“They were big sellin’ points, though,” I teased.
Ryder chuckled. “The abs have reduced to a four pack, and I’ve more lines on my face than when we first met, and you don’t seem to mind.”
“Sweetheart, you could be skinny as a rail or as fat as a whale, and I’d still get butterflies the second I saw you. I love you for you.”
“And that is why you’re my wife.”
I looked down at our wedding bands.
“I still can’t believe we’re married,” I said happily. “It’s so surreal.”
“I hope it always feels like that because I doubt I’m ever going to not be amazed that you picked me.”
Before Ryder could speak another word, I got on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. His hands rested on my waist as he opened up to me and allowed me to take control of the kiss. I jumped when I felt his hardened length suddenly poking against my stomach.
“Ry,” I said and looked down.
“That is what you do to my body,” he said, and took my hand in his so he could place it over his throbbing erection. “Not pregnant Branna and pregnant Branna are both sexy as hell.”
I laughed again. “You’re worse than a teenager.”
“It’s not my fault my wife is hot,” he countered.
I beamed up at him. “You’ve made me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.”
I closed my hand around his erection, and it caused the hardened flesh to pulse under my grip.
“However shall I deal with this?” I said aloud.
“I’m down for anything,” Ryder groaned as I delivered the first stroke.
I hunkered down once more. Leaning into Ryder’s groin, I took the head of his cock into my mouth. My tongue swirled over the tip, and salty pre-come coated my taste buds. I took him to the back of my throat four times before I had to use my free hand to grip his thigh to avoid falling back on my arse.
“Are you—” Ryder hissed when I suckled on him but managed to finish his sentence. “Okay?”
My thighs were burning, and I could have sworn my legs began to involuntarily shake. Instead of voicing my concerns, I nodded and continued to suck on him. I pulled back for a moment just to catch my breath. It suddenly felt like my lungs were going to explode.
“Give me a second,” I said.
“Are you okay?” Ryder asked, his fingers sliding into my hair.
I nodded and took a few deep breaths.
“Stand up,” Ryder ordered. “You’re not okay.”
“I’m okay,” I stressed.
“Bran, you don’t have to—”
“I can do this,” I angrily stated.
I looked up when Ryder laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“You’re arguing with me over a blow job.”
I sighed, released him, and stood upright.
“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling awful. “I feel weird.”
“A bad weird?” he asked, worried.
“Just weird,” I said with a shrug. “Really tired all of a sudden.”
“Then a nap is back on the table.” My husband winked as he tucked himself back inside his boxers and buttoned up his jeans. “You rest, and I’ll make us dinner... once I figure out how to use the oven in the kitchen. Did you see how many dials were on that thing?”
I didn’t know why, but I started to cry again, and Ryder’s face lost its colour.
“Baby…” He frowned, and hugged me to him.
“I’m the worst wife,” I blubbered. “I can’t even give you a blow job.”
“Bran.” Ryder pulled back on a chuckle. “You’re the best wife you can possibly be, and you’re perfect at it in my book. I’m not stupid enough to think you can do things you used to before you were pregnant.”
“But you didn’t get to come and—”
“I’m not going to die,” he cut me off. “We can fool around later in bed, but for now, let me feed my wife.”
I cried harder.
“I can’t stop,” I sniffled.
He smiled softly. “It’s your hormones.”
“I hate them.”
My husband guided me back into the sitting room where I sank back down onto the sofa. I calmed down enough to pick up my phone from the coffee table and check it for messages. There were none, so I held it in my hand while I stared at the flames dancing in the fireplace and let it pull me into a trance. I wasn’t sure how long I stared before Ryder came and sat down next to me, gaining my attention.
“Branna.” He sighed. “Why do you look like a puppy just died?”
“I just have a bad feelin’ about something’,” I said, feeling confused. “I don’t know why, though. It’s annoyin’ me.”
“Have you considered your sister?”
I frowned. “What about ‘er?”
“Just yesterday, she was a mess over Georgie not breastfeeding anymore.” Ryder winced. “She also drank herself into oblivion with Alannah.”
I perked up.
“I bet you’re right,” I said excitedly. “I bet I’m just worried about Bronagh.”
My husband raised an eyebrow. “Is there a reason you sound excited about that?”