Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I frown miserably.
“I don’t know. What can I do? I want her, but she doesn’t want me. It seems like a dead-end situation, if you ask me.”
“You could always stop seeing her,” James offers helpfully. “You know, stanch the bleeding and wean yourself off little by little. Or at least, give the relationship some distance so that you can get your wits about you once more.”
I shrug.
“Yeah, I know but like I said, Freya needs the anal because it’s the only thing preventing her from getting really sick from pregnancy nausea.”
James stares at me.
“Yeah, but that’s her problem, not yours. Just leave her to it.”
I blow out a breath, annoyed at his cavalier manner.
“No. I’m not going to ditch my woman in her time of need. It’s a medical necessity, and I’m definitely not going to let Freya go on the prowl hunting for some other guy to stick his cock up her backside. Absolutely no fucking way.”
James holds up his hands, appeasing me.
“Okay, got it. Good point. Yeah, the possessiveness is running strong in your veins, but that happens when you’ve got a worthy woman in your sights.”
“So what do I do?” I ask, desperation tingeing my voice. “I’m in a pretty fucking awful position.”
My friend pauses for a moment, his blue eyes thoughtful.
“Well, have you tried broaching the issue with her?” he asks.
I nod.
“Yeah, like I mentioned, we had a talk when our relationship started, and she made it more than clear that she wasn’t looking for anything romantic. This is straight-up sex, and nothing else.”
James nods.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that the terms of the arrangement can’t change. How long has it been?”
I try to remember.
“One month? Maybe a little longer.”
James nods.
“So bring it up again. I mean, there’s no time limit for these sorts of things. If you’re feeling shitty because of what she’s offering, then I think you owe it to yourself to bring it up with her. Tell her how you feel. Maybe you’ll be shut down, but it’s better than going over to bang her in the ass twice a day, and then going home to sulk and stew afterwards. I mean, look at you, my man! You’ve been in a fucking awful mood lately, and everyone at the station has noticed. You’re moody, depressed, and bark at anyone who comes within ten feet of where you’re sitting. It’s time to talk to Freya, as unpalatable as it sounds.”
I snort.
“It’s definitely not something I look forward to doing. And what if she shoots me down?”
James shrugs.
“Then she shoots you down. We don’t get everything we want from life, but at least you’ll know where you stand. But who knows? Maybe she’ll be open to the idea of a relationship.”
I snort dispiritedly again.
“Yeah, I doubt it. I mean, you don’t know this woman. She’s hard-headed, independent, with a sassy streak that just won’t quit.”
James nods.
“And unfortunately, that’s exactly why you like her,” he says in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. “So you’ve got to take the chance. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best, my friend,” he says, clapping my shoulder with encouragement. “You can do it.”
I don’t reply, merely staring deeper into my beer as if the bottle has all the answers. But nothing springs to mind, and no inspiration strikes because down in the bottom of my gut, I know that James is right. I want more from Freya, and I can’t keep pretending that our current set-up is okay. Yes, I adore her curves and her wanton ways, not to mention the sweetness between her thighs. But I can’t keep doing this. I don’t just want her body. I want her, no matter the price.
8
Freya
* * *
We step out of the ob-gyn’s office and into the sunlight as Mark gently circles my waist with his arm, helping to support my ungainly form as we walk across the parking lot to his truck.
“Well, that was successful,” I burble happily, waving the ultrasounds in my hand. “I’ve got a healthy baby on the way. And Dr. Jackson said he’s a big one too. Of course, not overly big so that we have problems with delivery or anything. He’s just on the bigger side for a normal-weight baby.”
But my man is strangely silent as he gets behind the driver’s seat and starts the car. We pull out onto the road and I cast a questioning glance at his handsome profile.
“Is everything okay, Mark? I know these appointments can be a little weird because everyone thinks we’re a couple, but it’s a natural assumption because you’ve come with me to every doctor’s appointment since we got together. But no one calls me Mrs. Fierceton or anything, so it’s not that bad. In fact, I don’t think the nurses even know your last name!”
But instead of defusing the situation, if anything, my words just make my handsome lover tense up even more. His shoulders are rigid and he stares straight ahead while his knuckles grip the steering wheel, going white with stress.