Home > Work > Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
161 " I started to climb off the bed, but Brandon wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back down. Bree snickered and walked out the door. After it was shut, Brandon pulled me closer to him. “You’re leaving?” He asked softly, his fingers trailing down my arm. “Yeah, I have to go back to my dorm.” “You don’t have to. I want you here with me.” My first thought was of Chase and what he would think about that. I scolded myself and shook my head, “I can’t, we’re not rushing, remember?” He grumbled halfheartedly and squeezed me tighter, “If I knew you were going to leave at the end of today I would have clarified what we weren’t going to rush.” I giggled against his jaw and continued on with a trail of kisses. “I know what you meant. But I can’t stay here.” Lord knows I would love to wake up to his handsome face every day. But like he said, we just met and I’ve only been out of Sir’s house for a little over two weeks. If that’s not the definition of rushing, I don’t know what is. “Weekends?” “What about them?” I asked against his neck. “Will you stay with me on the weekends? You’ll probably be here anyway.” I sat up and looked down at his breathtaking face, “You really want me here? You’re not going to get tired of me being around?” “Seriously Harper? I told you I wanted to keep you here. You’re right though, you do need to stay at the dorm with Bree. So if I have to ‘share’ you with her, then I plan on using this sharing to my advantage so I get you too.” I rolled my eyes and pushed against his chest playfully, “Okay fine. How about this? Unless something comes up, I will stay here with you on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.” A huge smile showing off his perfect teeth and dimple spread across his face as he brought his mouth to mine, “That sounds perfect.” He spoke around our kisses. “I feel like I’m the kid of a divorced couple.” I grumbled and he laughed. We kissed a few moments longer until we heard Bree complaining from the hallway. Brandon hugged me tight to his chest at his door and planted a quick kiss on my forehead, “I’ll see you at school, have a good night sweetheart.” The "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
162 " Where’d you get that?” I looked at the ring and itched to hide it, not that it would do much good now. I shrugged as nonchalantly as possible and answered around a bite of food. “Chase.” His face fell and it took a few seconds before he continued chewing. “Chase gave you a ring?” “It’s not a big deal.” “A ring.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Everyone in the family gave me a few things Brandon.” “A few? What else did he give you?” Crap. I took my time chewing and swallowing that next bite, but forced my eyes to stay glued to his. “My tattoo.” “Chase did your tattoo? You didn’t think that was something I’d want to know?” No, I just knew you’d be mad. “I didn’t know it mattered that much to you. Would you have rather me gone to someone you didn’t know?” “At least that guy wouldn’t have a history of trying to take you from me.” “Babe, that never happened, and even if it had, he didn’t succeed. You need to get over it.” “Not li–” “Can we not do this please? I just got you back and I want to enjoy my night with you.” “Fine. But next time, I would really appreciate if you didn’t let him touch you for four hours.” My cheeks flushed thinking about Chase’s touch. Think about something else, think about something else, think about something else. “Brandon you’re not – are you jealous?” “Extremely.” “Well take it down a notch Hulk.” I giggled and rubbed his arm, “Whose bed am I in?” He continued to glower at the ring, “Mine.” I crawled off the bed and gathered up the empty Chinese boxes, hating the fact that I had just turned that around to his jealousy issues with Chase. Leaning over to press my forehead to his, I held his gaze and spoke slowly before heading to the kitchen, “Then you have nothing to worry about.” I lightly brushed my lips against his, “I love you Brandon. "
163 " Brandon wrapped his arm around me and discreetly brushed his hand over my stomach. I was only twelve weeks and I was already showing enough to know my bump was a baby … not a big meal. Hell, it wasn’t even a bump, my whole stomach was already rounding. We’d seen Dr. Lowdry yesterday, and she said it was normal to show quickly after your first pregnancy. Apparently something about your body already knowing what was going to happen, so it responded quicker. All that did was make me frown, I’d been massive by the time Liam was born, if I already had a ridiculously defined baby bump that decided to pop up out of nowhere this last Thursday, I could only imagine what I would look like by the time I delivered this one. So I’d worn a loose shirt last night and today since the parents were still in the dark. We could have told them Monday, but everyone’s emotions were so all over the place with Brandon’s fight and my disappearing act, that we decided it was best to continue with our plan to wait until today. “Girl.” He whispered softly in my ear as he caressed my belly again. I turned to plant a kiss on his cheek and whispered back, “Boy.” Liam "
164 " That sounds more like you, but that’s why I love you. I’m all grimy and covered in cake, I’m going to change really quick.” “Put on a tight shirt.” “Is that how you want to tell them? Just show them?” He smiled and looked back to make sure no one was near us, “Just act like nothing’s different, see how long it takes them. I think it’d be fun Mrs. Taylor, don’t you?” “I have to agree with you Mr. Taylor. I’ll be right back.” Changing into a bright blue racer-back stretchy tank, and a clean pair of jeans, I made my way back to the living room and tried to wipe the smile off my face. “You look amazing Harper.” Brandon pulled me into his arms again and kissed my neck softly. “I’m sorry, I know you get self-conscious, but you pregnant is a breathtaking sight.” I grabbed each side of his face, and pulled him down to me as I stood on my toes, “Thank you.” I kissed him quickly twice, barely pulling away to look in his eyes, “I love you.” “And I love you. "
165 " Brandon was an amazing father. He loved Liam and was always so excited to see him, and the same went for our son. Whenever Brandon would talk to him, Liam went silent and just stared at him. If Brandon rained little kisses on him, or offered up his fingers to be gripped by his son, Liam smiled wide at his dad and my heart would melt watching them. "
166 " I frowned but sat down, knowing it wouldn’t be much longer before someone noticed. I was wrong. It took another hour and a half. Brandon had even taken Liam from me so he wouldn’t be blocking my stomach, I had gotten up numerous times to get and refill drinks, as well as to go to the bathroom. It took Bree commenting on the color of my shirt for Carrie to gasp and Mom to jump up and literally squeal. “Oh my God! Oh my God, are you pregnant?! Please tell us you’re pregnant!” Mom rushed over and placed her hands on my rounding stomach. “Well it’d sure be awkward right now if I weren’t.” I laughed and accepted her numerous hugs and kisses on the cheeks, only to be replaced by the same from Carrie and Dad. At least Dad was more controlled with only one gentle hug and kiss for me, and a big man hug for Brandon. “You’re already so big!” Carrie was crying happily as she kissed her son and turned back to my stomach, “How far along are you?” “I’m twelve weeks, and trust me, I had the smallest of bumps until Thursday morning, and then all of a sudden this was here.” “Twelve weeks! Oh my goodness, congratulations! Jeremy Allen Taylor, get your butt over here and congratulate them.” “Mom,” Jeremy huffed a laugh and pulled Aubrey closer to his side, “already beat you to it. You guys are a little behind on the news.” That, of course, got me a couple glares and Brandon a smack on the back of his head, but soon we were all sitting down arguing over whether I was having a girl or boy. "
167 " A paper was pressed into my hand nearest him and I curled my fingers around it. His fingertips brushed softly from my wrist to my elbow and I had to fight the urge to look at the trail of fire he’d left on my arm. Chase and Bree talked about something at their parent’s house this weekend all the way up to the door of our class. I still hadn’t said anything or looked at him. “You ladies have fun, I’ll see you later.” He gave Bree a quick hug and nudged my shoulder before walking away. After taking our seats, I leaned over toward my backpack and unfolded the piece of paper so Bree wouldn’t see. ‘You look beautiful today.’ I crushed up the paper, slid it under the rows of seats and prayed that she wouldn’t ask why I was beet red. That "