He took hold of my hand and changed the subject—probably to distract me, but also because this was a subject he always wanted to talk about. “It’s time you agreed to a baby.” The way he watched me and the fierce tone he took let me know we were headed into dangerous territory. J’s desire for children right now clashed with my desire to wait at least six to twelve months. We’d only been married for just under a year and Iwanted more time alone with him before bringing a child into our relationship. J, on the other hand, was a stubborn bastard and had been doing everything to convince me to have a baby now.
I held his gaze. “Now is most definitelynotthe time for me to be getting pregnant. Not with all the shit the club is in at the moment. I don’t want to bring a child into that kind of environment.”
“Bullshit,” he said, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “You’re just using that as an excuse. This shit will be over soon so there’s no reason to even factor it into your decision.”
“You don’t know that for sure.” I was clutching at straws. Hopefully he’d let it go like he usually did.
He watched me for another couple of moments. Then, without warning, he flipped me onto my back and positioned himself over me, pinning my arms above my head. Bending his head, he took one of my nipples into his mouth and sucked it. He then did the same to the other one. His knee moved so he could push my legs apart. When he had me how he wanted me, he brought his face close to mine. “Maybe I should fuck you into agreeing to this because I’m sure as hell getting tired of hearing the word ‘no’.”
“You don’t fight fair, J.”
He raised his brows. “Idon’t fight fair? Who the fuck do you think controls my dick? And who the fuck do you think always gets what she wants by way of controlling my dick?”
I bit my lip. He had a point. J might be a bossy asshole, but when it came down to it, I had my ways of getting what I wanted out of him.
When I didn’t reply, he carried on. “Now that we’ve establishedthat, let’s establish the fact that thisisgoing to happen.”
“Baby, I told you that I do want kids with you, but I want us to wait a few more months before we try to get pregnant.”
He shook his head. “No, no more waiting. I’m done with fucking around.”
Something in his voice caught my attention. “Tell me why this is so important to you,” I said softly. There was definitely something there that I’d missed every other time we’d had this conversation, and something told me it was important.
He let my wrists go and sat back. After a beat, he said, “I want a family, Madison. I want kids running around and I want you as their mother. And I don’t want to waste another minute arguing about this. Life’s too short not to have what you want.”
I sat up and shifted close to him. Laying my palm gently on his cheek, I said, “This is because of your mum and dad, isn’t it? You don’t feel like you have ties, and you want them.”
“I have you. And Brooke. And Storm. I have ties.” His voice was gruff, and I knew I’d hit the nail on the head even if he was being stubborn about admitting it.
“It’s okay, J, I get it now. I understand where you’re coming from.”
We sat watching each other for a few moments, silently communicating our understanding. Finally, he nodded and I knew that was the only acknowledgement I would get that I was right, but it was all I needed. “So, you’ll change your mind?”
I smiled as a sense of peace about my decision flowed through me. Nodding, I said, “Yes.” Of course I would give J what he wanted. What he needed. I could never deny the man I loved those things. Not now that I knew his reason.
Relief filled his face. “Jesus, woman, you know how to make a man work for something.”
Grinning at him, I said, “It was all just practice for the main event. Now we get down to the real work, and let me tell you—you’re gonna have to work hard if you want to get me pregnant.”
He returned my grin. “I’m all about the hard work, Madison. Christ, you’ve put me through my paces over the years. I think you might be the one underestimating just how worn outyou’regoing to get.”
I shifted so I was sitting in his lap, and put my arms around his neck. Kissing him, I said, “Let the games begin.”
3
J & MADISON
This is a short flash fiction chapter I wrote for J & Madison. I often write these flash fiction pieces while I’m warming up for writing.
“Ineed this baby out of me!”
J eyed me as I entered the lounge room where he sat watching TV. “She’s not due for another week, babe.”
My eyes bulged. He was so damn casual about everything, but I was the one carrying her around and dealing with heartburn and back pain. It was irrational, I knew, to be mad at J, but I couldn’t help myself. My hormones were all over the place and the heat was getting to me. This Queensland weather was unbearable at the best of times, let alone when you were carrying what felt like a whale in your stomach.
I hit him with a filthy glare before turning and stalking back into the kitchen. A cold drink might help. And while I was there, I’d shove my head in the freezer for a good five minutes. I was seriously contemplating praying too. Not something I’d ever done, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
J’s hands slid around my waist a minute later as I guzzled some icy water. His lips grazed my ear. “I’m an asshole, baby. How about I run you a cold bath and get you in it?”
