The Proposition

  Swallowing hard, he finally responded, “Um, yeah, sure.”

  Any doubt about his decision faded at the expression of pure, unadulterated happiness that flashed on Emma’s face. Knowing he was the reason behind it warmed him straight through to his soul. It was a feeling he thought he could come to enjoy experiencing more of.

  “Great,” she replied, nibbling on her last French fry.

  He couldn’t help grinning when he surveyed her empty plate. “Would you like some dessert?”

  She pursed her lips at his teasing. “No, I’m good for now, thanks.”

  “Then can we please get the hell out of here and go back to your house before I have a permanent case of blue balls?”

  Emma giggled. “I guess so. Just be glad I have some Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer, or we would be making a pit stop.”

  Aidan groaned as he threw a wad of bills on the table. “You love to torture me, don’t you?”

  Running her hand up his thigh, Emma stopped just before she touched his cock. When he sucked in a sharp breath, she merely took her hand away and picked up her drink. Swirling the straw around, she then brought it to her lips and worked it in and out of her mouth while she drank. “Hmm, that’s so good.”

  His mouth gaped open in shock. He couldn’t believe she was doing this to him. His sweet, innocent Emma, the mother of his child, was being a total cock-tease. And in some small way, he was enjoying the hell out of it.

  When she finally looked at him, she burst out laughing. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

  “Just make sure you keep that attitude up the rest the night,” Aidan replied, nudging her out of the booth.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  After they left O’Malley’s, Aidan followed Emma home. When she pulled in the garage, she hopped out of her car and met him in the driveway. He glanced around the yard. “Where’s Beau?”

  Emma laughed. “I put him in his swinging bachelor’s pad down in the basement before I came to meet you. Want me to go let him out?”

  He shook his head as they started up the walk-way “No, I can wait to see him until after I devour you at least once.”

  Emma made a tsking noise. “Poor Beau. His Daddy is always thinking of his own needs first.”

  Aidan laughed. “He’s a dude, so he would totally understand.”

  “Oh really?”

  “You better believe if some bitch in heat came by, he wouldn’t think twice about thinking with his dick and running out on me.”

  “Is that what I am to you? A bitch in heat?” Emma questioned, feigning outrage.

  “Of course not…well, you might’ve been before I got you pregnant.”

  Shaking her head at him, she unlocked the front door and held it open for Aidan. When she turned to close and lock it behind them, Aidan beat her to the punch. Grabbing her from behind, he took her hands and placed them flush against the wooden door. He buried his face into the side of her neck before wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his erection against her backside. Grinding into her, he moaned, “God, Em, I want you so much it hurts.”

  The feel of his need against her caused warmth to flood her core. She had missed him emotionally, but the growing ache between her legs was her body’s way of showing her just how much he had been missed physically.

  One of his hands slid from her waist up her torso to cup her breast. When he kneaded it roughly like she usually enjoyed, she yelped in pain, rather than pleasure.

  At her reaction, Aidan instantly tensed. He spun her around to face him, his brows creased with worry. “I’m sorry, Em. You used to get off when I did that.”

  She cupped his face in her hands, rubbing her thumbs along his jaw-line. “It’s not your fault. I should have warned you that my breasts are…” She bit her lip and tried to imagine how she was going to explain this. “Well, they’re really tender right now because of being pregnant.” Even though she tried fighting it, she felt her face flushing in embarrassment.

  “Oh, I see.” When she forced herself to look at Aidan, he was staring quizzically at her breasts. After he scratched his chin, Emma asked, “What?”

  “Is there, like, milk already in them or something?”

  She laughed. “No, no, it’s nothing like that.”

  Although he seemed relieved, he still wasn’t touching her. Slowly, she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head. She held Aidan’s smoldering gaze as she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. After she let it drop to the floor, she took his hands in hers and brought them to her chest. “Just be gentle, okay?” She worked his hands over her breasts, illustrating the pattern and pressure to use. “Mmm, that’s good,” she said.

  As his fingers rolled and teased her nipples to hardened peaks, he arched his eyebrows questioningly at her. “Very good,” she murmured.

  While he kept up his ministrations, she reached over to loosen his tie. Once she slipped it off, she started at the buttons on his shirt. After whisking it away, she started for his belt buckle. She must not have been moving fast enough because Aidan’s hands left her breasts to unzip and kick off his pants.

  At the sight of his rumpled boxers—the very ones he was wearing just for her to conceive— she grinned. Taking his hand, she led him down the hall towards the bedroom. He used his free hand to caress her backside. It was like he couldn’t stop touching her even for a second. When they got into the bedroom, he slid his hand from her buttocks to grip her waist, pulling her towards him. She wrapped her arms around his chest, enjoying the sensation of feeling his bare skin on her breasts.

  Aidan’s mouth met Emma’s in a frenzied, desperate kiss as she guided them over to the bed. She brought her hands to his chest and shoved him, sending him sprawling onto the bed. Instead of lying down, he raised himself up into a sitting position. Grabbing Emma’s hips, Aidan tugged her closer.

  After spending a few minutes delicately licking and sucking her nipples, he kissed from the hollow of her breasts down over her stomach. His nimble fingers whisked off her panties, leaving her naked and feeling vulnerable in front of him. When he didn’t begin kissing or stroking her, Emma glanced down at him. Her breath hitched at the sight of him staring at her belly.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” he murmured.

  “You didn’t expect me to already be showing, did you?”

  “No, of course not. But your body is already changing in little ways. I can tell.” Lightly, he grazed her abdomen with the back of his fingers. He wore an almost mesmerized expression. “So there’s a part of me in there, huh?”

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  He titled his head to the side, smiling up at her. “Damn. That’s pretty amazing when you stop to think about it.”

  The tiny fluttering of her heart broke into a full gallop at his words. “It is.”

  When Aidan leaned in to feather tender kisses across her belly, Emma came undone. The gesture brought tears to her eyes. She bit down so hard on her bottom lip to keep from sobbing that a metallic rush of blood filled her mouth. Just as she thought she might go over the emotional abyss, he flicked his tongue over her clit while his fingers sought out her core. Gasping, she brought her hand to his hair and fisted the strands. All thoughts escaped her mind except for the exquisite torment of his tongue as it licked and sucked over her sex.

  It didn’t take long for her to throw her head back and cry out his name as she came. As her body was still reeling, he gripped her waist and spun her around, pushing her towards the bed. Emma fought the wave of dizziness that spiraled over her that was unfortunately not the usual post orgasm kind, but instead was another aspect of pregnancy plaguing her.

  With a hungry smile, Aidan pressed her down onto the mattress. But then when positioned himself over her body, he froze. He then rocked back to sit on his knees between her legs. “What’s wrong?” Emma asked.

  He scratched his head. “Um, I don’t quite know how to say this.”


  Propping up on her elbows, Emma asked, “What do you mean?”

  “Here’s the thing. I’m kind of afraid.”

  Emma felt like her eyebrows were going to shoot right off her forehead. “Excuse me?”

  “What I mean is, I’m afraid of doing something that will hurt the baby. Like crushing it with my body on yours or thrusting too deep or some shit like that.”

  “Oh, I see,” she murmured. She fought the urge to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Never in a million years would she have imagined Aidan being afraid of sex.

  “Well, my doctor didn’t say anything about abstaining from sex, so I think we’ll be fine.”

  Hope flashed in Aidan’s eyes. “You think?”

  She could no longer hold back her laugher. “Yes, I’m positive.”

  “Oh, so this is funny now?”

  She nodded. “If you could see the look on your face.”

  Scowling, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, excuse me, for wanting to protect our child.”

  Emma rose up and took Aidan’s face in her hands. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. It’s just that most couples, married or unmarried, don’t stop having sex when pregnancy happens.” When he started to argue, she put a finger over his lips to silence him. “But I do appreciate your worry and concern. Each and every time we’ve been together, you’ve always been considerate not to do anything that would hurt me. I’m sure you’ll continue doing the same thing now.”

  He grimaced. “It’s just…I’m worried because it’s been awhile for me. If I’m being totally honest, it’s one of the longest periods of going without sex in my adult life, and I’m worried about getting too carried away.”

  “It’ll be fine. Trust me, I’ll let you know if something is wrong.”

  Aidan gave her a wary look before he nodded.

  “Now why don’t you make love to me? Nice and slow,” she said.

  Aidan blew out a puff of air. “I can try.”

  Emma couldn’t help giggling at the determined expression on his face. “I can’t believe Mr. Aidan Fitzgerald—Sex God Extraordinaire—is doubting his bedroom abilities.”

  At her taunting, Aidan’s expressed flipped over from anxious to smoldering in barely a second. “There goes that mouth of yours again,” he replied, his voice low and husky.

  “Umm, hmm,” Emma murmured, bringing his face to hers. She needed his warm lips on hers desperately. Sliding her tongue into his mouth, she caressed his, causing him to groan deep in the back of his throat.

  Emma reached between them and took his erection in her hand. She stroked him hard and fast, causing Aidan’s jaw to clench. After working his glorious length a few more moments, Aidan grunted, his hips bucking back and forth into her hand.

  “Em,” he murmured.

  She then guided his erection to her folds. He entered her slowly, tediously, inch by inch, until she was filled with him. She realized then how much she had missed the feeling of him being inside her. When he pulled out, Emma gasped at the empty feeling. His frantic eyes met hers, and she smiled. “It’s okay. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

  “I’ll try,” he replied, plunging back inside of her.

  Emma gripped Aidan’s shoulders while widening her legs. His pace became exquisitely languorous. With each stroke, Emma raised her hips to meet him. They moved in perfect unison together, panting and drawing breaths in the same measure.

  Aidan took Emma’s hand and brought it between them. “Touch yourself,” he instructed. Embarrassment filled her at his request. When she started to jerk her hand away, Aidan shook his head. “If you won’t touch yourself, then touch me…touch us.”

  A shudder went through her at his words, and she felt herself not only relenting but feeling wildly turned on. Tentatively, she slid her hand down to where they were joined, feeling him sliding in and out of her. She ran her fingers over his cock, slick from their shared arousals. Aidan moaned in approval. “Yeah, babe. Oh fuck, that feels good.” After working him over, she finally brought her hand back to her clit and started to stroke and rub it.

  Closing her eyes, she let the feeling wash over her. It was almost too much—the sensation from Aidan thrusting in and out coupled with stimulating herself. It didn’t take long for an orgasm to build and ripple through her. “Aidan! Oh Aidan!” she screamed.

  “Oh, fuck, Em, I don’t think I’m going to last much longer,” Aidan said, through gritted teeth.

  She brought her lips to his, kissing him hard and passionately while he shuddered and came into her. He fell against her like he usually did, covering her body with his. “Dammit to hell!” he cursed. His expression was one of horror when he met her gaze. “Christ, did I hurt you just then?”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “Aidan, would you stop worrying? I’m fine.”

  “You sure?”

  She grinned. “Maybe ready for dessert.”

  He snorted. “I thought what we just did was some fucking wild dessert!”

  “Hmm, well, that was really, really hot, but I’m more in the mood for something cold and sweet.” When he quirked his eyebrows at her, she giggled. “But what we just did was pretty sweet too!”

  “Let me guess. Ben & Jerry’s are calling your name, huh?”

  Emma nodded.

  “Then let me be a true gentleman and go get it for you.”

  “Ooh, post sex ice cream…how romantic!” she mused.

  “There goes that mouth of yours again,” Aidan replied, as he climbed out of bed and started for the kitchen.

  “Good thing I’m about to fill it with ice cream, huh?”

  Aidan winked at her over his shoulder. “I could think of something better to cram in your mouth.”

  She tossed a pillow at him for his audacity. “Go get the ice cream, and I’ll think of letting you back in this bed.”

  “Oh, you’ll let me back. In fact, I’ll wager you’ll be begging me.”

  As he started out of the bedroom, Emma couldn’t help shivering in anticipation of what the rest of the night held in store.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Drifting between sleep and consciousness, Emma felt something moist trailing up her bare back and over her neck. When Aidan pressed his morning erection against her backside, her eyes flew open. She turned to gaze at him over her shoulder. “Good morning to you, too. Or should I say the both of you,” she said, her voice laced with amusement.

  Aidan’s chuckle hummed in her ear. “I’m sorry I woke you. I couldn’t help getting so turned on when I woke up next to a fiery, naked goddess.”

  “Are you thinking by merely flattering me I’m going to let you have your way with me again?”

  “I sure as hell hope so.”

  “Hmm, I thought I gave you your consolation sex prize last night. I don’t recall this morning being a part of the deal.”

  “So you want to tease me and play hard to get, huh?” Aidan snaked his hand across her belly and between her legs. She sucked in a breath. “Was that a yes?” he asked, his fingers speeding up their tempo.

  “It’s definitely not a no,” she murmured, tilting her head back against his shoulder.

  Just as she felt herself building to an orgasm, the familiar morning nausea seized her. “No, no, stop!” she cried.

  Aidan gazed down at her in surprise. “What’s wrong?”

  “I—” She clapped her hand over her mouth, willing herself not to throw up on him. She clambered over his legs and streaked into the bathroom. She barely made it before her stomach clenched. She gripped the sides of toilet seat and retched violently. Over and over, her stomach heaved. Exhausted, she sank to her knees. When she glanced up, Aidan stood framed in the doorway. He had managed to slide on his underwear, and she noticed her episode had killed his libido.

  “Morning sickness?”

  “Umm, hmm,” she moaned.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, I—” She heaved again. Dragging her arm across her mouth, she didn’t dare l
ook at Aidan. It was too embarrassing having him see her this way. Staring at the tile, she said, “I’m fine. Really. Go back to bed.”

  Without a word, Aidan left the bathroom. Emma couldn’t blame him. She could only imagine this unattractive aspect to pregnancy would just be another reason to drive him away. What would he want with someone like her when he could have any woman he wanted?

  Pressing her cheek against the toilet lid, she felt the bile rising in her throat again. She silently willed herself not to get sick again. Then Aidan appeared in the doorway. Emma peered up to see a glass of water and a bag of saltine crackers in his hands. When she stared at him in shock, he gave her a sheepish grin. “I thought this might help.”

  He hadn’t run away. Instead, he had tried to find something to make her better. The gesture sent Emma’s emotions reeling like an out of control Merry-Go-Round. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Instead of leaving them on the counter and running out the door, he grabbed the hand towel and ran it under the cold water. He then eased down beside her, taking Emma’s face in his hands. “Aidan, you don’t--” she protested.

  “Shh, just let me take care of you.” Tenderly, he swiped the rag across her cheeks and her forehead. The gesture tugged at her heart, and overwhelming love for him radiated in her chest. If there had ever been a doubt to the depth of her feelings, it was cemented at that moment. She closed her eyes so he wouldn’t see her tears. “Does that feel nice?”

  Unable to speak, she bobbed her head.

  “I’m so sorry about the puking,” he said.

  Her eyes flew open. “It’s not your fault.”

  He grinned. “Well, it kind of is considering I knocked you up.”

  She gave him a weak smile. “But I asked you to. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”

  “Has it been bad so far?”

  She nodded. “Every morning…some afternoons.” She shuddered. “And then certain smells.”

  Aidan twisted the rag in his hands. “I wish I could do something to help. I feel so helpless having to watch you suffer.”

  Her chest constricted again at his words. “It’s enough you just being here—comforting me like this.” She reached out to touch his cheek. “You have such a good heart and so much love to give. You’re going to be a wonderful father.”