Chapter 17
The long, hot days of summer were finally over. Brody was glad to see them go. Claudia never complained, but those last few weeks in August had been unbearable for her. Some mornings the thermometer reached ninety in the city. She continued to come into the office to learn as much as she could. She was eager to work with the art department and her project was coming along nicely. It pleased him to watch her thrive.
She left the office every day after lunch as they had agreed, and was asleep most nights when he got home. He’d missed dinner every night this past week because the office had been insane lately. Callahan Industries had grown much faster than he’d ever anticipated. The board members were breathing down his neck to make things happen quicker, but Brody could only do so much. He had to bring in another person, but was he ready to work with Gavin?
His brother had worked hard the past few weeks in Boston, and according to Jacob, he was doing well. Gavin managed to secure three new accounts on his own and so far he hadn’t screwed anything up. Several of the board members were on Brody to make Gavin a full partner. Angela had been chirping in their ears. He hadn’t heard from his little brother since that night in the penthouse. They’d exchanged a few business e-mails, but most correspondence went through Autumn or Jacob. That was going to change on Friday night because Angela was throwing another of her famous cocktail parties and both Gavin and Brody would both be attending. This time she’d invited the board and most of the executive staff at Callahan Industries. Brody hadn’t broken the news to Claudia yet, but he had to tell her.
He threw his wallet, phone, and keys down on the foyer table and went into the kitchen. Lena had left his dinner in the warming drawer. He normally ate before retiring to his study to work on any pending issues, but tonight was different. Usually Claudia was asleep, but he could hear her fumbling around in the bathroom. He was excited she was still awake.
Once in his bedroom, he removed his jacket, loosened his tie, and kicked off his shoes. The sound of Claudia turning on the faucet made him smile. Maybe she wanted company. When he entered the bathroom he’d expected her to already be in the shower. Instead she stood in front of the mirror with her back to him. He could see her profile in the reflection of the glass. She wore nothing but her pink cotton bra and matching panties. Her hand rested on her stomach as she looked down at her growing baby. They hadn’t been intimate in over a week because of his hectic work schedule.
Her breasts were fuller and spilled out of the top of her bra. He glanced down at the bump that now stuck out over her waistline. When she was dressed it wasn’t as obvious, but now he could definitely see her baby developing. Her long hair was pulled off her face and her skin had a rose hue to it, probably from the steam of the shower. He wished he could have a painting of her in the is moment. He wanted to memorialize the way she looked in this moment forever.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered as he stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind him.
“Brody!” She turned to face him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you’d already be in the shower.”
She grabbed the towel off the counter and tried to cover herself. He moved closer to her and tugged it from her hold.
“Hiding from me?” He stroked her neck with the back of his fingers. “Why?”
“I’m huge.”
“Hardly.” He trailed his hand down to her breasts. “You’re breathtaking.”
“You haven’t seen me in a few days. I’ve expanded.”
He slipped the straps of her bra from her shoulders and unclasped the hooks, letting it fall to her feet. Gently tilting her chin, he gazed into her eyes. “I’ve missed you this week.”
“You’ve been busy.” She reached for the buttons of his shirt. “I try to wait up for you, but I’ve been tired.”
“Are you tired now?”
She pulled the shirt from his waistband, and then he removed it along with his t-shirt.
“I’d like some company in the shower.” She undid his belt. “I’m feeling extra dirty tonight.”
His cock ached to be inside her, but he didn’t think they were going to make it to the shower. He reached inside the stall and turned off the faucet.
“No shower?”
“Not yet.” He lowered the zipper on his pants and then stepped out of them before moving his hands to her hips. “We need to take these off.” He pushed her panties down her legs, and then helped her step out of them. “I don’t think you’re dirty enough.”
She ran her warm, soft hands along his chest, draping them over his shoulders.. The steam engulfed the bathroom, leaving a foggy haze all around them. Brody lead her over to the counter and then lifted her to sit on the cool white tiles.
Spreading her legs, he stepped in between them. Glancing down at her glistening folds, he licked his lips. Her breath hitched in her throat when he dipped his fingers inside her. Moving his head forward, he buried it in the crook of her neck. She rocked against his hand, causing his fingers to slip deep inside her.
“Brody…” she moaned.
He ran his tongue from the area just below her ear down to her shoulder. Her skin smoldered just as hot as the area between her legs. The heat rose between their flesh. There was only one way to soothe the burn between them. When she reached for his boxers, he knew she wanted it too.
“Still want to take that shower?” She lowered his boxers using her foot to get them down past his knees. Once he kicked out of them, she took his length in her hand and pumped him at the same pace he moved his fingers. The sound of their desperate breaths filled the space between them as the scent of her arousal swirled, mixing with the steam of the abandoned shower.
Claudia scooted closer to him, wrapping her legs around his waist and brushing against his tip. She pushed his hand out of the way, and then ran his shaft along her slit, coating him in her slick juices. Lifting his hand to her mouth, she swiped her tongue along his wet fingers, tasting where he’d just been.
“Am I dirty enough for you now?” She guided his fingers to his mouth and pressed them to his lips. “Want to taste me?”
“Always.” He opened his mouth, and then licked a trail down to his wrist. As he feasted on her arousal, she continued to move his swollen cock up and down her folds. He gazed between her legs, his own desire making him insane. r. “That’s fantastic, but I need to be inside you.”
He lifted her an inch off the counter and supported her with his forearms. As he entered her, she tightened her hold on his hips with her legs. He stood on his toes to get a better angle as he moved his lips to her neck.
“Shit!” Brody thrust his hips forward, fully sheathing himself inside her warm sex. She wedged her hand between their bodies and played with her nipples, pulling and tugging at the hard peaks.
“Sorry, baby.” He ducked his head lower and trailed his tongue over the tops of her fully aroused breasts. “I neglected these stunning tits tonight.”
“It’s okay.” She threw her head back. “You keep doing what you’re doing.”
“I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.” He licked her nipple before taking it between his teeth and gently biting down. Pregnancy had made her nipples extremely sensitive. Some nights all he had to do was touch them and she came. It was hot.
As her muscles tightened around him, he smiled against her breasts because she wouldn’t be able to hold off once he stimulated her nipples. “Brody, I’m gonna…”
He sucked hard on her nipples, alternating between the two until she shook against him. The warm rush of her release threw him over the edge and after a few slow thrusts he came deep inside her.
When he released her from his hold, she unhooked her legs from his waist and slumped against him. She twisted her fingers in his hair and softly laughed into his shoulder.
“What?” He stroked her back.
“I needed that.”
“Me too.” He let go of her and turned the faucet back on. “Now I think you’re dirty enough.”
“Hmm.” She grinned. “I bet you’ll get me real clean.”
* * * *
A few hours later, Claudia lay sound asleep in their bed. Brody glanced to her side of the bed and saw a catalog sitting on the nightstand. He reached over to see what it was. She had flagged some of the pages and attached sticky notes to others. Her notes weren’t detailed, but all of them had dimensions on various nursery sets.
As he flipped through the pages, he saw several she had marked with smiley faces, but then she had the words, “too big” or “too expensive” next to them.
He shook his head. Didn’t she know nothing was too expensive? He’d worked hard for ten years, and his own father had poured all of his blood, sweat, and tears into Callahan Industries. They had enough money to last several lifetimes. He supposed it would take some getting used to for her.
When he got to the back of the catalog, he noticed the furniture was marked clearance or damaged stock. She had circled an oak crib and a matching changing table. It was simple and inexpensive. Nothing like the others she’d flagged in the beginning of the book. She’d written out the dimensions, but he wasn’t sure where she had measured for such a small set.
They had never discussed a nursery, but since the baby was due in three months, maybe they should talk about it. Brody could easily turn the guest room into a room for the baby. He hadn’t planned to stay at the penthouse much longer. He didn’t want the child to have to grow up in the city. He wanted a huge backyard, a swing set, stables, a pool, and everything else he could provide for Claudia and their child.
Our child?
He didn’t often let his mind wander to the possibility of adopting her baby. Gavin was a wild card at best. There was no guarantee he would allow Brody to take legal responsibility for Claudia’s baby. He needed to have a serious conversation with his brother, and soon.
He looked down at the beautiful woman, cuddled against his side. He wouldn’t allow Gavin to inflict anymore pain on her. He had to find a way to make his brother see that walking away was the best choice for all of them.