Page 16

Joelle

How many sex dreams were too many?

For the ninth morning in a row, Joelle woke up sweaty, tangled in the cotton sheets, and frustrated with unsatisfied horniness after yet another Diamond centric dream.

She huffed as she flung back the covers, trying to banish one man from her life, which was proving more challenging than ever when his filthiness infiltrated her unconscious mind every night.

Diamond had stopped replying to her texts before Christmas.

That was fine.

It was the right thing to do.

She agreed they couldn’t be a thing, but it still stung he couldn’t have told her farewell, Merry Christmas, and have a glorious New Year. Manners cost nothing, so now, along with being horny all the time, she was mad at him.

Her shower took longer than usual because she had a problem to attend to. At least she could still rely on B.O.B. Her battery-operated boyfriend never let her down and always brought his A-game to the table, eh, shower.

She was a new woman when she eventually climbed out to towel dry. A biker was banished from her mind with one melty orgasm. And good riddance.

“Why so moody, sis?” she heard and turned to scowl at Reeves as she shut the bedroom door behind her. Thankfully, fully dressed, or she would have kicked her brother’s scrawny ass.

“What have I told you about just walking in? I could have had company.”

The little shit started laughing, sprawled out on her couch. “Yeah, right. Did pigs decide to fly? I didn’t see it on my socials.”

“I’ll tell our parents you had a girl sleeping over several times over the holidays.”

Her brother’s face blanched, and Joelle smiled.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Then rethink being a sassy little shit to me so early.”

Reeves swung off the end of the couch and followed Joelle into her kitchen. Because her brother was a bottomless pit, she pulled out the fixings to make him breakfast, even as her stomach gurgled. She felt unwell last night and hoped she hadn’t caught her mother’s winter flu. There was a painting she wanted to finish by this weekend.

“So, I’ll ask again, why so moody, sis?” Reeves had his hand in the cookie jar, feeding two into his mouth. It was a wonder that the boy didn’t weigh four hundred pounds. She’d believe in Santa if she could only have a teen boy metabolism.

“Nothing, I just have things on my mind.”

A stupid, handsome biker who plagued her dreams and left her wanting more. She missed talking with him, feeling him looming and watching her.

“Is it Trent?”

She sent him a speculative gaze as she whisked eggs to make him a ham omelet. Eggs she could just about cook without mishap.

“Why would you ask that?”

“He’s been by the house more, always panting around you at parties like a lovesick dickhead. Don’t you ever notice him watching you? I thought you might get back together.”

“No, that’s not happening.”

“Thank fuck. I hated that guy, Joelle.” In went another cookie. Reeves towered over her at six feet, so she made him grab the glasses from the overhead cabinet.

“You did? You never said.” She rolled her eyes with a grin. Reeves never stopped complaining about how much he hated Trent when she was with him.

“You deserve someone who pays attention to you, not someone who sucks up to Dad.”

She blinked. “Are you... is my baby brother being nice?”

He smirked. “Shut up. I can be nice. Besides, you’re feeding me. You are feeding me, aren’t you?”

“These eggs aren’t for me. I don’t feel like breakfast today.”

In no time, she cooked the food and served it on a plate for Reeves, who hungrily consumed it, continuously shoveling it into his mouth until the plate was bare.

“If you don’t have classes, do you want to come out with me today?” she asked. “I’m viewing a few places with a realtor.”

“Fuck yeah.” He agreed enthusiastically. “I gotta see what room will be mine.”

“I told you already, you’re not moving in with me, Reeves.”

“But I’ll have a room, won’t I?”

She relented, admitting she’d forever spoil the blue-eyed brat. “Maybe. But no girls are staying over.”

“Joelle! Come on, don’t be a prude. I’ll buy you noise-canceling headphones so you don’t hear her calling out to God.” The tall brat smirked, and she forgot he was no longer a cute, toothless kid who would follow her around. He was a grown man, taking college classes, and had a better dating life than she ever had.

“Forget it. You’re not coming with me.”

“I am.” He grinned, hopping down. “I’ll meet you outside. I need to grab my sneakers and call one of my girls to let her know I’m busy today.”

Joelle gaped at him. “ One of them ? What does that mean, Reeves? You better not be a man ho!”

He threw her a grin.

Lord above, her brother was definitely a man ho.

She’d need to talk seriously with him later because her parents would freak out if their nineteen-year-old son became a father before finishing college and finding a suitable wife.

After walking around several properties, Joelle was ready to sit down and drink a gallon of lemonade. None of the houses the realtor had shown her were the right fit.

“What was wrong with that one?” asked Reeves as they climbed into her car. “I liked my bedroom.” He smirked.

“If I bought that house, the biggest room would be mine, you turd. And I don’t know what was wrong with it, except it didn’t feel like my house.” It didn’t feel like it would suit a biker . It was absurd for her to have it as a consideration. Diamond wouldn’t be living with her. Or even visiting. He’d shown he was done with her for good.

“Women are weird.”

“Says the man who multi-dates.”

“There’s a lot of me to go around.”

“Just be careful, okay? I mean, use condoms if I wasn’t being clear.”

“I always am,” He answered. “And I never use a woman’s condoms. I’m not having her poking holes in them so she can become a Snow.” He shuddered.

Nobody in their sane mind would be eager to become part of their family.

“Can we stop to grab some lunch? I’m starving.”

“You ate a couple of hours ago.”

“I know. It feels like days.”

Joelle rolled her eyes and headed toward a favorite cafe. Although she was hungry initially, the smell of the food cooking changed her appetite.

“Aren’t you having anything?” he asked after the hostess took their order.

“I think I’m getting the flu. It’s a great start to January.”

“Don’t give it to me! I have a dating life to be present for.”

The little shit. She crumpled a napkin and tossed it at Reeves’ face.

When she woke up the next morning tired and achy, the flu had gotten to her. Feeling completely drained, she spent a day in bed, indulging in her favorite vampire-themed comfort shows.

By day three, she was fed up with the flu and compelled herself to get out of bed, shower, and change into regular clothes. At least, feeling under the weather, her X-rated dreams had stopped.

She missed him, though.

But she had to chalk up that surreal moment with Diamond as a fond memory she’d look back on in years to come. She’d call it the wild night with a biker.

It was difficult to picture The One coming into her life one day when she knew no man could ever compare to Diamond in how he lit up her heart. Was it fair to another man if Diamond was the standard now and they’d never live up to him?

A biker had come into her life, ruined her, and then disappeared just as fast, leaving her feeling unmoored, missing him more than ever.

With some of her energy returning, Joelle spent a few hours in the studio finishing a commissioned painting. Even though she didn’t sell many, every time she sold a painting, she felt more confident because she had earned it.

Toward the end of the following week, she dined with her parents, viewed several more properties, and painted like a madwoman. Most of those paintings were of Diamond and for her private collection, not for sale, but she went where her muse led her. His face haunted her, but her creativity was loving it. The fact he’d momentarily eased her loneliness made it feel even more awful. Like he saw her, the real Joelle, and he’d liked her.

“You look exhausted. Are you sleeping?” Sadie remarked that night at her friend’s house. “You haven’t touched your wine.”

“I’ve been battling the flu, and it’s zapped my energy. I could sleep for a month.”

“Tell me your symptoms.” Demanded Sadie.

“Oh, here she goes, Voodoo Medicine woman,” Molly said, sipping on Merlot.

Joelle shared an amused glance with Molly. Sadie was their self-appointed village healer. She’d diagnose and devise a solution in minutes if anyone became sick. Her bathroom cabinet was bulging with medical supplies.

“It’s just the flu, lack of energy, and wanting to sleep.”

“Loss of appetite?”

“Some, but not a lot.”

“Maybe you’re pregnant.” Molly wiggled her eyebrows over the lip of her glass, and Joelle nearly rolled her eyes to Saturn at the absurdness of the suggestion.

“I’d need to have sex for that to happen.”

“Trent didn’t manage to get you back together?”

“What is it with everyone mentioning Trent lately? Do I give off a pining vibe? He’s no one important and never was, and I’m never getting back with him.”

“I’m joking, sweetie. Trent looks hot in a suit, but it’s the only hotness he brings. You need a stallion in the bedroom and the living room.” laughed Molly.

“What’s my diagnosis, witch doctor?” she asked Sadie, changing the subject from her non-existent love life.

“You have the flu. I prescribe lots of vitamin C and plenty of sleep.”

Joelle toasted her friend with the undrunk wine. “Thank you. I’m pleased I’ll live.”

“You better not die before my birthday!”

“Or my Fourth of July party.”

God, she loved these girls. Emotions overwhelmed her, causing tears to well in her eyes, but she composed herself with a deep breath. It was January blues. A fresh start and the uncertain times ahead for her this year.

Her low mood had nothing to do with not seeing or hearing from Diamond in five weeks.

She wasn’t missing the bodyguard biker.

And she wasn’t wondering if he’d moved on to a new woman.

By the end of the week, Joelle was feeling more like herself again. She was considering two houses as her options. Also, she decided to improve her diet, cut back on sugar, and prioritize her health, prompting her to schedule a doctor’s appointment for Vitamin C injections. Before anything else, she had to undergo a complete blood panel to rule out any other deficiencies that could account for her fatigue.

“What’s the verdict, Doctor Gio? Are you sending me home with a bag of drugs?”

She hoped not. Modern medicine was great, but she hoped to fix her tiredness with a healthier diet.

“Not many,” her doctor smiled, “just prenatal vitamins.”

Joelle gaped, sure she’d heard wrong. Suddenly, she wasn’t feeling so well. “Excuse me? What did you say?”

“You’re pregnant, Joelle. About six weeks, according to your last cycle.”

Prompted by the stunned expression on Joelle’s face, the doctor asked. “Were you aware you were pregnant?”

“Oh, sure, Doctor. This is the face of a woman who came in knowing she was pregnant. You must be wrong. I can’t be pregnant.”

“Your hCG levels are over twenty-five, Joelle. It’s a sure sign of pregnancy, but we can schedule an ultrasound for you.”

Joelle’s mind had been transported to another dimension. That had to be it. She’d been watching too much fantasy TV lately.

This wasn’t happening.

Women didn’t have immaculate conceptions, for goodness’ sake!

The doctor launched into her explanation about what would come next. What came next was Joelle would have a complete breakdown in her car and then seek a second opinion!

She wasn’t sick.

She didn’t have the flu.

And she didn’t need vitamin C injections to improve her energy.

Pregnancy hadn’t even been on her list of possibilities.

Her mind was like a flip book, trying to figure out when and how. And then it hit her like a ton of bricks.

The fooling around with Diamond.

There hadn’t been penetrative sex, but there certainly had been insertions and body fluids. The air whooshed out of her lungs, and Joelle felt the room spinning.

Dear lord.

This was not happening.

It had to be a dream.

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up .

While the doctor continued, Joelle nodded in the right places. She hoped, but her heart was beating too fast, and she was holding onto her sanity by a loose grip.

She was pregnant.

Oh, shit. That meant she’d have to tell Diamond.

And how would a man believe he’d gotten her pregnant when Joelle couldn’t believe it herself?

Plot twist: Reeves didn’t bring home a surprise baby. It was her.