Love is Only a Whisper (Whisper Series) (22 page)

He was happy now but feared it may be fleeting. His heart lurched at the thought of losing Nicole. Ashton didn’t want to revert back to the man he was before she came into his life. Victoria’s suicide had changed his life. It created a place of regret and pain he never wanted to experience again. Vulnerable. Not in control. No matter what people thought, he felt deeply. It was a weakness that he never showed. He was uncomfortable with it. But with Nicole it didn’t matter. Ashton rubbed his brow. The situation with Brent needed to be settled. He didn’t want his brother around his wife, or at least until he was sure Nicole was cemented in his life without the possibility of disruption. The encounter with Brent had turned into an ugly argument that almost led to a confrontation. Brent wanted Nicole. Well, it was too bad. He had his chance. She was his now. He wouldn’t lose her.

Ashton rubbed his brow. He didn’t want his brother around
his wife, or at least until he was sure Nicole was cemented in his life without
the possibility of disruption. The encounter with Brent had turned into an ugly
argument that almost led to a confrontation. Brent wanted Nicole. Well, it was
too bad. He had his chance. She was his now. He wouldn’t lose her.

He turned off the water and stepped from the shower, grabbed
a towel, wrapping it around his hips. He strolled back into the bedroom. Nicole,
clothed in a pastel colored silk robe, was sitting in a high back chair smoothing
lotion on her legs. His heart escalated at the sight.

He knelt at her feet. “Do you want me to finish that for
you?”

“No, I’m almost done.”

Still kneeling, he noticed her cheeks were flushed. She
lowered her eyes and rubbed the excess cream onto her hands. He drank in the
fresh smell of lavender. The robe gaped open and he gently ran his hand over
the slight hard bump, marveling at the change in her body.

“I feel her.”

She laughed smoothly. “Her? I thought you would want a boy.”

“It doesn’t really matter.” He continued to rub her mound.
“It’s amazing.”

“You won’t think so when I’m fat and my feet are swollen.”

“I’m not superficial. I lo…like and want to share
everything with you, Nicole. Every change, every kick.” Color stained her
caramel skin. He stopped, realizing he was revealing his inner-most thoughts.

“You look tired. You should lie down,” she said.

He rose to his feet. “You’re the one pregnant. Shouldn’t I be telling you that?” He took the lotion bottle out of her hand, replaced the cap and set it on the dresser. Ashton then pulled her to her feet. “Let’s eat.”

Her eyes widened. “Aren’t you going to put on clothes?”

He looked down at himself. Even though, his cock was
semi-hard and pushing around the cloth of the towel, he was sufficiently
covered. “I’m dressed.”

She chuckled. “You’re something else, Ashton.”

“I know.” He winked at her.

In the kitchen, Ashton grabbed the potholders out of drawer,
“I’ll get the hot courses. The rest is in the fridge,” he said opening the
oven.

“I’m surprise you know where anything is.” She retrieved the
salads and placed them on the table.

“I’m not completely helpless. After all, I was a bachelor a
long time.”

“Does that mean you can cook?’

“Well, I didn’t say that.”

“It figures.”

Ashton held out the chair for Nicole and then sat beside her.

“This smells good.” She took a bite. “It’s also delicious.”

“I forgot the drinks.” He stood, opened the refrigerator and
retrieved the pitcher of lemonade. The housekeeper had already set the table
with the glasses. He poured the liquid.

“Hmm...Good.” She took a large swallow. “You don’t have to drink lemonade because I’m having it.”

“I’m fine.” Ashton refilled her glass. “Have you thought
about what you want to do after the baby is born?”

She gave him a quizzical look. “Do?’

“Yes. You were going to start an internship at the Grand Prairie Chronicle. I don’t want you to give up your dreams. I’m sure you can get an internship at one of the newspapers here in Dallas.”

“You keep surprising me.”

“How?”

“I have a job, or rather I should say jobs.” She smiled,
reached over and touched his arm.

He grinned. “Really? Humor me. Tell me about them.”

“Yeah. Let me see.” She put a finger to cheek as if in
thought. “I’m a wife, going to be a mother, and I have the dubious honor of
being your publicist. That in itself is full-time.”

He kissed her. Ashton couldn’t seem to stop touching her. Normally,
he wasn’t a touchy-feely man. His previous liaisons were bedroom driven by need
to release sexually. He didn’t cuddle or do impromptu to kissing. But with
Nicole he found himself doing just that.

Nicole’s sweet and provocative fragrance drifted to his
nostrils and teased his senses. His chest tightened with emotion and love. She
was intoxicating and didn’t even know it.

“Options will always be available,” he said seriously. “Being
married and a mother won’t stop your dreams from coming true.”

“Thank you, but I think I would want to be home with the
baby until he or she is at least school age.”

“Good. Now that’s settled. We need to make an appointment with
the doctor. I’m sure my mother—”

“No. I already have an ob-gyn. I want to keep who I have.”

“Only if the person is excellent. I won’t settle for less
for you or my child.”

Nicole rolled her eyes at him, again. She did that a lot,
especially when it came to him. She wasn’t happy with him right now.

“Okay. What did I do now?”

“You really don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“How bossy, territorial, and arrogant you can be.”

“What’s wrong with that?” His words held puzzlement.

She laughed. He frowned at her. He didn’t recall saying
anything funny.

“Never mind, Ashton. I can see you’re going to be a big
project.”

He stood and then helped her out of the chair. Ashton raised
her hands to his lips and placed a lingering kiss on each one. “Whatever
project you have in mind is fine with me.” His groin thickened with each
nibble. “How about a nap?”

“Now? I thought you weren’t tired.”

“We had a long flight. I think we need it.”

“I think
you
do.” Her tone was teasing and light.
“I’ll lie down and read a little”

“How about we forget sleep, the book and do something we
both want to do.”

“What would that be?” She sounded breathless.

“Let me show you,” he uttered.

In the bedroom, Ashton pulled her into his arms.

She said in a strangled tone, “We definitely aren’t going to
sleep.”

“Yes, we will…eventually.”

Her arms went around him trustingly as she tilted her head
back, giving him complete access. Time seemed to stand still while he engrossed
in the feel of her taut, sexy body against his own. All he could think about was
the beautiful woman in his arms who was his wife, the mother of his child and who
held his heart. Ashton walked backward to the bed and sat, pulling Nicole into
his lap.

He rubbed his hand over her body, finally coming to rest on
their child who was snuggled deep into her womb. Ashton sighed with
contentment, knowing that his child was safe. He rested his head to her chest,
feeling the strong beat of her heart, and sighed. The peace and contentment of
the moment brought a lump to his throat. He lifted his head. There was plenty
of light in the room from the windows and the open sliding glass doors. Ashton
scanned her beautiful face, lovingly caressing every inch and reveling in its
beauty.

He stood with her in his arms, placed her feet on the carpet
and pulled her gently to stand between his legs.

“Ashton?” she murmured.

He groaned when he opened the silk robe and found what she
had underneath, bright red bikini briefs and nothing else. He slid the briefs over
her hips and thighs. She stepped out of them and kicked the offending garment
aside. He flung the towel wrapped around his hips to the floor.

His eyes roamed her entire body and she uttered a low
sultry sound that made him even more aroused. He palmed her butt, squeezing it
gently as he memorized every inch of her.

“Please… hurry.”

He placed her in the middle, slowly kissing his way up her
body. “I want to make this last.”

Threading her hands through his hair, she pulled him into a
deep kiss. “Next time.” She murmured.

He released her mouth and placed his lips to her breast, which
were normally small and perfect but with the pregnancy, they had grown larger.
He licked and sucked one gently until it hardened and bloomed in his mouth. He
latched on to the other one with the same devotion. She thrashed and trembled
beneath him and kept uttering his name.

He massaged the swollen breasts enjoying the sounds she made.
Finally he relented, and slid his lips to her stomach and rained it with short
kisses, moving further until he found what he was looking for.

Nicole quivered under his touch. His fingers and mouth explored her womanhood and he watched her intently while stroking between her legs. He massaged the clitoris, bringing her to the brink of a climax but stopped before she fell into abyss. She was wet, her fragrant juices already flowing on his tongue. He lapped at her once again to savor the taste of her in his mouth. He couldn’t stop and drank her sweetness. He used his hand along with his tongue to give more pleasure. Small hands tangled in his hair, gripping tightly, while her hips pumped and brought him to a higher level of arousal. She cried out loud, shaking from the force of an orgasm. It continued on and Ashton went with it, slowly removing his fingers but not his tongue. She ground her hips against him while his mouth coaxed even more sensations.

Slick with sweat, she trembled.

“Ashton, what did you do to me?” She sounded dazed.”

He stroked her thighs, placing light kisses around her
navel. “You like?”

“It was magical. Now it’s my turn.” She got on knees,
scooting to the edge. “Stand up.”

He did as she instructed. Nicole took his cock into her
mouth, timidly at first and then with confidence. Her tongue circled the tip
and then took all of him. He felt the back of her throat. Ashton groaned at the
sensation. It surprised him when he felt the stirring of an orgasm and fought
hard to hold it back. He released pre-cum onto her tongue. Damn. He’d never
done that during oral sex before but her mouth was doing unbelievable things.
He had to stop before he shot off in her mouth. He pulled out, feeling the lost
immediately.

Still on her knees, she glanced at him. “What’s wrong? I
didn’t do it right?”

“You did it too well. I want to come inside you not in your mouth.”

“Lay back and come closer,” he invited, and she slid further down. He placed the head of his penis at her entrance and pushed through.

Nicole trembled. “It too much, Ashton,” she whispered.

“I promise to go slowly.” He pulled out and then pushed back in. She stiffened and he stopped and held himself completely still. “Relax, sweetheart. I won’t do anything you don’t want.” He gritted his teeth and began to pull out of her. She grabbed his buttocks, spreading her legs wider. Nicole guided his penis into her opening, teasing him with the friction. Breathing became difficult, causing his arousal to escalate to higher heights. He took over and rubbed the fully engorged tip back and forth letting it bathe in the wet warmth. Nicole moaned softly. Her breathing became labored and erratic. Ashton pushed hard into her, locking them together. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His hands grabbed her ass and pulled her tightly into his embrace. In sync, they moved together to form the perfect pace. Ashton thrust upward and she followed.

He thought he could go all night until Nicole’s walls
tightened and squeezed, beginning the descent. They were holding each other
tightly when in the distance he heard the buzz of the doorbell. His thrusts
were now deeper. He couldn’t hold out any longer and hoped she was with him.
Finally, the earthshaking climax claimed them. She shuttered in his arms. The
sensation rocked him core. He collapsed, sweaty and trembling from the shared
passion.

The offensive ringing tone became persistent. “Damn.” He realized whoever was at the door wasn’t going away.

He kissed Nicole’s face all over, ending with a long, and lingering
one to her lips. And then the doorbell rang again.

“Who can that be?” she asked breathlessly.

“I don’t know. Since the guards didn’t ring the house, the
person must be known by them. Believe me they won’t be staying long.” He kissed
her again. “Stay here.”

He got up, put on a robe and headed downstairs.

Irritated, he bypassed looking out of the peephole and swung
open the door.

“What the hell are you doing here, Brent?”

Ashton blocked Brent’s entrance into
his house.

“I’ll ask again, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?

“I want to see Nicole.”

Ashton stiffened. “Not happening.”

Brent pushed his way through the door. “I’m not leaving
until I do.”

Ashton calmly closed the door and glared at his brother. “You
have crossed the line this time, Brent.”

“Really? And you didn’t?”

“Nicole and I are married. There’s nothing you can do about
it.”

“Listen to yourself.” He pinched the end of his nose.
“Nicole isn’t a woman you sleep with and then discard when the novelty wears
off.”

“I know what she is.”

“Then let her go.”

“You’re talking foolish.”

“How many women have you gone through? You probably can’t
name them all. Nicole doesn’t know the rules. She probably thinks she has tamed
you but she’s in for a rude awakening. How in the hell could you do this to
her?”

“You can’t begin to know who I am or what I think. What is between Nicole and me are our business and no one else.”