Chapter Seven
“Okay.” Jasmine pressed her fingertips to her temples. “Okay, I am not going to freak out.”
“Good. Because if anybody is going to freak out, it’s going to be me. I don't need your judgy judginess right now, Jazz. I am a grown adult and I wanted Clifford, so I was going for it. And it was you who came barging in here without knocking so—"
“Do you love him?”
Lori’s jaw dropped. What sort of question was that? Just because she was pregnant didn't mean she had to be in love. What had brought that on? Besides the sex… but it wasn't like Jasmine didn't know Lori’s habit of one-night stands. They had lived together for years, after all. Why would she think that this was any different? Just because she was, for all intents and purposes, living with Clifford now?
That was too weird to think about.
And the sudden realization that she hadn't told her sister her plans for after the baby’s birth hit her. It was like the air was stolen from her lungs. Lori closed her eyes and sank onto the bed. “Jazz…. I need to tell you something.”
Jasmine gasped. “You do love him!”
“Not about that!”
Jasmine’s expression sobered. She nodded.
“The baby… I decided…” She took a deep breath but couldn't continue. Her eyes flooded with tears and she turned her face away.
“Oh, Lor… I know.”
Jasmine sat next to her and wrapped her arms around Lori. Lori couldn't hold the tears back any longer. She clung to her sister. She didn't sob, but the tears flowed unchecked and unending. Jasmine stroked her hair as she trembled, her face buried in Jasmine’s shoulder.
“I’m going to give the baby to Clifford after its born. It’s best that way. For everybody.”
“Everybody?” Jasmine probed gently.
“Yes.” Lori frowned. Why wasn’t her sister more shocked about this decision? She pulled away, eyes narrowing at her. “And what the heck did you mean when you said you knew?”
“Heck?”
Lori shook her head. “I’ve been trying not to swear. But don't change the subject. I asked you a question.”
Jasmine contemplated her for a moment before shrugging. There was a slightly abashed expression on her face as she toyed with her sleeve. “That day in the clinic when Eneko gave you the OBGYN list… Clifford told me. He’s concerned that you’re making the choice because you don’t think you are fit to be a mother. If this is what you want, you have my support. But Lori… Why are you giving up the baby? I don't mean that in a judgy way.”
Lori understood that. She hesitated a moment, not entirely certain how to explain in a way Jasmine would understand. Jazz wasn't scared of anything. She was so put together. So confident. Lori wasn't like that. After a long moment, she finally met her sister’s eye.
“It will be best for the baby. He’s a stable man. He has lots of money to take care of the baby and has a rich support system. A sister, a mother, and a niece that live right here. Not to mention he could hire any nanny in the world. Hell—I mean heck—he could hire you. All I have is a job that I don't like and that I only took because my boss was wicked hot.”
Jasmine pulled back. “You have support too, Lori. You wouldn't be on your own and I’m certain Clifford wouldn't be skimpy on the child support.”
Lori shrugged. There was a hollowed out feeling in her chest that she didn't want to deal with. “I’d be a terrible mother, anyway. You would end up raising the baby for me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Jazz… I’ve made my choice. Please. That’s the end of it.”
Jasmine didn't reply, only hugging Lori tighter. Lori let herself break down entirely. She had thought crying would help, but all she could do was wonder-was this really the best choice she could make?
***
By the time Lori had brought herself back under control, it was time for Jasmine to leave. All her crying left her emotionally and physically exhausted, so she napped for a couple of hours. After she woke up, she went to the kitchen and rooted around for something to fill her rumbling stomach. In the end, she decided on toast, and when that sat well with her she ate some more. It felt like forever since she had had a proper meal.
Clifford entered the kitchen just as she was finishing off the loaf of bread. He smiled at her, though he looked tired as well.
Did that mean they weren't going to pick up where they had left off?
His hand closed over hers, warm and comforting. His hands were so big that they engulfed hers entirely. It wasn't something she normally thought of. He was just so big overall. The difference in their hand size, though, was something that she noticed this time. It was like it was one more reason why he was better suited to be a parent to their child than she was. He was a shifter. Their child would be a shifter. She wouldn't even know where to begin to keep the baby connected to their culture.
Clifford pulled her chair over to his. He nuzzled into her neck as he wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Fine. Why?”
Clifford frowned. “Lori.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “You know, you aren't exactly as much of a bad boy as you like to act.”
In response to that, he literally ripped open her shirt and started to fondle one breast. He rose a brow at her. “Bad enough for you?”
Heat swirled in her core.
“Whoa!” Lori burst out in giggles. “You’re lucky this is an old shirt I don't actually like, or I’d have to rip you in half.”
Clifford nipped her collarbone. “Too much?”
Lori shook her head. Her visit with Jasmine had left her raw. She didn't want to think or talk about the baby and what was coming afterward. She wanted to feel his body against hers, to revel in the moment, even though she knew it couldn't last. She adjusted herself so that her legs were on either side of him and brushed a kiss against his mouth. Clifford moaned and stood, so abruptly that it made Lori gasp. He carried her to the bedroom like he had earlier. Then he laid her down as he trailed gentle kisses down her neck.
Lori let her eyes drift shut. Her fingers tangled in his hair. As the heat inside her roared to life, she let out a soft sigh. She had never felt as connected to anybody as she had with him. Maybe it was because she was pregnant with his child—you couldn't be more connected than that, could you?
“Let me help you with this.” Clifford gently moved the ruined shirt off her body. His big hands were soft and gentle, making her sigh again. She reached for the buttons on his shirt, hurrying to expose his smooth skin. To her surprise, there were long, fine hairs all over his chest. She ran her hands over them, feeling the downy, silky texture.
“I haven't waxed in a while,” Clifford said. “Didn’t feel like there was any point.”
Lori thought of her own hairy legs and other bits. A flush stained her cheeks. “Uh… me either.”
Clifford tugged on her waistband. “Guess it makes us quite a pair, then. Just a couple of hairy cavemen.”
“Hmmm… And how do cavemen make love?”
Clifford grinned. “How about I show you?”
His hands closed around her waistband. She felt the jerk, heard the ripping, and shivered as cool air caressed her. Clifford’s eyes were dark and demanding as he tossed aside the torn clothing. He ripped his own clothes off one-handed, while his free hand wormed its way between her thighs. Lori clutched the blankets beneath herself as one meaty finger tested her. It was able to enter a little before Lori clamped down on it, not ready for continuation.
Clifford hummed. “A caveman wants his cavewoman to be helpless with pleasure before he takes her. He wants her to writhe and plead for him to finish her before he takes his own pleasure.”
Lori moaned at his words and the soft caress of his thumb. He built her fire tight inside of her until she was crying out and her whole body shook. Her shoulders spasmed forward as her legs kicked out to either side on their own. When she made to grab Clifford’s hand, he moved faster. His fingers closed around her wrist and pinned it to the bed.
“Use your words, my love.”
Holding her with one hand and pinning her hip with the other, he dropped his head between her legs. His tongue flicked, and her body shook again. Her free hand grabbed the back of his skull. To pull him back or push him closer she didn’t know. She panted as he continued, more of an onslaught than ministrations. He’d always spent hours doing this, but this time she was so sensitive it almost hurt.
“I’m—"
Everything burst inside of her. Her hips jerked upward, her back arched. Her legs thrashed. A surprised and pleased cry burst from her throat and her grip on his hair tightened.
Clifford let out a grunt of surprise and pulled back. His eyes were wide as he stared at her. She continued to pant and moan.
“Did you just orgasm?” he demanded.
Lori gave him a lazy grin, even though the heat was building again already. “Pregnancy hormones. They make a lady more sensitive, don't you know? Don’t be angry, darling. You’ll get your chance.”
“Angry? Why would I be angry? I’m thrilled! It means I finally get to live my dream with you… Watching you come for me a dozen times before I finish with a flourish.”
With a wry smile, Clifford tested her again. His eyes widened as he was easily admitted. He let out a strangled laugh and shook his head. He pressed another kiss between her legs, making her shudder, then worked his way up her body. One of his hands pumped himself, rapidly readying for her. Lori was nearly breathless with anticipation as he slid in.
Another shockwave, stronger than the first, hit her. Her body jerked, and she let out a little cry. Clifford swallowed it as he kissed her. His tongue thrust into her mouth and his hips soon followed the movement. Both his hands clamped on Lori’s hips as he thrust harder and deeper with every movement. She threw her head back, hitting the pillow harder every time he sunk in deep. Clifford kissed her again, stopping her from even doing that. Lori clawed at his back, so full of pleasure she had to do something to relieve the tightness inside.
Her second orgasm hit her harder than the first. Clifford didn't stop. He delved into her neck, building her before she even had a chance to come down. Lori was breathless, wanting to beg him never to stop as well as plead for an end to this. It was too much and not enough. Her mind dashed about in circles before a third wave washed over her, erasing everything completely from her mind.
Clifford grunted. She squeezed him, legs latched over his, hands now on his shoulders, now on his beautifully sculpted ass, now sliding down his arms.
She let the sensations carry her away, to a blissful place with no thought, just feeling.