Page 12

Chapter 12

Concerned Potential Daddy

Carter

I checked my phone again. It had been only five minutes since I’d last checked, but Nora should have been home by now. The bag of takeout from Leo’s restaurant was getting cold beside me, and my ass was going numb from sitting on the hardwood floor outside her apartment.

Maybe this was crossing a line. Again.

When she hadn’t answered my texts asking if she’d had dinner, I’d decided to swing by with pasta. The “just happened to be in the neighborhood” excuse I’d used three times since she told me she was pregnant was wearing thin considering I lived on the opposite side of the city.

To be fair, I was genuinely worried about her. She looked exhausted when I saw her a few days before, and I kept catching myself analyzing her complexion. Not in a creepy way but in a concerned potential daddy way. Which, okay, still kind of creepy.

The elevator dinged at the end of the hall, and I scrambled to my feet, trying to look casual and not like I’d been camping outside her door for the past forty minutes.

Nora stepped out, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion, bag slung over one shoulder. Her eyes widened when she spotted me, a mix of surprise and something I couldn’t quite identify flashing across her face.

She approached slowly, keys dangling from her fingertips. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

I held up the paper bag with an overly bright smile. “I brought dinner!”

Her eyes narrowed, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. “You know, in some states, this would qualify as stalking behavior.”

I winced. “It’s only the third time this week.”

“Fourth, if you count the breakfast smoothie you had delivered on Tuesday.” She set down her bag and crossed her arms, but she didn’t look upset, which I took as a win.

I ran a hand through my hair. “Shit. I am being too much, aren’t I? You’ve been looking tired, and I wanted to make sure you were eating, and?—”

“Carter.” She cut me off, her expression softening as she stepped closer. “I was joking. It’s kind of sweet. In an overly persistent, boundary-challenged kind of way.”

I exhaled, relieved. “So... not creepy?”

“Oh, definitely creepy.” She grinned, taking the bag from my hands and unlocking her door. “But apparently, I have a higher creepy tolerance than I thought. Come on in, since you’ve already committed to the bit.”

My heart leapt in excitement. She hadn’t invited me in before, so this was progress, right? I grabbed the bag she’d set down and followed her inside.

I scanned her apartment, surprised by the spacious layout. The open floor plan made it feel airy and bright, with high ceilings and exposed brick that reminded me of my own place, though on a cozier scale. A small dining table nestled near floor-to-ceiling windows, and the kitchen flowed seamlessly into a living area where there was an oversized couch.

I shouldn’t have been surprised by the amount of hockey memorabilia, but it still made me pause. There were also a ton of framed photos and a stack of books about pregnancy sitting on the couch, partially hidden under a throw blanket.

“So, what’s for dinner?” She peeked into the bag as she kicked off her shoes.

“Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken, salad, garlic bread, and cheesecake.” I shrugged off my jacket and hung it on the coat rack, feeling oddly domestic. “I was going to get tiramisu but was worried about the alcohol.”

She laughed, heading for the kitchen. “Sounds delicious. Want a drink? I’ve got water, juice, or...” She hesitated, opening her fridge. “Actually, that’s it. Being pregnant really limits the exciting beverage options.”

“Water’s perfect.” I leaned against her kitchen counter, watching as she moved around the space. “How was practice today?”

She grabbed plates from a cabinet, her movements slowing. “Exhausting. I had a team coordination meeting and then back-to-back sessions with players.”

“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

She sighed, dishing pasta onto the plates. “But I can’t exactly slow down. Not yet, anyway. Not until I figure out... everything.”

We settled onto her couch with our food, and she put on a show as we ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. The day’s stress visibly lifted from her shoulders, and there was no greater satisfaction than knowing I’d helped ease it.

When we finished our dinner, I snagged the box containing the shareable cheesecake, deliberately grabbing only one fork. Who was I to deny either of us the intimate pleasure of trading bites across the same utensil?

I watched her close her eyes as I fed her the bite, savoring the way her expression transformed into pure pleasure.

“This is almost better than sex... but not quite.” Her words sent a jolt of electricity through me, especially paired with that satisfied little smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” I couldn’t resist teasing her, even as I tried to keep my voice steady. “Is anything better than sex?” I took my own bite of the silky-smooth cheesecake, fighting back an appreciative sound as it practically melted in my mouth.

“Actually, yes. I skated earlier. It was amazing to let go and clear my mind.” She took another bite.

I frowned. “Should you be doing that?”

The question seemed to hit her like a physical blow, the easy relaxation disappearing from her posture. Her shoulders tensed, spine straightened, and the contentment I’d been basking in vanished faster than my self-control around her.

I’d finally gotten her to relax, and my big mouth had to ruin it. The urge to reach for her, to somehow rewind time and unsay the words, was almost overwhelming.

“I... don’t know.” Her voice was small. “The thought has crossed my mind, but I’ve been skating my whole life. It’s like walking for me.”

“Maybe ask your doctor?” I’d totally overstepped, and now I was scrambling to soften the impact. “I’m just thinking, if you fall...” My voice trailed off as I pictured various scenarios, each worse than the last.

The protective instinct surging through me was new and overwhelming. I wasn’t usually the responsible one in any situation. But something about her made me want to wrap her in bubble wrap while simultaneously respecting her independence, and I was doing a great job of failing at both.

“I could fall walking too. But, yeah, I’ll ask.” Her eyes grew worried. “What if I can’t coach anymore? How am I supposed to show techniques if I can’t demonstrate them?”

I placed the cheesecake on the coffee table and shifted closer to her. “Hey, you’re one of the best skating coaches in the country.”

She didn’t smile. “This could cost me my job, Carter. The timing couldn’t be worse. I was finally getting established with the team, gaining their trust, and now...” She gestured vaguely at her still-flat stomach. “I don’t even know how I’m going to tell Coach Lovell.”

This wasn’t the first time she mentioned her job being in jeopardy.

“If they fire you because you’re pregnant, I’ll personally fund a discrimination lawsuit that will own the entire franchise.” I took her hand, squeezing it gently. “But they won’t. They’d be doing themselves a disservice.” I reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her eyes met mine, and something shifted in the air between us. The apartment suddenly felt smaller. I moved my thumb across her cheek. I was still touching her face, and she hadn’t pulled away.

“Carter…” Her eyes dropped to my mouth.

“Yeah?” I leaned closer, giving her plenty of time to pull away.

She didn’t. Instead, she closed the distance between us, pressing her lips against mine. Soft at first, but then with growing confidence and need as I responded.

I slid my hand into her hair, cradling the back of her head, her body warm against mine. Her hands fisted my shirt, pulling me closer.

Time seemed to slow as the kiss intensified. The sweet taste of cheesecake lingered on her tongue, mixing with something that made me dizzy with want.

When we finally broke apart, her eyes were dark and wide, lips slightly swollen. A flush had spread across her cheeks, down her neck, and disappeared beneath her collar. I wanted to follow it, to see how far it went.

“I shouldn’t want this.” Her fingers played with the bottom hem of my shirt. “You’re so—” She stopped, shaking her head slightly.

“So what?”

“Infuriating.” But she smiled as she said it. “And persistent. And surprisingly sweet.”

I grinned, trailing my fingers down the column of her neck. “Sweet enough to taste?”

Her laugh was breathless. “That was terrible.”

“It made you smile, though.”

She studied my face for a long moment, something vulnerable flickering in her eyes before resolution settled there. “Carter, I want you.”

My heart hammered against my ribs. “Are you sure? I don’t want to push?—”

She pressed a finger against my lips. “I’m sure.” She glanced down at her stomach, then back to me. “I’m not fragile. I won’t break.”

“I know you won’t.” I caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I want to make sure this is what you want.”

“What I want…” She leaned forward until her lips brushed my ear. “Is for you to fuck me.”

The raw need in her voice sent heat pooling low in my belly. I captured her mouth again, kissing her deeply as my hands found her waist, pulling her closer.

“Bedroom?” I managed between kisses.

She shook her head, fingers already pulling up my shirt. “Here. Now.”

Who was I to argue with that?

I unzipped the athletic jacket she had on, and she pulled it off along with her tank top underneath. The simple black sports bra she wore did little to hide the fullness of her breasts, the slight swell more pronounced than I remembered from our night together.

I traced my fingers along the edge of the fabric, watching goosebumps rise on her skin. “You’re beautiful.” And I meant it more than I’d ever meant anything.

She stood, wrangling off the confining fabric as I helped her out of her pants.

I lay back on the couch and guided her to straddle me. “I want to taste you.”

There was no hesitation as she positioned her knees on either side of my head. I wrapped my arms around her thighs, drawing her down to my mouth.

The first stroke of my tongue against her made my entire world narrow. Her sweet and tangy taste was so perfect that I nearly lost myself. She gasped sharply as her hands flew to the armrest behind my head.

I explored her with deliberate patience, mapping every fold and contour, cataloging each response like precious data. A light flick against the side of her clit made her hips jerk. Firm pressure just above it pulled a low, guttural sound from deep in her throat. The heat of her against my mouth was driving me half-mad with need.

Her hips began a slow, hypnotic roll against me, creating a rhythm that matched the flick of my tongue. Her fingers slid into my hair, not gentle but demanding, tugging and directing me with unmistakable intent. The slight pain sent sparks down my spine, making my cock pulse.

Each technique pulled different sounds from her—breathy sighs, broken moans, and a surprised cry that made me double my efforts. I gripped her thighs tighter, pulling her down more firmly against my mouth, needing to give her everything she asked for and more.

When I felt her begin to tense, thighs quivering, I stayed the course until she cried out, her body arching above me as pleasure washed through her. I held her steady through it, slowing my tongue as the aftershocks subsided.

She moved down my body to rest against my chest. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes bright. “That was...”

“Just the beginning.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

I rolled her onto her back, taking a moment to rid myself of the rest of my clothes. Her eyes roamed over me appreciatively, lingering on my obvious arousal.

I knelt between her legs, pressing soft kisses down her neck, her collarbone, and the swell of her breasts. I paused when I reached her stomach. The enormity of it hit me suddenly, fierce protectiveness mixing with wonder.

I pressed my lips gently against her skin, below her navel. It wasn’t planned, just a moment of connection that felt right. When I glanced up, her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

“Sorry,” I said quickly. “Was that?—”

“No,” she interrupted, reaching down to touch my face. “It was perfect. I’m just emotional about... everything.”

I moved back up, capturing her lips in a tender kiss that quickly rekindled the heat between us. Her hands roamed over my back, pulling me closer as she hitched one leg over my hip.

My body was ready to go, but I paused, suddenly remembering. “Do we need...?”

She laughed softly. “I’m already pregnant, Carter. Unless there’s something else I should know?”

“I get tested regularly,” I assured her. “And I haven’t been with anyone since the yacht.”

Surprise flickered across her face. “Really? I thought?—”

“What, that I’d been sleeping my way through Manhattan?” I teased, but there was a serious undercurrent to my words. “No. Not since you.”

Something softened in her expression. “Me neither.”

The admission felt more intimate than it should have. I kissed her as I slowly slid inside her. She was warm and tight around me, her body accepting mine inch by inch.

I started with slow, deep thrusts that had her moaning into my neck. Her legs wrapped around me, pulling me in even deeper.

“Please, Carter, I need more.” Her voice broke with urgency as she raised her hips to meet my thrusts. Her eyes locked with mine, and her fingers dug into my shoulders with enough force to leave marks. “Fuck me like you mean it.”

I pulled out, rising onto my knees as I fisted my cock. “You want me to fuck you hard?”

“Yes, please. Please fuck me hard.” She pinched her nipples and arched her back, treating me to an erotic display of how much she wanted me.

“On your hands and knees.” I worked my hand faster as she quickly turned over, her ass on full display. I ran my hand over one of her cheeks before moving in behind her. “You asked for this.”

She cried out as I slammed into her. My hands gripped her hips as we moved together, the connection between us intense and overwhelming.

“Nora, fuck. You feel amazing.” I was completely lost in her, both mentally and physically.

“Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

I leaned forward, pressing my chest against her back, one arm wrapping around her waist to hold her close while my other hand braced against the couch. “Do you like the way my cock fills your sweet pussy? How well we fit together?”

Her response was a series of gasps and moans that drove me wild, pushing me closer to the edge. Our bodies found the perfect rhythm, with her pushing back each time I pushed forward.

When she cried out my name, I followed her over the edge, my vision nearly blacking out from the intensity. For several long moments, we stayed connected, both of us trembling.

Finally, I eased away, helping her turn over before collapsing next to her on the couch. I pulled her against my chest, her back to my front, my arm draped protectively over her waist. Our breathing gradually slowed, but my heart continued to race.

The apartment was quiet except for the occasional distant sound of traffic outside. In that moment, everything felt right in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

“You okay?” I kissed along her shoulder, my fingers dancing over her lower abdomen.

She nodded, her hand finding mine and squeezing gently. “Better than okay.”

I lay there smiling like a total sap, tracing lazy circles on Nora’s hip when her phone lit up on the coffee table. The soft blue glow illuminated her face as she reached for it, and I watched as her expression transformed in an instant.

Her entire body went rigid against mine.

“Nora?” I propped myself up on my elbow. “What is it?”

She stared at the screen, her face draining of color. “It’s, um, the results.” She swallowed hard. “From the paternity test.”

I was surprised my heart didn’t break through my chest cavity. This was it, the moment that would change everything. I’d been preparing myself for this since she told me she was pregnant, oscillating between hoping I was the father and being terrified of the responsibility.

She angled the screen away from me, reading quickly. “Oh.” The single, flat syllable carried a world of meaning, and I knew. Even before she looked at me with those devastated eyes, I knew.

“Not me?” I kept my voice steady despite the strange hollow feeling spreading through my chest.

She shook her head, not quite meeting my gaze. “No. It’s... it’s Dominic.”

The arrogant hockey player who strutted around like he owned the ice. The guy who had antagonized her from day one. The player with daddy issues a mile wide and the emotional maturity of a coconut.

“I need to...” She gestured vaguely toward the bathroom, already pulling away. “I should clean up.”

“Yeah, of course.” I sat up, giving her space to move past me.

Her face was a careful mask as she gathered her clothes, but I caught the tremble in her hands. She disappeared into the bathroom, and the soft click of the door closing felt like the end of something that had just started.

I sank back against the couch, naked and suddenly cold. I grabbed my boxers from the floor and pulled them on, trying to make sense of the jumble of emotions crashing through me.

Disappointment? Sure. Relief? Not really. But mostly, weirdly, protectiveness. Because while I might not be the father, I’d seen Dominic in action, and I knew enough to know what kind of man he was.

Not to mention her job was even more at risk now.

The sound of water running in the bathroom couldn’t quite mask the quiet sob I heard through the door.

Fuck.

I pulled on my pants, mind racing. I’d thought that receiving this news might change my feelings and be my exit cue. It certainly was a reason to bow out gracefully if I wanted to. Instead, I felt more invested than ever.

I made my final decision right there, half-dressed on her couch with the scent of her still on my skin. I wasn’t walking away. Not from this. Not from her.

I wasn’t the father, but I wanted to be there for her. For them.

It wasn’t my place, and I had no right, but when had something being a bad idea ever stopped me before? If anything, it usually encouraged me.

I’d be whatever she needed: a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a buffer against the inevitable drama. I had resources, connections, and a pathological need to solve problems. And I’d be damned if I let her face this alone.