Next to Forever (Never Letting Go) (14 page)

Erin: Babe, I’m fine. Plus I have Vander here with me IF anything happens, but so far, so good! No sickness today!

Me: All right, but I don’t like you working this hard. I don’t care if you’re at your desk, but all this walking can’t be good for you.

Erin: Connor, I’m fine! Seriously.

Me: I don’t think you understand how important it is for you to stop working if you’re not feeling good. I understand that you want to help out Vander, and I know you’re a hard worker, but please put the baby first.

Erin: Shut the hell up, okay?! I am putting OUR baby first. I’m freaking fine! Seriously stop, okay?!

Me: Fine but if you need anything let me know. I love you, baby.

She doesn’t text me back, and I know she’s upset with me.
I’m trying really hard not to lose it and biting my tongue, but I know how she is and she needs to rest. Even though she let me know she’s okay, something still isn’t sitting right with me. I never want to control Erin or tell her who to be friends with, but Vander is something else. The way he looks at her and cares for her. I know those looks. I give her those looks. I walk out of my office to Adam’s and take a seat on his sofa.

Adam looks up from reading a report on his desk
. “Hey, what’s going on?”

I rub the back of my neck
. “Why can’t this guy get some other friends?”

Adam leans back in his chair, thinking about what to say. “Vander, again?”

“Well, what the hell do you want me to think?”

“I don’t know
, man. You have to stop letting this crap get to you. Trust Erin and know she’s not doing anything wrong. Come on, you two are getting married and having a baby.”

“Yeah
, but why does he feel he needs to always come around and be near her?”

Adam stops typing and turns his chair to look at me again. “Yeah
, I know what you mean.”

I extent my arm out
toward him. “So you see it to? I’m not crazy! He’s been spending time with Erin with this house shit. How hard is it to find a house?”

“Yeah
, man, I know what you mean, but what are you going to do? Don’t sweat the small shit. You and Erin are getting married with a baby on the way.”

“Alright, alright.” I look at my watch
. “Shit, we got the prep meeting.”

“Fuck, alright
, let’s go.”

*****

I pull up the driveway and check the time. It’s almost midnight and I’m exhausted. The prep for the California deal is getting to us all. I never realized how ten men in one room could cause drama and crap. If it weren’t for Sophia coming to the office and telling us all to go home, we’d still be in the meeting. I get out of the car and look to see Vander’s black Nissan GTR by the mailbox. My jaw clenches. “What the fuck is he still doing here?”

I run into the house and notice the candles and dim light coming from the living room. What the hell is this shit? Why does it look like a fucking romantic love scene?

They’re sitting on the couch watching a movie and her head is on his lap. His arm is resting on her side, their eyes are on the TV, and they don’t hear me. I turn on the kitchen lights and both of them look at me. Anger surges through me and I see red. I want to take his face and slam it against the wall. My inner dark side wants to come out and beat the shit out of him. I try to calm down because I don’t want to upset Erin, but this guy needs to stop staying over late at night.

“Connor!” Erin gets up and jumps in my arms. She wraps her arms around my waist and holds me tight. “I’m sorry for today,” she whispers, kissing me on the cheek. “I was going to come
by and surprise you in the office, but Aly said you were in a meeting and not to come bother you because you were all in a pissing match.”

I hold her tighter and bury my lips on the crook of her neck. The smell her hair hits my nose. She smells like strawberries and lavender. This is what I need. I need Erin and to feel her love. I need her to know how much she means to me and that I want the best for her. I love feeling her body close to mine. It’s so Erin. “Baby, you can always come see me. I’m sorry I’m late.” I look up and see Vander staring at us. I raise up my hand to say hi. “What’s up Vander?”

He holds his stare for a few moments before getting up. “Hey, Connor.” He walks toward us. “Sorry that I’m always over. Erin hates being alone and Sophia wasn’t answering our messages, so I figured she was sleeping or something.”

I eye him as he’s talking and make note to check with Sophia and ask her why she didn’t answer their text messages. “No worries. Heading out?” Erin stands by my side, still holding onto me.

“Yeah, long day tomorrow. Erin, email me those houses, and I’ll take a look.”

“Sure thing. Thanks again
, Vander.”

“No problem.”

I kiss Erin on the side of her head. “I’m going to walk him out. I’ll be back.”

“Okay!” Erin leaves my side and goes back to the living room.

Vander and I walk down the hall, and I open the door for him. We step out on the porch and I close the door. “Vander, man, I appreciate everything you’re doing, but it’s weird having you with my fiancée late at night.” Vander looks at me, smirking. “You got to stop with this shit, man. She’s my girl, and I don’t want anything to happen, do you understand?”

Vander lifts up his hands and backs away, shaking his head. “Nah, you got it wrong,” he laughs. “Connor, I’m gay so you don’t have to worry.”

We both start laughing.
Damn, I feel like an asshole. You’re kidding me! All these months of being worried and mad, he likes dicks.
“Oh shit. I’m sorry.” I laugh again. “Well, really, thanks for helping her out. I’m glad I don’t have to worry.”

He slaps me on the shoulder and smirks. “No problem. I’ll see you around.”

“Sounds good. Drive safe.”

He gives me a nod and walks away. I go back inside and see Erin walking up the stairs. I run up and pull her up in my arms. “I missed you
, baby.” Hearing her laughing in my ear is like magic. I love seeing her happy, and I hate myself for feeling insecure and jealous. We get to the bedroom, and I put her on our bed. I lie down next to her, stroking her cheek. “So, Vander’s gay?”

She pokes my chest. “I knew you were getting jealous!” She throws her head back on the bed, laughing. “Yep, he sure is gay! He’s been seeing Curtis
, and they’re doing really well!”

I get on top of Erin, kissing her cheeks and lips while tickling her. She laughs so hard that she starts snorting. We both laugh
, and we kiss again. She’s amazing and sexy. “Thanks for understanding and not yelling at me. I know we haven’t been spending a lot of time together.”

“It’s okay. But can we cuddle tonight?”

“Of course, baby.” I get up, taking off my clothes and leaving my boxers on. Erin gets comfortable in bed, and I crawl in under the covers. I pull her closer to me, and she rests her head on my chest. I twirl strands of her hair between my fingers. It’s quiet but nice. I feel her heart beating steadily against my chest. “Where’s your head at?”

She lets out a sigh and trails her fingers up and down my chest. “I’m just really happy.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I’m scared something’s going to happen and break us up.”

I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe she feels this way. Doesn’t she know how crazy I am about her? “Baby, stop. Don’t think like that. You’re my life. Did you know you saved me?”

She holds me tighter. “How?”

“You took me out of my shell and opened my eyes, Erin. You’re so carefree and full of life. All I wanted to do was succeed and to run Optimax. I was feeling the pressure of doing well, but then you came into my life and made me realize how important it is to have fun. Do you remember when we went to New York City to see your parents? You forced me to go up to the Statue of Liberty, and even though I’m scared of heights, you didn’t make fun of me. You held my hand and never left my side. You push me, baby, and no one will ever tear us apart.” And that’s the truth. I’m not leaving her, and no one will get in the way. She’s mine. I place my hand on her stomach.

Mine. Always.

I hear her breathing quicken and tears on my chest. “Oh, Connor. I just love you so much. You’re my first serious relationship and it scares me, because I’ve never loved anyone before. You’re my first love, and I want you to be my only love.”

I kiss her again on her head. “I’m not going anywhere. Come on, let’s go to
sleep.”

Erin’s hands trail down my chest and down into my boxers. She nibbles on my ear and quietly moans
. “I’m suddenly not tired anymore.”

“What do you want to do?”

Without saying anything, Erin disappears under the covers and pulls down my boxers. She puts my hard cock in her mouth and sucks hard. “Oh, shit.” I close my eyes and feel her tongue licking and sucking me. Damn, she’s fucking amazing. Erin plays with my balls and I feel myself tighten. I feel the back of her throat and feel myself about to come. “Oh, baby. Yeah, that’s it. Go faster. Put it all the way in your mouth. Fuck!”

I let out my release and Erin takes it all in. I pull her back
up and kiss her, forcing my tongue into her mouth. She moans into my mouth and grips my back. My hand finds her wetness and I pull her shorts down. “That’s my girl. Always wet and ready, huh?”

“Yes, Connor. Always.”

My fingers explore her as my mouth sucks on her hard nipples. I love the sounds she’s making and feeling her squirm underneath me. Suddenly, she flips me on my back and straddles me. Holy shit, this is hot. Erin plays with my dick while touching herself. I’m instantly hard again. “Fuck, baby.”

Erin slides herself onto my hard shaft and the sensation is driving me crazy. She rides my dick hard and her boobs are bouncing all over. “Oh my God, Connor! It feels so good. I love your big dick in me.”

“Shit, keep going.” Erin fucks me faster, and in only moments, we both find our release.

Damn. If this is how it’s going to be during the rest of her pregnancy,
I had better make sure I have all the energy for her. She’s lying on her side with a smile on her face. I’m exhausted but that look in her eye tells me she wants more. “I love you, baby. Go to sleep.”

Erin pouts
, but I give her a kiss that turns into a full on make out session. I pull away from her and start laughing. “I love you too. baby. Sweet dreams.”

* * * * *

I’m meeting Olivia again today, and I can’t help but wonder what she wants to talk about. After thinking about everything, regardless what she wants to talk about, I need to tell her this is the last time we’re meeting, and I can’t pay her anymore. It’s been over a year since it happened and she should be fine on her own. I need to focus my time and energy on Erin. I’m putting Erin and our baby first. I have to make her understand, because if Erin finds out, I’ll lose her.

“Connor.” I turn around
, and Olivia is making her way to the other side of the booth. She sits down and smiles. “Thanks for meeting with me. There’s so much I want to tell you.”

“Before you start, can I just say something?”

“Sure.”

Well, here goes nothing. I’m ready for a shit storm. “Olivia, you’ll never know how sorry I am for what happened with you. I wish things could’ve been different
, but we can’t change the past. The best thing that we can do is move on and look forward to the future.” I look at her and she seems to understand everything I’m saying. “I can’t pay you anymore. Erin’s pregnant, and I need to put her and our baby first. They’re my whole life, and this isn’t fair to Erin.”

Olivia looks at me and doesn’t say anything. Fuck. But when she takes my hand and smiles, something changes. “Connor, it’s okay. I understand. I’m glad that we’re meeting. I’m sorry for everything I put you through. It wasn’t fair to threaten you or the company. I was a bitch and I’m sorry.”

What. The. Fuck. I look around to make sure I’m not being punked or anything. Olivia starts laughing as if she can sense my confusion.

“I know it’s weird
, but I met someone, Connor. He’s been helping me, and I’m seeing a therapist. I don’t want you to do anything for me anymore. Maybe we can be friends though?”

“That’s great, Olivia. I really am happy for you.” I squeeze her hand and we both smile
. “Maybe we can be friends.”

There’s a weight off my shoulders
, and I can finally breathe again.

Erin

My heart pounds as I slowly open my eyes. Waking up in Connor’s arms is the best feeling in the world. The way he holds me tight throughout the night and doesn’t let me go, truly makes me feel his love for me. I look down and see his arm protectively around my belly and a smile creeps on my face. There are a million feelings running through my body... love and hope. The familiar sensation of love and care runs through my body and mind. My hand softly rubs his arm, thinking about our future. He holds me tighter when I try to get out of his arms to use the bathroom. I lay in silence, and I can’t bring myself to wake him up, but I slowly get out of his tight embrace. I stretch my arms over my head and walk to the bathroom. Feeling better, I go back to bed with Connor and stroke his cheek with my hand.