Deep down, Aspen believed it stemmed from the lack of affection from Lance over the last few months. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d been intimate with other women since Aspen found out she was pregnant and even before then. The thought caused some insecurity she’d never had.
With his hand circling around on her belly, Mahari expressed, “I’m a man, Aspen. For one, don’t call yourself huge. You’re walking around, bearing two lives. There’s nothing sexier than that in my eyes. In no way am I trying to compare, but when Heaven was pregnant, I could never keep my hands off her.”
“I hear you, but it’s different for me.”
“How so?”
“I’m carrying another man’s babies.”
Mahari removed his hand and leaned back with his elbows resting on the table. For a moment, an uncomfortable silence lingered around them. Aspen wondered where Mahari’s mind was at. She worried she said something wrong, but the truth was the truth.
Or was it?
Finally, Mahari asked the question she feared he would her entire pregnancy. “Are you sure?”
Aspen’s breathing hitched. Her mouth was so dry that not even the saliva she produced helped. It was the one question she’d been asking herself since the day she peed on the stick. In her heart, she knew the conversation should’ve been brought up sooner rather than later, but there was no avoiding it now.
Tears escaped the sides of Aspen’s irises as she laid her head back. “So, you remember?”
“Hell yeah, I remember. We may have been drunk, but I’ll never forget the feeling of being inside you, Aspen.”
“Aspen, you need to slow down. You know you’re not big on drinking, and these shots are going to have you on your ass,” Lavender warned, yelling over the music filling the club.
Somehow, Lance had convinced her to step out with him. Between his absence, work, and finals, Aspen had been stressed to the max. She didn’t want to go out with Lance, but after thinking about how long it’d been since she’d let her hair down and let loose, she agreed.
The regret of her decision was almost immediate when they stepped into the club, and Aspen remembered how much she hated them. On top of it all, bitches wouldn’t stay out of Lance’s face. Like the man he was, he didn’t try to push them away either. His excuse was always that he was an entertainer who strived to entertain, but Aspen could see right through it.
“Girl.” Aspen side stepped and waved Lavender off. “I’m good. I could take two more and still be fine.”
“Now, you lied straight through your teeth. From the way your body is swaying, I know you’re feeling good.”
“Damn good at that. I needed this.” Aspen raised her arms in the air and started winding her hips to the music. “Dance with me, Lavender!”
Before Lavender could protest, Aspen grabbed her wrist and led her to the middle of the dance floor. The world around Aspen was beginning to spin, but she had not one care in the world. She allowed the alcohol to take over her body, and it felt like she was becoming one with the music.
All the nonsense of the week went right out the window with Aspen’s emotions. The liquor had her feeling so good, she didn’t want the feeling to expire. When Lavender wasn’t looking, Aspen slipped off to the bar to order another shot.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
There it was. The smooth baritone that secretly set her soul ablaze anytime she heard it. Aspen whipped her head to the right to see Mahari leaning against the bar with wrinkled brows.
“I need it, Mahari,” she whined as he took the shot from the bartender. He tossed it back, and Aspen’s eyes went to his neck, loving the way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “How dare you.”
“I’ve been watching you, Bunny. You’re at your limit.”
“And what makes you think that?”
“Your ass never gets out on the dance floor. You were out there winding your body like you wanted to fuck someone.”
A smirk pulled the corner of her numb lips. Aspen inched closer to Mahari and gazed up at him through low eyes. “And what if I do?”
Her centered quaked from the way Mahari dragged his tongue over his kissable lips. On many occasions, she’d thought of ways he’d probably used it. The thought of it flicking over her pearl caused her to moan.
“Yeah.” Mahari chuckled and threw his arm around her shoulder. “Your ass is drunk and needs to go home. You want me to tell Lance you’re ready?”
“Only if you have one drink with me.”
“I’ve indulged a little too much myself, Bunny. I need some damn water.”
