radicalducati Chapter 18
Chapter 18
All worked up
The months leading up to their somewhat now extravagantly planned wedding had flown by and what had once been in Kara’s control had quickly been handed off to the likes of Millie and Becky, which on some level had relieved her. It left her in charge of the fun tasks like picking out her wedding dress, approving a cake choice and enjoying the ease of sitting back and not having to do much of anything else. But this particular task she wanted nothing to do with. She’d been forced into it by her only bridesmaid and self-appointed maid of honour, Becky.
Her phone beeped, saving her from some of the torment momentarily and she pulled it from her purse.
Mr. Dray: I’m home. You’re not.
“Kara!” Becky almost swatted the phone out of her hand. “What do you think?”
Kara stared at the blonde in sheer fear as the shopping excursion continued, then slowly began to shake her head. “Please, no!”
Becky winked at her. “No, no, he’s going to be saying yes.”
Kara felt her cheeks burning up. “No.” Her heart sped as she clutched her phone in a death grip and it beeped again. Her eyes dashed to the lit-up screen.
ETA?
Becky grabbed the cream lingerie and smiled. “I’m vetoing your vote.”
Kara groaned. “But James just likes to take things off. I don’t think he’s going to see the need for these things.” Except even Kara didn’t believe her own words, because James liked games and this was right up his alley.
Becky turned to her, her eyes alight with interest. “Would you like to elaborate?”
Kara felt her stomach flip. “No. Are we almost done?”
Becky grabbed another set of lingerie. “I think you need a few options and some nice underwear for under the dress.”
Kara put her hands to her extended belly. “Seriously! I’m so fat. I’m going to look so bad in this stuff!”
“Just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean you’re fat. Plus, I doubt James cares if you’re a bit more plump than you were six months ago.”
“I care,” Kara shot.
Becky laughed at her and continued to pick things out much to her dismay.
Kara took the moment to answer his text message and get her mind off it. I have no idea.
Becky had trouble wiping her amusement from her face. “You don’t have to be ashamed. I know what James is like. Our bedroom was across the hall from his at Blackwell.”
Kara’s eyes widened, her phone going off again.
Becky narrowed her eyes. “Is he texting you?”
“He wants to know when we’ll be home.”
“Tell him to wait. God.” Becky spun and dug through another rack of lingerie options.
Kara typed out a reply quickly to him.
Becky says you need to wait.
“Anyway, don’t you know why James left Blackwell?”
Kara’s eyes lifted with her cringe.
“He can be a bit loud for Millie and Garrett, they told him no more girls one day and he told them he was going to move to London the next. It was hilarious!”
“That really sounds hilarious,” Kara muttered.
Becky walked to a cream-colored bra. “Size?”
Kara didn’t want her to know that information. “I’ll get it.”
“You’re a D!” Becky peered over her shoulder as she did.
Kara spun to her. “I’m pregnant and almost done with the process of it!”
Becky giggled. “James owes me.”
God, why! Kara pouted and her eyes went to the incoming text.
Mr. Dray: I haven’t seen you in a week. Tell Rebecca I’m running out of patience.
Kara snapped the phone off and put it back in her purse, not about to tell Becky that—not by a long shot.
Andrew stopped the car in Rose’s drive and Kara noted the Jaguar parked near the house.
“Millie and Garrett are here?” Becky looked to her fiancé.
Andrew shrugged. “I guess.” He put the vehicle in park.
Kara got out the back door of the Bentley and headed for the back of the car. Becky helped her grab their shopping bags.
Kara inspected the line-up of cars again. What is going on! They walked towards the house and the door opened before they got there.
Rose smiled at her oldest Grandson. “How was shopping?”
Andrew attempted to smile. “Oh, so much fun, Nan. I love shopping and with women too.”
Becky pushed his shoulder. “Give it up, Drew!”
Kara walked in after them. She heard the soft squeals of Brianna and then James’ deep voice as he spoke to the little girl. Her heart started to pound in her chest and she had to stop herself from just running at him when he walked from the kitchen.
It had been a week since she’d last seen him and he’d gotten a haircut since then, which really finished off his trim athletic look at the height of the soccer season they were in.
“Finally.” His eyes fell on Kara.
Becky rolled her eyes at him. “We were shopping.”
“Mm.” James gave her a glance and looked back to Kara. “I have a surprise for you.”
She came to his side, wrapping her arms around his waist beneath the light athletic coat he had on. “What is it?”
“You’ll like it.” Her skin reverberated with electricity and tingling, making her body ache at his touch. He kissed her forehead, leaning into her and putting his other hand to her distended stomach.
“I’ll put these away.” Becky went to walk up the stairs beside them.
“Thanks, Becky. So, Millie and Garrett are here?” Kara asked him.
“Yes, for dinner. We’ll see them when we get back.”
She looked up at him. “We’re leaving now?”
“Need to be back rather quick.” James pushed her towards the door. “You look nice.”
“Yeah, right.” Kara laughed off his compliment and waited as he pulled his car keys from his pocket.
James took her hand and led her out the door. She waited as he shut it, then made their way down the stone steps towards his car.
“Is the surprise close by?”
He stopped her at the passenger door and pulled her in, kissing her.
She smiled, grabbing his open coat. “I missed you.”
He groaned in reply and continued to kiss her. Gently, his mouth left her as he pulled a tie from his pocket. “Turn around then.” He helped her face the car and brought the black tie up and over her eyes.
She whined. “Really, James?”
He tied it around her head and tested the knot. “Too tight?”
Kara tried to brush off the obvious goosebumps and throbbing between her legs that he’d suddenly caused. “Uh, it’s fine.”
She heard the car door open and he helped her sit down in the low sports car. She felt him drag the seat belt across her lap and she squirmed from the contact. Stop acting like a silly little virgin, Kara.
He laughed and she wasn’t sure why.
“What?” She frowned through her blindness.
He took her chin and kissed her, his tongue dipping into her mouth and disrupting more than just a need for a kiss again. “Oh and no peeking, love, or I’ll get cross.”
He slammed the passenger door and she leaned back, her nerves on edge as he got in the driver’s seat. The engine came to life and she felt it move forward.
She put her arm to the rest and tapped. “Has this been planned long?”
“The last two and a half months.”
Kara took a quick breath. “You’re too good at keeping secrets.”
He stayed quiet though, not answering her in the slightest.
“How were the games?”
“Good,” he answered. “I’m glad we’re almost done though, more time at home with my wife and baby.”
Kara’s stomach flew with butterflies as she stayed silent, trying not to let his words seep into her hormones and make her get emotional.
“Was the rest of the week alright? Did Becky help you?”
Kara nodded. “A lot. She’s been really nice.”
“I’m glad you’re both getting on.”
The baby stirred and she tried to shift in the leather seat. “I can’t believe I have another two months left of this… it’s getting so uncomfortable.”
“At least you don’t get sick anymore.”
She groaned. “That’s because I can’t fit food in my stomach.” Then heard him chuckle.
“How much longer?”
“Another ten minutes.”
She knew it was going to be the longest ten minutes of her life. She really wanted to know what was going on but decided to stay quiet, though it would have been nice if her exhausted body could have slept for the drive but there was no way she was that lucky.
The car stopped, the soft purr of the engine cut, and she was now sure that they were there and not just stopping to make out again.
“Well?” She wanted to see what he was up to, so bad she was tempted to take off the blindfold but thought better of it.
The baby twisted in her and she wiggled, trying to get comfy again.
“One second. I’ll come around.”
She heard him get out of the car and walk around the outside. Her door opened and he leaned across her lap, undoing her seat belt for her.
He kissed her cheek. “Step out, love.” He helped her and steadied her on her heeled feet.
A soft warm breeze blew against her face and she smelled the sweet scent of flowers and fresh cut grass. It was nice, calm.
“We’re in a forest?” She went to remove the blindfold and he stopped her by taking her wrist and placing it back at her side.
“None of that,” he teased, stepping behind her and sending a swat to her ass. She noted how good of a mood he was in when he laughed with her.
His hands came to her waist and he guided her. “Walk forward.”
She tripped on the gravel beneath her though. Not a forest.
He caught her. “Never mind, don’t walk.”
She smiled. “Sorry.”
“Clumsy little thing,” he whispered.
Her body prickled as his hands came to the blind fold.
“Right, well…” His fingers loosened the knot. “I hope you like it. If you don’t…” He hesitated in removing the tie. “Well, too bloody bad.”
She bit her bottom lip in anticipation. “Let me see, James!”
He pulled the blindfold off and she blinked a few times, her eyes attempting to adjust to the bright sunshine around them.
She squinted and finally her eyes focused on the beautiful sight of the detailed turn of the century, two story home in front of them.
She gulped with her stunned pause. “This is my surprise?”
He continued to hold her from behind and kissed her neck, before whispering, “yes.”
She knew this home. It was the only listing she’d ever liked. The only one where she’d kept her mouth shut while looking at it because she had wanted it, saw herself living it in with him, their baby- all of it. But it had also been expensive. So expensive.
“Oh, this house. I thought it was sold.” Her voice hitched.
He stepped to her side. “Mm. Yes, to me.”
She couldn’t believe he’d bought it. Out of all the houses, he’d bought the one house she had wanted, even though the price had been ghastly and the finishes pristine. It needed no renovations, all it needed was a family to live in it.
“You’re being quiet,” he noted in a weary voice.
“I’m in some sort of shock.” She waved her hand at her face to try and stop her from forming tears.
“Why are you upset?” His face lost its amusement and he came in front of her.
She shook her head and put her hand to her forehead. “It’s—”
“Kara?” He pulled her wrist away. “Do you not like this house? I thought you did.”
“I do. I love it.” She nodded through her tears and that seemed to confuse him. Before he could question her further, she pushed her face to his chest.
He let out a sigh of relief. “Let’s go inside.” Taking her hand, he walked her to the front door, steadying her on her heeled feet.
She gulped as he pulled the keys from his pocket and took a moment to wipe her tears away. “Thank you…”
He paused to lean in and kiss her. “You’re welcome.” Then reached for the door, unlocking it.
She went to move forward, mostly out of excitement to wander through and take in the home. Our home.
He stopped her though. “No, wait.”
She huffed. “I know what you’re thinking and no, I’m like forty pounds heavier than the last time you picked me up.”
He moved towards her and scooped her up though, even against her quick protests.
She hung onto him and sighed as he stepped inside to the small foyer. “Welcome home.”
Kara sucked up the obviousness of feeling fat and put her hands on his cheeks, drawing him in close for a kiss.
He smiled half way through the lips and tongue, putting her back on her feet so she could go further inside without his assistance. She headed down the foyer, removing her heels as she did and turned to the perfect little kitchen first. Just as she remembered it. Her hands ran over the large basin sink and granite counters and then for the sake of it, flipped the water on and off.
“Do you still like it as much as you did when we viewed it?”
“What’s not to like?” Kara turned into him when she felt him walk up from behind and he took her face in his palms, kissing her softly.
She took a deep breath between her emotional lips. “I love it.”
“Good.” He stepped her back against the counter of the island area and lifted her up onto it. Before she had a moment to think through his intentions of the action, they began.
She wiggled into place along the countertop as he kissed her. Gently at first, his mouth grew hungrier by the second. She gripped the edge of the stone for support, knowing being flat on her back on the hard surface would not be too pleasant that pregnant.
His hands went to her hips and found the waistband of her maternity jeans. The stretchy band made them easy to remove and he pulled them off with her underwear. Her bottom hit the cool granite and she sucked in a breath of air from the shock of it.
Though the surface was pristine and clean, she could feel the memories of sticking to the last counter she’d been on top of. Tom’s coffee bar in Virginia, the night she’d wanted just two more days of freedom to go to her brother’s funeral.
His hand went to his belt and he undid the one-clip buckle. Her ears honed in on every movement he made and the associated noises that followed. It mimicked that night with Tom.
Her fingers clutched the granite as he dropped his lips to her neck and sucked.
Her eyes, no matter how hard she tried to close them, wouldn’t shut to enjoy a moment of it. His height more than made up for the height of the island and when he pulled her close to take her, she flattened her palms to stop him.
“No.”
His halt was impressive, even his breathing had stopped momentarily. He looked down at her and his shoulders straightened away from how he’d been leaned over.
“Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head, not able to ignore the way her heart started to race.
“What is it then?” His brow creased.
She swallowed but tears filled her eyes. “It just reminded me…”
He waited for an explanation but she wasn’t sure she could give him one. She’d never told him before and it didn’t seem like an opportune time to do it then either.
She shook her head and took the front of his shirt to pull him back. “Nevermind—”
“No.” He took her hand and held it. “Tell me.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I don’t really believe you. You’ve never stopped sex before, especially like this. You’re crying.”
“I’m just happy about the house…” she tried to brush his concern away.
“Mm.” He watched her. “Really?”
She looked to the way he was holding her hand, like she was falling off a cliff and perhaps she had been. “The night I came back with your rental car in Virginia… it was the night I traded my virginity to Tom so I could be at the funeral.”
“What?” He let her go and his hands went to do up his pants. Her heart sank as the moment between them sunk with it. Though this news couldn’t have been easy for him to hear, she’d drown first because of it.
“He ripped my jeans off, that’s why they were broken and he put me on the counter of the coffee shop to do it all.”
James stayed staring at her, not fixing his dress shirt back into place. “That was your first time?”
The truth seared through her heart as she looked up at him. “It was the last thing I had left to give him in trade. It’s all I could think of—”
“I was right there with you that entire time and had no idea.” He stepped back and pinched the bridge of his nose as he processed the information. His brow creased and didn’t relax.
“I’m sorry.” She slipped off the counters to console him.
He opened his eyes to look at her. “You’re apologizing to me? I should be apologizing to you.”
“Why?” she breathed.
He looked pained. “So, after the funeral in the hotel, that was only your second time…”
She whimpered from the shame of it. “You were so much better than Tom. So much nicer to me. Being with you was like an instant replacement of the drugs for me. I just wanted you.”
He shut his eyes and took a breath. “You should have told me all this much before now. You should have told me before we ever slept together!”
“It didn’t matter. Not really.”
“But it just did!” He snapped, coming toward her and she stepped back from being startled. “It matters a lot. I never would have put you on here and done that, had I known you were raped like that!”
She swallowed the shame she felt. “Technically, I consented—”
“Because you felt that was your last option!”
She didn’t reply.
“Is that not correct?”
“I did it for Josh,” she whispered.
“He could easily get indicted for rape over this.”
“I’m a Hunter, no one cares if I got raped or didn’t, James.”
“This whole thing makes me bloody livid, you know that!” He had exploded and she knew there was no way to stop it. “If I ever see that piece of shit again, I will kill him myself.”
Kara swallowed. “James, he’s not human… we’re not playing in Human-law…”
He never did offer a reply past a grunt as he walked away into the living room. She found her jeans and pulled her legs into the tight fashionable maternity pants before going across the hall to join him. Her eyes wandered over the stone fireplace, bright walls with built in shelving and the couch and love-seat chosen to match it all. It still needed a coffee table, side tables, a TV and of course, an abundance of baby items.
“You didn’t hurt me.”
He looked to her from where he sat on the nearby couch. “I made you remember what he did to you and that’s the same damn thing.”
“James…”
He looked away as she sat next to him.
“You’ve given me so much. Sometimes I feel you give me more than I deserve but you totally make up for my whole life being so shitty. I’ve never had anything other than Josh and even he got taken from me. Just being with you helps me move past all this.”
His eyes went to her with his sigh and she put her arm around him to bring herself closer. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s just—I wanted to forget it all.”
“Our relationship will become a struggle at times if I don’t know what went on with you and him. I need to know.”
Kara nodded with her exhale.
“What else has he done to you? Tell me.” His dark eyes grew intense on her and she knew with his next word, he wasn’t asking. “Now.”
“I’d just get high with him, until one day he wanted more and I said no and we got in a fight. A physical fight. I got away and didn’t see him for a few months. I just couldn’t do it…” She put her cheek to his shoulder. “I had always wanted my first time to be with you but Tom is so obsessed with me, it’s the one thing I knew he’d want.”
He let out a breath. “Kara.”
“Tom holds a lot of power in Virginia, he knows everything that goes on. He knows everyone… I had no other choice but to go to him once Josh was taken. I knew it could get me what I needed to find him.”
“You don’t belong to him as much as he wishes it.”
She searched his serious expression. “I’m a Hunter. My own blood doesn’t belong to me.”
“You aren’t just a Hunter. You’re…” He took a breath and recomposed his words. “You’re mine and I’m yours and he doesn’t get you. If he comes back, I promise you, I will fight for you and this baby, because she’s mine too.” Kara didn’t understand him but she figured there wasn’t much to understand. How she’d gotten so lucky to have a man like him love her like he did, wasn’t something she’d ever figure out.
“She?” Kara echoed.
He sighed and looked away. “I asked the clinic.”
“They told you?”
“Perhaps the doctor likes me,” he muttered.
Kara blinked and put a hand to her belly in excitement. “I knew it.”
“You did.” He stood, brushing a hand through his hair and looking down at her. “Would you like to look upstairs? Becky’s decorated the bedroom for you.”
“Oh okay,” Kara smiled as he took her hand to lead her toward the stairs.
“She helped pick some of the furniture out. I just wanted it to be somewhat livable for after the wedding. You can choose the rest though once we’re back from Paris.”
The hall upstairs had a subtle striped paper on the walls and she actually liked it. It would stay, she decided. The main bathroom was also lovely, and would stay with that clawfoot tub she loved. The rest of the floor was made up of three spacious bedrooms and a quaint office.
“Come.”
She scooted up to him and went for the door knob. “And behind door number one?”
“Becky’s idea of a good time,” he said as she opened the door.
Kara took in the brand new bed and quilts, antique refurbished nightstands and brand new rugs, “She did good.” She noted the quaint sitting area in the corner by the large, narrow windows that snuck views of the vines and tall trees just beyond them. She sat on the bed and felt the new coverings.
Her eyes wandered to him. “I love it, thank you.”
He walked over and crouched down in front of her. “I’m glad.”
She brought her fingers to the little white buttons on his dress shirt and played with the top one.
“You knew I would love it.”
“I hoped,” he let out a breath and put his hands to her knees. “And it’s all for you and this little one.”
She gulped back her heated emotion and leaned into him, grabbing his shoulders and kissing him. He groaned and came over her on the bed, sending her flat to her back as the baby moved inside her and made her suck in a short breath of air.
He paused as he noticed her tense.
“I’m a mess, sorry. We can’t enjoy any moment.”
He kissed her forehead, rolling off her and onto his side. “As long as you like the house.”
She tucked her knees and inched toward him. “You’re so patient with me.”
He lifted his hand and brushed the hair from her face, only staring at her in reply.
“I missed you so much this week.”
“Well, I’m with you for two weeks now.”
“I know…” Kara smiled, crawling on top of him to kiss him and attempted to get him out of the mood he was in from downstairs in the kitchen. “I’m so excited for Paris.”
He took her sides and held her close. “You should be. I’ve spent a small fortune on making sure the hotel suite meets the needs of a thirty-two-week pregnant woman.”
“Oh god, what does that even mean?”
He watched her for a moment. “Well firstly, good service and a good bed for you.”
She put her hands to her belly. “I’m so big, right?”
His hands joined hers. “You’re lovely but I want you to be comfortable when we’re away. There’s a lot to do and see. A nice hotel will help take the edge off.”
She blushed from the excitement. “The edge off you making love to me the whole time?”
He smiled and pushed his hands up and under her shirt. “Yes, I promise we’ll spend a lot of time in bed too.”
She giggled as the baby jostled inside of her and stopped her, making her wince. “I hope she lets me enjoy it with you.”
“She will,” he breathed, sitting up and keeping her on his lap. “Listen, we need to get back. There’s dinner and family waiting.”
She let out a frustrated hum and nodded. “Yeah, okay.” Then took his help in standing, a bit disappointed they hadn’t gotten a chance to christen anything in the house yet but it would just have to wait.