Page 15 of Torn in Half

Taking a deep breath, Angie let it out slowly. “Okay.” Suddenly the lack of sleep was making her tired, and she yawned. “Maybe I should try to nap.”

“That sounds like a good idea, Angel.” Ian’s voice had softened now that he knew she and the baby were all right. “Did Kristen bring earbuds for the iPad?”

“I have an extra set in the go-bag in the closet, why?”

“Ask Kristen to get them for you and put them in. I want to talk to you without anyone else hearing me.”

Within a few minutes, Angie and Ian were alone together, although they were still thousands of miles apart. Monique had left to see another patient, while Kristen had gone downstairs to get some breakfast with Shelby and Tori, who’d arrived to see how things were going. Before leaving, Kristen had turned off most of the room’s lights and closed the door.

“Are you comfortable, Angel?”

“As comfy as I can get, I guess.” It had taken a few moments to get the adjustable bed and her big belly into positions she could sleep in. She was on her left side, with only the right earbud in so she could hear him. He was standing in the jet’s galley, where he’d gone for some privacy. As he’d instructed, she’d folded open the cover to the iPad, so it was standing on its side on the tray table facing her. Kristen had plugged it into an outlet to charge it up again, after the battery had run down for the second time since they’d started Skyping.

“Good girl. I want you to just relax and listen to my voice. Close your eyes.”

“Mm-kay.”

“We’re in the garden at the club. The Doms and subs are all watching. You’re naked, my little exhibitionist.” She smiled as his sexy, deep voice warmed her skin. “Everyone is admiring your beauty as I lead you to the St. Andrew’s cross. You stand face first against the soft leather and spread your legs for me. I run my hands up your sides to your arms and lift them, outstretched above your head. I can smell your arousal, Angel. It’s the most intoxicating scent in the world to me. You beg me to touch you there, but you know there’s no topping from the bottom. It’ll earn you a punishment, but you love my punishments—at least, when I finally let you come, you do.”

“You do get very creative, Sir.” Falling into D/s mode was instantaneous when he spoke to her like this. She didn’t even have to think about it, her body just reacted of its own accord. All she had to do was just feel.

“That’s my good subbie.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “I strap your wrists to the cross, then kiss my way down your spine to your luscious ass as I drop to my knees. I inhale deeply because your scent is so much stronger now. I drag my hands down one leg, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Then I strap your ankle to the cross and do the same to your other leg. I check each restraint, making sure they aren’t too tight. Your body, mind, and soul are safe with me, Angel.”

Her skin was tingling. Ian loved touching her bare flesh as much as she loved letting him.

“You’re now at my mercy—but you were before I restrained you, weren’t you, my love?”

“Yes, Sir.” Her words came out as a murmur as the edges of subspace teased her mind.

“What shall I do with you?”

“Anything you want, Master.”

Ian chuckled. “That’s right—I’ll do anything I want, and you’ll beg for more. You know how I love when you scream my name when I let you come. Give me a color, Angel.”

Even though he was obviously not doing anything but talking to her, they were still scening, and that meant rules were followed. “Green, Sir. I’m—actually, I’m not, Sir. A contraction is coming.”

“That’s okay. Ride it out. Is this one stronger than before?”

“Uh-uh.” But it still hurt. She did her Lamaze breathing until the pain began to fade. Opening her eyes, she looked at the screen. While he was trying to be strong for her, she could see the worry and guilt for not being there on his face. “Sorry, Sir.”

“Okay, new rule until Little Bit gets here—no apologizing, Angel. I’m in awe of you. You’re stronger than you know, and I’m so proud of you.”

She sniffled, fighting back her tears, exhaustion beginning to overtake her. Her eyes fluttered shut. “I love you, Ian.”

“I love you too, Angel. Go to sleep. I’ll be right here watching over you.”

Chapter Fourteen

Before Devon’s vehicle came to a complete stop, Ian already had the passenger door open and was climbing out. Leaving his brother and Brody’s laptop behind, he hightailed it into the hospital’s lobby and didn’t bother stopping at the front desk. When a gray-haired guard called out to him, Ian just yelled over his shoulder, “My wife’s in labor.”

“Good luck!” Guess it wasn’t the first time a frantic father-to-be had rushed past the older man.

Bypassing the elevator, Ian shoved open the door to the stairs and then took them two at time up to the third floor. He remembered where the Labor & Delivery ward was from the tour they’d taken about three weeks ago as part of their Lamaze class. Angie’s contractions were now three minutes apart, and she was almost fully dilated. Somehow, some way, Little Bit had waited for him to get there. Angie had been in labor over eighteen hours, and it didn’t look like she’d make it to nineteen.

During the long, gut-wrenching flight, CC had managed to catch a few jet streams, saving them about thirty minutes of airtime, which looked like it had made a world of difference in getting Ian to the hospital in time for the delivery. After landing, Ian had been chomping at the bit while they’d taxied to Trident’s assigned hangar. The second the stairs had hit the ground, he’d been running down them. Thankfully, Devon had his head on straighter than his older brother, because out of the two of them, he was the only one who had his car keys in hand—Ian had forgotten his in his go-bag which had still been on the jet. His parents were catching a ride with the teams, all of whom were headed to the hospital to wait for the newest arrival to the Trident family.

Bursting out into the hallway, he almost ran over a nurse. “Sorry! Wife’s in labor!”

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