That’s all it takes. He loves it when I talk dirty during sex. His big cock powers forward before he stops. “Okay?” he asks before moving again. He’s always worried about hurting the baby or me. I rock into him, giving him the answer he seeks. With a groan, he unleashes. I’m coming again within minutes. He somehow maneuvers until he’s under me on the bed, and I’m sitting astride him. As my stomach has gotten bigger, we’ve moved to positions that keep the weight off me. Oh, how I miss feeling him pressing me into the mattress. But being on top with his hands free to roam is a big slice of heaven as well. His fingers tweak my tender nipples and I feel the tug immediately between my legs. Just as I think I couldn’t possibly come again, he pushes his hips up just as I drop down and I explode. I shriek loud enough to wake the neighbors as Lucian’s wet heat shoots inside of me. I collapse against his chest, and as soon as he’s recovered, he lifts me gently, placing me at his side.
Lucian caresses my stomach tenderly as he does so often now. I feel myself beginning to drift off when his hand jerks. “Holy shit! Did you feel that?”
“It’s the baby kicking,” I murmur. I’ve been feeling it for a few weeks, but Lucian hasn’t been able to yet. As his words register, I grab his arm. “You felt her kick?”
His face is full of wonder and joy as he studies my stomach intently. “Shhh, we might scare her off. Be very still.” I stifle a grin at his words but humor him by not moving. When I feel the ripple of another movement, I can tell by the excitement on his face that he felt it, too. “She’s really in there, isn’t she?” he asks in awe.
I laugh lightly as I place my hand over his. “I certainly hope so because something’s causing me to blow up.”
He lowers his lips and begins kissing the skin sheltering our child. “You’ve always been beautiful, but you’ve transcended even that now. You’re radiant. You have a glow that lights you from the inside out. I want to stay by your side every moment of the day to witness the wonder of your body changing as you nurture the life we created together. I want to fall to my knees and thank whatever god brought you to me. If I live a thousand lives, it still won’t be long enough to show you all of the love I feel when I see, feel, or think of you. You’re my heaven, baby, the reason I have a chance at redemption that I never believed possible.”
Tears are trickling down my face as he finishes his raw declaration of love. Every word is straight from his heart and I can’t help but feel unworthy of a man such as Lucian—but I’ll hold onto him with everything I have. We are building a life and family together. “How am I possibly supposed to compete with something like that?” I blubber out. Why can’t I be one of those delicate women who look good even when crying? Instead, I’m like a leaking fountain. Thank heavens I didn’t wear mascara today or it would be even worse.
Clearly amused, he says, “It’s not a contest to see who loves the other more, baby. I’ve never said things like that to anyone before, but when I’m with you, they just come out.” I run my fingers through his thick, dark hair as he settles his head against my chest. It’s times like these when I know that, like myself, no one has ever held or touched him in such a simple but loving manner. He relaxes completely, still cradling my stomach while I show him with more than words how much I cherish him. “You know, I dreamed of this…before,” he begins idly. “When Cassie was pregnant, I imagined a normal life with a family. Taking my son to a ballgame or my daughter to dance class. Even doing the whole carpool thing with their friends. Cassie would be off the rails making one crazy threat after another and I’d just let myself drift off, thinking of what our life could be if we were like any other normal couple expecting a child.”
“Oh, Lucian,” I whisper, hearing the pain and torment in his voice.
He continues speaking, almost as if in a trance. “I had my routine each day. Before class, I would go through the apartment looking for anything she could use to hurt herself. Then I’d check for pills or even alcohol. I’d given Aidan strict instructions never to bring anything like that into the apartment. I was even so paranoid that I didn’t wear a belt or keep one—just in case she tried to hang herself with it.” My fingers tense in his hair, but I force myself to unfurl them. He needs this and I have to be strong for him. “She stopped going to class, so I’d come home for lunch, to make another quick check of the apartment and to assess her mood. If she seemed close to the edge, I’d skip my afternoon classes so I could watch her.” He takes a jerky breath and suddenly lifts his head to look at me. “Fuck, baby, is this bothering you? I know you can’t possibly want to hear about her. I’m sorry, I didn’t think—”
I frame his face with my hands and tell him with absolute sincerity, “I hurt for what you’ve been through, Luc. It makes me wish I could absorb your immeasurable pain and carry it for you.”