Keary chuckled. He pushed one thigh aside and licked the tender skin. Zacari squirmed. He raised the other leg and caressed it with the tip of his tongue as well. His lover arched up off the bed. Keary watched her pussy clench, calling to him in silence. Her thick white cream gathered, all ready for him to lick it up. Rather than rush things, Keary spread her legs wider so he could enjoy the view more.

  “Do you know how wet you are, baby?” He leaned in to blow on her softness. She bunched the sheets under a fist and pressed the other hand against her mouth. Keary reached up and dragged the hand down to her side. “Tell me you want me to eat you.”

  “Damn it, Keary, you know I want it,” she complained.

  “Say it.”

  She bit off a scream. Keary squeezed the backs of her thighs. He massaged her soft skin all the way up to her pussy but didn’t touch her most sensitive area. Instead, he blew on it again. Her core pulsed. More cream descended. He ached to lick up every drop, but held back.

  For a few moments longer, they were at odds, but Keary knew she would give into him. Half of Zacari’s pleasure was in his taking control. He couldn’t wait for the time when she would give birth and then later. He had plans to take her in ways she only imagined, and show her how far he was willing to go to please them both. They had experienced a little of it that night in the limo, but there was so much more.

  “Eat me,” she pleaded. “Please, Daddy, eat my pussy.”

  Keary fell forward to rest his cheek on her thigh. For a second, he came close to release. He had to suck in and blow out several breaths to calm himself when she called him Daddy in that throaty voice, all sultry and sexual. If he thought he was in control, Zacari proved him wrong. Keary would bend over backward for her when she called him Daddy.

  Snaking his tongue out, he began to scoop up her sweet cream. He groaned and let the sound vibrate through her pussy. Zacari cried out. Keary started at the base, teasing the thin pink membrane and then worked his way higher. He dipped his tongue briefly into her tight opening to ladle more of her essence, but then he withdrew and continued on. All the time, Zacari twisted her hips so he had to hold her down.

  Growing hungrier, he ate her with more enthusiasm. He closed his mouth over her clit and sucked it hard. Zacari screamed and then stuffed a pillow against her face. Her cries and the quivers in her thigh muscles let him know she was near an orgasm. He concentrated on her bud while sticking a finger up her channel. When he spun to the side to angle over her hip, he added two more fingers and worked them in and out of her while he laved her clit.

  Zacari’s hips rose and then fell. She panted and whined his name, begging him to stop in one breath and then urging him on with the next. Keary had no intention of backing off. He knew his baby needed what he was giving her, to ease her tension, to make her forget everyone else but him. Only when she let out a muffled shout with her release did he work her through and then sat up.

  His lover lay panting, her big breasts rising and falling, mesmerizing him. He licked his lips, tasting her juices. While he stared at his cocoa goddess, his cock strained in his pants. He imagined her full lips wrapped around it bringing him to an urgent and violent climax. Aching need shook him, but he suppressed the desire. Not for a few months would he get the satisfaction of that, but he would get it. He damn sure would get it.

  When he didn’t reach for her again, Zacari opened her eyes and looked at him. “Aren’t you going to finish it? I know you must want to come.”

  “Of course I do, but you’re tired. You’ve had a long day.” He rose from the bed prepared to go downstairs and make her a plate of food. “Get your things ready for your bath. I’m going to get you something to eat, and then when you finish, I’ll help you take a bath.”

  She pushed herself to her elbow. “Are you serious? I can see you’re hard as a rock. Keary, I can take you.”

  “No.”

  He could almost see the thought as it slid into her mind. Zacari thought he wasn’t going to take his release with her because he planned to get it with Debbie. She schooled her features and glanced away. The tension between them that had drained away after he pleasured her, came back with a vengeance. Keary suppressed a sigh.

  “I don’t need your help with my bath,” she told him. “I’ll take a shower.”

  He didn’t feel like arguing. “I’ll be right back with your food.”

  Keary hurried through making Zacari’s plate. He didn’t want her to relax so much that she fell asleep and didn’t eat. Not bothering to answer more than a few questions about where she was and if he would join his family, Keary hurried upstairs. When he opened Zacari’s door, she paused in the act of placing a nightgown on the bed next to a few other toiletries.

  “You could knock,” she snapped. “We’re not married.”

  He shut the door and placed her plate on the nightstand. Without saying a word, he ran her bath and added salts she’d placed there. The scent of lavender filled the bathroom.

  “I said I’m not taking a bath,” she yelled.

  “And I said I’m helping you,” he answered. He went back to the room and turned her to face him with his hands on her shoulders. “You can fight me night and day. I’ve made my decision. I’m going to be here for you.”

  She frowned. “By force?”

  “If necessary.”

  “You’re the most egoistical, stubborn, pain in my ass man I have ever met!” she ranted. “I suppose if I refuse to eat, you’ll feed me too, won’t you?”

  Keary smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad we understand each other. Now, eat up before it gets cold. If you’re a good girl, I might even rub your feet before I put you to bed.”

  Zacari grumbled, but he saw the smile she tried to hide. For six months, she had stood alone. Keary wasn’t letting that happen ever again. Zacari could either embrace it or battle him all the way. His resolve stood.

  Chapter Eleven

  Zacari woke to bad news, and tears flooded her eyes. “Damaged?” she cried. “Why? How can the crib be damaged?” This couldn’t be. She’d fought for that antique crib, and it was the only other expensive item she’d let Claudia buy. The piece was one of a kind and in mint condition, or it had been yesterday.

  “I’m so sorry, Miss Lamont. The men who assist me have never done this before, and I suspect that the leg might have been week in the first place. I promise we are making the necessary repairs, but I want you to come down here and see for yourself. If it doesn’t meet with your approval, by all means, you will receive a full refund.”

  “I don’t want a refund. I want my crib!”

  A light knock sounded on the door, and Keary walked in. By that time, tears were streaming down her cheeks. Zacari rushed to scrub them away not wanting him to see. She knew she was being unreasonable, but yet again, the emotions were out of control. One look at Zacari’s face, and Keary rushed forward, took her into his arms, and whipped the phone from her hand.

  “Who is this?” he demanded. When he paused, Zacari assumed the elderly shop owner was filling him in. Keary’s face creased in anger. “We will be there in less than an hour. I’m sure this will be resolved in a way that will make Zacari happy.”

  After he hung up, he lifted her chin and kissed her. “Get dressed. I will take you. I’ll straighten it all out.”

  “But…” She didn’t bother arguing. Once Keary got a notion in his head that was it. All of a sudden, she was less worried about getting the crib and more concerned that Keary wouldn’t upset the old woman.

  He strolled to the door like she’d just fall in line with his plans. She half expected the man to pick out her clothes, but he just winked and left the happiest person on the planet. Zacari figured out that Keary got a kick out of bailing her out of messes. Maybe that’s what all men were like. They needed to be needed. She shook her head and rolled her eyes before getting dressed. Let him do it. Whatever, it saved her a headache.

  True to Keary’s word, they arrived at the shop in less than an hour, and on top of that, Keary got the whole situation cleared up. Before Zacari knew what was happening they were back on the street, and she blew out a relieved breath.

  “I can’t believe you got that straightened out so fast,” she told him, knowing she was grinning up at him like a lovesick idiot. Hopefully, he couldn’t tell. “And you didn’t upset the lady.”

  He chuckled. “You make it sound like I’m an ogre. Have you ever seen me bully old ladies?”

  Zacari laughed. “No, I guess not. My bad. You’re my hero.”

  An odd expression settled over his handsome face. She wondered what wheels were turning behind his eyes, but the look was gone in an instant. Zacari didn’t know what drew her attention away from Keary at that moment since she loved looking at him, listening to him speak, and feeling his touch. But all of a sudden, it felt like someone was staring at her, and she glanced around. At first she didn’t spot anyone familiar even though she was back in her hometown.

  “Do you know her?” Keary asked.

  She turned in the direction he pointed his chin and was surprised to see Pam standing on the opposite side of the street. The way she aimed a look of pure hatred Zacari’s way was so palpable, Keary stood a little in front of her as if to protect her from it.

  Melvin stepped out of a shop behind Pam, and without even letting the man get his bearings, Pam dragged him into the street headed Zacari’s way. Her stomach knotted. She was so not in the mood for the drama Pam was obviously bringing.

  “Oh my goodness, girl, Zacari, I knew that was you. You look so different,” Pam gushed. She squinted eyes overdone with makeup and false eyelashes. “Did you put on weight?”

  “Stop it, Pam,” Melvin said and pulled at her arm. She jerked it free.

  “I’m sure you can clearly see, I’m pregnant,” Zacari told her.

  “Baby, who is this?” Keary asked, not to be ignored. He rested his hand on her lower back.

  Zacari hesitated and then thought what did she have to feel funny about. Keary knew about her past, at least where these two were concerned. And it was for sure she had nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about regarding Keary. “Keary, this is my ex, Melvin and…” She started to say the skank he decided to leave her for, but she changed her mind. That would be sinking to their level. “And this is Pam.”

  Keary eyed Melvin. “This is him?”

  She could have kissed him the way he made it sound like Melvin was not worthy to acknowledge, let alone to cry over. If Melvin could have paled under his dark brown skin, he would have. His nostrils flared, and his lips tightened at the obvious insult.

  Pam put her hands on her hips. Her nails were freshly done with tips and designs. Her hair was in perfect order. At least they weren’t hurting any from the designer handbag she held. Then again maybe that business deal she’d warned them about wasn’t going as expected. Pam looked like she was spending whatever Melvin made, while he wore obviously worn out shoes and slacks that had been pressed one too many times. That was never Melvin. If nothing else, he’d always been well put together.

  “And who is he?” Pam demanded like it was any of her business.

  “Keary O’Connor,” Zacari stated. And at that moment, no words were needed to qualify him any further, because their limo rolled up to the curb to pick them up. Zacari had complained that she didn’t need to travel every-frickin’-where in the limo, but Keary had explained that parking wouldn’t be found easily, and he didn’t want to leave her on the sidewalk alone while he went to retrieve the car from wherever he found a space. His insistence that having a driver was better. Now with jealousy pouring off of Pam, her expression was priceless.

  Zacari couldn’t resist calling over her shoulder in a saccharin-y sweet voice, “You two have a nice day. Good seeing you.”

  In the back of the limo, Keary scooted her close to his side and wrapped an arm around her. She settled her head on his shoulder.

  “Okay?” he said.

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.” She glanced up at him, and he kissed her. “You know you’re special, right?”

  His eyebrows went up. “Am I?”

  “Yes, you are. Very much so.”

  * * * *

  Three months later

  Zacari slipped out of bed, trying not to wake Keary. For the last few months, he’d been constantly at her side, taking care of her, making sure she didn’t have one need or even desire that went unfulfilled. Every day she loved him more and more, but the fear that he did all this for their son remained. She didn’t have any real worries about Debbie or any other woman in his life at this point—especially since he was always with her, and when he wasn’t he called to check up on her. The man drove her insane sometimes treating her like she was made of glass. But even that made her crazy about him.

  She padded to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. The bag of chips Keary had been munching on earlier called her name, but every time she ate just one chip, heartburn kicked her butt bad.

  A half of one can’t hurt.

  The bag landed in her hand some kind of way, and she found herself munching down on a handful. “Oh crap.”

  She rolled the bag up and stuffed it back into the refrigerator. Just when she did, liquid ran down her leg. She stood there staring at the puddle on the floor, stupidly wondering if she’d just peed on herself.

  The kitchen door opened, and Keary strolled in yawning. He stretched thickly muscled arms over his head, drawing her attention. “What are you doing up, Zacari? Midnight craving?”

  “I…” She glanced back down at the floor, and then the first contraction hit—hard. She doubled over in pain and cried out.

  “Zacari!” Keary was at her side in an instant. His eyes wide, he laid a hand on her belly. “What’s wrong? Come here and sit down.”

  “Oh no,” she whimpered when the pain eased. “It’s time. My water broke.”

  Keary stared at her blinking. She knew he must be in shock. A smack at his bare chest left a red hand print, but he snapped out of it. He jumped into action. “Your bag. Where is it?” Zacari almost laughed when he darted to the kitchen door and then ran back to her. He would have run off again if she didn’t grab his hand. Another contraction hit. She crunched his fingers and screeched.

  To his credit, Keary only winced, freed his hand, and then whipped her into his arms. When they made it out to the living room, he’d finally remembered where he left her bag. By the front door of course, that is when he wasn’t packing and repacking it to be sure she had everything. Within a few minutes, they were speeding down the empty streets of Chicago toward the hospital.

  While he drove, Keary dialed on his cell phone. He spoke with Zacari’s doctor to be sure she would meet them at the hospital, and then he called his father. “Jack, it’s time. Yes, okay, I’ll see you and mom later today. Thanks.”

  He snapped the phone closed and reached for her hand. “Breathe, baby, just like we learned. I’m here for you. If you want to yell at me and call me names, it’s fine. I understand.”

  Despite her weariness, Zacari managed a chuckle. “Trust me, I’ve already called you a few choice words in my mind, but why would you say that?”

  “I read it.”

  She held up a hand. “Say no more. You’ve read more than I have on birthing babies. Let’s just be quiet, because I’m feeling really grouchy right about now.” Keary nodded and fell silent, but he didn’t let go of her hand even when she squeezed the mess out of it. In his normal supportive way, he cast her encouraging looks and demonstrated now and then with his own breathing how she should. Zacari dug the nails of her other hand into her palm to keep from slapping him.

  At the hospital, everything whipped into a frenzy. Zacari was wheeled to a birthing room with a million instruments and seemingly as many staff. “Drugs,” Zacari shouted.

  Keary’s eyes widened. “We said we were doing this naturally for the baby’s sake.”

  “What’s this we?” she screeched. “Damn it, I’m in pain! Get me drugs!”

  A nurse zipped in front of Keary to help her, and soon with everyone coming and going and instructing her on what to do, she lost sight of Keary. A few minutes later, her doctor arrived, and after a brief exam, determined that Zacari might not be ready to deliver for a few hours. Zacari sobbed.

  The wait for the anesthesiologist was excruciating, and Zacari bit everyone’s head off. Keary approached only long enough to get an angry glare and a blast of curses before he moved back. Zacari cried through hours of labor, and the epidural came only in time to be pointless because she was ready to give birth. By then Jack and Claudia were there, and Claudia breezed in after getting cleaned up and into scrubs.

  The calm sweet woman wasn’t intimidated in the least by Zacari’s screams or angry words. She gripped Zacari’s hand and stayed close. “You can spin your head around three sixty, honey, I’m staying.”

  Fresh tears spilled down Zacari’s cheeks. “Thank you. I’m so sorry. Tell Keary I’m sorry. I’m horrible.”

  “She’s just exhausted,” a nurse commented about Zacari’s sudden switch in attitude.

  “I know,” Claudia said. “I’ve got tough skin. And don’t you worry, honey,” she whispered in Zacari’s ear. “He’s never left the room. He understands.”

  When Zacari thought her son might be tearing through her back with each contraction, at last Keary O’Connor Junior came into the world with wide open eyes and a head full of hair. Claudia stepped back and relinquished Zacari’s hand while Keary moved in close. His big strong hands shook when he touched their son’s head, and he stroked the silky black curls. “He’s amazing.”

  “Isn’t he beautiful?” Zacari knew she must look a mess after that ordeal, but right now she didn’t care. She drew her little one close to her chest and kissed his cheek. Keary’s hand slipped into hers, and her heart swelled. For a second in time, they were like a real family.

  “He is beautiful,” Keary murmured, “just like you.” He kissed her lips, and everyone in the room melted away, except her, Keary, and their son. But Zacari was tired out of her mind. Her lids were heavy, and although she didn’t mean to, she kept falling asleep. Gently, Keary took the baby into his arms. She thought he would be afraid to hold something so tiny and fragile in his huge hands, but Keary was a natural. She wouldn’t have put it past him to have studied books on the proper way to hold an infant.