It had taken her two bus rides to reach Doctor Sanders’ clinic and lots of walking in between. Now, to go home would be the same. This wouldn’t do, but she didn’t have any means to get a ride. She could have called Vivienne. Without a doubt, her friend would have come in a hurry. But Vivienne worked nights and took classes at the University of Washington in the mornings. Craig was out of the question. She loved him, but lately he’d been getting on her nerves with his constant questions about her health. He said it always helped him ease his burden.
What burden? Jiminy Christmas!
June looked around the bus. The other two passengers had gotten off already, leaving her alone. She’d bet it was always like this. No wonder the bus stop didn’t have a shed or a bench to sit on. Come to think of it, who would ride a bus to go to this posh neighborhood?
She loved the apartment—hidden, located in a quiet and secluded area, not to mention surrounded by trees. But so far from everything. Not an ideal location for someone without a car.
June sighed. Too bad there wasn’t a public clinic somewhere close.
The check-up had lasted over half an hour. Doctor Sanders had scolded her while he’d poked and poked. And just like her last visit, nothing had changed. All she had to do was take prenatal vitamins. No meds or treatment for her ovarian cancer. Otherwise, she’d put the baby at risk. Doctor Sanders had surprised her, too, when he’d snapped at her. He reiterated that she should have listened to him and frozen her eggs instead.
By the time she’d left Doctor Sanders’ office, she had already reached her boiling point. What kind of a doctor would talk to his patient like an imbecile? Doctor Sanders had known from the very beginning where she’d stood. She wanted a baby. And she’d done it. Well, he was just concerned about her. Still, couldn’t he at least have given her a little bit of support? Lord God above!
Her stomach grumbled.
She opened her plastic bag then reached in to pluck a couple of grapes. She’d bought the fruits at Pike Place Market. But right when she’d left the market, the skies had opened. Now she looked like a drowned rat.
Hot cocoa would be nice right now. As soon as she got home, she’d make fresh rice, broccoli beef and stir-fried beans with ground pork sprinkled with fish sauce. The thought made her mouth water. Oh, how she loved to cook. Maybe Henry would be home tonight to share dinner with her. That would be wonderful.
She thought about how Henry had taken good care of her last night. It was hard to believe that he’d actually fed her soup. He’d also stayed sitting on her bed while she’d turned her back on him and pretended to be sleeping. And this morning, he’d looked so sincere when he’d offered to keep her company and seemed disappointed when she’d said no. He hadn’t forgotten to kiss her goodbye, though. Wouldn’t it be great if he’d treat her like that every day?
Last night was as good as she’d hoped it to be, living with Henry. She shouldn’t ask for more.
She moved up closer to the front of the bus when it neared her stop.
“I’ve been driving this route for three years, but you’re probably one of the handful of passengers I drop off on this stop. We need more people like you. Metro plans to close this route. Waste of government money, they said.”
“I hope this bus stop stays open.”
“Yeah. The next stop is twenty minutes from here. Longer walk for you to go to work.”
Work?
“My husband and I just moved in here.”
“Ah. Live-in. That’s nice. My wife worked as a cook in Magnolia. In one of those mansions up the hill. But not as a stay-in. She has to commute every day. Tough. But the commute and walk put her in good shape.”
The driver assumed she was a live-in worker? She didn’t know if she should feel insulted or not. June looked at her flat brown shoes and her pale blue hoodie. The only expensive thing on her body was her wedding ring. Yeah, no one would think that she lived in a three-hundred-thousand-dollar apartment. “Thank goodness for public transportation. My dad is a retired bus driver.”
“Really? What’s his name?”
“Greenwald. James Greenwald.”
“Can’t say that I know him. He must’ve worked in a different base.”
“Yeah.”
June didn’t have to pull the cord. The driver knew where to stop.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Yup. Bring an umbrella next time. This is Seattle. It rains when you least expect it.”
“But when the sun shines, you forget about the rain and thank God you live here.”
“Ain’t that the truth. Take care.”
“You too.”
As soon as the driver opened the door, cold wind whipped around her. She pulled her hood up tight. She sneezed.
Drat.
Chapter Nineteen
Where in the world is she?
From the office, he stopped by at the flower shop, bought chocolates from Fran’s then went home. He expected to find his wife in bed napping or in the kitchen making something wonderful, but she wasn’t doing either. She wasn’t even home. But that was hours ago. Damn it. How hard was it to leave a simple note? Where could she have gone? She’d been gone all fucking day!
Henry checked his phone. He’d given her his number. Surely she could borrow a phone from someone really quick if she needed one. Goddamn it. He’d get her a phone and that was that.
He sat on the couch and propped his booted feet on the coffee table. Why didn’t she tell him this morning that she would be gone all day? No wonder she didn’t want him to stay home. Was she meeting someone? Definitely not Craig. That asshole had already left four messages asking June to call him.
He thought about calling Vivienne, but the woman would probably tell him to go to hell. She’d be really happy once he and June divorced. Because like Craig, Vivienne blamed herself for June’s tears.
Henry looked at the glass-paned window. Rain beat down hard on it. Damn it. He wished he knew where she was.
He turned on the television and flipped through the channels but nothing caught his interest. His mind kept drifting to his wife. She’d been so sick last night. What if she was throwing up somewhere and had passed out?
Fuckin’ A.
He had already decided to call the Greenwalds when he saw someone walking outside. He didn’t think it would be June, but the person turned toward their walkway. What the hell. It
was
June! But what the hell was she doing walking in the rain?
He got off the couch right away then opened the door in time for June to sneeze in front of him.
“What the hell!”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sneeze—”
Henry pulled June inside then quickly shut the door. “Don’t care.”
“Hell…looo,” she said, smiling. Her hair lay plastered on her face and she dripped water like a leaky faucet.
“Did you walk in the rain?”
“Yes. What are you doing here?”
“I live here, hon. Jesus, your lips are blue.”
“New lipstick.”
“Not funny.”
“Do you, do you—” She sneezed
.
“Need anything? I’m sorry. Didn’t know you’d be home.”
“Been home since eleven this morning.” He took the bags from her cold hands. “You’re cold like a Popsicle.”
“Believe me. I feel like one.”
Henry deposited the bags on the floor, took one look at his wife then scooped her up in his arms. “You need to thaw out.”
“I’m fine.” She wrapped her arm around his neck then laid her wet head on his shoulder.
“No, you’re not. You’re shivering like a naked chihuahua.”
Taking two steps at a time, he carried June to the bathroom. God, she weighed nothing. But she felt good in his arms, as if she’d been made for him to hold protectively like this.
“Your shirt’s getting wet.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
June sighed. “Okay. I’m tired. I’m not going to argue. Missed my nap today.”
“Well, why didn’t you take a nap? Can’t believe you walked in this rain.”
“No shed at the bus stop. You know, I’m going to write to Metro.”
“To ask for a shed?”
“No. To keep the bus route that I took. The driver said Metro is thinking about canceling it because there’s hardly any passengers using the bus here.”
“Hon, I’m surprised there is a bus stop anywhere near here. Where did you go?”
“My doctor’s appointment then I got fruits and veggies from Pike Place Market. Do you like Chinese broccoli?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I know a yummy recipe for it. Did you eat? If not, I can make dinner in ten minutes.”
He felt her rub her nose on his shirt. Interestingly, that simple action made him smile. “We’ll take about food later. Sit here.” He put her down on the toilet then cranked the electric baseboard heater to high. Next, he ran the tub.
June let out a deep sigh. He glanced at her. Her eyes were closed.
“You should have called me. I’ll pick you up. Don’t care where you are.”
“I thought you were at work.”
The bathroom temperature quickly turned toasty. He helped June stand. He unzipped her hoodie then took it off her. Next, he lifted the hem of her dress.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking your dress off. You’re having a bath.”
“I can manage. Stop.” She swatted his fingers when he tried to take her dress off again.
Henry laughed. “Honey, need I remind you that I’ve already seen you naked.”
“Well, that was different.”
“No, it’s not.” He quickly pulled her dress over her head then tossed it on the floor. Next, he unhooked her bra and pulled the straps down before June realized what he had done.
“Eeep!”
She tried to cover her breasts, but Henry didn’t let her.
“Stop, wom—” But it was him who stopped mid-sentence. He swallowed. Hot damn. June’s breasts were full, her nipples pink and areolas enlarged. Her slender arms contrasted against her large, beautiful breasts. They pointed high as if begging him to suckle them. “You’re beautiful. Just as I remembered.”
“I’m pregnant. With larger breasts and a rounded belly.”
“Even more beautiful. I miss seeing you. I miss touching you.” He gently cupped one breast and ran his thumb over her nipple. It instantly turned hard. “I miss making love to you.”
“Henry…”
He watched his thumb. Fuck it. He wanted his mouth there.
Holding on to his discipline, he lowered his gaze to her stomach, where a little bump—Jelly Bean—resided, then he lowered his gaze even farther to stare at her white panties with a pretty lace.
Henry looked at June. Her cheeks had turned bright pink and she was chewing on her lower lip. They weren’t purple anymore, but bright red. Then she licked them. He finally lost the battle. With one arm around her waist, he drew her against him while he cupped the back of her head with his other hand. “Baby, you’re beautiful. Still cold?”
“A little.”
“I’ll warm you up.” He covered her mouth with his then started probing the way he wanted to probe her pussy. God, it felt good. June sucked his tongue, taking him deeper into her warm mouth. He returned the favor, making her whimper. Oh, she felt warm to the touch now.
Slowly, he followed the path from her jaw to her neck and down to her breasts, leaving red kiss marks as he went. Changing their positions, he sat on the toilet seat and urged June to straddle him. The position leveled his mouth at her plump breasts.
“Sweet June. Sorry you had to walk.” He massaged the small of her back and her tail bone.
“I’m used to it.” She ran her hands on his shoulders and hair. “God, Henry…”
“Feels good, huh?”
“Yes.” While cupping June’s breasts, he inhaled the sweet scent of her skin in-between them. His cock throbbed. “No more riding the bus, hon.” He licked one nipple before drawing it into his mouth, hard.
He groaned from sheer pleasure. June’s moan was so lusty he nearly came. He opened and closed his mouth, trying to take in as much flesh as he could. Like a deprived man, he sucked her repeatedly, loving the way June arched her back, offering more of her flesh.
June raked his scalp with her fingers. “Oh, my God.”
He gave the other nipple the same attention, switching from licking and sucking, making erotic noises as he did. “Beautiful breasts.”
“Henry, Henry…”
June shivered, but she felt so warm to the touch. “God, you drive me insane.” Clamping his teeth, he stared at his wife while he snaked his hand between her legs.
“Henry, no.”
“June, yes.” Her position left her open for him. Slowly, he ran his fingers along her folds, trapping her clit while doing so.
She whimpered.
He dipped his middle finger into her pussy. “You’re wet.”
“Don’t blame me.”
Henry chuckled. He went deeper. “Oh, baby,” he murmured then kissed her breast.
June moved her hips, taking in more of his finger. As he slowly finger-fucked her, he feasted on her breasts.
“Are you…are you claiming your right as my husband?”
He looked at his wife. Her eyes at half-mast, her mouth open. “Yes, hon. I’ll be your husband indeed.”
“I—”
“Shh… Just feel, June. Forget about everything.” With a little maneuvering, he lowered his jeans and boxers. His cock sprang free and he sighed in relief. “Take me. The way I showed you how.” He held her hand and wrapped her fingers around his cock.
June held him, rubbed the tip on her slippery pussy, rotating the head on her clit before slowly impaling herself. “Ohhh.”
“That’s it. Fuck, baby. Feel how good this is.” He’d dreamed about this many times, ejaculated on his sheets because of it. Now it was finally happening. “Yes. Fucking, yes.” He licked her nipples, kissed the skin on her breasts hard as he controlled his orgasm.
June rocked her hips, fucking him slowly. He ran his hands over her back and hips while he, too, moved to meet her thrusts. “Henry, I want… I want…”
“To come? Yes, hon. You’ll come.” He reached for her pussy again to tease her clit.
“Yes. Oh, God!”
Henry smiled. “Did you miss me? You miss this, June?”
“Yes. Very much.”
“Good. ’Cause I can’t keep my hands off you anymore. You’re mine, hon. You’re mine.” He supported her ass then stood.