whenever I asked for more information regarding her friend.

“There isn’t much to tell,” she sighed. “My friend drove drunk and killed herself. I tried to stop her
, but she didn’t listen. I probably should have tried harder, but I was out of it myself. I was a shitty friend. Friends don’t let other friends drive drunk...remember?” Becca rambled quickly. Her tone was harsh, but I could tell there was a lot of self-blame.

I pulled
her hand to my lips and kissed it, then placed our joined hands on my thigh to rest. “It’s not your fault. She should’ve known better. I’m not passing judgments. I’ve done stupid things myself. At least she took only her own life. It would have sucked if she’d taken someone else’s life, too.” I was thinking of Tessa at that point. A drunk driver had taken her life, something that could have been avoided.

When Becca
stiffened and pulled her hand away from mine, I knew I had said something to offend her. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know
,” Becca cut me off. “It’s nothing.”

When we stopped
at a red light, I examined her from the corner of my eyes. She was not her usual friendly self. In fact, she was jumpy and fidgety, as if she was trying to hide a secret. The sound of plastic crinkling from the bouquet of flowers was irritating. Becca couldn’t stop messing with it. Looking deep in thought, she had no idea what she was doing until I took her hand away from it.

“Sorry. I was just thinking,” she said when she final
ly realized her repeated gestured.

“That’s okay.” I paused to turn right. “We’re here.”

I didn’t know why, but going to gravesites filled me with both dread and serenity. Looking to my left and right, there were many fresh flowers. It indicated that their loved ones had visited recently.

“Turn left, up ahead,” Becca said. “I think that’s it.”

After I did as instructed, I parked. “Here?” I asked.

Becca glanced around and nodded. “Yes. I remember those two trees. It’s been a while, but I never
forget those trees.”

I had no idea what she meant.
“Those trees” she was talking about looked exactly the same as any other trees. Women, go figure. Opening the passenger’s door, I helped her out of the car. Becca looked up to the sky before she took a step. I looked up, too—curious as to why she did—but all I saw were puffy clouds. Perhaps she was saying a little prayer. Who knew? However, I didn’t ask. Now was not the time to ask what she was thinking. I could just imagine because I had been in the same situation before. The first time coming back to the gravesite after the funeral was always the hardest, no matter how many years had passed.

Following Becca on the grass, I stopped when she did. Little did Becca know that I had planned to come here late
that afternoon to meet up with Tessa’s sister, Teresa. Visiting Tessa at her gravesite was my plan, but Teresa had called that morning asking to meet with me. I had put off telling Becca because I knew how distraught she was about coming here. I didn’t want to add any more stress on her plate.

“This is Amber,” Becca said, looking at me for direction. She
appeared uneasy.

I weaved behind her and hel
d her lightly from the back. My hands slipped around her waist and bent lower to rest my chin on her shoulder. “Say hi. She can hear you.” Could she really? Who knew? Regardless, talking to Tessa as if she was there helped me, and I knew it would help Becca, too.

“Hi, Amber. I brought Matthew with me.” Becca’s tone became shaky. After she cleared her throat and her shoulders lifted from taking in a deep breath, she continued
, “I’m sorry that it took me so long to come see you. I was a chicken shit.” Becca let out a soft laugh; that made me smile. “Amber used to call me chicken shit,” Becca informed me.