Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 (60 page)

I haul ass back into the apartment, looking for my phone. I find it stashed away in my backpack on the floor in the bedroom. I scroll through my messages, hoping for the dreaded call from the fucking clinic. Instead, I get a voicemail from Luke, telling me to head over to the apartment.

Shit. This can’t be good.

The fucking apartment is pitch black, and it looks like no one is home when I pull up like a bat out of hell. I go up anyway since I’m already here. Perhaps Luke went to get some beer since we ran out earlier today. God knows I may need some soon. I pace the dark living room floor and stare at my phone, waiting for his call, a text, anything, when I hear his bedroom door creak open. Luke shuffles out, scratching his head. His features are hidden in the shadows, and he’s fisting a bottle of something in his hand when he approaches. He looks like shit, wearing nothing but a pair of wrinkled gray sweatpants. Maybe he has some chick in there.

“What the hell is going on, man? You’re scaring the shit out of me, sitting in the fucking dark. Are you some kind of fucking vampire?” I ask, trying to bring a smile to his face and to calm my fucking nerves when he doesn’t respond fast enough for me. “Hey, wake up, dude. Cat got your tongue?”

“Hey.” He nods tensely, setting the bottle onto the counter. I notice that it’s vodka.

“Since when have you gone hardcore like this?”

“Since this fuck up right here.” He jabs his index finger in his chest. “Found out that he’s gonna be a Goddamn father.” He chuckles wryly. “I’m sure you’ve been waiting for the call from the fucking clinic, right?”

I nod in shocked relief. I’m so fucking happy that I can’t find the resolve to speak. Luke presses his hands against the counter, dropping his chin to his chest and breathing raggedly. His entire body is tense.

“I told them not to bother calling you. That I would tell you the good news since I got the bad. That’s just one of the perks of having a roommate and doing the same girl.” He laughs dryly, speaking again after a couple of minutes of silence. “I would have told you earlier, but I fucking passed out from downing half this bottle. I turned off my phone ‘cause Mindy kept calling my ass. I can’t deal with her right now, probably ever. But, hey, you do the deed then you suffer the consequences.” He flicks his glazed eyes in my direction. “Looks like you’re off the hook, motherfucker, and you and Elle can have the fairytale life. For me, I get to deal with shitty diapers and that crazy bitch for the rest of my life,” he groans, twisting the bottle of vodka under his fingers as a dismal look flashes across his face.

“Listen, man. I know this feeling sucks, but you know that no matter how much you screw this up, I’ve got your back because I’m kind of indebted to you now. So, you’re stuck with Mindy and me.”

“Thanks.” He unscrews the cap on the bottle and puts it to his lips.

“Dude, you think that’s a good idea?”

“Fuck, yeah,” he says, watching me from the rim of the bottle. “I don’t know the first thing about being a father. I’m still a kid myself. I had plans and none of them involved having a kid.” He throws the bottle back, hissing at the sting of it between his teeth. He drags a hand through his hair and gives a frustrated sigh as he tries to reign in his frustration. “You’re not going to see me reading
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
.”

“Dude, you know if you want to talk about it, I’m your man. Shit, if the tables were turned, I know you would have done the same for me.”

“Hey, it’s my shit to deal with. You don’t know what my life is like being the heir to the Turner Empire. I got my pops on my back, and once he gets wind of this shit, who knows what will happen,” he grunts.

Luke has never talked to me about his family and his life, and it makes me feel like an ass that I didn’t get to know my roommate a little better. He stares at me with a smirk on his face and that familiar twinkle in his eyes.

“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry about it. I don’t like to talk about that shit with anyone. People change when you throw around the fact you got so much cash you can own an NFL football team.” He chuckles, always making jokes.

“Well, we’re bound for life, you know. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good. Why don’t you help me celebrate by finishing off this bottle? To you and Elle and to me being a daddy,” he exclaims. He raises the bottle, takes a swig and hands it to me with his signature goofy smile.

“I’m betting that you may need some space, and I should start packing my shit now that you’re going to need the spare room,” I snort, happier than a pig in shit, knowing that I’m going back to Elle with great news. I take the bottle and have myself a satisfying gulp of the vodka, and even though it burns going down, it’s an exhilarating burn.

“Fuck that, you aren’t betting shit, and you’re not going anywhere. I don’t want any new roommates for a while. So, you, my friend are gonna be sticking around for a bit until I kick your ass out or when you get the call from the NFL.”

Luke and I finish the other half of vodka. He’s not taking the news well. I don’t think any guy would, but the alcohol seems to have mellowed him out a little. He doesn’t have a plan, but one thing is for sure. He doesn’t plan to shack up with Mindy any time soon. He says that now. Who knows what will happen when he sees the baby for the first time?

Elle’s not at the apartment when I return. It’s been over two hours since she left. I don’t want to call her with the news. This is something that I want to tell her in person. I grab a beer from the fridge and sink into the couch and prop up my feet. I haven’t felt content like this in so fucking long.

About thirty minutes later, I hear Elle twist the key into the lock. I hop off the couch and practically sprint to the door and open it. Her cheeks are flushed and her hair is windblown and messy, but she’s never looked more beautiful to me. She glances up at me and steps inside, dropping her eyes to the floor. I immediately cup my hands on either side of her face, lifting her eyes to mine. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, placing her hands over mine and leaning into my touch. I breathe in a soft calculated breath, anxious to tell her what I know. When she finally opens her eyes, they’re tortured and pleading.

“Where did you go?” I whisper. My eyes trace down her face, and I watch her bottom lip tremble.

“To my mom’s.” She eyes me cautiously. I watch as a myriad of emotions pass over her features as she struggles to speak. I know she wants to tell me something, but I can’t wait to tell her my news first.

“I have something to tell you,” I say. Taking her hand, I lead her into the living room and sit her down onto the couch. I push aside the papers on the table and sit in front of her, taking both of her hands in mine. So many emotions swarm in her hazel irises. I’ve seen this look before. Her watery eyes silently search mine with a quiet strength. A tear slides down her cheek, and I catch it with my thumb. I know the anticipation is killing her. Having a clear view of her expressive eyes, I can’t help the grin that pulls up one corner of my mouth as I imagine her reaction. “I’m not the father.” My heart pounds inside my chest. It feels good to say those words and to see her face when they finally register with her.

She has the most beautiful smile. It gradually kisses her eyes and spreads down to her beautiful lips, and she inhales a deep breath. She is the only one. Right here, right now. Seeing her happy like this hurts in a good way. I want this with her, and I can finally say that it will happen.

“Really?” Her eyes widen as she leans closer to me with her striking lips inches from mine. “When did you find out?”

“When you left, Luke called me, and I went over.”

“Oh,” she says, realizing his reality. “How’s he doing?” I know the toll all of this has taken on her, and she is still thoughtful enough to ask how my crazy playboy roommate is doing.

“Nothing a bottle of vodka can’t cure,” I declare. “He’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry for running out earlier. I...”

“Shh...” I say, placing a finger over her lips. “Don’t apologize. I know this hasn’t been easy for you. The ride with me has been nothing but crazy. You’ve become used to it, but now, that has all changed. No more. I promise. It’s nothing but smooth sailing for both of us.”

“It feels different already.” Sparks dance in her eyes.

“Yeah, but one thing has never changed through all this bullshit.” I run my hand over her cheek. “I breathe and worship you. I need this with you to never end. Do you understand me, doll? I want you, no one else, nothing else. Just you.” I cup my hands on either side of her neck and raise her face to mine. Her eyes are no longer tortured, but gentle and warm.

“I’ve always known that. You are my moon,” she whispers,
placing her delicate hands onto my face. Her skin is as soft as silk and ignites the fire in my soul.

“You are my sun, baby. You are my wish, my fantasy come true. I’ll be your hope and everything you need,”
I rasp, gazing into her engaging eyes.

She brushes her thumb across my lower lip and never breaks our stare. “Make love to me,” she whispers, gracefully rising from the couch. I automatically snake my hands underneath her snug T-shirt and pull it off, along with her tights, exposing her delectable body to my mouth. I feel the muscles in her body tighten, and her skin is warm and salty. Affectionately, I slide my hand under her bra and cup her perfect breast in my hands. Yanking the other breast free from its cup, I take it into my mouth and gently bite on the tip of her swollen bud. Flicking and nipping at her silky skin, I feast on her body, drawing her closer to me. She cups my cheeks and raises my face, kissing my mouth with purpose.

Our tongues move frantically against each other. I fist the back of her hair as I tighten my hold around her while we deepen our kiss. A low moan escapes her mouth as she pulls away. “Now,” she breathes. Moving sinuously against me, she grabs the hem of my shirt and pulls it over my head and tenderly caresses my chest, resting her hands at the waist of my jeans. Trailing her eyes over my body, she licks her lips, tracing lazy circles on my tattoos. Her eyes flicker and flame with lust as she kisses a trail up my neck to my ear.

Her breath feathers across my face as she places another sweet kiss onto my lips. The world ceases to exist; it’s truly just us for the first time. Smiling seductively, she lies down on the couch, beckoning me with her finger. She’s enticing me, teasing me relentlessly and I wouldn’t have it any other way right now. Rising, I hover over her, tracing the curves of her body with my fingers. She looks up at me through eyes drugged with desire as I rub my fingertips up and down her inner thigh. “You are so breathtaking.”

“Anticipation can enhance the experience, but I’m losing my patience,” she whispers, touching my cheek. Her words are hypnotic and inviting. Oh my fucking God. Everything is hazy, and I feel myself spinning more and more out of control.

“You have no idea how damn bad I want to make love to you right now.” I exhale an unsteady breath, grabbing her hips and pressing her into my painful erection. Her moan drives me crazy. She fumbles with the button of my jeans, and I tug them off, tossing them and my boxers onto the floor. Tonight, I am taking my time with her savoring every second every minute with her.

Slipping off her panties, I glide my fingers over her wet folds and part her legs with my knees and lower myself onto her. Her lips jolt apart, eyes widen, and cheeks flush with color as I enter her. I groan when she takes all of me, slowly rocking her sexy hips with me in perfect sync as I pump in and out of her. Our bodies become one, and our movements are slow and deep as we take our time exploring each other’s bodies, feeding our desires.

Her erotic sounds fill the apartment, echoing against the walls. I piston my hips into her in a smooth rhythm, feeling the heat of pleasure shoot through my body, her walls clenching down hard and hungrily around my cock. She’s so tight and wet for me.

She pants between open mouth kisses. Her hands dig into my shoulders, and her legs start to shake from the mounting pressure. “Ahh…Don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” she moans. “Ahh…I need you...” I meet her hazy, lust-filled eyes as we close in on our release.

“Baby...come with me,” I whisper hotly into her ear. She tightens like a vice around me as she comes, crushing her lips over mine and bucking her hips uncontrollably as the orgasm rips through her. The raw desire in her eyes is mesmerizing and beautiful. Her look unravels me, and I release inside her, harder than I ever have before.