I close the door to Jacob’s bedroom and pad along the corridor to Jack’s room. After a quick shower, I climb under the comforter and turn the TV on with the remote control. I try to concentrate on the reality show that’s playing, but my mind wanders back to the failed conversation Jack and I had earlier. Nerves bubble up in my stomach as I think about what it was he wanted to say, and I’m torn between wanting to finish the conversation and staying oblivious in my own little bubble.
Jack
Iyawn as I park the truck outside the ranch house, the light from the headlights illuminating the driveway. Claire and Ryan had left the hospital a couple of hours ago, but with the house shrouded in darkness, I’m guessing by now they’ve already turned in for the night.
“I should have stayed at the hospital. What if Libby needs me?” my mum asks from the passenger seat, worry etched on her face.
“She has Mason, sweetheart. He’ll ring if she needs us,” my dad says from the back seat, his hand coming to rest reassuringly on her shoulder. Despite being at the hospital for hours, Libby’s contractions had slowed right down, and baby Walker seemed more than happy to stay where he or she was.
“We can head back to the hospital first thing tomorrow. It didn’t look like much was happening tonight,” I say, climbing out of the truck and heading up the porch steps.
My parents are staying in the guest bedroom on the ground floor, and after saying goodnight, I go upstairs, stopping to check in on Jacob. Leaning over his cot, he’s fast asleep, his thumb nestled firmly in his mouth. Dropping a kiss on his head, I make my way to my room. I smile as I walk in and see Aria asleep in my bed. The TV is on low and she must have fallen asleep watching it. I pad across the room, reach for the remote, and turn it off, plunging the room into darkness. I quickly shower before pulling on some sleep shorts and sliding into bed. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her against me, and she sighs contentedly as her head drops onto my chest. Suddenly she sits up.
“Did Libby have the baby?” Even in the darkness of the room, I can see the excitement on her face, and I smile.
“No. Not yet. Her contractions slowed right down, so we came home. Mason’s still with her.”
“Poor Lib. I hope she’s not too uncomfortable.” She lies back down, pressing her body into my side.
“How was your afternoon? Was Jacob good?”
She nods. “He’s always good.”
I burst out laughing. “I’ll remind you of that next time he’s having a tantrum!” She smacks me gently on my chest and I reach for her hand, holding it over my heart. “I missed you,” I whisper as I lower my head, capturing her lips with mine. She moans into my mouth as my tongue duels with hers and my cock jumps in my shorts. Rolling her onto her back, my body comes over her as I continue to kiss her. She snakes her hands into my hair, and I brush kisses around her jaw and down her neck. Sitting up, I tug off her tank and drop my mouth to her breast, circling my tongue around her pebbled nipple. She gasps as I suck her bud into my mouth, her back arching off the bed. My hand slides down and under the waistband of her panties, my fingers slipping through her wet folds.
“Oh, God, Jack,” she moans as I flick her swollen clit. My fingers find her entrance and I gently push inside her, her body pulling me in. Her hips lift off the bed and I release her nipple from my mouth, capturing her moans with my lips. When her breathing tells me she’s close, I remove my fingers from her body, eliciting a whimper from her. I make quick work of removing her panties and position myself between her legs. Lowering my head, I kiss her again as I gently push inside her. Her tight, wet heat envelops me, and I groan into her mouth.
“You feel so good, Aria,” I mumble as I gently thrust into her. Her hand reaches up and cups my face. Our gazes lock, and telling her I love her is on the tip of my tongue. Pushing down the words I so desperately want to say, I turn my head, pressing my lips to the palm of her hand. Her breathing becomes labored as I continue to gently thrust inside her. Our eyes remain fixed on each other and there is no doubt we’re making love; this isn’t just sex, not for me anyway. I can feel Aria’s walls fluttering around my cock, telling me she’s close, and the familiar stirring in the pit of my stomach builds as I watch her. Her cheeks are flushed with her impending release, and she’s never looked more beautiful.
“I’m coming, Jack,” she whimpers, her eyes closing and her back arching. My name falls in a whisper from her lips, her whole body shuddering as her orgasm overwhelms her. Increasing the speed of my thrusts, I groan as my own orgasm hits me and I drop my head into the crook of her neck, my breathing erratic. Her fingers stroke up and down the length of my back as we both catch our breath. When we’re no longer panting, I lift my head, my mouth finding hers in a kiss I hope shows her exactly how I feel about her. I slowly pull out of her body, missing her heat instantly.
“I’ll just get something to clean you up,” I mutter against her lips before climbing off the bed and grabbing a washcloth from the bathroom. Coming back, I gently wipe between her legs. Tossing the cloth in the corner, I slip under the comforter and wrap my arms around her.
“Get some sleep, sweetheart,” I tell her, dropping a kiss on her head. Her eyes are already closed, and she sighs contentedly as she presses herself closer to my side. It doesn’t take long before her breathing evens out and she’s asleep. I brush another kiss on her head. “I love you,” I whisper, needing to say the words, but unsure she’s ready to hear them. I’m acutely aware that with Libby’s waters breaking earlier, we never got to talk. As nervous as I am for her to hear those words from me, I’m getting to the point where I don’t know how much longer I can hold back.
* * *
Light filtersthrough a gap in the curtains, and I open my eyes as I hear knocking on my bedroom door.
“Jack, are you awake?” It’s my mum, and I can hear the panic in her voice. Aria is still in my arms, and she stirs when she hears her.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, her voice thick with sleep.
“I’m not sure.” She sits up, pulling the comforter around her as I climb off the bed and slip on some sleep shorts. Crossing the room, I pull the door open, seeing my mum fully dressed, her hands clasped in front of her and worry etched on her face.
“Mum?” Taking her hand, I pull her gently into the room. I’m not sure what time it is, but it’s early and I don’t want to wake Jacob.
“It’s Libby.” Her hand flies to her mouth as she holds back a sob, and fear prickles up my spine.
“What’s happened? Is she okay? Is the baby okay?”
“Mason’s just called. She’s being prepped for a C-section. The baby’s in distress.” Her voice breaks and I pull her into my arms. “Claire and Ryan are already out on the ranch. Can you drive us to the hospital?”
“Of course I can. She’s going to be okay. They both are,” I assure her, hoping I’m right. I guide her to the bed and have her sit down, my eyes flicking to Aria. “I’ll just be a minute.” I grab some clothes and head into the bathroom. After using the toilet, I brush my teeth and pull on some jeans and a t-shirt. When I go back into the bedroom, Aria is talking quietly to my mum and holding her hand.
“Babe, are you okay to watch Jacob?” I ask, feeling bad she looked after him yesterday, and I’m asking again today.
“Yes, definitely. Go. Jacob will be fine.” She smiles at my mum and I see her squeeze her hand before my mum stands.