Page 21 of New Year, New Baby
I swallow the lump in my throat while trying to get things straight because the confusion is so immense that tears are prickling my eyes again.
“So you could have put a baby in me just now.We just made love, and it was unprotected.”
“Itwasunprotected,” the alpha male affirms, taking in my big breasts, heaving flanks, and swollen, still-wet pussy.“And I love the thought that you might be pregnant with my child right now.I know it’s scary, but—”
“But you didn’t check with me first!”I scream.“What the hell?How could you betray me like this?”
“I’m sorry,” Hunter mutters again, unable to meet my eyes again.“I’m a fucking beast and I deserve whatever comes my way.If you never talk to me again, I’ll understand.If you want to move out, I’ll put you up anywhere you like, sweetheart.Or stay here, and I’ll get an apartment elsewhere.Just know that I adore you, honey.I fucked up, and I acknowledge that.”
“Youbetyou fucked up,” I say in a fierce voice while pushing the huge man off of me.I’m trembling with outrage, hurt, and shame.How could Hunter have lied to me about contraception?The betrayal stings, and my heart literally hurts with the knowledge.Then, without another word, I grab my clothes and run up the stairs to my bedroom before slamming the door.
Once alone, tears burst from my eyes as I sit on my narrow twin bed.What the hell just happened?I gifted my cherry to the man I love, and yet Hunter betrayed me!He could have gotten me pregnant without my consent just now!I could have slept with Stan or David, and they could have gotten me pregnant by accident!How can I live with Hunter’s betrayal ...and what if I still want him, despite his misdeeds?
10
Nova
“Wow, thatisfucked up,” Adora murmurs as she sips her tea.“I mean, I knew dating your stepdad was a taboo situation, but this gives new levels of fucked-upness.”
“Thanks for your vote of confidence,” I say in a sarcastic tone while sipping at my own cup of tea.“It really makes me feel better about the situation.”
Adora merely smiles before putting her hand on mine.
“You know I don’t mean it that way, Noves.It’s just ...I mean, Hunter is a piece of work.And now, you’re actually pregnant with his baby!I mean, isn’t it awkward?It must be so weird to live with this guy, pregnant with his child, while avoiding him at the same time.”
I nod, resting my hands on my belly.I’m not showing very much, but Iamshowing a bit now.Enough for Hunter to notice, and he accosted me immediately.
“Nova are you pregnant?”he asked in deep tone, those blue eyes surveying every inch of my figure.“Tell me.”
It was probably only a few weeks after our intimate encounter, but I’d already missed a period and taken a home test.But I was so angry about what he did, and what he did tomespecifically, that I refused to acknowledge him.His efforts to engage with conversation were met by stony silence on my part, and eventually, Hunter gave up.We were like two ghosts living in the same house: together, yet apart simultaneously.
“Why, what is it to you?”I demanded hotly, spitting the words in his face.“Is this all a part of your master plan?”
The huge man looked suitably chastised, and yet his blue eyes continued to roam my figure hungrily.
“Are you?”he demanded in a throaty tone.“I need to know, Nova.Let me take care of you, if you are.Let me shield you.”
But I wouldn’t answer his question, and merely flounced up the stairs to my room before slamming the door.Yet, somehow Hunter knew, and he began directing Mrs.Stanch to cook especially nutritious foods for us.Suddenly, there was a plethora of milk, meat, nuts, whole grains, and leafy greens at every meal.Suddenly, there was a collection of probiotic yogurt in the refrigerator, as well as the disappearance of all alcohol from the liquor cabinet.But I knew he knew when pre-natal vitamins appeared in my medicine cabinet one day, as if by magic.
“Really,” I grumped, looking over the label.“He thinks he can control my life, hmm?”
But I rolled my eyes, popped a tab, and then swallowed a vitamin because I want my baby to be healthy.Maybe I’m still angry at his or her father, but my child shouldn’t be paying for Hunter’s sins.He’s a grown man.He should atone for hisownsins.
But it’s been awful living so close and yet so far from the charismatic alpha male.Sometimes, at night and alone in my bed, I feel the urge to get up and slip into his bedroom, snuggling beside that huge warmth before he slips inside me.Sometimes, I can hear him working in his home office, and I want to creep inside and sit on his lap as he places those huge hand on my burgeoning belly.Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to give in, and to depend on Hunter a hundred percent.I would feel safe then, and taken care of.My baby would be safe, and we’d both be protected within the circle of Hunter’s arms.
But he acted like a complete bastard, and he needs to pay before I decide on my next steps.I can’t let him off just because I’m pregnant!That would be caving in way too soon.
So life goes on.I’ve been attending classes, per usual, and the only person who knows so far are myself, Hunter, and Adora.Of course, my friend’s supportive.She knows I’m keeping the baby and has already asked to be called “Auntie Dora.”
“Should you be drinking that tea?”my buddy asks quizzically, eyeing the steaming mug in my hand.“I thought pregnant ladies couldn’t have caffeine.”
“No, they can,” I say with a rueful smile.“We just can’t overdose on it, but this isn’t caffeinated tea anyways.This is a special milk thistle concoction that’s supposed to promote breastfeeding.”
“But it’s so early!”Adora remarks, her pretty features nonplussed.“The baby’s not even born yet.”
I wink.
“Sometimes ladies lactate a bit before the baby’s born.I haven’t yet, but it’s always good to be prepared.They have it at the café, so I figure why not?”
