The Baby Bump Read online

  Threading my fingers through his, I lead Ronan across the dark room, using the thin shaft of moonlight that’s streaming through a gap in the blinds to guide me. I don’t stop until my knees bump into the side of the bed.

  I turn to Ronan and smile. “We’re here.”

  I release his hand and grasp the bottom of the white T-shirt he’s still wearing. “Now let’s get you out of these clothes.”

  “Wait.” Ronan’s long fingers wrap around my wrists, stopping me before I can lift the hem. His gaze probes mine. “I’m still not sure that this is a good idea. You’ve been drinking and …” He clamps his lips closed, refusing to finish the thought.

  “Most guys are practically begging to get into my pants. When I refuse, they call me a bitch, a tease, or an ice queen. They don’t care that I didn’t do anything to encourage them in the first place.” I tip my head to the side. I never thought I’d be in this position. “Yet you’re here trying to give me the brush-off.” A sudden thought pops into my mind and my stomach lurches. “Are you seeing someone, is that the issue?”

  I’ve never been one for relationships, but the few times I have been in one, I remained faithful. And I’ve always taken a great deal of pride in the fact that I’ve never been the reason for anyone else’s relationship crashing and burning. The fact that I might be now makes me ill.

  “God no.” As if sensing my sudden inner turmoil, Ronan releases my wrists. His arms sweep around me, one behind my shoulders, the other around my waist. He pulls me close in a tight hug. “I’m completely unattached.”

  “Then what’s the problem? Right now, I want you. And this—” I rock my pelvis against his erection. “—says you’re ready and willing.”

  He takes a deep breath and I hold mine. I can’t believe how much I want him. The way my body is buzzing, I might literally blow apart if he rejects me and walks out of this room.

  Of course, if he’s any good at this and does stay, the results might be the same. That’s okay. I can think of worse ways to go.

  “Oh, I want you,” Ronan says, his tone earnest. “More than anything I’ve ever wanted before. And that’s really saying something.”

  My brow furrows. “So, what’s the hold up?”

  I slide a glance at the bed. If we don’t make it there soon, if I don’t get Ronan’s hands on me, I’m going to self-combust.

  Ronan heaves a huge sigh. He tears his gaze away from me and looks around the room. “I don’t know. On one hand, I can’t wait to feel you around me.”

  I touch his chest. The heat seeping through the thin T-shirt he’s wearing practically singes my fingers. “And the other hand?”

  Ronan closes his eyes for a second. “I don’t want to rush into anything. And you’ve been drinking. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

  I bite my lower lip and consider his last statement. Maybe, just maybe, if I hadn’t spent the bulk of my adult life dealing with one jerk after another, I’d believe him, but that’s not the case. It’s far more likely that he’s worried that if we go to bed together that I’ll cry sexual harassment.

  He doesn’t know that even if I did, none of the higher-ups at Northwest would even care. They’d treat the entire thing like some big joke, claiming it was nothing more than little Cassie trying to stir up trouble again.

  I don’t care about any of that. The only thing I care about is that right now I want Ronan. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone else.

  Desperate to make him understand that I know what I want and that he can stop yammering on about taking advantage of me, I use my left hand to gently stroke him, curving my fingers over the solidness of his erection, measuring his length and thickness through his uniform, boldly using the heel of my palm to massage him.

  I grin as his cock swells beneath my ministrations. Pride surges through me, mixing with desire.

  “Just a sample of what I’m capable of,” I whisper.

  Ronan groans in response. His body shakes against mine.

  “I’d almost be afraid of finding out what else you have up your sleeve.” He runs a hand up my bare arm. “If you were wearing any sleeves.”

  “I just know this is going to come back to haunt me.” Ronan’s tone signals his capitulation just as clearly as the way he runs his hands up and down my sides, exploring my curves through my own uniform.

  All but purring, I lean into his touch. I can barely remember the last time I invited a man into my room. I’d forgotten how good having my hands on one feels.

  I continue rubbing my hand against Ronan. With a low roar, he spins me around and pushes me backwards onto the hotel bed. I hit the mattress so hard my shoulders bounce.

  Ronan crawls onto the mattress. He catches my face between his hands, his fingers tangling in my hair as his mouth finds mine. His tongue traces the seam of my lips, teasing them apart as I thrust my pelvis against his and grab onto his shoulders, holding him tight as I completely lose myself in his feel, his taste.

  Pressure, hot and violent, fills me. We haven’t even gotten started, and already I feel like I’m about to come. If this is the effect Ronan has on me, I probably won’t survive actually having sex with him. Still, there are worse ways to go.

  Ronan breaks the kiss and turns his attention to my uniform. His hands fumble with buttons and tangle in the thick, ugly material. I turn my attention to the space where his neck and shoulder meet, nibbling and licking at the tendon and muscle, thrilling in how Ronan jerks and gasps each time my teeth graze his skin.

  Finally, Ronan works my jacket, shirt, and skirt off my body, letting them fall to the floor beside the bed. Somewhere along the way, my shoes fell off, leaving me in just my bra and panties. He sits up and stares down at me, taking in the way the small shaft of moonlight plays over my long, lean body.

  “Stunning,” he whispers, using the same tone that men usually reserve for when they’re talking about epic moments in sports or fancy muscle cars. He runs a hand along my stomach, leaving a wide path of heat and jumping nerves in its wake. “Absolutely beautiful.”

  The scent of Ronan’s aftershave and clean male sweat fill my nostrils. I reach out and tug at the front of Ronan’s T-shirt. I lick my lips. “Don’t you think that one of us is way overdressed for this party?”

  Ronan grins and reaches for the bottom of his shirt, but I catch hold of his hands.

  “I don’t think so.” I push myself up until I’m kneeling on the bed, facing Ronan. “You got to undress me, it’s only fair that I get to strip you.”

  Probably, he thinks I’m going to rip his clothing from him, the same way he did mine, but that’s not really my style. Whether it’s Christmas presents or a gorgeous man, I like to take my time, to savor the moment.

  Ronan’s eyes darken, the pupils expanding as I slowly roll the bottom of his T-shirt upwards, revealing one inch of toned, tanned torso after another. First the deep lines where his abs and hip flexors collide. Than the hard, well developed ridges of his six-pack, then his powerful chest. By the time I slide the T-shirt over his head, my mouth is watering.

  Hot damn, Ronan is built.

  I toss the T-shirt to the floor. Ronan reaches for me, but I scoot out of the way.

  I shoot him my best saucy grin. “Oh no, I’m not done with you yet. There’s a few more things I want to see before we start to play.”

  Ronan’s hands curl into fists as I reach for his belt. Balancing on my knees, I shimmy closer, our breath and body heat mingling, our gazes colliding as I fumble with the buckle. It falls apart and I hook my fingers into Ronan’s waistband and jerk downward, sliding both the ugly uniform pants and the silk boxers he’s wearing under them off his hips. Ronan lifts far enough off the mattress for the material to slide down the length of his powerful thighs.

  I toss the pants and boxers across the room and rock back on my heels, studying Ronan the same way he studied me.

  After a second, he grins and reaches out to stroke my cheek. “Well, do I pass muster?”

/>   The corners of my own lips twitch in response. “You’ll do.”

  Cassie

  Moonlight bounces off Ronan’s smile as he grins. He digs his elbows into the bed, pushing his shoulders off the mattress. His eyes sparkle. “You’ll do, too.”

  He shifts closer, the spicy scent of his aftershave teasing my senses as he trails a line of slow kisses along the side of my neck. The touch causes the pulse point just below my jaw to beat wildly as his mouth makes a lazy downward descent until it reaches the sensitive spot just above my collar bone.

  “Not that you’ve let me see all of you,” Ronan whispers against my skin. He nuzzles my bra strap. “One of us is still overdressed.”

  I reach behind me and undo the delicate clasp that holds the ends of my bra together. The straps slide down my upper arms before catching on my bent elbows.

  “Pretty,” Ronan growls.

  Propping himself up even higher on his elbows, he captures my mouth with his, our tongues tangling as his hands cup my breasts, his thumbs rubbing lightly against my nipples, causing the rosy flesh to constrict into tight buds. Liquid heat, hotter than anything I’ve ever felt before, floods my body as I lean into his kiss. My fingers tangle in his hair, holding him in place as I squirm toward him, desperate to get even closer.

  He catches my lower lip between his teeth, biting down just hard enough to send vibrations of pleasure zinging through me. Moisture seeps from my core, soaking the panties I’m still wearing.

  Groaning against his mouth, I throw one leg over top of him, straddling his upper thighs.

  His cock, proud and hard, presses against my belly. I loosen my grip on his hair, letting my hand lower, moving it in the direction of his dick, fully intending to give him a hand job he’ll never forget, but before my fingers have a chance to so much as brush against him, he wraps his long, strong fingers around my wrist.

  Ronan breaks the kiss and leans back. Passion and desire darken his eyes as they capture and hold my gaze.

  “Cassie—” His voice is about two octaves lower than normal. “Are you sure this is what you want? Really sure? Because if it isn’t—” He takes a shuddering breath. “—I’ll stop right now and go back to my room.”

  If anyone had said that I’d be naked with a naked guy in a hotel room bed, and that he’d be questioning whether I really wanted to have sex, I’d have thought they were delusional, yet that’s exactly what’s happening.

  “Tonight is one of those nights when I just want to have sex. Since I want to have sex with something other than my vibrator and you’re available, I brought you here.” I hold Ronan’s gaze and speak as clearly as I can. “The only thing you should be worried about right now is whether or not you’re going to be able to keep up. But if you’re really worried about hurting my feelings, you’re free to go and I’ll just break out my vibrator. Or maybe I’ll wander down to the hotel lobby. There’s usually someone around who doesn’t object to one or two rounds of casual sex.”

  Ronan flinches, honest to God flinches, at my words. For a split second, I think I’ve gone too far, that he’s going to roll out from under me and stalk out of the room.

  Instead, he cups my cheek in the palm of his hand. “Just so long as you know that this is what you really want. I’m not trying to put any pressure on you.”

  I bite his thumb. He inhales sharply before I release the digit.

  “Minx,” he says. His fingers close more firmly around my breasts, massaging them, each movement of his magic fingers sending white hot bolts of pleasure racing through my blood stream until they connect with every single one of my body’s pleasure points.

  “Mmmm.” I close my eyes and let my head loll against his shoulder. “I’m tempted to let you do this to me all night long.”

  “I can think of worse ways to pass the time,” Ronan murmurs in his black velvet voice.

  “Maybe. But that hardly seems fair, now does it?” I tug my hand free from his now lax fingers and cup his balls. “I shouldn’t be the only one having all the fun.”

  My touch causes Ryan’s hips to buck and twist, the sudden movement nearly dislodging me from his thighs. “God, Cassie. A little warning.”

  “I like the element of surprise.” I move my hand from his balls to his cock, curling my fingers around the shaft. It’s even thicker than I’d imagined. I love the feel of it, steel covered in silk. Pulsing with life. I trace my finger along the engorged vein, causing it to jump.

  “Two can play this game,” Ronan growls.

  I grin, amused by how a few simple touches have managed to make him completely forget about his reservations.

  A split second later, Ronan’s long fingers find my clit, touching it through my silk panties. The smile fades from my face.

  Sweat races down my spine as I thrust my hips forward, silently demanding that he keep playing with my clit as my hand slides up and down the length of his cock, moving faster and faster. The muscles in my lower belly clench, bearing down, even as my pussy weeps. It wants more. It wants to feel Ronan inside of me, and sooner rather than later.

  Ronan’s breath streams against my skin, cooling my overheated flesh as he balances on one elbow and bows his head, catching one of my diamond hard nipples between his teeth. He holds it in place; the pressure is pleasure tinged with just the slightest bit of pain. His tongue lashes back and forth across the tip. Fireworks erupt behind my eyelids.

  “Ronan,” I gasp as a few drops of pre-cum spray onto my belly.

  Ronan’s hand leaves my clit, the loss almost making me sob. He curls his fingers into the elastic waistband of my panties. With a single smooth yank, he tears them off my hips, the silky material shredding like it’s nothing more than tissue paper.

  “Hey,” I yelp, watching as the thin material arcs through the air. “I liked tho-Oh!”

  Ronan slides his hand between my soaking, womanly lips as his teeth and tongue continue to torment my poor nipple. He pinches my clit between two fingers, rolling it back and forth, sending wave after wave of white hot pleasure singing through me.

  “Oh God!” I squeeze my eyes closed and give in to the sensations Ronan is triggering. My hips rock back and forth, silently encouraging Ronan to keep playing with my clit as intense pressure builds within me. I bear down, preparing for the orgasm that’s building far faster than I ever imagined possible.

  I’ve had sex before, a few times, but nothing has been as intense as this.

  Ronan probes my entrance with his thumb, his nails pressing against the delicate, swollen flesh, triggering a flood that soaks his hands and creams the inside of my thighs.

  I bite the inside of my cheek and brace myself for what’s to come.

  His thumb sinks into my body, scraping lightly against my inner walls.

  My hips twist wildly. My back arches so violently, my ass scoots along the tops of Ronan’s thighs, seating me practically on top of his engorged cock, which flexes and bucks in my hand, surprising me. I’d forgotten I was holding it.

  “Fuck!” I barely recognize the sound of my own voice as the cry rips free.

  “Not quite yet, babe.” Ronan’s mouth bends into a lecherous smile as he transfers from my left nipple to my right. “But soon. Trust me, you’ll know when it happens.”

  His thumb hits my G-spot at the exact same moment that his teeth close around my previously neglected nipple. And that’s all I can stand. My orgasm rips through me with all the violence and heat of an exploding volcano. My body convulses as my mind shuts down. The only thing I can do is ride it out.

  Cassie

  It feels like a thousand years pass before I’m finally able to open my eyes and can think of something other than drawing one deep, even breath after another. Ronan stares up at me, his gaze locking with mine. A self-satisfied smile arcs across his face.

  “Looked like you enjoyed yourself.”

  “Mmm,” I purr, enjoying the loose and warm feeling that always follows an orgasm. “I needed that. More than you possibly can ima
gine.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Ronan rolls his hips up and off the bed, rubbing his cock more firmly against my belly. “I think I have a pretty solid idea.”

  His thumb strokes my inner walls, triggering a fresh wave of moisture. Surprising, after the orgasm I just had.

  I rub my thumb against the narrow slit at the end of his penis, wiping away the drops of pre-cum that have been slowly oozing from it since we hit the mattress. Guilt gnaws at my insides. I hate to do this to him, especially after I had to work so hard to get him into this state, but it’s only fair that he should know.

  “You’re going to have to fly solo from here on out.”

  Ronan’s eyes practically bug out of his head. “What?”

  “I’d love to help you out, I really would, but I’m afraid I’m a one and done kind of girl.”

  Ronan floats a brow. “One and done?”

  “Mmm hmm.” I push a strand of sweat-dampened hair behind my ear. “I don’t orgasm easily. I’ve actually thought about getting a clit piercing because they’re supposed to help, but the idea freaks me out. When I do come, it’s a one-time deal. I’m sorry, but really, if you weren’t so good with your hands, we wouldn’t be in this position.”

  Ronan stares up at me with the same expression he might have if I’d suddenly sprouted a second head. “One and done,” he repeats, like he just can’t seem to grasp the meaning of my words.

  I should slide off his thighs, which my orgasm left wet and sticky, roll to the other side of the bed and let him decide how he wants to handle the situation, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to do that just yet.

  “I really am very sorry. I wish I was the kind of woman who has multiple orgasms, but I’m just not.” And considering that every orgasm I’ve had prior to the one Ronan triggered have been little micro affairs in comparison, I’m a little worried I’ve used up my lifetime quota and will never come again. “If you want to, you know, finish things off for yourself, I’m willing to—” I wave a hand in the general vicinity of my lower belly and pelvis. “—you know. I can even try faking another orgasm, though I’m not very good at it. Faking it, I mean.”