It Started with a Kiss

Cammie laughs nervously. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence sweeps across the group, and we all stare at Cammie. Then, in unison, we turn our attention to Cade when he says, “We’re having a baby.”

Tealey practically treks across the top of the table to get to her friend. While they lock in an embrace, Marlow rushes over to join in. I stand and move around the chairs, holding my hand out to Cade. “Congratulations.” When he shakes my hand, I pull him into a hug and pat him on the back. “Great news, man.”

“Thanks,” he replies and then turns to Rad, who is waiting to do the same.

It takes a minute for us to get around each other, but I finally get to hug Cammie. “Congratulations, Cam.”

“Thanks, Jackson,” she replies with her chin just barely reaching my shoulder.

When we settle back in our seats, Rad raises a glass in their direction and says, “We’ve been there since the moment you guys met . . . not when Cade showed up to deliver a pizza, but pretty much since then you two were inseparable. I know I can speak for everyone and say, we couldn’t be happier for you. Here’s to the soon-to-be new parents and to the crew expanding into the next generation.”

“Cheers,” echoes across the table.

With so much good news, the night flies too fast, and we’re all heading off in our own directions right after. With my arm around Marlow’s shoulders in the back of the car, I ask, “Did you have fun?”

“So much fun.” Her head rolls to the side as she looks at me. The outside lights trapped in her eyes. “Tonight was wonderful.”

I kiss her because she’s my girlfriend. Damn, I love that I can finally call her mine. “It was pretty fucking fantastic.” We have a few more blocks to travel, so I figure I might as well make the most of the time. “Do you have plans tomorrow?”

Tilting back, she grins. “You already trying to get rid of me?”

“No, I’m trying to devise plans to spend more time with you.”

“I like that. I’m all yours. What are we doing?”

We stop at a light, and hoards of people cross the street in front of us. One bangs on the hood of the taxi, but that’s normal in the city. I turn my attention back to Marlow, and ask, “I’m having dinner with my family tomorrow. I’d already promised my sister at dinner on Tuesday since I haven’t been around in a few weeks. Will you come with me?”

She slides upright, her expression soft like her skin. “You want me to have dinner with your family?”

“It’s not like you don’t know them.”

“But this is different.”

My arm tightens around her shoulders, and she moves closer, snuggling in. “This is different. That’s why I want you there, not as a friend but as my girlfriend.”

Lifting up, she kisses me and then rubs the gloss she applied after dinner from my lip. “I’d like that.” A quick breath is stolen between us, and she kisses me again, deepening it this time. I reach to hold her, her frame almost a wisp compared to mine. Pressing her against the seat, I hover over, kissing her as deep as she’ll let me.

The car comes to a sudden stop. I look back at the driver. Not amused, she says, “We’re here.”

I lick my lips and then pull my wallet from my pocket to pay. The interruption doesn’t last long. Marlow and I pick up where we left off as soon as the elevator door closes. Pinning her in the corner, I cage her in with my hands on the wall next to her head.

Her hands slide over my shoulders, digging in even through the thickness of my suit jacket. The elevator reaches my floor, and we’re rushing toward my door. I unlock it and toss the keys on the table. With our lips still locked, I strip her coat off and kick the door closed. While she’s scrambling to remove my jacket, I can barely free myself enough to lock the bolt. My shoes are coming off as I spin her to the side to find the zipper under her arm.

As she reaches down to release the buckle at her ankle, she’s steady enough for me to unzip her dress, which runs the length of the material. When the dress falls to the floor and reveals her tight and curvy body, my dick twitches.

I leave her balancing on one heel and using my shoulder to hold while I drop to one knee to undo the other strap around her ankle. While I hold the shoe, she slips her foot out. I set it aside, but I stay kneeling in front of her.

Taking in every inch of her body until I reach her eyes, I lick my lips, thirsty for this woman. As soon as I take hold of one of the sides of the lace on her hip, her hand grabs me. “You never did replace the last pair.”