Page 53 of Grounds for Love

Kimberly glares at Shy. “Way to throw someone under the bus, Shy. Thanks a lot. Brandy told me.”

Brandy calls out, “Sadie Price told me when she came in for a cut and highlights, and she heard it from Melanie Winters who said she heard it from Mayor Young.”

Mayor Young pops up with, “Well, I heard it from Homer over at the Stop N Shop who heard it from Mrs. Hanson’s daughter Eliza.”

Hannah fills in the last puzzle piece. “Eliza works at the insurance office beside Dr. Ellison’s office. If she’s your OB/GYN, I bet Eliza saw you there and put two and two together to make three.”

After that, we are descended upon with well wishes and congratulations. Everyone is excited about the baby and the look on Jenni’s face is worth a million bucks. I would love to see that become a permanent expression on my girl.

Shy and Kimberly surround Jenni and take her away with talk of comparing pregnancy symptoms. Evidently, Shy knows of a special cream for stretch marks and can’t wait to share.

That’s the last time I have my hands on Jenni for a long while. I keep watch over her as she’s moved from group to group of well-wishers. It’s getting close to dinner and I know she’ll be hungry. I send Hannah over with a bottle of water for her when I see a sheen glowing on her face. Who knows what pregnancy or delivery horrors they’re talking about and I don’t want to hear that shit.

The party is loud and getting a little crazy when Hannah announces dinner is ready. I make my way to Jenni and kiss her cheek. “You doing okay?”

Her dark eyes shine up at me and I’m so thankful Joy came to see me this morning and that my family took the stress out of the evening for her. “I’m wonderful. I can’t believe this. I haven’t had a surprise party since I was a kid. Did you see the cake? It’s in the shape of a coffee pot. And everyone is excited about the baby.”

“I did. And did you see all the presents on the table where pink and blue threw up? I told you to have faith in my family. They know how incredible this is.”

“Hannah should be a professional event planner,” she says and then yawns.

That’s my cue to gather our things and leave. “We’ve all said that a time or two. You’re getting tired, let’s go.”

“I am, but I don’t want to leave.” She yawns again. “Okay, we can go, but let’s make one more round to tell everyone goodbye.” She leans on my arm and closes her eyes with a smile still on her face.

I swoop her up in my arms and raise my voice, “Hey everyone, thanks so much for sharing in our two special events tonight. We love you all, but we’re leaving now. My baby mama needs her sleep.”

Jenni’s head pops up. “Your baby mama?”

I raise a brow and ask, “Do you have a better description?”

“Well, no. But baby mama? You know, I don’t even care. This has been the best birthday ever. You know what would make it even better? Do you remember that thing we did with your belt and tie?”

My cock surges to life. “Hmm, how can I forget?” I mutter. It’s been on replay for the past three weeks. I’ve spent three long painful weeks without touching Jenni the way I want to. The way I need. But now… I’m not sure about playing. It seems wrong to do that with a pregnant woman. Is it safe? Can rough sex hurt the baby? I need to do some research.

By the time we get to the truck, she’s already asleep with her mouth open and the cutest snore coming out.

She sleeps through the ride home where I carry her inside and up to our bedroom. I lay her on the bed, undress her, and then tuck her in. I grin and, like a creeper, watch her sleep. Not the wild night she’d wanted, but it’s what she needs.

For years, I’ve been consumed with work. I don’t want to do that anymore. Lord knows I never have to work another day in my life if I don’t want to.

I’m different now—since Jenni. And with the baby coming, I want different things.

At the moment, I need to research. By the time I get to my home office, I decide that online research may not be completely accurate so I email Dr. Ellison instead.

Sometime in the middle of the night, a hand explores my chest on a southern trajectory. I’m half asleep, but I know that touch. The second thing I know is that I’m already painfully hard. She gasps when I wrap my hand around her delicate wrist, and together we slide it the rest of the way down. I place it over my erection.

My lips twitch when she moans. Her fingers wrap around me and after the first stroke, I know I’m not going to last. I pull her away and lower her onto her back where I gently cup her breasts in the palms of my hands. She winces and I freeze. “Does that hurt?”

“No. They’re just very sensitive now. Please don’t stop, Rod. I need you.”

“I need you too, baby.” I take her breasts in hand. They’re bigger, more than a handful. I dip my head and kiss one pouty tip. She sucks in a breath and I move to the other breast and kiss the hardened nipple deeply.

She wiggles on the bed and groans. “Rod, make love to me like you did before.”

She flips to her stomach and onto her hands and knees. All that glorious ass is on full display. “Tie me up, Rod.”

All I can think about is the baby growing in her womb. I know what I read online said the baby is protected, but this is too important to mess up. I move my hands to her hips and my cock literally weeps when I reply, “Not tonight, baby. I don’t want to take a chance on hurting the baby.”

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