Page 53 of Trash the Dress

“I did. I mean…I want to, if you still want me,” I say nervously. My heart is riding on his answer.

He moves to stand in front of me, taking in my appearance and then kisses my forehead before pressing his lips to mine. Then he drops to his knees and kisses my pregnant belly. At the same time, the baby kicks. “Oh! I think he’s happy to be near his daddy,” I say as a smile appears on both our faces.

“You think so?” he asks and places his hand over the same place the kick came from.

“I do,” I say.

“Are you happy to be near his daddy too?” he asks, staring up at me.

“Ecstatic,” I answer.

“Good. I’ve missed you and I want you here with me,” he says.

Then he hooks his fingers in my maternity jeans and slides them, along with my underwear, down my legs. He helps me step out of them, before leaning in to press kisses against my belly, then he works his way to my thighs making me needy for more. Just when I think I’ll go crazy with desire, he tastes my center causing my hands to fly to his shoulders for support.

He kisses and laps at me there until I’m near the edge and he pulls back. “Do you need me as much as I need you?” he asks suddenly.

“Yes, yes. I do.” My chest rises and falls quickly.

He smirks and rises to his feet. He leads me to the bed and turns me so I’m facing away from him. Then, his lips latch on to my neck, sending chills down my body. Next, he helps me out of my shirt and bra. He licks and sucks on my neck while caressing my breasts from behind. I’m melting in his arms as I feel his towel fall away.

“Spread your legs and lean over the bed,” he says in a thick and husky tone.

I do as I’m told, and he runs his fingers down my spine followed by the scruff of his chin. He kisses my shoulder and then he lines up with my center, entering me in one thrust and making me cry out.

“You okay, sunshine?”

“Yes. Don’t stop,” I answer breathlessly as he continues to push us over the edge of white-hot pleasure.

Once we’re finished, we both shower together before falling onto the bed in each other’s arms. Coming home has never felt so right or so good. And I realize, life may be messy at times, but there’s no one I’d rather share the mess with than Zander.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Zander

Waking up the last few days with Scarlett’s legs entangled with mine and her head on my chest has been like a dream. When her beautiful eyes meet mine, everything seems perfect…the serenity after a storm. We’ve avoided serious conversation since she came back other than the initial confirmation we both wanted to be in this.

But this morning, she reaches for my hand and threads our fingers together before kissing the underside of my jaw. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“I know you said kids weren’t part of your plans before. Did you really not want kids? Like ever?” Her tone carries no hint of judgment, but I feel like the answer I give is important to her.

I shift so I can look into her eyes. I want to be honest without scaring her away again. I brush her hair back. “I won’t lie and pretend kids were ever on my radar, because they weren’t. In the beginning, it was hard to swallow. But as I’ve walked through this pregnancy with you and heard his heartbeat, I know I wasmeant to be his dad. Just like you were meant to be his mom. I want him. I want to be his dad more than anything.”

She nods. “Do you think you would want more kids…on purpose? I know you mentioned it at my house the other night, but were you serious, or is this one it for you?”

I smile. “I think I might. Everything about us and our situation has opened me to so many things I never dreamed I’d want, but I do.”

She’s quiet for a few seconds, the only sound coming from her finger lightly tapping my bare chest.

“Tell me what’s on your mind, sunshine.”

She tries to look away, but I tip her chin back toward me. She closes her eyes and lets out a breath.

“Do you still love Vivian? Would you take her back if we weren’t having this baby?”

“No, Scarlett. I don’t love her. She’s manipulative and she betrayed me in the worst way.”

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