“What the . . . ?” I don’t have time to finish the sentence before the loud smack of his hand against my bare ass rings out.
“Ow!” I yelp as he pulls back and does it again on the other cheek.
“You ready to obey me, Leigh?” I don’t answer right away and I hear the movement of his hand whiz through the air as he cocks it back and lands it square on my ass again.
“Yes!” I shout as the sting quickly turns into something more. I glance over my shoulder at him, and his breath is rapid as his chest rises and falls.
“Did you like that?” he asks as he reaches down and runs a finger up my slit and my asshole. “You absolutely liked that,” he smirks as he repeats the movement again.
“We’ll explore more of that later.” He pulls me back up to my feet, spinning me around until my back is facing his front. “Straddle my legs.”
I look down as I place a foot on either side of his, with his hands on my waist guiding me backward.
“Now slowly lower yourself down.”
I place a hand on each of his knees as I look down between us. His hand grips the base of his cock, the tip poised at my entrance as I slowly lower myself down. I wince at the intrusion and he lifts me up again. We repeat the process, each time my body accepting more and more of his thick manhood.
“Oh fuck, baby, just like that,” he grunts as I slowly raise and lower myself over the length of him. “Goddamn,” his words are strangled, like he’s gritting his teeth, “you’re so fucking sexy.”
My slickness builds on his cock as I quicken my pace along with my breath. It’s not long before I’m bouncing up and down on him, his fingertips gripping my hips so tightly I know I’ll have bruises tomorrow.
We’re both panting and moaning, expletives tumbling from his mouth as he tells me how tight and warm I am, how my body belongs to him, and how nobody fucks him like I do. It feels like just a few moments before we’re both coming, our bodies melting together on the couch, lying in a jumbled pile of sweaty limbs.
“You weren’t lying.” A giggle bubbles up as I realize he’s still inside me and I’m flopped back fully naked on his body.
“About what?” I can feel his deep voice rumbling in his chest against my back.
I turn my head to the side so I can see him. “That what you wanted was going to be demanding. My hour-long intense Pilates class doesn’t even work my thighs like that.”
He lets out a throaty laugh as he wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my neck. “Oh, sweetheart,” he turns my head again to kiss my lips, “that was just round one.”
He wasn’t lying. Several hours and so many rounds of vigorous activity that I lost count later, my body is wrecked.
“You going to be okay tomorrow? Teaching?” He reaches down between my thighs and cups me.
I laugh and throw my arm over my face in embarrassment at the thought. I don’t know why; it’s not like anyone in class will know why I’m so sore.
“I’m sure my body will remind me about tonight, but I’ll survive.”
“Good.” He curls his arm and pulls me against him, planting a kiss on my temple. “I want you thinking about every little thing I did to you tonight, knowing every place I’ve been.”
My stomach knots. I have the sudden urge to jump the gun and ask the ill-fated question of where is this going? Sudden death to any new relationship. Relationship? Is that what this is? I guess it should be since I’m carrying his baby. The knot gets tighter and my throat constricts. Tell him now, I think to myself, but the moment I open my mouth to say something, I freeze. How do I even say it? Hey, I know we just did the most intimate thing, but I’m hiding something from you and I’ve known for 48 hours now.
I tell myself that after I go to my doctor’s appointment on Monday, I’ll tell him.
“I’m sorry, seven weeks? No, that’s not possible. I’ve only missed one period.”
Doctor Soreson turns from the screen with the rapid-fire heartbeat toward me, his brows furrowed as if to say I’m the doctor here.
“Well, cycles aren’t always consistent, even if you are newly pregnant. If you’ve been stressed or overworked lately, or more active than normal, your body could’ve gotten off your typical ovulation window.”
I think back to the weeks of back-to-back Pilates classes and the days of stressing out over where and when my studio will get off the ground.
“Yeah, okay.” I just nod my head as he continues to explain what’ll happen next as he removes the transvaginal ultrasound wand and removes his gloves. He hands me a bag with prenatal vitamins and pamphlets on pregnancy and instructs me to make my next appointment before I leave.
I stroll down Main Street in a complete daze. I run my thumb over the sonogram picture in my pocket, pulling it out to look at it for the hundredth time. I feel tears prick my eyes as I place my hand over my belly. It all feels so real now, so vivid. I feel a warmth spreading throughout my body as I smile to myself.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom.” My hand immediately flies up to my mouth as if saying it out loud suddenly makes it real.
“Leigh?” I spin around, shoving the picture in my pocket.
“Hey, August!” I take a few steps forward to close the distance between us and envelop her in a hug.
“You look amazing—like you’re glowing,” she coos.
“How are you? How’s married life?” I smile.
“It’s actually really amazing. I still can’t believe it actually.” She holds her hand out and admires her wedding ring. She loops her arm through mine. “I still can’t say thank you enough.”
“Don’t be crazy, it was all you guys. You both just needed to pull your heads out of your asses.” I laugh.
“I need to pop into this baby boutique. Willow’s son is turning one next month so I want to get something for him. You have time to hang out?”
Baby boutique? I’ve lived here almost a year and didn’t know this place existed.
“Yeah, for sure.” I smile and follow her inside. I trail behind her as she flips through different items, filling me in on her honeymoon and married life. I’m trying to listen but I’m distracted by the tiny footies on the end of the pants, and the adorable little shoes that look like they’re barely the size of a teaspoon. It’s like a brand-new world is opening up to me—one I’ve never paid attention to at all.
“What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
“Hmm? Oh, no, not really. Just busy with the studio stuff,” I lie . . . again.
“Speaking of, that standalone building we saw just had a price reduction, so it might be snatched up pretty soon. If you still want it, let me know and we can submit an offer.”
It’s after 7 p.m. by the time I get home. Between teaching, the doctor’s appointment, and the impromptu run-in with August, I’m exhausted and starving. I pull a premade meal I prepped Sunday night and pop it in the microwave while I shower.
My phone buzzes as I wrap a towel around myself. Grant’s name on the screen instantly puts a smile on my face.
Grant: What are you doing tomorrow night?