Wilted (25 page)

“Stay strong. If that baby is anything like her mother, she’s going to be fine.”

“I pray you’re right. See you guys then,” he says, ending the call.

Silently, I pray I’m right too.

By the time I throw some clothes in a bag, Nik has already told his pilot to ready the jet for Austin.

“What are you doing?” I ask when I see him carrying the huge portrait to my car.

“I thought you might want to bring it. Maybe surprise them once things settle down?”

“What if things don’t settle down? What if she loses the baby?” I cry as I drop the bag on the floor. He props the painting against the wall and rushes over to me.

“Shh, baby. She’s going to be all right. Like you said, that baby girl’s got her momma’s genes. She’s a survivor.”

“Why can’t she just have happiness? After everything she’s been tortured with, she doesn’t deserve any of this. It’s one horrific thing after another for her. I can’t bear to watch her go through any more. Why is God punishing her?” I sob into his chest.

Nik’s not a big religious person, so when I hear his words, I’m shocked.

“God’s not punishing her, Kylie. He’s been protecting her. Look at everything she’s been through? Look how strong she is to have survived it. God’s been the one to help her through it all. He’s not about to stop now.”

He will never know how much I needed to hear those words right now. He cups my face and wipes the tears away with his thumb before kissing me on the lips.

“When did you get so wise?”

“Sometimes I surprise my own self,” he jokes.

“I love you, Nikolas Thorne.”

“And I love you, Kylie Reynolds. Now get your fine ass moving. We’ve got a plane to catch.”

“How is she?” I ask as I run to Sebastian. The whole way here, I’ve been on pins and needles, aching for an update.

“She’s awake, but she’s really sore. The baby’s still doing good. They quit giving her the medicine that stops the contractions, so for now, we pray they don’t return.”

“Can I see her?”

“Of course. I know she’s going to be so glad you’re here. She’s getting tired of looking at my face.”

He leads us down the hall to her room.

“Baby? Look who I found in the hallway?” Sebastian says and moves aside for me to enter.

The moment she sees my face, she smiles. The thing is, when I see how bad she looks, it’s everything I can do to not hit the floor. Dark purple bruising is evident up and down her face, and her jaw is so swollen, it breaks my heart.

“Kylie!”

“Oh, Sky! How are you feeling?” I say, running to her bedside and carefully hugging her.

“I’m better now that you’re here.”

“Hey, um, I’m going to buy Sebastian some coffee and let you girls get caught up. We’ll be downstairs if you need us.”

I nod at Nik and turn back to Skylar, pulling a chair beside her.

“Oh honey,” I say as I brush her hair away from her face.

“I know I look horrible. There’s no hope for your magic touch this time I’m afraid.”

“I’m so glad Sebastian told us that the fucker is dead because I’d kill him if he weren’t.” Just seeing her face makes me want to put a bullet in his head again.

“It’s over. He can’t hurt us anymore,” she says, rubbing her stomach. “It’s a girl.” She gushes, causing me to smile.

The way she looks at her stomach as she rubs it breaks my heart. The love in her eyes is the kind of love I’ve never seen before. It’s beautiful. It’s the kind that a person would give her life up for. She is going to be the most wonderful mother. I just pray everything goes all right for the rest of her pregnancy. Sebastian’s right. Losing this baby would more than devastate her.

“I know,” I admit with a grin.

“That crazy man told you, didn’t he? He’s told everyone in this hospital, I think. I’ve never seen him so damn excited to prove me wrong.”

“He’s just a proud daddy-to-be, so go easy on him. Although, I don't plan on going easy on him. He’s got a major ass kicking coming to him for not calling me sooner to tell me what was going on.”

She laughs but then grabs her side in pain.

“I’m sorry, I’ll try to be nice.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she jokes and holds her side to laugh more.

“It feels so good to hear you laugh.”

“And it feels so good to have you here. I’m… I’m scared, Kylie,” she admits, blinking away tears.

“Hey. You listen to me. Everything is going to be all right. That kid is a fighter, just like her momma. Plus, I believe she has some of me in there, too, so she’ll totally kick some ass.”

“God, how I’ve missed you,” she says, squeezing my hand.

“Well, I’m here for the staying, so you’ll be tired of me soon. I’m not going anywhere until you’re better.”

“I love you.”

“I love you back, bitch,” I say with a wink.

A young nurse knocks and comes in to check both mommy and baby’s vitals. After some pain meds, it isn’t long before Skylar’s resting comfortably. For the next hour or so, I sit in the dark room and hold her hand as she sleeps. Listening to the sweet sounds of the baby’s rhythmic heart soothes me. Leaning in, I lay my hand tenderly on her stomach and grin at how much her stomach’s grown since the last time I’d seen her.

“Baby girl, you gotta be strong for your momma. She needs you. We all do.” I’m rewarded with a nudge. Smiling, I take that as the sign I need. This little girl is going to survive.

A few minutes later, Nik and Sebastian quietly enter the room. I stand and stretch as I wave them back out to the hallway.

“How about the two of you head back to our place? You’re welcome to stay there. Hopefully, we’ll be coming home in a couple of days. I know it will do Skylar good if you’re there.”

“You got it. Is there anything you need for us to do?”

“I can’t think of anything. Just being there will help out tons. It’ll keep her mind off worrying, I’m sure.”

“We’ll head on out and let you get some rest. Call us if you need us.”

“I will and thanks so much for coming you guys.”

Nik pulls him in for a hug and I smile. The relief in his eyes warms my heart so much. We belong in Austin. This is where our family and friends are. Judging by the look in Nik’s face, I know he’s thinking the same thing. Goodbye, LA! Welcome home!

NIKOLAS

I sit here on the floor of the nursery and watch my gorgeous girl paint. Since the moment she saw the mess upstairs, she’s put me to work. I’ve assembled more shit in two days than I can ever count. I swear Sebastian has bought every fucking possible contraption for this kid.

It probably wouldn’t have taken so long for me to put half this stuff together, but when she wears those shorts and bends over in front of me, well… breaks have to be taken.

Watching her paint is amazing. She gets this vision in her head and makes it come to life. In a snap of a finger, she’s transformed this blah room into a little girl’s dream. I know how emotional Kylie’s gotten just painting the damn room. Skylar is going to burst out in tears when she sees it. Women!

“There, all done.” I say, putting the tools back into the bag.

Kylie looks over her shoulder at me and I grin. Paint streaks her face from where she rubs her nose when she thinks. It’s fucking adorable. Putting her brush down, she wipes her hands and walks over to check out my latest project.

“Good job there, Mr. Handyman,” she says, inspecting the crib.

“Mr. Handyman, huh?” I say, grabbing her ass.

“Yes, you’re quite handy, I’d say,” she jokes as she removes my hands from her behind.

“You like me handy, I thought.”

“Oh, I do. But sometimes, you don’t need those hands,” she says, raising her eyebrow at me.

Fucking hell.
When this woman gets that look in her eyes, I know what’s about to happen. Kinky Kylie emerges and I love it. Walking over to the table, she grabs the roll of painter’s tape and takes slow steps as she stalks me into the corner. She puts her palms in the center of my chest and pushes me back in the plastic covered, wooden rocker. Grabbing my hands, she binds them together with the tape and loops it around the back spindles of the chair. The girl puts like twenty damn layers on, so I know I won’t be able to break free from this one. In one last move, she places a large strip across my mouth, kissing the outside of the tape when she’s done.

I growl at her and she smiles.
God, I love this side of her.

Dropping to her knees, she pulls down my shorts and positions herself on the floor. My rock hard cock springs free and she licks those plump lips that I love so much to kiss. She grins up at me before taking me slowly into her mouth. Working her hand up and down my cock, she increases her suction around me.
Goddamn, this girl knows how to work that mouth.
Faster and faster she pumps, while squeezing my balls with her other hand.
Shit! I’m gonna come.

Sensing I’m close, she slows her pace and stands, turning to face the other direction. Slowly, she bends over, sliding her white shorts down past her ass, but leaving her thong in place. Seductively, she rocks her hips from side to side as she lifts her tiny halter top over her head. I’m getting my very own striptease act, but I can’t touch. Turning to face me, she twists her body down and slides her thong past her hips, taunting me the entire time. When she steps out of it, she brings it to my nose. Breathing her intoxicating flavor in, I’m ready to break this damn chair and have my way with her.

She giggles at the way I’m coming unglued and decides to put me out of my misery. Turning around, she sits in my lap and guides me into her dripping wet pussy. I groan as my dick slides into her, coating itself in her thick arousal. I want to urge her faster, but I can’t do much more than lift my ass. She’s in control here. The thing is, she isn’t very patient herself. Once I’m balls deep inside of her, she bounces up and down, causing her ponytail to whip from side to side. What I wouldn’t give to grab hold of that thing and show her who’s in charge.

Her pussy grips me so tight, I know there is no way I can hold back.

“Your dick feels. So. Damn. Good!” Kylie slows and twerks her ass back at me.

My balls are aching, but I try to hang on for her to climax first.

“Yes! Oh yes,” she screams, bouncing harder on my cock.