War And Peace: This Is Me, Baby Part 11

"This will feel a little uncomfortable, but just try to relax," Dr. Ling says in a calm voice. I feel pressure as she pushes the lubricated wand into me. The nurse turns some dials on the screen beside the bed.

"You're doing a great job," Ren whispers before kissing me on the forehead.

I smile back at him.

"You two are a cute couple," the young nurse says with a grin. "How long have you been married?"

My heart stops beating in my chest. Her simple question reminds me of the fact that my child will never have a father. That we'll have to deal with these questions until the day we die.

"What's that?" Ren interjects, pointing at the screen. I'm thankful for the distraction and the fact that he reads me so well.

The nurse turns her attention to the screen. Her smile falls immediately. "Umm, Dr. Ling?"

Dr. Ling's eyebrows furrow together as she concentrates. "Yes," she murmurs. "I see that. Let me make sure first."

Ren's gaze snaps to mine and terror flickers in his eyes. I don't like the look because it scares me. Everything about the way they're acting is scaring me.

"Volume, Nurse Ellie," Dr. Ling instructs.

A moment later, a loud thumping fills the room. All fear drains away from me as I focus on the beautiful sound.

"That is your baby's heartbeat," Dr. Ling says. She moves the wand around inside of me. A moment later, I hear another sound. The cadence slightly different. "And this is your other baby's heartbeat."

Time stands still as I process her words. Nurse Ellie is beaming at me pointing to two different grainy blobs on the screen.

"T-Two?" I stutter out.

Ren bends over and boldly kisses me on the mouth. "Two babies," he breathes against my lips. "Congratulations, Momma."

Tears roll out of my eyes and Ren swipes them away with his thumbs. His eyes twinkle with delight and it fills me with warmth. Two babies. This is better than good. This is perfect. Of course Duvan would knock me up with a litter of little tiger cubs. Of course he would.

"I'm speechless," I manage to choke out.

Dr. Ling chuckles. "Most parents are when they find out they're having twins. Come back in another month for your sixteen-week checkup and we may be able to determine the s.e.x of the babies."

Ren gives me a lopsided grin that makes my heart flop in my chest. Nurse Ellie pulls some photographs from the printer and then hands a stack to me. When she hands Ren a picture, she beams at him. "Congratulations to you too, Daddy. You did good work." She gives him a wink.

I don't have the heart to tell her he isn't the father. Thankfully, Ren doesn't confirm nor deny her words. He simply takes the picture and stares proudly at it. My heart is too small and shredded to handle all of this happiness at once. I'm overwhelmed.

"I'm going to set you up with some prenatal vitamins, but other than that, keep doing what you're doing. Your weight is a healthy amount and the babies look great," Dr. Ling tells me as she stands.

Babies.

I'm having two.

The moment we exit the building and the late October breeze whips around us, Ren scoops me into his arms. I let out a laugh when he spins me in a circle before putting me back on my feet.

His hair is styled in a messy way that looks good on him. The stubble on his cheeks has gotten thicker and I love the way it feels when his mouth kisses me in the dark all over my most sensitive places. Steely blue eyes s.h.i.+ne with pride and love and excitement. I don't think he's ever looked as s.e.xy as he does now.

"Brie," he says, his tone low. His smile falls and he regards me with a severe look. "You keep looking at me that way, and I won't be able to control what happens next." His head lifts up to the sky, making his Adam's apple bulge from his throat. "In case you didn't notice, it's broad daylight." He draws his chin back down and glares at me with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "The things I want to do to you are too sinful for this time of day."

His words cause my panties to dampen. The rules and boundaries I have in place with Ren are slightly skewed and greyed out right now. For once I'd like to watch the way his full lips suck on my inner thigh until it leaves a mark. For once, I'd like to see the way his c.o.c.k stretches me open as he slowly slides into me. For once I'd like to stare into his blues as he drives into me. Thoughts of s.e.x with Ren aren't helping my situation. Like always, he reads me so well. Hunger flashes in his gaze.

"G.o.d," he growls. "You're so f.u.c.king s.e.xy. I know it isn't what you want to hear right now but I can't not say it." His fingers spear into my hair and he tugs until I'm looking up at him. The parking lot is full of people but he doesn't care. His mouth once again descends upon mine like when he so boldly kissed me in the exam room. This time, though, his intent is darker-like our nights. I let out a moan the second his lips press against mine. A starved growl rumbles from him as he deepens our kiss.

I clutch his s.h.i.+rt to hold him in place. Truth is, I don't want the kiss to ever end. In the daylight, the kiss warms me. It's freeing. People can see. We can see. Our teeth clash together as we kiss, as though there might not be another chance. Having lost Duvan has shown me that you never know what the future holds so you have to take those chances when they're presented to you.

He finally breaks our kiss when we're both panting for air and slides his palms to the sides of my neck. His forehead leans against mine as he grins at me.

"Oh, Romeo," I say with a chuckle. I can't help but think that several months ago, when I was still locked away in my tower, I'd have gone wild over a kiss like that. Very romantic. Very Romeo. Very Ren.

"Speaking of, Juliet, do you want to go to the costume store? Calder's having a Halloween party tomorrow night. He's been inviting a s.h.i.+t-ton of people. It could be fun," he says, waggling his eyebrows at me.

My heart sinks.

Ren probably wants us to dress up as Romeo and Juliet.

"I want to be a tigress," I blurt out.

His dark brown eyebrow lifts up in amus.e.m.e.nt, not disappointment like I would have thought. "I wouldn't expect anything less." He gives my a.s.s a squeeze. "Now get in the truck before I turn into a beast and maul you."

The visual has me stalling for just a moment.

I like it when Ren goes into beast mode.

"There," I tell him, pointing at a townhouse at the end of his street. "Let's go look."

He pulls his truck into the driveway. This townhouse is two-story and stucco and has a direct view of the ocean. I like that it's close to Ren. As much as I've enjoyed sleeping in his bed each night, I need to think of giving my babies a real home.

A multicolored strand of flags flaps in the wind. A sign boasting Open House hangs above the garage. I've not even been inside yet and I already feel drawn to this place. We climb out and Ren takes my hand. His grip makes me feel secure. Together, we enter the place. Before we even make it through the front door, a man in a black suit with a blinding white smile greets us. As soon as he quickly a.s.sesses us, his smile falters. I'm sure he was hoping for someone older.

"What can I help you kids with?" he questions, irritation bubbling in his voice.

Ren bristles at his tone. "Well," Ren bites out, dropping his gaze to the realtor's nametag, "Conrad, you can start by giving us a tour. Unless you're too busy for that. We can certainly show ourselves around."

Conrad opens his mouth to reply when another couple walks in the front door. He sizes the older couple up and makes a quick decision. "Please," he says, "feel free to show yourselves around."

Ren tenses but I tug him away from the a.s.shole. "I'd rather take the tour with you instead. He's a douchebag," I mutter.

He chuckles and lets me guide him down the hallway. Everything is perfect. Brand new hardwood floors. Granite countertops in the kitchen. Fancy stainless steel appliances and fixtures. Once I'm satisfied I've properly looked at everything downstairs, I let Ren guide me up the stairs of the fully furnished home.

"Do you think they'll sell the furniture too?" I ponder aloud.

He stops at the top of the steps and frowns at me. "You really want to buy it?"

I swallow and nod. "I want to give my babies a home."

His gaze bores into mine for a long moment. "Okay, then. Let's check out the rest, Momma." That's twice now he's called me Momma and both times, it's filled me with warmth.

We carefully inspect each bedroom. There are two smaller bedrooms and a larger master. So Luciana will have a place to stay too. I'll probably put the twins together. This house is perfect.

Ren drags me into the master bathroom. He grins when I shriek over the size of the jet bathtub and walk-in shower.

"I'm going to buy it," I tell him proudly.

He walks over to the bathroom door and locks it. Then, he saunters over to me. "It's perfect. Just like you." I let out a whimper when he grabs my hips and turns me to face the mirror.

Compared to Ren, I look like a shrimp. My dark brown hair is messy and windblown, but the look on my face isn't one I've seen in a while. Happiness. Hope. Pride. I'm smiling, and it looks good on me. He, of course, looks like perfection in a tight white T-s.h.i.+rt that showcases every single one of his muscles. His large hands seem to swallow my waist as he rests them on my hips.

The lines have become blurry with him.

I want him in this moment.

Not tonight after the lights have gone out.

Now.

As if back inside my head, he reaches for the light switch. I shake my head at our reflection. "Leave them on."

He gives me a clipped nod before he sweeps my hair away from my neck. His lips are soft on my flesh as he places hot kisses there. One of his ma.s.sive hands slides to my front and grips my breast through a Nirvana s.h.i.+rt of his I stole.

"Are you sure you want to see this?" he murmurs and then his teeth tug at my flesh near my ear. "I'm going to f.u.c.k you right now against this counter. In this house. For those a.s.sholes downstairs to hear. Can you handle seeing it happen? Last chance for me to turn off the lights, baby."

My eyes flutter closed at his bold words. I'm wet and needy for him. Screw my boundaries. I want to see this. Grabbing on to his hand, I guide him lower until his fingers graze against my c.l.i.t through my yoga pants. Pleasure jolts through me at the simple touch.

"I want to see," I whisper, my unsure eyes meeting his. "I need to see."

He grabs the bottom of my s.h.i.+rt and pulls it hastily from my body. The bra I'm wearing is way too small now and my t.i.ts are spilling out of the top of it. His hands cup them in a reverent way for a moment before he dances his fingers along to my back to unlatch my bra. When it falls to the floor and my heavy b.r.e.a.s.t.s are freed, our eyes once again meet in the mirror.

"You're so G.o.dd.a.m.ned beautiful, Brie. I'll never get tired of looking at you," he growls. His tongue finds my neck and he laps at me. "I'll never get tired of tasting you." Then, he sinks his teeth into my skin in a playful way. "I'll never get tired of biting you." He roughly hooks his thumbs into the top of my pants and shoves them down. With one of his large hands, he pushes the middle of my back until my palms are on the countertop and my face is inches from the gla.s.s. His hands grope my a.s.s cheeks for a second before he runs a long fingertip between my thighs. He finds my wet opening and breaches it with his finger. I let out a needy moan and wiggle my hips at him.

"Ren..."

He does that s.e.xy man thing where he reaches behind his neck and yanks his s.h.i.+rt up over his head in a way that looks sinful. I watch him jerk at his belt and then his jeans slide to the floor. His impressive c.o.c.k is freed and slides along the crack of my a.s.s, causing me to s.h.i.+ver with antic.i.p.ation. He fists his erection and guides it into my wet opening, drawing a whine from me. When he's pushed in to the hilt, he flashes me a wicked grin that has me clenching around him.

Seeing this makes it better.

Reality isn't always a b.i.t.c.h.

The darkness isn't always preferable to the light.

"I'll never get tired of f.u.c.king you, baby."

He slides all the way out before slamming into me again. I cry out and grip the countertop. When my eyes close as I give in to the pleasure, pain at my skull forces them back open. Ren's blue eyes glimmer wildly and he has my hair tangled in his grip.

"Eyes open," he growls as his hips piston into me.

My mouth is parted open and my eyes are hooded. Swollen b.r.e.a.s.t.s bounce in front of me with every thrust he delivers.

This is hot.

We're hot.

"Oh, G.o.d..." I whimper, my legs beginning to shake with impending pleasure.

His rough palm slides around my hip to my front where he captures my c.l.i.t between his thumb and finger. The hand that's gripping my hair pulls me toward him so his chest is up against my back. He can't thrust with me standing upright so he focuses on ma.s.saging my c.l.i.t. My eyes start to close again, so he tugs my hair hard enough to remind me of his command. I bite down on my lip and meet his gaze head on. The fire that blazes in his blues consumes me. I give in to the expert way he touches me and cry out as my entire body convulses. The moment my legs begin to wobble, he pushes me back down onto the counter. Slam after beautiful slam, he thunders into me until he grunts signifying his own release. His heat gushes into me without warning. He slows, and when his c.o.c.k stops throbbing, he flashes me a crooked, mischievous grin.

"You."

I raise an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yep. You." Chuckling, he pulls out of me and his seed runs down my inner thigh. Uncaring that we're in a house that doesn't belong to us, he yanks a hand towel off the rack and sets to cleaning me up. We're just pulling on the last of our clothes when someone beats on the door.

Ren smirks at me before sauntering over to the door, his T-s.h.i.+rt still in hand. When he slings it open, Conrad glares at us.

"You need to leave," he snaps.

The couple behind him gapes at us. The woman's neck turns bright red when she sees Ren with no s.h.i.+rt on. It's obvious what we've been up to.

"No," I tell him. "How much?"

Conrad frowns. "I'm sorry but Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez here are putting in an offer. We're about to work up the paperwork as soon as you leave."

Ren lets out a menacing growl, and I flash him a smile letting him know I've got this.

"Conrad. How much are they offering?" I ask again, my voice calm.

He lifts his chin in a snotty way. "Six hundred."

Turning to the couple, I smile. "Is that as high as you can go?"

Mr. Sanchez puffs out his chest. "We have room to negotiate if you're insinuating a bidding war. I a.s.sure you, we'll outbid you. We want this townhouse."

I laugh and shake my head. "You may want this townhouse, but I need this townhouse. I have two little cubs on the way, am obsessed with the beach, and my best friend lives on this street. I also have more money than I know what to do with. So, make your best offer so I can outbid you and we can all move along with our day." Turning toward Conrad, I give him a shrug of my shoulders. "Did I mention I can pay cash?"

Four hours later and a seven hundred grand wire transfer, I'm the proud owner of my first home.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I bought a house," Brie murmurs to herself in the dark.

I'm glad she wanted to spend one more night at my house before moving in to hers. I am selfish and like her in my bed. Having her down the street will be nice, but I don't know where that leaves us.

"Conrad sure changed his tune. Ran that poor couple right out of the house once he realized you were serious." I chuckle just thinking about the greedy sleezeball. My palm finds her bare breast under the sheet and I give her nipple a little pinch. "It was nice getting to see you while we f.u.c.ked."

She stiffens, but I don't regret my words. It was nice. I won't forget the look on her face when I made her come. All stress and worry and sadness was gone as she succ.u.mbed to the bliss. I made her feel good.

"Ren." A pause. "I'm sorry."

I chuckle and playfully bite her t.i.t. "You weren't sorry when you were coming all over my d.i.c.k."