21
Jaxon
Moving down the long driveway to my parents' house—which I still call home—I'm hit with a sudden jolt of nerves. I hadn't thought this through. All I knew when I saw Poppy and, figured out I was going to be a Dad, was that I wouldn't let her go. I needed her with me so I could make sure she didn't disappear as quickly as she had the last time.
My parents are cool, but perhaps I should have given some thought to having a woman move in with me, and the fact she's pregnant. I wince at the idea of the lecture that Dad and my uncles might give me. Growing up, they'd grilled safe sex into our heads, to the point of it becoming embarrassing.
After being with Poppy, I never wanted a rubber to separate us. She'd felt terrific wrapped around me—all slick and hot and sexy as fuck.
Groaning, I shift uncomfortably in my seat while at the same time, I hope I get the opportunity to experience that again. I know I need to tread carefully. The last thing I want is for her to be in tears because of me. My sister Sofia was always crying while she was pregnant, much to her husband, Shane’s horror.
So, stopping the car in front of the ranch-style house, I'm relieved that I thought about my sister. The family has a habit of dousing any lust running through my blood.
Switching the engine off, I unclip my belt and run around to Poppy's side. She's still snoozing and looks so damn cute that I want to cradle her in my arms and take her straight to my bed. I want to hold onto her while she sleeps—that’s all I want right now—to keep her and know she is mine.
Instead, I catch Mom hovering at the window as I lean forward and brush Poppy’s dark hair back from her face. She moans seconds before her green eyes focus on mine. “We’re here,” I whisper.
“Hmm,” she stretches and pauses when she notices my eyes caressing her body.
“You’re beautiful.” I smile and quickly kiss her on the lips. “Let’s go inside before Mom thinks I’ve lost my manners.”
Unclipping her belt, I enjoy the way she reacts to me being close, so I make sure to hold her gaze as I grab her hips and lift her down to the ground. Her eyes darken, and if I'm not careful, Mom is going to get an eye full—of something no son ever wants his mother to see.
“I’m nervous, Jaxon,” Poppy admits, chewing on her lip.
“If you don’t stop chewing on your lip, I’m going to put my mouth there and give my mom something to watch,” I growl.
“You wouldn’t dare?”
With a smirk, I cup the back of her head. Holding her close, I press a kiss against her plump lips. “I don’t want to stop,” I whisper, my eyes following the tip of her tongue as she runs it between the seam of her lips. “But,” I force out, “we need to.” Taking a step back, I take her hand and gently tug her toward the house.
Glancing at the windows of the house, I can’t spot Mom peeping through the curtains anymore. Smiling, I turn and look at Poppy, who looks like I'm leading her into the lion's den. I chuckle. "Mom and Dad are great. You have no reason to worry. Trust me." I squeeze her hand and pull her into my home.
I roll my eyes when I notice Mom and Dad on the sofa, Dad, with his arm around Mom as she snuggles into his side.
Poppy fidgets beside me and hisses, “Jaxon, say something.”
Giving an awkward laugh, I clear my throat. “Poppy, this is my mom and dad, Rosie and Ruben.”
Mom jumps up. “It’s lovely to meet you, Poppy.” She raises a brow, staring at me like I’m a naughty child. “Jaxon?”
"Poppy is my girlfriend, and she's pregnant." I grin so damn full that I catch Dad off guard.
Poppy looks just as surprised as my parents do after my admission. I'm not sure at which part though, at least from my parents' point of view. I know I've surprised Poppy with calling her, my girlfriend. I'm not calling her anything else—she's carrying my child, so I'm allowed to have a claim over her.
“Another grandchild?” Mom whispers. “Oh, Ruben.”
Dad moves in behind Mom and wraps an arm around her waist. “Welcome to the family, Poppy,” Dad says in a rough voice. “It’s nice to meet the woman who has had our son tied in knots for months.”
“We had a misunderstanding,” I add. “I’ve asked Poppy to move in here with me until we can find a place of our own.”
“Of course.” Mom grins, her hands twitching. “How far along are you?”
“Just over four months.”
“Baby will be moving now?” Mom says, excitement in her eyes.
“Yes.” Poppy grins, her free hand caressing the baby bump.