The Heart of Mine Read online

  It took me only forty five minutes to make it to her house, but it was forty-five minutes too long. When I reached the main dirt road, it took everything in me not to speed my way up her drive. All the lights were off, which was to be expected by the lateness of the hour, except for her room light. I laughed under my breath, knowing that she had left her bedside lamp on every night, just in case I were to come home early.

  I quietly gathered my belongings and made my way around the back of the house where Jasper had said he would leave a key for me. Sure enough, it was underneath an old woven rug, just beckoning for me to use it. I slid it into the lock with ease and made my way inside, quietly locking the back door behind me. I dropped my bag at the bottom of the stairs and slowly made my way up to her bedroom.

  The door was cracked and the way the soft light hit her brown locks that were fanned out across her pillow, made my heart melt. She looked even more beautiful than the first day I had met her. I loosened my belt and let my jeans hit the floor, before discarding my shirt on the floor next to it. I pulled back just enough of the covers to slide in behind her and I slowly wrapped my arm tightly around her protruding belly.

  I heard her whisper my name, but I wasn't sure if she was awake or dreaming of me. Either was just fine. I tucked her tightly into my chest as I listened to her deep intake of breath. Yep, she was asleep. I lay motionless for a few minutes, not wanting to wake her. I could only imagine how tired she was and I didn't want to interrupt her dreams, of me.

  Chapter 26

  Kayla

  I woke up startled that there was a man's arm wrapped tightly around my mid section. Madison wasn't due home for at least another month and I was caught off guard as to who would be in my bed beside me. The sun was just breaking through the dark storm clouds that had formed over night, and as I turned in the direction of the man lying beside me, I almost jumped with joy. A loud squeal escaped my lips and he was instantly awake.

  After all this time, he was here, with me. I took in the features of his gorgeous face, almost not recognizing the man that lay beside me. He had some slight stubble along his chin and his hair was shorter than the last time we had video chatted. He now wore it shorter and spiked on top and it took his sexiness to a whole new level. His eyes popped open and he looked tired and lost. I felt bad for waking him, but I was too excited to let him sleep any longer.

  I pressed my lips gently against his, moving them in a slow meticulous motion. I wanted to savor this moment, take him all in. His tongue dipped into my mouth as my lips parted and I moaned into him. I could feel my affect on him take over as his fingers pushed up through the back of my unruly hair.

  I deepened our kiss even further, slowly sliding one leg over him so I was now straddling him. He broke our contact for the briefest of moments before gently flipping me onto my back and finding my mouth. I breathed him in. My fingers skimmed across his broad shoulders and down along his defined abs, not stopping there. When my hands found what they were looking for, I tilted my head back, licking my bottom lip.

  "You know a guy could get used to wakin' up this way?" He moaned.

  "I wouldn't be opposed to it." I muttered under my breath as his mouth descended on mine again.

  He propped himself up on both elbows on either side of my face, as if it would be the last time he saw me. I watched closely as his eyes slowly made their way down my body, doing a once over before finally zoning in in my belly. His fingers traced small circles around my belly button before they made their final descent to the one place I yearned for him to touch. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my mouth as he separated my slick folds with his fingers. He placed one at my entrance, waiting for permission to continue. I gave a quick nod and without warning, he pushed it inside of me, all the while making good use of his thumb. I arched into his touch, not wanting it to ever end. I was in heaven.

  His touch set my skin on fire, leaving a trail of goose bumps everywhere he touched. When he knew I was ready, he positioned himself above me for the briefest of seconds before pushing himself inside. As he pushed in and out of me at a dizzying pace, I found myself at the edge sooner than expected. I held out for as long as I could, but it had been far too long since I had felt him inside of me, devouring every inch of what was his. My body hummed and I could feel him getting closer to the edge with me, and just when I thought he wouldn't let go, he fell. He fell so hard that I could feel him deeper inside of me than I had ever felt him before.

  His face glistened with sweat from his excitement and I wiped away the remnants onto the sheets below me. He instantly withdrew himself and laid on his side next to me.

  "You didn't have to move, I was quite enjoying having all of you inside of me." I let my lips graze his earlobe as I whispered the last little bit.

  "And I as well, but I don't want to hurt this little one by laying on top of you." His hand slipped under the thin sheet, letting it come to rest on the highest point of my belly. "How's my lil girl doin' today?" His lips were right against my damp skin just above my belly button, and just as his soft voice passed through my body, a small kick pressed against his cheek.

  "Oh my god, did you feel that?" His excitement had me rolling in laughter.

  "Of course I felt it, it is inside of me."

  "Oh yeah." He laughed along with me.

  I heard faint footsteps outside of my door and quickly pulled my short nightgown back down past my exposed bits and urged Madison to put something on. A few short minutes later, my door creaked open, exposing my grandmomma's beautiful face.

  I thought I heard talkin' in here. Glad to have ya home, Madison. Darlin', do you need anything?"

  "No Grams, I'm okay. We will be down for breakfast in just a little bit." I gave her the "please go away look" and she instantly retreated back out the door, closing it behind her.

  "Okay, so now that we are awake, care to explain to me what you're doin' home? Not that I'm not excited to see you, and obviously he or she is too, but I'm confused."

  He let out a low chuckle as he took in my very serious expression. "Do you know how beautiful you are first thing in the mornin'?" his lips sought out mine and found me resisting. "What the hell woman? Kiss me, damn it!"

  We both laughed in unison as I leaned forward, kissing just the corner of his mouth. "You'll get more, when you answer my question."

  "Fine." He crossed his arms tightly over his chest, every muscles pulled tight and enticing me to touch him. A pout sat firmly on his face. I nudged him with my elbow. "We're done for now. We did all the shows that we were contracted to do and John let us come home early. We wanted to surprise everyone, so that's why I didn't call or anything. SURPRISE!" He half-shouted.

  "How long are you home for?" I knew how pathetic I sounded. I agreed to all of this knowing it was goin' to be hard, but pregnancy hormones mixed with my already neurotic self, wasn't the best when amazingly beautiful women on a nightly basis constantly surrounded your boyfriend.

  "We're home for good now, pretty girl. You can't get rid of me so easily." He poked my belly and a small foot or hand poked right back.

  "It's so unbelievable." He whispered as he sat back in amazement.

  "I know, right!" Just then my stomach growled louder than ever before. "I suppose it's time to feed the beast." I giggled.

  "Is that the name you came up with?" He joked.

  "No, but I have been thinking about names a lot lately. Not a whole lot to do around here without you around, ya know?" My face fell a little as I pushed myself up out of bed. His catcher's mitt of a hand darted out, catching my wrist, and gently pulling me back down onto the bed next to him. His arm was wrapped around my back as I lay looking up into the most mesmerizing sea of green. I was finding myself getting lost in them, when his voice broke through.

  "Huh?"

  "I missed you, pretty girl. Trust me, it wasn't easy for me either. At least you have school to keep ya preoccupied, and Joey." I could hear the disdain drip from his last word.

 
; "Really?" I joked. "Are you ever gonna just let it go?"

  "Oh I have, it's that Joey Green that can't seem to let you go."

  I pushed my fingers back through his short hair, and then ran them down the back of his cheek. "Still gettin' used to it?" He whispered.

  "Yeah, but I like it. A lot!" I winked. "And give Joey a bit of a break, he's been really good to me."

  "I bet he has." I knew he muttered it under his breath so that I wouldn't hear him, but I did.

  "Knock it off, cowboy. You know I'm all yours." He was now standing in the bathroom doorway and I was on my knees facing his direction. As quickly as his nickname came floating out of my mouth, he turned and saw how I was positioned. He stood back, his eyes fully violating me as they worked their way up and down the contour of my body. I started to get a little self-conscience, so I started to climb off the bed and get dressed.

  "Why are you putting clothes on?"

  I turned with a perplexed look on my face, "Because I can't go down to have breakfast with my grandparents in this." I pointed down at the small spaghetti strap nightgown I was wearing.

  After he discarded his shirt on the bathroom floor, his boxer briefs were quick to join it. He came sauntering towards me, taunting me. "Well I was gonna shower real quick, was hopin' you'd wanna do the same, but it's cool, I get it. You just can't handle all of this more than once in the mornin'." He chided as he flexed in my direction.

  Faster than I even thought possible, my nightgown was on the floor and I was chasing him into the shower. It had been too long since I had gotten any real time with him, and showering with my man felt like something "real."

  "That's what I thought." He smirked.

  He quickly let the water rush through his short strands and then turned, allowing me to stand under the warm stream of water that began cascading down my back. I leaned my head back letting the water wash over all of me, letting my eyes flutter shut. I wasn't sure if it was the water that felt so amazing or just knowin' he was in the shower with me, but either way, I was one happy girl.

  I felt his hands come up and slide down my long wet mane. My eyes remained shut while he ran his soapy hands through my hair, massaging my scalp as he washed my brown locks. I knew he had grabbed shampoo when the smell of strawberries invaded my senses. It had been my favorite shampoo since I was little. It was an expensive name brand of some sort, but it was the one thing my father used to buy me every year. I guess certain things just stick with you over time.

  "Lean your head back a little bit more, darlin'."

  I did as instructed and almost melted as Madison rinsed my hair underneath the water. His fingers were relaxing and made my scalp tingle. I swear those fingers were magic, because I was definitely wishing he was washing another area with them at the current moment.

  As though he could read my very thought he whispered in my ear, "Patience, pretty girl. I'll get there. Don't doubt that."

  My knees grew weak and I could feel the pressure below intensify. I let out a strangled moan as his fingers continued on with the conditioner now. He made small circles along my scalp from front to back and it was pure heaven.

  "You're good at that." I managed to whisper back.

  "I miss takin' care of you. I'm so sorry I've missed out on so much."

  My eyes shot open in shock. "What do you mean? You haven't missed too much."

  "Close your eyes, darlin'." His bare hands skimmed over every inch of my skin before finally gathering up my loofa and body wash. I could smell the faint aroma of sandalwood and lotus. "Not too much."

  "Shh."

  He just shushed me? I started to get irritated, but then the loofa touched my hypersensitive skin and I found myself not being able to form a coherent thought, as his hands made their way all across my body. Everywhere the loofa skimmed, his lips followed closely behind leaving a trail of kisses along every inch of me.

  When I felt his presence disappear from in front of me, I almost panicked. That was, until I felt his warm slick tongue slip between my folds. My back fell firmly against the cool tile wall, arms and hands splayed wide at my sides trying to clutch onto the slippery surface.

  He started slow, making small circles around my clit and then making his way further down until his tongue was positioned at my entrance. "Yes." I moaned. Without a second thought, his tongue slipped inside and then out of me. He repeated the overwhelming motion for a few more seconds, before my once warm and slick heat was now cold.

  My eyes were still closed, mainly in fear that he would tell me to close them again if I tried to open them, but the heightened pleasure I felt from the unknown, was earth shattering. I sucked in a tight breath waiting for him to make another move, but I found myself getting worried. Had he just left me in here all alone, after that? Before I could open my eyes, I got my answer.

  I could feel his erection positioned at my very wet entrance, but he stood unmoving. I reached out for his hips, needing to pull him into me, literally. He caught them both and held them high above my head with one hand as he slid the tip of his erection up and down my slick folds. The feeling that shot through me was unbelievable. If he kept this up, I would be coming unglued within seconds.

  "Please cowboy." I couldn't contain the breathlessness in my voice.

  Without hesitation, he slowly entered me. Madison knew I liked it rough, so I couldn't help but wonder why he was holding back. I pressed myself into him, urging him to go harder, but he stayed slow and steady.

  His wet lips made a trail of featherlike kisses across my breasts and then finally made their way up to the base of my neck.

  "This is for missing your birthday." Another kiss, "and this is for missing New Years." This last kiss lasted longer and it was soft against my pouty lips, "and this is for missing out on the first part of our pregnancy."

  When he was finished, words melted away, leaving nothing but the two of us, wet and ready to go. Without question, he spun me around and bent me over just slightly. He entered me again, but this time he was back to his normal fast paced self. He pushed in and out of me with a force that had my heart racing. With a gentle tug of my hair, I let go and let the waves of my orgasm crash through me. I could feel him getting closer, so he picked up his pace. Minutes later, he found his release. Our labored breathing, the only sound we could hear throughout the small confines of my bathroom.

  As our breath finally began to even out, I turned around and looked at the man I knew I would one day marry. "So what do you think of Misty for a girl?"

  He had been leaning against the cool wall trying to catch his breath, when his head shot straight up. "You're joking right?"

  "Not at all. What's wrong with Misty Raine?" I couldn't control myself any longer. Laughter took over and shook my entire body. The look on his face was priceless and I would've kept it up telling him that for a boy's name I was thinking, Long, but the laughter consumed me. It felt nice to have him back home, right where he belonged. With me.

  Chapter 27

  Madison

  I felt reenergized after our shower and as we headed downstairs to breakfast, I vowed to myself to never miss another pivotal moment in our lives. I knew Kayla said it didn't bother her, all the times I had missed, but guilt was slowly taking over me. I think more than anything, I was most bummed about missin' her eighteenth birthday. I knew it wasn't a huge deal to her, but to me eighteen was a big milestone.

  Kayla’s grandparents greeted us and then we all sat down to a nice breakfast consisting of eggs, hash browns and sausage. It was a simple meal, but man how I had missed some good home cookin' as of late.

  "So, any plans today?" Mr. James interjected.

  Kayla shook her head slightly as she smiled from the seat across from me.

  "I think I'll go spend some time with my gran. Other than that, just hangin' with my girl and our little one before she heads back to school tomorrow."

  The table fell eerily quiet and I knew I was missin' somethin'. "What?" I glanced between Kayla's gran
dfather and grandmother, but neither of them looked up from their plates. "Someone please tell me what is goin' on before I lose my mind here."

  Kayla looked up from underneath those long black lashes. "I was gonna tell you later, but I guess now is as good a time as any. I'm finished with school." She sat back in her chair awaiting my response.

  I leaned forward with my elbows on the table and my chin restin' on my knuckles. "What do ya mean you're finished?"

  She cleared her throat before she explained. "Well, once I started showin', I started havin' some trouble. Nothing too major, but some of the girls at school have a way with words. It started with staring and whispers in the hall, but it quickly progressed to more. I just didn't feel comfortable, or safe there anymore. Word got out about Wren and your father and from that moment on, people started to be, well....cruel. Joey tried to keep them off my back, but it was just beginning to become too much for me to handle. I know the situation I put myself in, and I can handle that, but.." Her hand reached for mine and I let her take it. I let her feel the comfort roll from my body to hers and it was enough for her to continue.

  "They started writing things on my locker and calling me names. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but then I came out to my tires slashed on my truck one day. That was the last straw for me. So, I've been taking classes on a one on one basis with Mr. Ferrel and I just finished up this last week. I'm actually able to graduate early and still walk with my class at graduation, if I want to."

  My hand tensed around hers and I quickly let go not wanting to hurt her. "Why didn't anyone tell me?" I growled.

  "Madison, it's okay. It wasn't much to worry about. We got it taken care of and it actually works out a little bit better this way. Now I can concentrate on staying healthy and comfortable until this little one is ready to enter the world."