Asher didn’t even fight me on it, as I’d expected. He just pressed his body closer and thanked me over and over again. From that moment on, we’ve grown even closer as a couple. Our love for each other and our love for our child is so all consuming that there is no doubt in my mind that I’m the luckiest woman on the planet.

I grab the mail from Joe before making my way up to my apartment. I had to go into the office today and talk to Dee. Ash and I talked last night and we both decided that I would stop working for her. He wants me to focus on enjoying my pregnancy, and he’s been urging me to finish my book. His faith in my dream and me is what finally caused me to make a decision. She was naturally upset that I would be leaving her at the end of the month, just two weeks away, but she also understood why.

I think her confidence in me really helped to make me see that this is the right move. I might have never had the courage to take this step, but I want nothing more than to make all of them proud of me.

Asher decided to stop taking so many cases that would put him leaving me for long periods. I could tell that he didn’t want to miss a second of my pregnancy either, but I was starting to get worried about how we would support both of us and the baby on one—cut-in-half—income.

Asher explained to me that he’s been working on some technical jobs the guys at Corps Security needed. He said that, with Maddox not around as much, he’s been taking over for him with his normal duties. I felt a little better knowing that, even when Maddox came back to work, they would be keeping him on full time. He says that business is growing so quickly that they need the extra help.

So here we are. I’m almost unemployed. Asher is starting with the CS crew. And we’re working to start our lives together.

I unlock the door and go to push it open, frowning when it catches on something.

“Uh, Ash?” I holler through the half-cracked door.

“Coming, Sunshine. Hold on. Shit, I’m sorry. I meant to move that.”

I hear some shuffling, sounds of him picking up and dropping something heavy, and then him letting out a tired sigh.

What the hell is going on in there?

When he swings the door open, all thoughts fly out of my head. His wearing just a pair of basketball shorts hanging low on his hips. His bare chest, chiseled muscles, and sweaty skin are just begging for my hands.

I drop the mail in my hands, my purse hanging heavily in the crook of my arm, and all but attack. He laughs against my lips but lets me lead the show. My hand is pushing between the waistband of his shorts before the door even closes behind us. His groan is swallowed between my lips, and I moan at how hard and velvety he is in my hand. Thick and heavy with his arousal. I drop to my knees, ignoring his protest, and take him as deep as I can. His girth makes it hard for me to take him as far into my mouth as I wish I could. I decide to work with his swollen head, moving both of my fists in sync with my mouth, working him up to the point that his hands are both fisted in my hair and his substantial panting is falling down to my ears.

Knowing that I’m bringing this much pleasure to him is all the encouragement I need to keep going. I lick and suck, nibble and tease, caress his heavy sac, and the whole time, I can feel my body starting to heat. That familiar burn takes over my system and begs for release. I hum when I shift and the seam in my jeans rubs against my sensitive clit.

Holy shit, I could come right now—just from sucking his cock.

“Chelcie, I want to be inside that perfect pussy when I come, coating your tight-ass cunt with a part of me, and marking your body. Fuck, Sunshine, just the thought of your slick heat dripping down my cock as me ready to blow. Lean up, baby.”

I release his cock with a loud pop and take his hand when he helps me stand. He doesn’t waste a second, his lips slamming down on mine with a teeth-clashing brutality that has my pussy screaming for fulfillment.

“I-I… Fuck, I need you!” I scream when his hand moves to cup my pussy.

“I know what you need,” he rumbles.

My pussy clenches at his voice.

God, I need him.

He picks me up, careful not to jostle me too much, and takes off to the bedroom. Standing me up next to the bed, he slowly peels my clothes from my body. His lips, tongue, and teeth create a trail of fire across my skin, and when he takes one of my heavy breasts in his hands, rolling my nipples roughly before closing his lips around the peek, I know I’m seconds away from coming. And I damn sure want to be with him when I do.

Pushing away at his shoulders, enjoying the look of shock when he falls back on the mattress, I finish stripping the rest of my clothes from my body.