Rock-a-Bye, Baby

I didn’t hesitate with my answer. “Damn fucking straight.” Her whole face lit up, and she beamed at me as though I’d handed her the keys to a kingdom. An image of a little girl with long brown hair and sweet brown eyes looking up at me like that formed in my mind. I’d seen flashes of her ever since we realized we forgot a condom that first time.

While it made me anxious to start a family with Belle, I hadn’t made a nefarious, conscious decision to knock her up. However, I hadn’t exactly fought it when we got carried away and didn’t use protection the three other times that we’d made love.

It was a conversation we needed to have, but first, I needed to explain to her about my commitment in LA. I was contractually obligated to be at my label’s studio to record Rising Phoenix’s new album. But, if we busted our asses, we could get it done in a matter of weeks. I could probably take off as soon as I laid down the track with Levi and Brooklynn, who would be there to record in three weeks. As long as our producer didn’t come at us with a request for any new songs. That was always what hung us up with our other albums.

I hated the idea of being away from her for even a few days, but after this, I wouldn’t leave again without taking her with me. Which brought up another situation I would need to handle. The band.

We’d been offered a long-term, joint contract with The Lennox and its neighboring hotel and casino, The Artemis. We hadn’t made a decision about whether we wanted to take it, although the idea of accepting a gig that would mean very little travel was definitely appealing. I hoped my bandmates would agree, but if they didn’t, we would have to go our separate ways. It hurt my heart to think of it, but being without Belle would rip out my soul.

Belle took a deep breath, and it rubbed her body against mine in all the right ways. Everything else but her faded away like it did every time I held her in my arms. “So, back to staying naked…”

She giggled and shook her head. “I have a wedding today. I need to go home and change, then get to the shop and make sure everything is ready. After that, I’ll head to the chapel and oversee the delivery and placement of the flowers.”

“Well, shit,” I grumbled with a teasing smile. “I was hoping to keep you tied to my bed all day.”

Her head cocked to the side, and she winked saucily as she patted my chest. “I’ll be done around nine; we can discuss your idea then.”

I felt my lips tip up in a wicked expression. “I’m going to hold you to that, baby.”

Bell laughed and wiggled out of my arms. I stood and watched her delectable ass sway as she went around picking up her discarded pieces of clothing.

Once she’d gathered everything and disappeared into the bathroom, I was able to shake myself out of my lustful stupor and quickly dressed in ripped jeans and a fitted, grey T-shirt. Then I slipped on a pair of flip-flops and walked to the dresser to grab my keys and wallet. Belle walked out just as I shoved them in my pocket. She had an uncertain expression on her face and was walking a little funny.

She glanced up and her face was flushed, making me very curious. “Um, you ripped my underwear, and they weren’t salvageable.”

I cocked my head to the side in silent question, suppressing my instinct to preen like a fucking peacock.

“I’ve never gone without…um…panties, and it’s a strange sensation.” Her blush deepened, and now that I knew that the flush would spread throughout her body, my mouth itched to kiss every pink inch. “I guess I could get used to it.”

Her comment was like being doused with cold water. “Absolutely not, Belle,” I growled. I prowled over to her and placed a hand on her lower back, while the other cupped her through her jeans. “Unless I tell you otherwise, I expect you to keep this pussy covered. The thought of you walking around, near other men, and the possibility of them smelling your sweetness drives me out of my fucking mind”—I smacked her round ass—“So, let’s get you home and you can put my mind at ease.”

Belle yelped but didn’t protest as she stepped away and grabbed her purse. In fact, she had a twinkle in her brown eyes and a satisfied tilt to her plump lips. We were almost to the elevator door when she stopped and spun around. “Wait, you’re coming with me?”

I nodded and drew a finger down her cheek. “Yeah, I’d love to see your shop and watch you work. Then we can go to dinner after you’re done.”