Chapter Four: Quinn

Chapter Four

Quinn

Sunlight streams through the living room windows, directly illuminating the front door. I’m on my way to the kitchen to find something to eat, and I stop, looking at the door. Everything that happened yesterday is fresh in my mind, including the fear. I was afraid for myself, but even more afraid for my child, and now I understand why some women refer to themselves as ‘mama bears’ when it comes to protecting their babies.

The rug I tripped over has been smoothed out again, and I remember it all so well. The look in the guy’s eyes. The desperation and anger in his voice. The way he looked at the shirt, I was wearing and knew it belonged to Archer. I’m certain I’ve never seen that Bobby guy before, but he looked familiar.

Tearing my eyes away from the door, I continue to the kitchen. It’s seven a.m., and after eating mac and cheese last night, Archer and I watched the final Harry Potter movie before falling back asleep. He’s still sound asleep in bed, and I didn’t want to wake him.

Trying to avoid a queasy stomach, I’m on the search for crackers. I bend down, looking in the cluttered cabinet filled with nonperishables. The floor creaks behind me and thinking it’s Archer, I spring up, box of crackers in hand.

But it’s not Archer. It’s Sam, and he’s naked. He freezes, letting out a shriek.

“Oh my God,” I exclaim and divert my eyes.

“Quinn, I…I…I thought you were still asleep,” he stammers, bringing his hands down to cover his junk.

“I was hungry,” I say, trying not to laugh. I fail. I bring my hand to my mouth and turn away.

“Women don’t usually laugh when they see me naked, you know.”

I grab a dish towel from the counter to toss to him.

“That’s not big enough,” he says seriously and side steps away.

“Oh, please.” I roll my eyes and turn away to open the crackers.

“Quinn?” Archer calls, voice thick with sleep. He comes into the kitchen, probably making sure I’m okay after hearing Sam yell. “Dude,” he says to Sam. “We talked about this.”

“I thought you were both still sleeping.”

“You talked about this?” I ask, looking at Archer. He’s just in his boxers, and there are creases from his pillow on his face. His dark hair is a mess, stubble covers his strong jaw, and he looks so damn sexy without even trying. He makes butterflies flit in my stomach, and with everything we went through yesterday, I feel closer to him. “So this is a regular occurrence?”

“Yes,” Archer says with a chuckle. “It’s so fun living with him.”

“Hey,” Sam interjects, walking backward down the hall. “I’m confident in my body.”

“Trust me, we know.” Archer moves in behind me, arms going to my waist. He kisses my neck and I lean back against him. “I can make you something better than crackers for breakfast if you want.”

“This is fine for now,” I tell him, spinning around in his arms. “I was going to go back to bed. You should too. You look tired.”

“I’m all right. Do you want eggs again?”

“You don’t have to make me anything, babe.” I set the box of crackers down so I can hug him. “Are you working today?”

He shakes his head. “I’m on call again.”

“You won’t work so much when you get a new job, right?”

“I shouldn’t.”

Now’s a perfect time to ask him about where he’s going to apply, to bring up the great hospitals around the Chicago area. If we want to live together, one of us is going to have to move. I guess it could be me, but when he’s actively looking for a new hospital, it makes sense that it’s him, right?

“It’s morning,” he says before I can go on. “We need to talk about that guy from yesterday.”

He tenses, ever so slightly, and if I weren’t holding onto him, I wouldn’t have noticed. I do have questions, but I don’t know how Archer will answer. He didn’t see the guy. How’s he going to know anything about him?

“Okay.” I slide my hands down his arms and step back, grabbing the crackers. “We can talk while we eat. I’ll make you breakfast this morning. I do know how, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” His eyes go to my wrist, and he looks guilty, almost as if it’s his fault I got hurt. “But I like making you breakfast.”

I smile. “I won’t object to that.”

“What do you want?”

“Eggs.”

“You’re getting predictable, Quinn,” he says with a shake of his head. I laugh and open the box of crackers, too hungry to wait to eat. I take a bite out of one and go get my phone. I have a bunch of texts from my mom that I didn’t hear last night since I passed out. She’s excited to see another picture of the baby, but then asks why I got another ultrasound done.

My lack of response must have worried her, and her last text is a request to call me in the morning. I go to call her back and then remember there’s a time difference between Eastwood and Indy. And they’re an hour behind? No. Ahead. I think? I’m smart, yet figuring out time zones will forever confuse me.

Either way, it’s early, and Mom’s probably still sleeping or at the very least just starting her day. Taking my phone with me, I go back into the kitchen and check my email, responding to a few, while Archer makes breakfast. Mom texts me, and I exit out of my emails to respond.

Mom: Are you awake? You’re worrying me, Q

Me: Yeah, I am. And sorry. I fell asleep early last night. Archer was able to get a doctor-buddy to do another ultrasound so we could see the baby.

It’s the truth with a few things omitted, but I instantly feel bad for lying. Though I know my mother and know how much she’ll panic if she were to know everything that happened. I could be right in front of her and she still wouldn’t be convinced I’m okay.

Mom: Oh, that’s good! She’s growing! I started a P*******t board for the baby shower. Do you want to do a gender reveal? We can do something small for that, if you’d like. Just us and Archer’s family.

Me: I’ll talk to Archer about it. We’re going to find out what we’re having as soon as we can. Arch said there’s a newer test I can do in like 2 weeks.

Mom: Two weeks! I’ll start planning! Do you want to have it here? Eastwood is in the middle between you and Archer.

My chest tightens and a new wave of panic washes over me, one that hasn’t quite made it to the shore yet. In two weeks, we could know what we’re having. We’ll pick out a name and can start planning the nursery. But where will it be?

“Do you want toast?” Archer asks, sliding a plate of eggs in front of me.

“No, thanks. And thanks for the eggs.”

He takes a plate for himself and sits across from me. “They’re easy. Someday I’m going to make you a real meal. I’m not the best cook, so don’t have high expectations.”

I laugh. “I’ll save my high expectations for sex.”

“You know I aim to please. Multiple times.”

I push my eggs around on the plate, helping them cool. “So far, so good. Trust me, I’ll let you know if things start to suck in the sack.”

“They won’t,” he promises. “Though some sucking might happen.”

Laughing again, I scoop up some eggs and blow on them before putting them in my mouth. Mom sends me another text with pictures of cakes she found on P*******t for a gender reveal party.

“How do you feel about having a gender reveal party?” I ask.

“What is that?” Archer gets up to make a pot of coffee.

“Basically a party announcing if the baby is a boy or girl. You don’t tell anyone until the end, and you pop a balloon with pink or blue confetti in it or something.”

“And it’s a thing people do now?”

“Yeah. If you have a halfway decent I*******m following and you don’t do one, people will wonder what’s wrong with you.”

Archer chuckles. “I don’t really care either way. Any excuse to have a party is good in my book. Do you want to have one?”

“I know they’re a little lame, but yeah.” I bite my lip, looking at the photos my mom sent. I haven’t told anyone besides my family and Marissa about the baby. I’m a modern woman with a successful job, and shouldn’t worry about people judging me over having a baby when I’m not married. But I do, just a bit.

“Then let’s do it.”

Archer’s words make me smile. “My mom is going to go crazy over this. She wants to know where to have the party?”

It’s a simple question, but I know it raises the same concerns to Archer too. He turns on the coffee maker and comes back to the table. “If you’re going to take impressive I*******m pictures, your parents’ farm has the perfect setting.”

“I’m glad you have your priorities in check.”

He nods. “I gotcha, babe. We’ll make sure to have everything posed perfectly. I’ll even take pictures of all my food before I eat it. Actually, we could invest in some of that realistic-looking fake food. I hear it photographs better.”

I look at Archer, a big smile on my face. He makes it so easy to fall.

“Good idea. Anything for the likes.”

“Exactly. The number of likes is a direct correlation to how loved this baby is. We really have to step it up.”

Laughing, I finish the last of my eggs and get up to put the plate in the sink. “So if we are able to find out the baby’s sex in just a few weeks, shouldn’t you tell your parents? They still don’t know.”

The light goes out in Archer’s eyes. “Yeah…they don’t. Want to have lunch with them soon?”

“Of course. I haven’t seen your mom in years. Do you think she remembers me?”

“She does. I talked to her last night and told her you were my girlfriend. I didn’t tell her about the baby yet. I’d rather tell her in person.”

“Yeah, I agree. You said she’ll be excited?”

“She will. My dad too. They’ll be surprised, but happily surprised.”

“Good.” I put my hand over my stomach. “I don’t want any more drama.”

Archer tenses again, and his hand goes to the back of his neck. I’m about to ask him what’s wrong when his phone rings. It’s someone from the hospital, and it sounds like a nurse asking for new medications for one of Archer’s patients.

I take Archer’s empty plate to the sink, rinse the dishes off and then load them into the dishwasher. Archer is still on the phone, so I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I really want to kiss him, but not until after my mouth is clean.

One of Archer’s lab coats is hanging up in his closet in his room, and I get it out, smiling when I see his name stitched into the fabric. He joked about liking to wear this out in public, so people know he’s a doctor. Biting my lip, I look back into the kitchen. I can’t see directly into it from Archer’s room, but I can hear his voice. He’s still on the phone, and after listening for a brief moment, I think a patient is being difficult and not following post-op instructions.

Hoping that doesn’t mean he has to go back into the hospital to deal with the issue, I quickly strip out of my clothes and put on the lab coat, pulling it around me just enough to cover my nipples. Then I sit on Archer’s bed, perfectly posed. And wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

I’m starting to get bored, and sitting here with my stomach sucked in—sorry baby—and my tits pushed out is not comfortable. Finally, Archer hangs up and comes into the room.

“Sorry about that. We still need to talk about—” He cuts off when he sees me, jaw dropping just a little.

“You’re late for your appointment.” I narrow my eyes, biting my lip. “But luckily I’m still able to squeeze you in.”

Archer closes the door behind him and jumps on the bed, landing over top of me. “You do have a very tight schedule. Are you sure you can fit me in?” He moves between my legs, cupping my face and pushing me back.

“It’ll be hard, but I think I can make it work.” With hormones still making my sex drive crazy, I’m fighting with myself to stay patient and not rip Archer’s boxers off and bring his cock right to me. Not that he’d mind, but if I can keep this going a bit longer, he’ll more than appreciate it.

“I’m so sorry, doctor,” he says as he kisses my neck. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“I’m sure you will.” I put my hands on his shoulders and push him off me. “Now, we better get your exam started.” Moving out from underneath him, I shove him as hard as I can onto the mattress. He’s bigger and stronger than me and there’s no way I can really push Archer around. He goes along with it, falling back onto the bed.

“According to your chart,” I begin, kneeling over him. I slowly peel the coat back, letting the fabric slide down my breasts. Archer watches with wide eyes. “You’re well overdue for a thorough examination.”

The coat slips off my arms and I move on top of Archer. His cock is already hard and, even through his boxers, feeling it rub against me almost does me in. I lean forward, breasts in Archer’s face. He lifts his head off the pillow and takes one in his mouth, tongue swirling around my nipple. Groaning, I force myself to pull away, but Archer has other plans.

He grabs my waist and brings me forward, my pussy in his face. Pushing onto my knees, I grab the headboard, knowing I’ll need it to support myself once Archer gets to work. He turns his head to the side, biting my thigh. Goosebumps break out over my flesh when he gently runs his fingers up over my ass, slow and teasing.

He knows how wound up I get, and how easily he can turn me on, especially now. And he uses it to his advantage. It drives me crazy, makes me feel like I’m going to explode, but in the end, I come harder than I ever have before, and each time we have sex it makes me realize more and more how much we were made for each other.

We click. We fit. And I’m not just talking about physically. Though, physically, I don’t think I could find anyone more perfect for me than Archer. He knows how to work his hands. And his tongue. Together, at the same time. He can play my body like an instrument made just for him, and I know, without a doubt, no one else will ever make me feel this way.

I am in love with Archer Jones.

The fact that I’m carrying his baby confuses me, I’ll admit it. I want us to be in love. I want to be a couple. To raise our child together and be a family. Am I forcing something that’s not fully there? Archer has been nothing but amazing to me…but is it too soon to say those three words?

He turns his head in and his tongue lashes against my clit. The fact that I’m currently riding his face might have something to do with me suddenly feeling so in love with him as well.

“Archer,” I moan, knowing he loves when I say his name during sex. He brings his hands down, squeezing my ass, and eats my pussy with fervor, not stopping until I’m squirming against him. I’m so close to coming, and tingles jolt through my body, bringing every nerve alive. I rock my hips against his face, and his tongue plunges into me. I grip the headboard and arch my back right on the edge of an orgasm.

Archer quickens his movements, alternating between flicking my clit with his tongue as fast as he can and gently sucking it until I come. He holds me against him, not stopping as the orgasm ripples through me. Everything is so sensitive, almost painful, but he’s relentless as I try to squirm away, not stopping until I come again.

I fall back onto the bed and I know we were made for each other.

“Did I pass my exam?” Archer groans, moving on top of me.

“The first part,” I pant. “This is a…a lengthy process.”

“Well, speaking of length…” Archer wiggles his hips against mine and I laugh. Looking into his eyes, I run my fingers through his hair. Yep. I’m a goner. I don’t want to come to any conclusions just yet since I’m still naked beneath him and he’s yet to fuck me, but if I’m not actually in love with him, I’m pretty damn close.

“We should continue the exam.” I bring my mouth to his, kissing him deeply and tasting myself on his lips. “I don’t want to miss anything.”

“Right. Thank you, doctor.” He moves his lips from mine to my neck. “I know I’m in good hands.”

I reach down, trying to remove his boxers and he kisses my neck. He moves back just enough to take his boxers off, and once he’s naked, I roll him over and climb on top.

“Put the lab coat back on.” Archer’s hand lands on my hip. “I want you to wear it while you fuck me.”

He slaps my ass when I reach over the bed to get it and pull it on, fastening one button.

“You’re so hot, Quinn.”

Parting my legs, I move over the top of him and take hold of his big cock. My pussy quivers ever so slightly every time I see it. We’ve had sex many times, and it still amazes me that thing can fit inside me.

“I’m Dr. Jones today,” I say, trying to be sexy. And then I realize I’m trying to make Archer call me by his own name. “Unless that’s weird. Then I can be Quinn.”

His eyes meet mine, and behind the lust, I see something else. His lips curve into a smile and he looks down at my hand wrapped around his cock. “It’s not weird to think about you having my last name.”

My heart skips a beat, and suddenly I can’t get on him fast enough. Archer feels the same and sits up, pushing me back and moving on top. I widen my legs and he enters me, thrusting in hard and fast. His lips find the spot on my neck that always does me in, and it doesn’t take long before I’m close to coming again.

Archer pushes in balls deep, burying his cock inside me as he comes. He kisses me before he pulls out, and reaches down to the foot of his bed for his boxers, handing them to me to use to clean myself up.

“Want to take a shower?” he asks, moving my hair out of my face.

“Yeah,” I say back, still a little breathless, both from sex and from what Archer said. I want to believe with all my heart he’s thinking about marriage and me having his last name because we’re so in love we don’t want to go another day without being husband and wife.

But I know that’s not true.

We haven’t even said the L word yet.

We don’t live together.

And we’ve only been dating a few weeks.

I love you, baby, but damn, these hormones are messing with my heart…and my head.