Maybe I’m reading into this all wrong.
Sure, he called me his woman, but maybe it was just because we were in front of my parents? Or maybe it’s all because of the baby.
As his eyes open slowly, so fucking slowly, I pull away from him and look away. His arm shoots out and wraps around my waist so quickly it startles me, and I gasp. The next thing I know, he’s hauled me onto his lap and I’m straddling his thighs. My pussy clenches around nothing and I wish I could scoot closer to find out if he’s hard or not.
My belly prevents me from getting close enough. And I let out a groan of annoyance.
Bridger’s large hands slide up my thighs from my knees. He gives my hips a squeeze before he gently caresses my bump.
As much as I loved how he asked for permission, even if it was silent, at first, I love him just touching me when he wants even more. It makes me feel like I’m a treasure. I’ve never felt like this before.
Which is why I can’t look at him. I’ll be crushed if I see regret or even a sense of duty in his eyes. I’m not ready to be crushed right now; today has already been more than enough to deal with emotionally.
“Avery,” he rasps. When I don’t look at him, he cups my neck and uses his thumb underneath my chin to get me to raise my gaze and meet his. “I want you and the last thing I want to do is make you feel like I don’t. I also am terrified of screwing this up. It would kill me, Sweetheart. I won’t hurt you and if being with me hurts you, then I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Okay,” my voice gets caught in my throat and I have to blink a few times to stop my eyes from tearing up. I know part of the problem is that I’m overly emotional right now. Hormones are wild like that. I’ve been fine throughout this pregnancy, but I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster since yesterday.
These last few hours since coming back here after getting my stuff is the first time I’ve felt settled. And a big part of that feeling is this man.
“I want you too,” I keep my voice soft, afraid that if I speak too loudly that it’ll crack this moment between us. It feels fragile. “I don’t want to hurt you either.”
Bridger rubs his nose against mine and I melt against him. It’s not a sexual move, but it’s intimate in a way that touches my heart. No, not just touch. It grabs ahold of my heart while threatening to never let go.
That wouldn’t be too bad.
“How about we take this one day at a time? We’ll get to know each other. We’ll build trust. We’ll go at a pace that works for both of us.”
“Okay,” I whisper and try not to grimace.
Bridger pulls back enough to look into my eyes. He challenges me, “What?”
Even though I want to look away, the way he’s holding me won’t allow it. I bite my lip and rush out, “I’m horny, like all the time.”
My cheeks get hot and I’m sure they’re bright red.
Bridger freezes for a moment before he laughs with his head back while joyous amusement radiates from him. As much as I’dlike to be embarrassed right now, I’m too mesmerized by the way he looks. When he laughs, the weight of the world falls from his shoulders, and the only thing left is the good man at the heart of the artist he is.
After I squirm on his lap, he releases his gentle hold on my neck and jaw before gripping my hips. My belly is still in the way, but I don’t mind as the heat of his hands seep through the shirt and leggings I have on.
The smirk Bridger shoots me is sinful in the same way triple chocolate cake is decadent. Fuck; I’m ravenous.
“We might be going slow, Sweetheart, but if you need me to help you out, it won’t be a hardship for me.” He leans forward, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear, “Quite the opposite. I’d rather make you cum than have you turning to a toy or your own fingers. It would be a pleasure to service you,” he rasps.
When he nips my earlobe, my body goes fucking liquid and the moan that comes out of me is pure wanton need. My nipples are so hard that I’m tempted to whip my shirt off and beg him to suck one into his mouth. I remember the way it felt that night. And I want more; I’m right on the edge of desperation.
“Damn, Avery,” he pants as his forehead falls to my shoulder. “My cock is pissed at me that he’s not already buried inside of your sweet pussy. But I want you to know I’m not just after busting a nut. I’m after so much more.”
My chest is heaving as I try and get my breathing under control. Being this close to him has only made me want him more. For the last five months, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. I can say with confidence it wasn’t just my body that wanted him.
Being this close to him now feels surreal. I know it’s real, but is it too good to be true?
His eyes dart between meeting my gaze and my lips. I want to feel his lips against mine again. I need it.
As he leans in, I’m afraid to even breathe. But who needs air at a time like this. His lips brush against mine like a whispered promise. Before he can take my mouth in the way I know he wants to, the doorbell rings.
I let out a shriek as I startle and almost fall off his lap. But his strong arms are there to hold me steady.
“Damn it,” he grunts.
