Page 22 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

Chapter Seventeen

Ivy

On Sunday morning, we went to my mother's house, since I missed my afternoon date with my siblings for move-in day. I was nervous about what she'd say about my pregnancy.

I knocked, then walked inside. Mom had made sandwiches, which were arranged on a platter in the middle of the nicked kitchen table.

Rae and Duncan were fighting from their spot on the bench. "I want to play video games first."

"You got to play first last time," Duncan shot back.

"You two, settle down. Your sister is here."

"I brought Cooper with me too."

"Can we play basketball?" Duncan asked as Cooper sat next to him.

"Not today."

"Oh, I talked to Mom, and she said it was fine for you to play in that Wednesday league. I can pick you up and drop you off," I said to him.

His eyes round, he asked, "Seriously?"

I smiled. "Seriously."

"I'm going to tell my friends." Duncan got up from the table and disappeared down the hallway. I'd bought both of them a tablet so that we could communicate through email. They were a little young for cell phones.

Rae nibbled on a sandwich as I poured lemonade for her.

"You wanted to talk to me about something," Mom said absentmindedly as she sipped her water.

"We wanted to tell you that we're pregnant," I said, sitting next to Rae, my heart pounding hard.

Mom's brow arched. "Oh?" And then she focused on Cooper. "I assume you're the father?"

"That's right."

"Are you getting engaged?" Mom asked, her voice lifting in what sounded a lot like hope.

I shook my head. "We plan to co-parent."

Mom sighed long and hard. "Good luck with that. Most men don't stick around."

"Mom—" I chided, looking toward Rae. She didn't need to hear her mother's vitriol toward deadbeat dads. Thankfully, Rae was reading a book next to her plate. "What do you think, Rae? You're going to be an aunt?"

She lifted her gaze. "Can I play with her?"

"She might be a boy. We don't know yet."

Her nose scrunched. "I hope it's a girl."

Rae finished her sandwich and asked to be excused to her room.

"Having a baby as a single woman isn't easy," my mom said.

"You told me often enough," I murmured, exchanging a look with Cooper.

"I intend to be in Ivy's life and to help out with the baby," he said.

Mom sat at the table. "For how long? Until you decide you need to go somewhere else?"

"Well, ma'am, my family is here, and I work in the family's business. I don't have any intention of leaving, and now I wouldn't anyway. Ivy and the baby are my priority."

Mom sighed but didn't say anything further. We ate the sandwiches she provided, talking about the used vehicles I'd researched for her. "Bob at the used lot in Ft. Myers said he could give you a good deal. You just need to get there."

"If I want to get a better job, I'll need a working car. Thanks for researching that for me," Mom said, getting up to clean our dishes.

I carried mine to the sink, and she said, "I warned you about situations like this. I thought you would be smarter than I was."

I looked over at Cooper, whose attention was on Duncan, who'd returned to eat his lunch.

"It wasn't planned. But I think it will be different.”

"I hope for your sake it is," Mom said, bitterness lacing her tone.

I wanted to create a better life for my baby, but I was worried she was right.

At Cooper's home, we fell into a natural rhythm. He’d gotten up early for work, leaving a covered dish of eggs in the microwave for me.

I had a later start, since most showings were in the afternoon and evening.

I spent my mornings researching listings and following up on new-client inquiries and offers.

I'd taken to working on the deck where I had a perfect view of the ocean. It felt like a permanent vacation.

The difference in schedules gave me space from him. I didn't have to worry about running into him in the kitchen for breakfast or even for dinner for that matter.

He'd taken to cooking a meal, wrapping up my serving, and leaving it in the fridge. He went to bed early, so I had the place to myself in the evenings too.

I'd been worried how this would work and how I'd resist him, but so far, it had been easy. Almost too easy.

On Friday afternoon, my schedule was clear, and I intended to come home early to take advantage of Cooper's bathtub. He'd said I could use it anytime, but I'd been waiting for the perfect opportunity.

He usually came home from work around four, and it was only two. I had plenty of time to enjoy the tub before he arrived. I'd be dressed, and we could cook together or order takeout.

I took off my clothes and left them on the floor, not bothering to close or lock the door since I wasn't expecting Cooper to come home anytime soon.

I ran the water, adding lavender bath salts, before testing the temperature and climbing in.

I rested my head against the rim, letting the warm water fill the tub.

When it was full, I turned the water off and resumed my relaxed position.

I couldn't believe I hadn't tried this before.

It was heavenly, especially after a long week at work when I was on my feet more often than not.

I closed my eyes, breathing in the lavender scent. If I opened them, I'd see the palm trees' leaves in the window that made me feel like I was bathing in a jungle. This was heaven.

I wondered what my life would look like in a few short months.

Would I be in the house all day with the baby?

Would I try to take him or her for walks on the beach or the paths around the island?

I liked to think I'd be active, but I was worried about what I'd realistically be able to manage on my own.

I lived with Cooper, but that didn't obligate him to help. I was the one who'd be home all day in the early weeks and months. I hadn't bothered to reserve a daycare spot because I didn't like that option as much as a nanny.

Then there was the issue of needing childcare when I worked odd hours, like evenings and weekends. Cooper could potentially help during those times, but I hated having to rely on that as a possibility. What if he decided he didn't want to help or he didn't have time?

I forced myself to stop thinking about the what-ifs and enjoy this heavenly bath while I had access to it. This really was my dream house.

This sitting room in the master was perfect for a makeshift nursery or even a space for me to work when the baby was moved to a separate bedroom. But this wasn't my space. Living here was a dream, and I'd long ago learned to stop contemplating those.

I only believed in what I could see. Actions spoke louder than any words. I created my reality. The mantras played over in my head until I drifted off for a nap.

I was having the best dream. Someone was playing with my hair, sending tingles down my spine. A hard and very naked body moved behind me so that I was resting against his chest. I sighed in contentment, wishing this dream would never end.

And then his hands cupped my breasts, running a thumb over my nipples, and my eyes flew open. That felt very real.

Hard thighs bracketed mine, and the ridge of Cooper's cock pressed against my back. I turned so that I could see his face. "When did you get here?"

An amused smile spread over his face. "I came home early. I saw your schedule on that calendar you shared with me when you moved in.

"You wanted to see me?"

"We've been like ships passing in the night or not passing at all really. I missed you."

My heart melted at the sentiment.

"Then I came home to find you naked in my tub." His fingers drew circles on my hip. "It was a nice surprise."

"I'm sorry. I thought you wouldn't be home for a while yet."

"You can use my tub whenever you want," he said, his eyes dark with desire.

"This is your space," I countered, clinging to the illusion of boundaries.

He stopped me with a kiss on my upturned lips. "It's yours too. And I want you to enjoy a bath whenever you want."

I wanted to argue with him, but he turned me so that I was straddling his lap. He made sure my knees weren't resting on the tub itself, which I appreciated. Ever since I'd gotten pregnant, I couldn't bear any weight on my knees. It was too painful.

He ensured I rested entirely on his thighs.

His lips curled into a smile. "I hope you don't mind that I joined you."

I shook my head, my body already moving into overdrive. I wanted him now, and didn't feel like I'd need any more foreplay to ease him inside me. I reached between us, cupping his dick with my hands, squeezing gently, and then pumping him.

He jerked in my grip. "I won't last long if you keep that up."

I rose up slightly so that I could line him up properly. His gaze was fixated on the spot where the tip slid inside me.

"You don't have to—" Cooper's gaze flew to mine when I pressed a finger over his lips.

"Shh. I want to enjoy this dream I'm having."

He wrapped his arms around my back. "What's it about?"

"I was taking a bath, and I must have fallen asleep because I was dreaming about this huge cock filling me. It was absolutely divine." I closed my eyes as I eased down his length, relishing the burn from the stretch.

His hands ran down my back as I moved over him. Each pass down his cock drove my desire higher. Then his mouth closed around my nipple, and I was lost to the sensations, needing more.

When his hand slipped between us, his fingers found my swollen clit, and I went off without any warning. Light danced behind my eyelids as my mouth opened on a gasp.

He moved his hands to my hips, guiding me over his cock, as he chased his release. He drove one more time from underneath and held me in place as he emptied himself inside me. I wrapped my arms around him, enjoying the moment.

As the orgasm faded from my consciousness, I realized what we'd done. We'd had sex in his house. It wasn't a bed, but it still felt serious. Other than fooling around on my couch, I hadn't allowed things to go further in our personal spaces.