Chapter 4
Lucy knocked again on the door of Amanda’s townhouse. She dug the spare key from the bottom of her purse and was just reaching for the handle when the door swung open.
“Amanda? Oh, honey, you look terrible.”
Amanda laughed dully. “Thanks, Luce.”
“Do you have the flu?” Lucy stepped into the narrow hallway and pressed her hand against Amanda’s forehead.
“No. What are you doing here?” She asked.
“I stopped by the salon today and they told me you called in sick. I was worried when you didn’t return any of my texts.”
“Why did you come by the salon?” Amanda traipsed into the kitchen and Lucy followed her, frowning lightly.
“I wanted to have lunch and see what you thought of Max. He had an appointment with you last night, right?”
“Yes,” Amanda said. She poured herself a glass of water and took a sip of it as Lucy touched her arm.
“Honey? Tell me what’s wrong, please.”
Her worry grew when Amanda burst into sobs. “I’m an idiot, Luce. I’m such a fucking idiot.”
Lucy hugged her tightly and stroked her soft, blonde hair. “You’re not, sweetie. Tell me what happened.”
* * *
“This isn’t your fault, Amanda,” Lucy poured hot water into the mugs before dipping the teabags in them. “Jamie is a fucking dickhead.”
Amanda shook her head. “It is my fault, Lucy. I’m the one who allowed him back into my life. I’m the one who thought that maybe he had changed. There’s – there’s something wrong with me. Why do I love someone who treats me so badly?”
Lucy set the steaming mug of tea in front of her and sat down. “You can’t just turn your love off and on for someone like a faucet.”
Amanda stared into her tea. “You think I’m a fool, don’t you?”
“No,” Lucy said firmly. “I think you’re confused and lonely and I think Jamie has an unhealthy hold over you. I understand why you started talking to him again, honestly I do, but he’s not good for you, honey.”
Amanda laughed bitterly. “That’s the understatement of the year.”
She hesitated before glancing quickly at Lucy. “He’s right, you know. I am controlling and – and smothering in a relationship.”
“No, you’re not,” Lucy said immediately. “Don’t let him into your head like that, Amanda. Jamie doesn’t understand what an actual relationship is. Wanting to be with him is not smothering him.”
“I didn’t trust him. I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t cheat on me and I obsessed over it.”
“Only because he gave you reason not to trust him. He cheated on you, Amanda.”
“Because I thought he would. Because I didn’t trust him enough to just be secure in our relationship and – “
“Amanda!” Lucy interrupted sharply. “Jamie cheated on you because he’s a lying scumbag who can’t keep his dick in his pants. No other reason. And even if – and I’m not saying you were because you weren’t – you were a little smothering, that doesn’t give him a reason to cheat. If he didn’t like it, he should have spoken to you or ended the relationship. Cheating on you was a cowardly, fucked-up thing to do, and he’s lucky he moved away or I’d be cutting off his disease-riddled dick with a dull knife.”
Amanda smiled faintly as Lucy took a sip of tea. “Honey, I know this isn’t exactly what you want to hear right now but Jamie isn’t the right guy for you. You need someone sweet and kind who likes you exactly the way you are. He was forever trying to change you.”
“No he didn’t,” Amanda protested weakly.
“Yes, he was,” Lucy said firmly. “You dyed your hair red for him, you started wearing those dreadful cropped tops and short skirts. Remember the time you nearly broke your ankle trying to walk in those ridiculous high heels he insisted you wear?”
“He just wanted me to be sexier and he was right – I do dress like an old lady.”
“Oh my God, no you don’t!” Lucy snapped. “Listen, I know you still love him and I understand, really I do, but if he tries to contact you again, you have to ignore him.”
“He’s not going to,” Amanda said. “He’s finished with me.”
“If that’s true – great,” Lucy said bluntly. “But Jamie’s like a fucking bad penny – he always turns up. Promise me you won’t text him or answer his calls if he does try again.”
“I promise,” Amanda said. It would be an easy promise to keep – Jamie would never talk to her again. Her chest ached at the thought and she berated herself internally for feeling something for the man who treated her so badly.
“Why can’t I just forget about him?” She whispered miserably. “Why do I have to love someone who treats me so badly?”
Lucy squeezed her hand again. “You just need to find someone else, Amanda. Get back on the dating horse and forget about Jamie.”
“I can’t be in a relationship with someone else when I’m still in love with Jamie,” Amanda said. “It isn’t fair to them.”
“Who said anything about being in a relationship?” Lucy asked. “Just get out there and have some fun. You don’t need anything serious right now. Date a bunch of different guys and enjoy your life, for God’s sake. There’s plenty of other guys out there who would kill for the chance to sex you up.”
“Like Max?” Amanda suddenly said. “I know why you sent him to me, Lucy.”
Lucy grinned at her. “I might have had some ulterior motives, I’ll admit it. I thought he would be perfect for you. He’s funny and good looking and – “
“Giant-sized,” Amanda said. “Good God, I’ve never met anyone as big as him.”
“I know, right? He makes Jason look tiny and Jason’s like 6’3”,” Lucy said.
“He asked me out to dinner,” Amanda suddenly admitted.
“Did he?” Lucy gave her a delighted grin. “See, I told you – you’re a hot commodity, gorgeous.”
“I turned him down,” Amanda said. “I just kept thinking about Jamie and how much I love him and so I said no. Maybe I should reconsider that dinner invite.”
Lucy hesitated. “Normally I’d say go for it but I’m pretty sure that Max is looking for a committed relationship and you’re not ready for that yet, honey.”
Amanda sighed. “No, I’m not. In fact, I think I need to swear off men completely for a while.”
“Hey, let’s not be hasty,” Lucy said. “Did you hear me when I said you need to go out and have some fun? There’s nothing wrong with some casual sex. In fact, it can be just what a girl needs when she’s nursing a broken heart.”
“I’m not that kind of girl, Lucy. You know that. I can’t just sleep with someone without feeling something for them. And I suck at relationships.”
“No, you don’t. You – “
“I do,” Amanda insisted vehemently. “I’m not so self-absorbed that I can’t see a little of the truth of what Jamie said. I can be smothering and controlling and it’s why I’m still single.”
“Amanda – “
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, Luce, okay?” Amanda said wearily. “How’s Jason?”
Lucy frowned but let the topic drop. “He’s fine. He was just going surfing when I left. Lord, that man loves to surf. We’ve talked about buying a bigger house together and he said he was fine if it wasn’t on the beach but I don’t think that’s – “
She stopped as Amanda winced and pressed her hand against her stomach.
“What’s wrong? Maybe you do have the flu.”
She placed her hand on Amanda’s forehead again as Amanda shook her head. “No, it’s just my period. It started yesterday morning and it’s been a bad one.”
She glanced up at Lucy. “Luce, what’s wrong?”
“What’s today?” Lucy said slowly.
“The fifteenth, why?”
Lucy stared at the ceiling for a moment. “I missed my period this month.”
“Oh?” Amanda said.
“And I,” Lucy hesitated, counting back in her head, “fuck, I don’t think I had it last month either.”
“Are you sure?” Amanda asked.
“Not entirely. Maybe I did get it, I can’t remember.”
“When do you remember for sure having it?”
“Um,” Lucy thought again. “When Jason’s parents moved here. I remember because we were helping them unload the truck and I had killer cramps.”
She stared wide-eyed at Amanda. “That was three months ago. Jesus, I can’t believe I missed my period two months in a row and didn’t even realize it. I mean, we’ve been busy but still…”
She trailed off and Amanda said, “Are you pregnant?”
“No, I’m on the pill,” Lucy said.
Amanda shrugged. “Sometimes people get pregnant while they’re on the pill.”
“That’s not true. Is it?” Lucy asked.
“It happens. My cousin was conceived while my aunt was on the pill.”
“I’m not pregnant,” Lucy said but there was doubt in her voice. “I’ve had months where I’ve missed my period before. I’m not always regular.”
“Have you missed two months in a row before?” Amanda asked.
“No, but…”
Lucy trailed off again before staring at Amanda. “Well, shit. I haven’t been nauseous or anything like that.”
“Lots of women don’t have morning sickness. You need to buy yourself a pregnancy test, Luce.”
“Yeah, I do.” She jumped up and poured the rest of the tea down the sink. “Honey, are you going to be okay? I can stay if you need me to.”
Amanda shook her head. “God, no. Get your ass to a drugstore and pick up a test. Text me once you’ve peed on the stick.”
“Right,” Lucy said distractedly. She bent and kissed Amanda on the cheek. “I’ll text you later, honey. I love you.”
“Love you too, Luce.”
* * *
Lucy, hauling four bags of groceries, bumped her way into the small beach house. She swept Lenny back from the open doorway with her foot and shut the door with her ass before calling Jason’s name. There was no reply and she hurried into the kitchen and set the bags on the table. Her bladder was throbbing and she figured she had maybe two minutes before she wet her damn pants. She searched through the bags for the pregnancy test, cursing under her breath and crossing her legs when she couldn’t find the damn thing.
“Screw it,” she muttered to herself. “I’ll pee on the stick next time.”
She ran to the bathroom, sighing with relief as her bladder emptied, and washed her hands before heading to the bedroom. She changed into shorts and a t-shirt, smiling when Lenny jumped on the bed and nudged her with his head.
“Hi, sweetie,” she cooed before petting him. “Did you miss your mama?”
He meowed softly before rolling on to his back.
“No way, buddy. I’m not falling for the old ‘rub my tummy, I promise I won’t bite you’ bit again,” Lucy said.
She wandered down the hall toward the kitchen. After she put the groceries away and hid the pregnancy test, she’d hit the beach and see if she could find Jason. He probably –
She jumped, her hand clutching at her chest when she saw Jason standing in the kitchen. He was wearing just a pair of shorts and she could see droplets of water sliding down his broad back. Two of the grocery bags had already been emptied and her stomach dropped.
“Hey, you’re back,” she said.
He didn’t reply and she took another nervous step into the kitchen. “Jason?”
He turned to face her, the pregnancy test box in his right hand, and stared blankly at her. “I just got back and thought I’d put away the groceries for you.”
“That was nice of you,” she said lamely.
“I thought you were on the pill,” he said.
“I am. But I’ve missed two periods in a row,” she replied. “I’m probably not pregnant, Jason. I feel exactly the same and I’m pretty certain I haven’t forgotten to take my birth control every day, but two missed periods is weird for me so I just thought it might be best to – “
“Go pee on this,” Jason said abruptly.
He hurried forward and shoved the box into her hand.
“I just went pee,” she protested as he took her arm and propelled her toward the bathroom.
“What? Why didn’t you pee on the stick?” He said.
“Because I really had to pee and I couldn’t find the box and I didn’t want to wet my pants in the kitchen. Where are we going now?”
He herded her back into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “Drink this, Luce.”
“I’m not thirsty. I had a smoothie on the way home and – “
“Oh my God, woman! Drink the water, please!” Jason said pleadingly.
He twisted off the cap and she took a few large swallows to satisfy him. They stood in silence for a moment before she said, “So, how was surfing?”
He raked his hand through his hair. “You want to talk about surfing right now?”
He paced back and forth in the kitchen, staring at the tiled floor, and her anxiety grew to defcon level five.
“Jason? I didn’t mean for this to happen – I swear. I’m sure it’s nothing and I’m just being paranoid. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” He stopped pacing and stared in surprise at her. “You’re sorry you might be pregnant?”
“No,” she said. “I’m sorry that I’m freaking you out over what’s probably nothing.”
“I’m not freaking out,” he said.
“You kind of are,” she replied.
“Drink some more water.”
She drank half the bottle, her stomach was already sloshing from the smoothie but she was fairly certain Jason would pour the water down her throat if she didn’t drink, as he resumed his pacing.
“Do you want kids, Lucy?” He asked abruptly.
“You know that I do,” she replied quietly.
“No, I mean – do you want kids with me?” He gave her an oddly-nervous look.
“Yes.”
A look of relief crossed his face. “I love you, Lucy.”
“I love you too.”
“Do you have to pee yet?”
She couldn’t stop the small giggle. “No, not yet.”
“Drink some more water.”
She finished the bottle of water and shook her head when Jason yanked another bottle from the fridge. “I can’t drink more. Just give it half an hour, okay?”
He frowned before nodding. “Right, okay. What do we do now?”
“I’m going to put away the rest of the groceries. Why don’t you have a shower and get rid of the salt and the sand?”
“Okay, right,” he said.
He hesitated in the doorway of the kitchen. “Holler at me if you have to pee.”
This time she laughed out loud, “I’m not letting you watch me pee on the stick, Jason.”
He flushed a little before stomping back into the kitchen and kissing her firmly on the mouth. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Go have a shower,” she said gently.
* * *
“It says you have to pee directly on the absorbent tip,” Jason hollered through the closed bathroom door.
She could hear the rustle of the instruction paper and he tapped on the door. “Luce, did you hear what I said?”
“Yes,” she said. “I know how to do this, Jason.”
There was silence and then, “Have you done this before?”
“No,” she said. “But I know how to read.”
“Right. Have you peed yet?”
“Honey, do me a favour and go wait in the bedroom. I can’t pee with you right outside the door,” she laughed.
She waited until his footsteps had faded before unwrapping the pregnancy test.
* * *
“Has it been five minutes yet?” Jason said restlessly.
She checked the alarm clock. “It’s been two minutes.”
When he started to stand, she tugged him back into a sitting position on the bed. “Honey, relax. It’s probably going to be negative.”
He put his arm around her and hugged her against him. “Yeah, probably. It said in the instructions that morning pee was best. Do you think that will affect the test?”
“I don’t know,” she said before resting her head on his shoulder.
“Do you want a boy or a girl?”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” She hesitated. “How about you?”
“I don’t care either.”
He checked the alarm clock and she smiled at him. “You know, I’ve never seen this side of you before.”
“What side?”
“Nervous and twitchy. You’re always so calm and in control.”
“I’m not nervous. You’re nervous,” he said.
She laughed loudly and a grin broke out on his face. “Okay, fine. I might be a little nervous. Why aren’t you?”
“Because I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s going to be negative,” she replied.
“Then why did you buy the test?” He asked.
“I don’t know. Peace of mind for that one percent, I guess.”
“Lucy?” Jason stared gravely at her. “No matter what happens, I love you. You know that right?”
She nodded and kissed him lightly. “Yes, and I love you too.”
She checked the clock. “It’s been five minutes.”
“Okay,” he said. “Let’s do this.”
He followed her to the bathroom, standing in the doorway as she picked up the test. She stared silently at it and he cleared his throat anxiously.
“Luce? What does it say?”
She turned around and stared wide-eyed at him. Her throat rippled as she swallowed convulsively, and his pulse began to pound. “Lucy?”
“Jason, I – I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
“You’re pregnant,” he repeated dumbly.
“Yes.” Her hands shaking she handed the test to him and he stared at the faint blue line.
“Holy shit. You’re pregnant.”
“Yeah.”
He stared weirdly at her and she said anxiously, “Jason? Are you – are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” He repeated.
“Honey, you’re freaking me out a little,” she said.
“I – you’re pregnant.”
“How do you feel about that?” She asked cautiously.
He tossed the test on the counter and yanked her into her embrace before kissing her fiercely. “You’re having my baby.”
She gave him a bit of a dazed look. “You’re happy, then?”
“Happy? Lucy, I’m fucking ecstatic!” He shouted.
Relief flooded through her and she hugged him tightly. “Oh, thank God.”
“I love kids!” He said. “I want kids – I want a whole fucking baseball team of kids!”
She blinked at him. “What? You never told me that.”
“I didn’t want to freak you out. I’ve wanted to be a dad for as long as I can remember,” he said excitedly. “Oh my God, we need to tell my mom and dad!”
“Whoa, slow down, cowboy,” Lucy said. “I need to confirm it with the doctor first.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Will you call Monday and make an appointment?”
He was grinning like a little boy and she could feel an answering smile on her lips. “Yes.”
“This is the best news ever, little Lucy,” he said happily.
“I’m glad you think so.” She kissed him and squeaked in surprise when he lifted her and set her on the bathroom counter.
“This calls for a celebration,” he said before pulling her shirt over her head.
“What did you have in mind, Mr. Young?” She asked as he unclasped her bra and dropped it to the bathroom floor.
“Fucking, Ms. Reid. Lots and lots of fucking,” he rasped.
The sudden desire in his voice brought on a surge of lust and she lifted herself eagerly when he tugged at the waistband of her shorts. He pulled them down her legs, dragging her panties with them, before reaching between her legs and cupping her warmth. He kissed her hard, taking her mouth in that rough and possessive manner she had grown to crave, as he rubbed her clit until she was wet and swollen and throbbing.
She yanked at his shorts, sliding them down over his firm ass as he bent his head and sucked her nipple into a tight bud. She moaned loudly, her hands squeezing his ass, before rubbing her pussy against his erection. He slid across her clit in a delicious friction that made her hips arch, and she reached between them and grasped his cock.
“Careful, Ms. Reid. It’s almost like you think you’re in charge,” Jason muttered against her mouth.
His hand caught her wrist and she scowled at him. “I need you right now - fuck me.”
His eyes flashed and pleasure shuddered through her when his hand threaded through her hair and pulled tightly. He nipped at her throat, worrying the sensitive skin between his teeth as he cupped her breast with his other hand and tugged sharply on her nipple.
“Are you telling me what to do, Ms. Reid?” He asked.
“Jason, I need you.”
“Are you?” He tugged on her nipple again and she moaned loudly.
“No, I – I’m just making a suggestion.”
He laughed huskily, the sound sent shivers of delight down her spine, before lifting her off the counter until she was standing before him. He took her hand and led her down the hall to the bedroom.
She started eagerly toward the bed, pouting at him when he stopped her.
“You should know, Ms. Reid, that I was going to fuck you right away but your suggestion has given me a change of heart.”
“Jason, please,” she whispered. “Don’t make me wait.”
“You beg so sweetly, little Lucy.” He sucked on her bottom lip and she moaned happily when he slid one hand between her thighs.
“You’re very wet. I could fuck you easily, couldn’t I?”
“Yes,” she said. “I want you to.”
“I know.” He grinned wickedly at her before pressing on her shoulders. “On your knees, little Lucy.”
She sank obediently to her knees, moaning when Jason brushed the head of his cock over her mouth. She parted her lips and he groaned harshly as he slid his cock into her mouth. She sucked eagerly, grasping the base of him and stroking him firmly as she licked around the ridge of his cock before suckling on just the head. His hands threaded through her hair and he held her firmly as he slid his cock deeper into her mouth. She sucked and licked until he was moaning loudly and his hips were thrusting wildly. She swirled her tongue around the head in the way she knew drove him crazy, and he cursed under his breath before pulling out of her mouth and hauling her roughly to her feet.
He spun her around and bent her over the bed. She braced her hands on the mattress as he pushed her thighs apart, and made a sharp cry of need when he thrust his cock deep into her throbbing pussy. His hands wrapped around her upper arms and he lifted her upper body off the bed, holding her firmly as he fucked her with long, tantalizing strokes that set her body on fire with lust.
Heat was pooling in her center and she met each of his thrusts with reckless abandonment. Each pump of his hips brushed his cock against her g-spot and she writhed and moaned loudly as the sweetest tension built within her. He leaned over her, his hot breath puffing against her soft skin, and licked along her spine. She cried out, her back arching as her orgasm flowed through her and her pussy clamped around his cock. He groaned loudly and pumped wildly in and out of her before coming deep within her pulsating warmth. Her body shaking wildly, she collapsed on the bed, smiling happily when Jason collapsed next to her and pulled her into his embrace.
He kissed the back of her shoulder and nuzzled her damp skin affectionately as she twisted her head to smile at him.
“You, Ms. Reid, are a fantastic fuck.”
She burst into laughter and punched him lightly on the thigh. “You need to work on your post-coital sweet talk, Mr. Young.”
He grinned and pressed a kiss on her throat. “I’ll keep that in mind.”