Page 30 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)

Chapter 30

Kenzie

I ’m officially into my third trimester, and the exhaustion I’m experiencing is nothing like what I expected. At times, I feel like I could simply fall asleep where I’m standing. My body aches everywhere and my son has decided he loves to practice Parkour right about the time I enter my REM cycle. And I have to pee every fifteen minutes.

Josh has been a godsend. For the past few weeks, every day I open the shop, he is there with me, ready to bake, frost, or do whatever my heart desires. Honestly, I couldn’t have survived without him. On top of that, he brings me dinner every night, gives me foot and back rubs, and does chores around my apartment. He started back to practices last week, and I can tell he’s exhausted, but he still shows up for me. I can’t even describe how much that means to me. No one has ever done that for me before.

I have a new baker starting next week, who will take over my early morning shift. Instead of getting to the shop at four, I’ll arrive between nine and ten to make sure everything is going well, supplies are stocked or ordered, and to check schedules and payroll. I trained Toby on all of it so that when the baby comes, I won’t have to worry those first few weeks as I adjust to motherhood.

Josh and I have been spending a lot of time together. We’ve eased into a very comfortable place. A place where we hold hands and snuggle. Last week, he even kissed me again after he treated me to an amazing foot and calf rub while we watched a movie.

As we sat on my couch, my feet in his lap, our gazes met, and we exchanged a thousand unspoken words in that moment. Josh slowly leaned in and placed a soft, tender kiss on my lips, then pulled away with a smile. As innocent as it was, it lit my entire body up.

My pregnancy hormones and my near-constant desire to mount him have made it uncomfortable a time or two. My libido is off the charts, and no matter how many conversations I have with myself, I’m still not ready to charge through the sex boundary. Considering everything that’s been happening, I guess you could say we’re dating again. However, I should probably check to see if he’s on the same page. We haven’t made an official proclamation or anything.

J osh only has a few days before he leaves for his first road trip of the season. It was hard when he traveled last season, but with a baby on the way and our relationship status in limbo, I’m more stressed than usual. Snuggled together on my couch sharing a bowl of popcorn, I realize how easy it was to drift back into us. “Josh,” I begin. He turns to me and as soon as his blue-eyed gaze lands on me, my body heats up.

“Yeah, babe?” Babe. I guess that’s me.

Picking up another piece of popcorn, I toss it at him, hitting him on the forehead. He smiles at me. “You know, if I’d known you were going to throw that, I would have tried to catch it. In my mouth,” he says, accentuating the last part.

“I have a question,” I tell him, my voice trailing off.

He drops the smile and stares at me. A look of uncertainty flashes across his face. “Okay,” he says in a super serious tone that makes me rethink my question.

Pulling my lower lip in between my teeth, I nervously nibble at it while I figure out how best to ask my question. A moment passes, then two.

“Kenz, you’re killing me. What’s your question?”

Fumbling, I say,. “Uh. Um. Well… you see. Ugh.” Frustrated, I hang my head.

Josh pushes my chin up and looks into my eyes. “Babe, what are you scared to ask me?” How did he know I was scared?

“We’ve been spending a lot of time together lately and we’ve gotten closer.” He nods his agreement. “So if someone were to ask what I am to you, what would you tell them?”

He pushes a stray hair behind my ear and then cups my jaw. “I’d tell them you are very special to me. You are carrying my baby and you are my best friend.” Swallowing hard, my feelings ball up in my throat. His words are pleasant, but they aren’t what I want to hear. What my heart desperately needs.

Once again, I lower my head, crushed, and I whisper, “I see.”

Josh lifts my face to him again and growls, “I don’t think you do. I wasn’t done. I would also tell them you are my everything. The one and only woman I will ever love. My future.”

His words are like a balm to my weary heart. “Really?” I ask.

Josh lowers his forehead to mine. “Really,” he confirms, and my heart rejoices.

Setting the popcorn bowl on the floor, he pulls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him. My pregnant belly fills the space between us, but he pulls me closer. I cherish the closeness we’ve gone without for months. The moment our lips touch, sparks crackle around us, reinforcing the undeniable chemistry we’ve always had.

I lay my hand on his chest to see if his heart is beating as fast as mine. It is. In fact, we’re in perfect rhythm together. He takes his large hand and wraps it around my neck, pulling me deeper into the kiss. I gasp, opening my mouth, and he swipes his tongue inside, stealing my breath. I pull back, panting. Our baby somersaults in between us and I feel something, probably an elbow, poke out. His eyes go wide. “Was that…?”

All I have to do is smile before he pulls me into another soul-stealing kiss. His hands trace down my sides and grab my hips, anchoring me in place as he thrusts upward. That feels incredible. Moaning into his mouth, I pray he’ll do it again. My prayers are answered when he again thrusts up, snapping his hips. Wanting so much more, I grind down on him, creating an absolutely delicious, hot friction between us. I circle my hips at a feverish pace, chasing the orgasm I feel building.

Josh tucks my shirt over my belly and runs his finger over the front clasp of my bra. Before flicking it open, he pulls his lips from mine. “Is this okay?” he pants. Excitedly, I nod. Within seconds, he’s released my much larger breasts, and he growls at the sight of them. “You are beautiful,” he says before pulling a nipple into his mouth. The suction sends me over the edge, and I throw my head back, moaning out my pleasure. As I’m coming down from the high, his hands skate up my back, supporting me, and I allow myself to relax back. The lost weight provides a reprieve from the constant strain of carrying fifteen extra pounds on my frame.

“That feels amazing.” I groan.

“Lean back and enjoy it, babe,” he croons, his deep, sexy voice further relaxing me.

“I’m not too heavy?” I murmur.

“Not at all. Besides, I have the most incredible view of the most gorgeous body I’ve ever seen.” He takes his tongue and traces it over my baby bump and up my sternum between my breasts. He chases the trail with his hot breath, and goose bumps break out over my body. I have never felt more desired in my life. I close my eyes, savoring the moment, and when I’m about to fall asleep, I feel him pull me up. He scooches forward on the couch, wrapping my legs around him, and picks me up. Thank goodness for muscles. He walks to my room and lays me down on the bed. I open my eyes, the shift in position pressing on my bladder.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” I tell him.

As I disappear to take care of business, Josh sits down on my bed. Feeling bold after what we’ve just shared, I strip off my clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. I brush my teeth and exit the bathroom. Hungry eyes track me across the room as I get closer to the only man I’ve ever loved.

“Kenzie,” he whispers, reverence laced in his voice.

This moment, right now, is a turning point for us. When I reach him, I step between his legs. His eyes are full of love and he places a tender kiss on my growing belly.

“Will you please stay the night with me?” I step back and he stands up. He pulls his shirt over his head and I slide my fingertips down his perfect abs to his belt. I tap it. He takes the hint. After undoing the buckle and the button on his jeans, he slowly slides the zipper down. Tease. Dropping them to the floor, he looks at me. I drop my eyes and focus on the outline of his hard cock while licking my lips. Next go his sexy black boxer briefs, and I have to remind myself to breathe. Anticipation charges through me. Every touch from him electrifies my body. His cock proudly bobs between us and he wraps his hand around it, giving it a slow pump.

My tongue darts out, licking my lips as he growls, “Lie back. Let me make you feel good.” I nervously scoot back. It’s been a while.

I can feel his eyes on me and he mutters, “Damn, you’re gorgeous.” When he gets to my eyes, he stops. “What’s wrong?”

Whispering, I answer, “This will be the first time since we learned I was pregnant.”

Josh sits back and sets his hands on my knees. He traces lazy circles with his finger and says, “I won’t hurt you.”

Shaking my head, I pull at his arms, and he crawls over me willingly. “You can’t hurt us. Just certain positions may be more comfortable.” A stern look spreads across his face.

“Tell me if I’m hurting you.” I nod and he lowers himself into a plank pose where he’s hovering above me. I reach up with my hand and pull his head down to mine. In mere moments, I’m lost in his kiss. With our tongues dueling, I let my hands explore. Tracing over the ridges of his pecs and down his abs, he sucks in a breath when I circle out to his sides. To his perfectly sculpted Adonis belt. Sexiest man alive.