Page 131 of (Not) The One
‘Tell me in the morning.’ Her hands on my shoulders, she pushes herself upwards, undulating above me. Riding me, using me, her hands on my shoulders, her nails piercing against my skin.
‘Harder,’ I beg, because I’m not going to last. Because I need her to feel me. Her pussy clenches around me, her nails digging further into my skin as my body bows and I begin to fuck her the only way I can.
‘Come. Please. Come. Give it to me. I want tofeelit.’
‘Christ.’My abs twitch and my thighs ache as something blindingly hot barrels through me. I see stars created—universes—right here in the dark, and when I come back to the earth, she’s crying out her own love in the dark.
36
Miranda
‘I hatethat you won’t be on my arm today.’ I’m fastening an earring when James appears behind me, his expression pensive.
‘You’re too pretty to need arm candy. Except maybe to discourage the hordes of single girls.’ Hmm. There’s an angle I hadn’t anticipated.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a single man at a wedding must be in possession of a rideable cock. Some of the sights I’ve seen at weddings would put an orgy to shame. Well, not on my watch, bitches. I’ll bat them off with a champagne tray if necessary.
‘The hordes have nothing to interest me.’
‘Good.’
‘This is the last day we’re keeping things under wraps.’ Though he phrases it as a statement, I still hear the note of uncertainty.
‘Definitely. I’ll tell Olivia first thing on Monday. And don’t forget, we’ve got an appointment with Dr Travers at the end of the week.’
As expected, his countenance lightens immediately, and he tightens his arms around me, bending at the knee to rest his chin on my shoulder.
‘Christ, you are beautiful.’ His hands on the soft roundness of my stomach, I rest mine over his.
‘It’s just an old dress.’ In my reflection a few moments ago, I’d decided I didn’t look too bad. I’d picked up this dress on a site that sells the previous season’s designer stock. This is an Osman dress, and I got it for half the usual price. Half price that cost me half my week’s pay. Drop waist and gentle balloon sleeves, there’s enough draping going on to hide my little bump. ‘It’s almost the colour of your eyes.’ Almost, but not quite. Nothing can have the same kind of vibrancy, except maybe an actual peacock.
‘Then we’ll be matching because I’ll be wearing this tie.’ From his pocket, he pulls out a strip of blue silk. ‘We’ll be matching, even though no one will realise.’
‘That doesn’t mean we can’t hang out.’
‘Oh, so you’re not going to give me the cold shoulder and dance with all the other men.’
‘Something tells me I won’t get much opportunity to dance with anyone, but I will dance with you. And we’ll let them watch and speculate.’ I turn to face him, pushing up onto my toes to thread my arms around his neck. ‘And then when I go into work next week and tell Olivia who made me pregnant, she’ll be astonished at just how fast you work.’
‘Ah, flattery. You know just how to work me. And feel free to use that magic on me anytime.’ I roll my lips together to stop from giggling as his eyes open ridiculously wide. ‘Now, turn around and close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.’
‘Sounds suspiciously like a game of hide the sausage,’ I say, turning as I let my smile reign free. I’m so happy we’re back at that ridiculously silly and flirty place.
Despite my earlier words, as I turn, the dress clings to my stomach. Static, probably. But I can’t blame static electricity for my next actions as I exhale and push my stomach out in a ridiculously exaggerated fashion. I look like I’ve eatenallthe pies and drankallthe beers. In fact, I look like Homer Simpson, but less yellow. And with boobs. ‘I’ll look like this in a few months. Do you think you’ll still love me then?’
I straighten almost, immediately realising what I’ve said. I could almost kick myself. We haven’t spoken about last night. About the things that were said in the heat of passion. Aren’t our lives complicated enough without putting this strange relationship of ours under a microscope?
My heart starts to beat, seeming to bump awkwardly against my ribs, but before I can backtrack or make some stupid comment to laugh it off or take it back, his hands come to rest on my shoulders, the action somehow calming me.
‘Yes.’ His answer is accompanied by a smile I’ve never seen him wear before. A smile that doesn’t look at all comfortable. ‘And I’m sorry if you’re not ready to hear that but the fact of the matter is, life is like a china shop and love is the bull rampaging through it.’ He clears his throat then kisses my cheek. ‘But I had something to give you. What?’ He pulls back a little, feigning surprise. ‘You’re not going to bite?’ But the innuendo just flies over my head.
He loves me.
And I’ve just moved in with him.
And how I feel about him?
You know how you feel, my mind whispers. So I shut that shit down. Immediately.
