“Tell me, Ashley, what do you want?”
He places his hands on the side of my head, holding himself up, and staring at me. When he lowers himself, we kiss, and I slowly lose myself to him. I don’t want this moment to end.
“I want you to make love to me. I want you to hold me after and tell me how you feel.”
Clayton kisses me again and smiles before slowly pushing himself inside me. I let out a small gasp and pull him down to me. I open my mouth to him, and slowly slip my tongue into his mouth. He does the same. Our tongues dance while he finds an even rhythm as he pushes himself inside me.
“You feel so good,” he whispers in my ear while picking up the pace. I hear him moaning with me and he continues to make sweet love to me. “Don’t leave me.”
“I’ll never leave you, Clayton. I promise.”
Then I feel the build up and I dig my nails into his back.
“Shit, Ashley.”
The orgasm builds quickly and takes me down with it. The rush of pleasure sweeps over my body and in seconds he’s calling out my name and my body vibrates from the intensity of him.
He starts to kiss my neck and I giggle. I love these moments with him. We get up to use the bathroom and I come back into his bedroom and slip on one of his T-shirts.
“You should wear my shirts more. It looks good on you.”
“You think so?” I twirl around and feel his arms pull me into his chest. “I guess so.”
“I love you, Ashley. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. Hell, I don’t think I’ve been in love. This is new to me. Everything you’re doing is something I haven’t felt.”
I have no idea what to say. I’m speechless. Everything this man is saying is making me love him more.
“I’ve known since the first day you walked into the coffee shop. If you want me to love you, I know I’ll love you forever. The way you look at me with your beautiful brown eyes and the way you smile at me when I do something so small. Promise me again you won’t leave me.”
“I promise.”
I bury my face into his neck and he holds me for what seems to be forever. This is what love feels like.
I don’t want it to end.
Chapter Seven
Ashley
The unexpected can sometimes bring good news. In this case I’m not sure how to feel. Part of me is happy and the other part is terrified. I don’t know what to say or what to do. In a few minutes, your life can easily change. There are so many people in the world who would love to be in my shoes. Once I know everything I need to know, then it’ll be easier to feel safe.
Gina’s sitting with me in the bathroom. We’re both quiet. My head rests on her lap, and I have no idea what to do or what to think. I can’t cry. I can’t do much of anything. The only thing I can do is stare at the two lines.
It’s been six months since Clayton and I have been together.
Six months.
We stopped using condoms because I was on the pill. I never missed a pill. I always took it on time. Every day.
“This can’t be happening,” I finally let out.
“When’s he coming back?”
“Tonight.”
Clayton’s been gone since the team had an away game. Since I was working, I couldn’t join him. The team won last night and he was happy. The players were in great shape and no one was injured.
“What am I going to do?”
Gina continues to play with my hair. She knows I won’t terminate the pregnancy. Working with babies every day, I can’t imagine doing that.
“You need to tell him,” she encourages me. “You can’t keep this from him.”
“I know.” I wipe the tears from my eyes. “Everything’s going so well. He’s not going to understand.”
“Girl, yes he is. Don’t think he won’t. He loves you and you love him.”
We recently said I love you and I know he does. I know he’ll stay by my side and help me through this. We’re strong and together we can handle anything that comes our way.
“Should I go over now?”
“I think so, honey.”
I get up from the bathroom floor and grab my phone from the counter. When I unlock the screen, there are a few messages from him.
Clayton: Hey, babe. Things are going really well. Just had dinner so I should be at my apartment soon. Can you spend the night? I need to see my girl.
Ashley: Hi! Yes of course. I’m on my way.
I put the phone down and think about how this is going to happen, because it’s happening. There’s no denying.
I’m pregnant.
I use my key to let myself into Clayton’s apartment. He comes around the corner and instantly smiles when he sees me.
“Congratulations on the amazing win. How are you feeling?”
He rushes over and picks me up, spinning me. “Great. The guys are in good spirits. You missed Will. He dropped me off and came in for a second. He was telling me that you and Meg are friends. That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, I met her a few weeks ago. I didn’t think we were at the same hospital, and I didn’t think to ask you. She’s so nice.”
“She is. We should double-date with them. Next time you see Meg, make sure you plan something with her. It’ll be fun.”
I nod. That’s the only thing I can do. I let out a breath and breathe in again. I watch the way Clayton excitedly tells me about the team and this win. It’s monumental. Plus, all the players are healthy, which is a first.
“I’m meeting with the coaches tomorrow morning to talk more about what needs to be done to get the team in better health. It’s crazy. This is the first time in years no one is hurt. I didn’t think I could do it. They’re working hard on the stretches.”
“I’m so happy for you.” I muster the words out of my mouth. I keep my tone light and happy. “I have something to tell you and I don’t know where to start.”
Clayton’s brows furrow and concern is etched on his face. “Babe, what’s going on? You okay? You look a little pale. Do you want me to make you tea?”
“I’m pregnant.”
That just happened. It didn’t go the way I wanted, but it happened. It’s out there and he knows. The universe has the news and I pray he’s going to be understanding and stick by my side.
“What?” Clayton bursts out laughing. “That’s funny. You’re a jokester.”
“What? No. I’m not joking. Clayton, I took seven tests. I mean, I still have to go to the doctor to make sure, but I’m pregnant. There’s nothing joking about this. I wouldn’t joke about this.”
He quickly gets up from the couch and paces the living room. I feel bad for doing this. Maybe I should’ve kept it to myself and broken up with him.
“I’m sorry. I mean I took my pills on time, every day. I don’t know how this could’ve happened.”
“You’re probably still early or whatever. It’s not a big deal. Go to your doctor, confirm it, and then you know what to do.”
“What? I don’t know what you mean.”
Clayton laughs and sits back down. “You can’t be serious. We haven’t been together for long. We’re not even living with each other. My career is starting to grow. I can’t have this happening to me.”