Page 127 of Rival
“Dinner is ready,” Jaxon says thickly. I can’t be certain, but I’m almost positive a lot of those words she gave to Mason were meant for Jaxon as well. I also won’t be forgetting and will take them to heart.
Without looking away from her, Mason says, “We’ll come in shortly.”
Taking the cue, I wiggle my way out to stand, then press a soft kiss to her temple, whispering against it. “I do love you, darlin’.” Then I follow Jaxon into the kitchen to set the table.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Jaxon
39 weeks and 2 days
Iturn my key in my front door, then frown to find it already unlocked. Ever since Edith laid everything out with Mason, she’s let all of us in a lot more. It’s a false sense of peace because I know she could be stripped away from me at any moment. But for now, it’s been nice to have her more comfortable and opening up.
She and I haven’t been intimate, but I’ll be damned if I haven’t taken advantage of knowing how much she appreciates getting her aches and pains rubbed away.
The guys and I have been taking turns to stay the night over here since we’re getting closer to her due date, and tonight is my turn. I’ve been comfortable in my old bedroom at my parents’ house, but I do miss my home. Mainly becauseshe’shere after agreeing it would be best not to worry about finding somewhere new until after our little girl is born.
She said she was worried that one or more of us would back away after we find out the baby isn’t ours, but she’s never beenmore wrong. Honestly, I hope that little girlisn’tmine. Not that I wouldn’t love her dearly and be thrilled, but IneedEdith to know I’m here for her. I’m afraid if the baby is mine, she’ll always have that doubt rooted deep inside of her.
Walking into the house, I look around for the woman I want, but can’t find her anywhere.
“Edith? Sweetheart? Where you at, honey?” I call out, then stand still, waiting for a response.
“Bedroom.”
I’m shocked when it’s Griffin’s voice I hear, not expecting him here tonight. I don’t care, but I thought he was helping Mason over at the ranch with an electrical issue.
Pushing the door open, my mouth falls open when I see what’s going on. I attempt to back out quickly, but Griffin shakes his head quickly. “It’s not really what it looks like. Well, I mean, itis.I’m fuckin’ her, but not really.”
Edith chokes out an embarrassed half laugh, half sob, which makes Griffin’s head fall back on a groan.
He’s sitting on the edge ofmyguest bed, pants around his ankles, and Edith is leaned forwardvery obviouslywith his dick buried inside of her. But, and it takes me a second to realize it, she’s not totally enjoying it.
“What the hell is happening right now?” I ask both of them. Griffin runs his hand up her back and hugs her to him.
“You okay for a minute?” he asks breathlessly, and she nods, wincing as she settles back against him. She’s wearing a dress, so her body is hidden from me, but I notice her panties on the floor by their feet.
“Edith is having Braxton Hicks. Pretty regular ones right now, actually. She called her doctor and we’re supposed to monitor them, but we did research.” He waggles his brows at me, and I want to smack him. “Turns out, there’s a good chance shemightbe headin’ toward actual labor, so when I read out things we could do to encourage it to happen—”
“Sex.” It’s all she says, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
His eyes close for a moment, then he looks at me. “So, apparently,sexis one of those things. I’ll be honest, I was hopin’ to get her all laid out and play with her a bit for our first time since you know, but she just… got on.”
“Griffin,” she cries out, then leans forward to hug her stomach. “Why is this so freaking painful? I don’t want to do this!” she sobs out, and my humor completely fades away.
Hurrying over, I drop to my knees and brush away loose strands sticking to her sweaty face. “Sweetheart, are you sure these are Braxton Hicks? How often are they happening?”
“They are,” she bites out. “They’re random, and the doctor said until they’re actually evenly spaced out, I shouldn’t come in.”
“Are you sure you want to be doing this right now? You don’t look comfortable.” I throw an apologetic look at Griffin, but he waves me off. Focusing on her, I add, “I could give her another call. How many of these contractions have you had tonight?”
Blowing out a breath as the supposed false contraction ends, she sits up straighter, then moans as she rotates her hips out of pure desire. “Not many, but they’re a lot stronger than the ones I’ve had over the past few weeks.”
Nodding, I sit back on my heels and search up how to know if you’re actually in labor. She’s been having these for the past month, but this seems like more.
“I need some chips.” Both Griffin and I snap our heads up to stare at her as she attempts to stand up. I laugh when he lets out a loud groan as she removes herself from him and leaves us in the bedroom to find her snack.
Ignoring the flash of his cock as he tucks his hard on away, I let my eyes fall to the screen of my phone and scroll through everything.
