Her index finger traced the line of his lips. He captured the end and drew it into his mouth and sucked. Her eyes darkened. She slowly removed her finger. His manhood flinched. Did she have any idea how erotic she was?
Phoebe’s small hand ran down the side of his neck in a gentle motion. It glided over his shoulder. She placed a kiss there. Her hair hid her face as it flowed over his skin like silk. He couldn’t resist touching it, watching it move through his fingers. Pushing it away from her face, he cupped her cheek and brought her lips to his. She eagerly accepted. Her hands fluttered across his chest, moving up to the nape of his neck.
When he leaned over to take the kiss deeper, Phoebe pushed against his shoulders, breaking the connection. One hand at his neck dropped lower to run across his chest. She took an infinite amount of time tracing each of his ribs. As if she was trying to commit each curve, dip and rise of him to memory. His muscles quivered from the attention.
Her hand went lower, a finger dipping into his belly button. At his sharp inhalation she giggled. He loved the sound. Her hand moved to his side and rubbed up and down it to return to his stomach. She smoothed her fingers over his hip. The tips slipped under the elastic band of his boxers and retreated just as quickly.
Phoebe rose enough to accommodate the baby and kissed the center of his chest. At the same time her fingers went deeper under his boxers than before, touching the tip of his manhood.
Only with a force of control he hadn’t known he possessed did he manage not to lose it.
Pulling her back, he gathered her to him and kissed her with a depth of need he was afraid to examine. She clung to him as if she never wanted to let him go.
“Phoebe, I need you now.”
“I’m here.”
Ryan scooted off the bed and removed his boxers. Phoebe’s intake of breath made his manhood rise. He held out his hand and she took it, standing. His hands found the waistband of her undies and slipped them down her legs. She stepped out of them. He flipped the covers back to the end of the bed. Phoebe climbed in and seconds later he had her in his arms again.
“I don’t want to hurt you. Or the baby.”
She met his direct look with one of her own. “You would never do that.”
The confidence she had in him shook him to the core. This wouldn’t just be a physical joining but an emotional one, as well. He’d never intended to care but he did.
Ryan shifted to the center of the bed, then brought her over him until she straddled his waist. On her knees above him, her beautiful full breasts hung down like juicy melons, tempting him to feast. He wasted no time in doing so. As he savored all that was offered, Phoebe shifted so that her entrance teased his length. It ached in anticipation of finding home.
Phoebe kissed him as he lifted her hips and positioned her on him. He slid into her and they became one. He held his breath. It wasn’t he but she who moved first. He joined her. Using his hands, he helped control their movements. At her frustrated sound he eased his grip and she settled farther down on him.
His hands remained lightly on her as he guided her up and down again and again. She was a beauty with her golden hair hanging down, her eyes closed and her head thrown back. With a shudder and a hiss of pleasure, she looked at him and gave him a dreamy smile.
Yes, he was the king of the world.
He kissed her deeply and flexed his hips against hers. After two powerful thrusts he found his own bliss.
Phoebe rolled off Ryan. Her head came to rest on his arm, a hand on his chest, her baby between them. She wished it would always be this way. She loved Ryan. He cared for her. She had no doubt of that. His lovemaking proved it. But would he ever admit it to himself or her that he might want something lasting? It didn’t matter, it wouldn’t change how she felt.
She yawned. “I’m tired.”
Ryan grinned. “Me, too. For a pregnant lady you sure can be rough on a man.”
“So what you’re saying is that you’re not man enough for me.”
Ryan pulled her to him for a kiss that curled her toes. His already growing manhood pushed against her leg.
“You need me to prove I’m man enough?”
“No, I think you did that just fine a few minutes ago. Right now, I need to rest. Too much dining, dancing and man.” Her eyes closed to the feel of Ryan’s hand rubbing her back.
Phoebe woke to the sun streaming through the bedroom window. She was alone. Panic filled her. Had Ryan left?
A clang came from the direction of the kitchen. She’d woken once during the night. Her back had been against his solid chest and his hand had cupped her right breast. It had been a perfect night. She wanted more of them.
He’d said nothing about how he felt. He had been an attentive and caring lover. She had never felt more desired. Still, she might be reading more into his actions than there was.
“Hey, I was hoping you were still asleep.” Ryan walked into the room with a smile on his face and carrying a tray.
Phoebe pulled the sheet up to cover her chest. “Good morning to you, too. What do you have there?”
“It’s supposed to be your breakfast in bed.”
She’d never had anyone feed her in bed. Sitting up, she peered at the tray. “Really? That sounds nice.”
He didn’t seem to feel any morning-after awkwardness. She would be happy to follow his lead. Her biggest fear the night before had been that she would be a disappointment because of her size. The second fear had been that there would be unease between them this morning. Ryan had made it clear he wasn’t turned off by her body. By his actions so far this morning, he was the same Ryan he had been last night.
He sat the tray at the end of the bed. She recognized it as one off the table in her living room. On it was sliced apples, two bowls of cereal and two glasses of orange juice.
“Lean forward.”
Phoebe did as he asked. Ryan stuffed pillows behind her and she settled back. He joined her on the bed.
“No bacon and eggs?” She added a mock pout. “Afraid you’d burn yourself?
“You’re so funny. I did what I was capable of doing. We can have something more substantial later.”
“This looks wonderful to me.”
She kissed him on the cheek.
“That wasn’t much of a thank-you kiss. I think you can do better.” His lips found hers. Seconds later Phoebe wanted to forget about their breakfast and concentrate on nothing but Ryan. Her arms went around his neck and she pulled him closer.
Ryan broke the kiss. “We need to be careful or we’ll have juice and cereal everywhere. As much as I’d like to go on kissing you, I know you need nutrition.”
“That sounded very midwife-ish.”
H
e lowered his chin and gave her a serious look. “Well, that’s what I am.”
“And you are mine.”
He was hers. Ryan liked the sound of that but he could never be what she needed. He couldn’t commit to being hers, like she deserved. He wasn’t who she thought he was. She should have someone who could love her wholeheartedly, holding nothing back. He had to see to it that their relationship remained light and easy. But after what had happened between them last night, that might be impossible.
“As your medical professional, I say eat.”
“Can I put something on first?”
“I don’t mind you the way you are.” He grinned. “That’s sweet of you to say but I think I’d be less self-conscious with my gown on. After all, you have your underwear on.”
Ryan stood. “Okay, if it’ll get you to eat something, tell me where your gowns are.”
She pointed to a chest. “Second drawer.”
He didn’t make a habit of going through a woman’s personal things and found it almost too much like they were in a lifelong relationship to do so in Phoebe’s. As quickly as he could, he pulled out a light blue gown. Returning to her, he helped her slip it over her head. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he asked, “Satisfied now?”
“Yes, I’m not used to breakfast in bed and I’m sure not used to sharing it with someone when I have no clothes on.”
“I like you naked.”
“Even with this beach ball of a belly?” She touched her middle.
He kissed her. “Women are at their prettiest when they are expecting. You glow.”
She gathered her hair and pulled it over one shoulder. Her chin went up and she batted her eyelashes. “I glow? I like that.”
“Yes, you glow but you would be brighter if you’d eat something.” Ryan pulled the tray closer and handed her a glass of juice.
They spent the next few minutes discussing the wedding, the weather and what other plans she had for the baby’s room.
When they had finished eating Ryan stood, took the tray and was on his way out the door when Phoebe’s squeak stopped him. He wheeled to look at her. Concern washed over him. Was something wrong? Should he take her to the hospital? “Are you okay?”