back as another strangled scream escapes me. Brody thrusts up with his hips as I lose control, taking me swiftly over the edge where I fall apart in his arms.
He follows shortly after, driving upwards like a piston until his release overtakes him. We sit there for a few moments, breathing each other in, touching, exploring, melding our souls.
A yawn escapes me, and I cover my mouth.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“None at all.”
“It’s three in the morning, luv. How about we get some sleep and pick up where we left off in the morning?”
“Sounds fabulous.” Another yawn escapes me, and then another.
Sedate, and well-fucked, I’m ready to fall asleep in his arms. It’s the best part of my day. Well, next to waking up in his arms. That’s pretty damn awesome too.
We snuggle in bed, giggling as we launch into a tickle fight. I lose. He wins. He fucks me again. Great night.
I wake to a gentle nudge on my shoulder.
“Hey, sweetie.” His sleepy voice sounds like marbles rolling against each other.
“Ugh, go back to bed.”
“Wish I could, but I’ve got to go into the office for a bit. Breakfast is on the counter, and I promise to be back by noon.”
“Um, okay.” I flop over to my belly and pull the pillow over my head.
“Grace…” He calls out to me, and I groan.
“Let me sleep.”
“I will. When I get back, we need to talk.”
“About the condom thing?” I roll to my side and peek up at him. “Fingers crossed.”
“Which side are you leaning toward, baby or no baby? Because I’ll take either one.”
“Fingers crossed, I’m not preggers, but I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“No. I suppose it doesn’t.” The bed dips as he sits on the edge of the mattress. “I need to talk with you about Mark.”
“Mark?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“We’ll talk when I get back. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now, go to sleep.” He palms my head and gives it a playful shake.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do, but you keep talking to me.”
“Fine. I’m leaving. Be back soon, beautiful.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I give a half-hearted flap of my hand and roll back to my belly.
Brody gathers his things and gives me a kiss goodbye as I snuggle into the covers and drift back to sleep.
A little after eleven, I finally drag myself from bed and take a shower to wake up. Brody’s not back, which means I get to snoop. Not that I should. Snooping is bad, but when will I get a chance like this again? I want to see how he lives.
Mom used to say you could tell a lot about a person from the way they keep their home.
I pause and cock my head. That’s the first time I thought about Mom without feeling an intense wave of grief. Wow, I just might see my way through this.
Mom would want me to be happy, and I’m going to try hard to honor her wish. She also used to say the only thing I needed to know about life are the three C’s: choices, chances, and changes. ‘You have to make a choice and take a chance to change your life.’
Well, Mom, I’m choosing to take a chance on Brody, and I hope that changes my life in a good way. A thrill of excitement runs through me.
Eleven years ago, I never would’ve thought I’d wake up in Brody’s bed after a night of intense sex, and I most certainly didn’t think I’d be considering a future with him. My hand drifts to my belly, where I wonder about what the next nine months may, or may not, bring.
Honestly, I want children, but I’m not certain now is the best time. Although, I’m almost twenty-six and Brody’s nearly thirty. If we want kids, sooner isn’t such a bad idea.
I look through the drawers of Brody’s dresser and put on one of his well-worn t-shirts. Nothing else. Then I meander around his apartment, curious as to how normal it seems. One of the country’s most eligible bachelors, on track to becoming the next billionaire, his apartment is modest, reflecting nothing of his wealth.
It is on the top floor, but I wouldn’t call it a penthouse, and it’s only got two bedrooms. His place is spacious, however, taking up half of the top floor. The rest of the apartment is an open-flow design, with a gourmet kitchen, no skimping there, a smallish living room with a phenomenal view, a modest dining area, and there’s a small alcove he obviously