Our Lovely Baby Bump (3 page)

“I’m ovulating, and John is coming over tonight,” Charlie explained. “I’m so not good at this, bonehead said that when we broke up. I do not have any good experiences in my life when it comes to sex. Men like to use…”

“Charlie, bonehead is an asshole and your teens don’t count,” Angel said gently. “You’ve had a series of guys that weren’t right for you. I see how John and you look at each other.”

“I don’t fit in,” Charlie said suddenly. “I’m not like you that people can say ‘oh she’s a sexy black girl.’ I’m a mutt, no one can tell who I am.”

“That’s not true, Charlie…”

“It is.” Charlie heard the own plea in her voice and she needed someone to understand. “I’ve dated black guys and I’ve been too high brown as one’s mother called me to be part of her family. Her grandbabies had to be smooth brown. I’ve dated white guys and been too ethnic, and they expect me to know every booty-shake dance and be this exotic thing. I like comic books and Harry Potter. I prefer to listen to classical than hip hop. I’m this freakish anomaly, and what if I don’t fit in with John and his friends…”

“Do you think John cares if you’re all black, no black, Spanish, or hell, covered in zebra stripes?” Angel asked. “He is in love you with you, Charlie, and has been for the longest time.”

“I-I don’t know what to say,” Charlie said softly.

“He sees the real you, beyond whatever image you see of yourself or what other people may think of you,” Angel said gently. “I know people fucked you up. I was raised in a small town mentality, and I see how people are here as well. Caleb and I get the looks when we’re out together and when we have Lucas with us. I had some guy say, ‘Sister, that’s how you treat us?’ I had to point out I’m not his sister and love has no color. I also threatened to kick him in the sacks. The point being, Charlie, you don’t give two fucks about what people think, do you? Be happy with John.”

“So you think the sex thing will work out between us?” Charlie asked.

Angel laughed. “I’m sure it will. The sparks that fly off the both of you… yeah, you’ll be fine. Go get pretty and stop stressing.”

Charlie sighed. “Okay, thank you for talking me off the ledge.”

“You’re welcome. Now go get your freak on,” Angel teased.

“I will, bye,” Charlie laughed.

“Oh by the way, you love him too, we know that as well. I think after all these years you guys need to stop dancing and really dance,” Angel said. “Be happy, sweetie.”

She felt better after their conversation and spent the rest of the day working on her computer. No one knew but she was working on her second dream, writing a novel. She’d already queried the first five chapters to a publisher who wanted to see the full thing. She was excited but didn’t want to share the news, not yet, not until she heard a firm yes or no.  Time faded away when she was working on the book, and when she glanced at the time in the top toolbar of her computer she saw it was after six.
Oh, shoot
. She quickly saved her work and closed her computer.  She got up and took a quick shower before putting on her makeup lightly. She decided on jeans and a cropped T-shirt that had the Iron Man shield on the front.

Charlie was right. They all knew her and her quirks, and John loved her regardless. 
Oh my god
,
he loves me
. She grinned and shook her hair out. It was more than attraction on both sides, Angel was right, she needed to admit it and stop holding on to it like a secret. She loved John too. She hoped they had a good foundation started as friends and soon-to-be lovers.

John rang the doorbell promptly at seven, and she looked at herself in the mirror one last time before heading to the door. Charlie opened it with a smile and took in his sexy looks in a long, greedy gaze. He was in a pair of gray boot cut jeans, and he wore his black biker boots. She loved when he wore those boots or shorts. The man had some sexy legs.  His body was thick and his hips lean. On his broad upper body he wore a royal blue navy button-down shirt.  He looked good enough to eat. In one hand he carried a bouquet of violets and a DVD and in the other a bottle of wine.

“Hey, sexy,” he said as she stepped aside to let him in.

“I’m wearing old jeans and a T-shirt,” she commented.

“Yes, and I like the Iron Man thing you have on the front,” John said. “Kiss?”

Charlie pressed herself against his body and stood on her tiptoes to reach his lips.

“How’s that?” she asked huskily when she finally broke the kiss.

“Smoking,” he answered. “I almost forgot dinner.”

“Oh no, I never went to the store. I don’t think I have anything in my fridge except for three frozen pizzas and some bottled water. You never sent me a list…”

He kissed her hard. “That’s because I already had a plan. Dinner is being delivered from Vincenzo’s. Seafood portofino, salad, and chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake.”

Charlie smiled. “My favorite dinner from there.”

“I pay attention.” John grinned. “I also have your favorite red wine, flowers, and the new Transformers on DVD.”

“You’re the best date ever.” Charlie clapped her hands. “I was waiting to buy this on my own, and look at you getting me a DVD.”

“Let’s get these in water.” John walked toward the kitchen. “I’ve seen your collection, not really
The Notebook
kind of girl.”

Charlie took a vase down from one of the top cupboards. “It’s a bit too sappy for me.”

“I got you one more thing, but you can’t see it,” John said.

Charlie gave him a dry look. “Are you going to say it’s in my pants?”

John laughed out loud. “No, let’s just say San Francisco, Comic con and…”

She squealed and clapped her hands. “No way! I was online forever and still didn’t get tickets.”

“I was going to surprise you even before we decided to give us a shot.” John clipped the ends of the flowers as she filled the vase with water. “Now we can go together, and you can explain it all to me.”

Charlie frowned and brought the vase over to him. “What if I’m pregnant?”

He placed the flowers in the vase. “Then we’ll get you one of those T-shirts made with an arrow and have it say ‘baby’s fist comic con’ or something like that.”

She wrapped her hand around his waist and pressed her face against his back.  “You are the best boyfriend ever.”

He turned in her arms and held her as well. “I like hearing that word coming from your lips—boyfriend.”

She smiled up at him. “I like saying it.”

The doorbell rang, and John answered the door to the deliveryman from the restaurant. She got the dinner plates and silverware together while he paid, including a very generous tip.  They ate together and laughed and talked just like they always did. Except now she felt the underlying tones to attraction and butterflies in her stomach. They had wine and cheesecake in front of the TV while they watched the movie. Her feet were on his lips and he was rubbing her feet through her Dr. Seuss socks.

Charlie was barely paying attention to the movie. His large hands were sending warm delicious slivers of pleasure running up her legs.  Charlie took the chance, dared herself to be bold, and moved quickly to straddle his lap.  John made a surprised sound of pleasure as she kissed him sensuously. His hands moved up her body to her back and cupped her neck as he took control of the kiss.  Heat infused her body from his touch and the way he devoured her lips.

Their eyes met, and Charlie lost herself in her gaze. It was like being pulled by a magnet, and Charlie couldn’t stop herself if she tried. She wanted him. Being with John felt more right than being with anyone. She was in love with her best friend who expected nothing from her except that she be herself.

Charlie watched John’s eyes close as they sank deeper into the kiss. She couldn’t help the soft sound of pleasure that escaped her lips when he slid his hands up her ribcage and cupped her breasts through her shirt. The kiss ignited something within both of them and it flared to the point where every nerve ending in her body ached to be touched by him. They tore their lips away from the passionate kiss and for a moment just stared at each other sharing one breath. John caressed her cheek and pressed his forehead against hers.

“I never thought this would be happening,” John said. “You feel absolutely perfect in my arms.”

“I right here am enjoying every minute of being with you,” Charlie replied with a small laugh. “I don’t want you to stop. Make love to me.”

“Those are the sexiest words I’ve ever heard.” John chuckled. “But then, you could make pancakes and syrup and I’d think it’s hot.”

“You say the sweetest things.” Charlie kissed his neck and was rewarded with him shifting his hips and pressing his hard arousal against her.

The low moan that came from him sent a shiver through her body. He kissed her hard and ravenously as he stood with her in his arms. She always marveled at his strength. His toned body could knock a man down hard. Yet he touched her with such gentleness when he set her on her feet. He pressed soft kisses on every piece of skin he revealed as he undressed her. Their clothes melted away as they kissed and learned each other’s bodies.  John lifted her and placed her on the bed like she was made of spun glass.  Charlie had never felt so cherished in her life. John worshipped her body with his touch, and she was afraid to open her eyes in case it was a dream that would disappear.

“Look at me, Charlie,” he demanded. “Don’t hide those beautiful eyes from me.”

“Says the man with the most gorgeous blue eyes I’ve ever seen,” Charlie laughed softly.

He had the taste of the wine they drank when her tongue slipped inside his mouth. John’s moan of pleasure made her braver, and she deepened the kiss. He rolled and took her with him so she was lying on top of him.  His hands moved from her hips to trace the curve of her back and down to her ass. She straddled his body and her sex was pressed against his hard cock. Charlie gasped at the intimate connection, and she undulated against him. He groaned, and she felt him throb against her warm, wet sex. John took control of the kiss, and he devoured her lips while burying his fingers into her hair and pulling the band away that held her pony tail.

He tore his mouth away from her. “I want you.”

She looked into his eyes and got lost in the vivid blue.  “I’m yours, John.”

He sat up, and her hands roamed over his broad muscular shoulders while he lazily tasted her. He forayed into her mouth with repeated long swirls with his tongue. His touch inflamed her and trailed heat down her body. He filled his hands with the smooth globes of her breasts, and she arched into his palms.

“God, you feel amazing.” He groaned and kissed each nipple and laved them with his tongue until she was gasping. “I like how you’re breath hitches when you get aroused. Do you like how my hands feel on your skin?”

“Oh yes, John, more,” she whimpered. “You make me want to do things, I thought I’d be too shy to ever do.”

“Babe, my body is yours,” he said. “Be adventurous, and play as much as you want.”

His chuckle was filled with surprise when she pushed him back. His cock was hard as she kissed her way down his body and stroked the velvet over steel thick length of him.  He watched her every movement with an intense stare, and she wondered if she was pleasing him in the right way.  He winked at her and smiled as Charlie continued to stoke him, reveling in the feel of him under her touch. His breath became heavier while her hand moved from the tip to the base of his shaft. His hips rose and fell in tandem to her firm grasp. Charlie liked seeing the pleasure play across his face. She licked the tip of his cock before she wrapped her lips around the head of his member and slowly took him in her mouth. He groaned while she took him deeper into the hot confines of her lips.

“Oh damn, I don’t think… hell that feels so good,” John groaned.

He sat up and pulled her against his chest roughly and took her lips in a hunger-filled kiss. She shuddered when his hand slipped between her legs to her sex, and she was slick to the touch. John rubbed her clit until she was trembling, and when he slipped a line digit inside her, she cried out. John stopped for a moment, only long enough to spread her legs over his large thighs.  With her being spread he leaned back and watched as he fucked her with his fingers and used his thumb to manipulate her clit.

“Oh God, John,” she cried out.

“More, I want to hear you come,” John growled.

Charlie felt the heat of arousal course over her body in waves. She never thought that sensations like this existed but John was pulling every last ounce of desire from her. She could feel the band of her release tightening within her. She clutched at his shoulders and gasped when the first release of sexual essence left her body and coated the two fingers he had inside her.

“I’m going to come,” she said in a desperate whisper. “Oh, John.”

“God, you’re driving me wild,” he said harshly.

He picked up speed and used his other hand to pull her closer so he could take her upturned nipples into his mouth. She cried out as her orgasm took hold and he took her breath away.

“I need to be inside you,” John said in harsh voice.

John didn’t wait for Charlie to answer. She caressed his neck and could feel the tense bunching under his taunt skin. He kissed her and took her whimper into his mouth. She could feel the tip of his cock at the entrance of her sex. John pulled her down on his shaft, and she felt so full of him that she moaned in delight.  The sensations of his thick member filling her core gave the feeling completion. The sheer pleasure caused her pussy to clench in sweet delight. John expelled a breath through his gritted teeth as Charlie started the slow rhythm that would send them into completion. She writhed as he sucked on her nipples and rode his cock with wild abandon while sensations assaulted her body.

“Stop baby, stop just a minute,” he groaned. His voice was harsh as he stilled her movements with his big hands.

Charlie trembled uncontrollably. “John, I can’t. I need you.” She kissed him hard. “Let go with me, Honey.”

“Charlie I’m crazy about you,” he said reverently.

John thrust upwards to meet her undulating hips every time she moved.  He moved, pinning her under him and taking control of their lovemaking.  Charlie reached above her head to hold on to the rails in the headboard. She wanted to anchor herself against the pounding sexual need that threatened to wash her away.