Tagged & Ashed (The Sterling Shore Series #2) (14 page)

Chapter Eight

A Baby in Tow

Ashiara

“I hate you,” Shannon gripes as she stares at my protruding belly.

“Why?  Because I got knocked up by a guy who doesn’t want to be a dad?” I hiss, my hormones proving uncontrollable as tears fall free from my eyes.

She doesn't acknowledge the waterworks she has become far too accustomed to.

“No.  Because you’re seven months pregnant, and you look so frigging hot.  It’s not fair.  You can’t even tell you’re pregnant in that.”

Flowing material helps, but you can still see the bump if you pay attention.

“Well, I sure as hell feel pregnant.  Not to mention, you can definitely tell I’m pregnant when I’m out of my clothes.  You sure you don’t want to go to this benefit thing with me?” I ask hopefully.

“I wish I could, but I have to keep the shop together this weekend.  You’ll be fine though.  Billy will be there for you.  Will Tag be there?”

“I sure as hell hope not.  I couldn’t tell Melanie no though.  With my parents off exploring the world, Melanie has been my savior.  You and she are the only ones who know I’m pregnant.”

“Does she know it’s Tag’s little boy in there?” she asks curiously.

I rub my belly, thinking of my small son I’ve grown to love so much during our seven months of bonding.

“No.  She thinks I had a fling shortly after the wedding.  She’s not the judgmental type, thankfully.  She’s already put a crib in her house and made me promise to come see her the second he’s born.”

Shannon
smiles as she walks over and rubs my belly for a second.

“Well, you two be careful this weekend.”

“We will.”

***

Tag

“I’m not sure I should go, Melanie.  I’ve got a lot going on with Kinset right now.  Um, how about I just come have dinner with you next week to make it up to you?”

I know Ash will be there, and I can’t see her.  That girl is still in my head, and apparently my cock has taken a vow of celibacy.  If I see her, I’ll end up losing my sanity and fucking the only girl I want.

“Absolutely not.  This benefit is for kids in need of a home, love, family, and warmth.  You know this means a lot to me, and I want my third son to be there.”

Shit.

“I’ll be there.”

Now what?

“Good.  You bringing a date?” she asks with a leading tone.

“Yeah.”

Maybe that will keep me from fucking Ash.

***

Ashiara

“Billy, I’m not sure about this dress.  It sort of makes me look fat,” I murmur while messing with the flowing material draping around me.

“You’re not fat, though you have gained some weight.  It seems to all be in your belly though.  How is that possible?” he asks in bemusement.

My cheeks burn, and I shake my head vigorously.  Melanie walks in, her eyes glistening as she stares at me, and Billy flops back on my bed.

“You look more beautiful every time I see you, dear,” she so gently coos as she comes to wrap her arms around me, stopping short when my hidden belly proves it pokes out farther than most people realize.

“Thank you, Melanie.  I was just trying to find a dress where I didn’t look so… fat.”

She lets a chuckle out, and her hand discreetly rubs my stomach as a tear drops from my eye. 

“You look stunning.  Now come on, let’s get you downstairs before they start the charity auction.  Then there will be dancing, food, and more.  You can have a night of no worries.”

No worries my ass.

Melanie clutches my arm all the way down the stairs, worried I’ll fall and hurt my child, and then we flow into the crowded gathering.  My eyes lift up as gravity pulls them toward the door, and I fight back the bile rising to my throat when I see Tag walking in… with a date.

I don’t know why I expected him to come alone.  It was stupid.  That's the whole reason he and I couldn't work.  He's Mr. Playboy.  I’m a fool to think he would somehow still be thinking about me.

It’s not like I can tell him I can't get him out of my head.  I've done all I can to forget about him, constantly reminding myself of all the reasons it could never work... and then this... I'm carrying his baby, and stupidly, I fell for him that weekend against all my inner protests.

Everything he says is so… perfect.  Now he’s here, proving I’m an idiot for entertaining the thought we might could somehow work things out.

The drool-worthy blond on his arm is wearing a short, sparkly dress that makes her look like she’s ready for the runway.  Here I am, looking like a prude - a fat prude.

My heart almost breaks, and Billy walks up to wrap his arm around my shoulders before kissing the top of my head.

“You okay, girl?” he asks, his eyes floating over to find where my gaze is burning.

“Yeah.  It’s not like I thought he was going to come in and sweep me off my feet.  He’s still Tag.  I shouldn’t have ever gotten
Tagged.
”

***

Tag

I prepared myself for seeing her.  I rehearsed all the casual, cordial lines I might share, should she offer to engage in conversation with me.  I did all my prepping, but I didn’t prepare to see the pain in her eyes when she saw me with another girl.

My breath hurts as it catches in my throat.  Her blue dress matches her stormy blue eyes that are glistening with restrained tears.  I put those tears there.

She’s not wearing her usual, tight, showy style.  This dress is more... conservative, though her cleavage is still exposed.  I swear her breasts have doubled in size, making my cock fully erect upon the sight of them.

Her knee-length dress is more flowing than formfitting, with a ruffled center that hides her perfect body.  Why is she covering her beautiful figure?

“Tag,” Melanie murmurs as she walks over to hug me, distracting me.

I return the embrace, and then she fights the urge to turn her nose up when she pulls back and stares at my date.

“And who is this?”

“It’s Carmen,” I murmur, my eyes moving back to Ash whose back is now facing me.

“Actually, it’s
Crystal,” the girl I shouldn’t have brought corrects, and Melanie stifles a laugh.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you,
Crystal.
”

“Sorry,” I mumble while grabbing a glass of champagne from a tray a waiter is carrying.

She rolls her eyes as she grabs her own, and then she laces her fingers with mine as though she’s letting all the women know she’s here with me.

“Well, I need to get back to Ash.  We’re about to auction off one of her birthmother’s painting.”

My eyebrows raise.  “Birthmother?”

Melanie tilts her head, finding my confusion intriguing.

“You didn’t know?  Ash’s mother died when she was two.  She was a rather renowned artist, and she left all of her works to Ash.”

“I thought… but she calls her father’s wife her mother.”

“Yes, Emily and Jacob got married when Ash was just starting kindergarten.  She raised her as if she was her own.  I’m surprised you didn’t know this.  That’s why she’s so good with design.  She has an artist in her.”

As if I didn’t already want to go to her.  Now, hearing what she’s giving up for charity, I really want to go be with her.  I’m sure it’s going to be an emotional night for her, and I’m here with another girl.

When I look up again, Ash and Bity are gone.

“I’ll see you later, Melanie.  I need to go do something.”

I ditch my date, and I dart toward Shane, my new assistant, who came to help out with the charity.

“I need you to do me a favor," I murmur while glancing around.

“Of course, name it.”

***

Ashiara

“Your mother’s paintings drew in a chunk of change,” Billy says with a smile.  “I can’t believe you gave them up.”

I smile softly, staring down at the hidden bump, and then I lift my eyes back up to meet his.

“Kids need food and warmth more than I need the paintings from a ghost I can’t remember at all.  Now, let’s get back to the party.  I want to dance before my feet swell in these tight heels.”

“Your feet are going to swell?  Since when?” he asks with a curious stare.

Shit.  Way to open your big mouth.

“Since I stopped wearing them so much.  Let’s dance,” I playfully urge while dragging him onto the floor.

He laughs a little as I lean against him, and I fight back the tears of losing the only thing my mother left behind.  It’s for a good cause though.

“Can I cut in,” the smooth tone that steals my heart says from behind.

My knees wobble, and Billy becomes my crutch as my eyes beg him not to release me.

“Of course,” my traitor friend says, biting back a grin, and then warm, familiar hands slide against my back as Tag pulls me to him.

“You look beautiful,” he says softly as he stares down at me.

“Thanks,” I mutter through tight lips, making sure to keep enough distance between us so my belly doesn't touch him.  “Your date does as well.”

He laughs as though I've made a joke.  It was bitter, not funny.

“I thought it might look a little pathetic to show up without someone.  I suppose you’re supposed to be Billy’s date?  Is he using you to make Rene jealous again?”

I breathe him in, my knees wobbling more, and his grip tightens on me in response as my hands slide up his chest and wrap around his neck.

“No.  He’s finally over Rene.  I’ve actually set him up with a friend of mine.  She’s pretty cool, and they’ve been dating.  She couldn’t make it tonight though, due to some work stuff.”

“Ah.  Well, I’m glad to hear he’s finally moved on.”

I wish I could move on.

You’d think after witnessing the hell Billy went through with Rene, I’d get over this guy instead of falling for him.  The chemistry I feel with him surpasses anything else I’ve ever known, making it impossible to live life without thinking about him every second of the day.

I feel his erection pressing against my side when I get too close, and I start throbbing immediately.  I want to jerk his face down to meet mine, but I can’t.  I know he has a date, and I can’t keep doing shit to torture myself.

“What have you done to me?” he whispers as his lips take mine without warning.

***

Tag

I can't help it.  I have to have her.  I can’t touch her without wanting to be with her.  I can’t see her without aching for her touch.  It’s an incredulous cycle, but I know this can’t work.

She wants love, commitment… all the things I can’t give her.  I wouldn’t even know how to fall in love with someone.

Her lips break free from mine, and she pushes me back slightly.

“I’m sorry, Tag.  I can’t do this… whatever this is, anymore.”

Tears drip from her eyes, and she wipes them away while rushing to the bar.  I start to follow her, but Crystal steps up to slap me across the face, shocking the fuck out of me.

“What the hell?” she barks as I rub the stinging side of my cheek.

“What the hell what?  You’re a date to a benefit, not my damn girlfriend.  Get over it,” I mutter with a cold tone I could never use on Ash.

“You brought
me
.  You asked
me. 
And then you kiss another girl? A girl with a pudgy belly?”

Pudgy belly?
  Okay, great.  I brought a crazy girl to the party.  The last thing Ash has is a pudgy belly.

“Get over it,” I repeat while walking off.  “Enjoy the free shit, honey.  I’ve got to mingle and take care of something.”

She rolls her eyes and huffs away.  I shouldn’t have brought some random bitch.

***

Ashiara

“Tag just got slapped,” Erica giggles as she walks over to me.

“I saw.  I guess his date didn’t appreciate our accidental kiss.”

“Accidental?” she asks suspiciously as she sips her gin.

I'm so jealous.  I
really
wish I could have a drink right now.

“Yeah.  It’s always accidental and rash with us.  I’m not sure why I can’t seem to think straight around him.”

“It’s the same with him.  I’ve never, ever seen Tag so out of control around a girl.  He never kisses girls in public, but with you, he never stops.  Perhaps our bachelor of the century has finally fallen for a girl.”

“No.  What we had was just intense and hot.  He’s still no different.”