Freya giggles while resting her hands protectively on her tummy.

  “No, definitely not. I’m going to be a single mother soon, and I’ve got lots on my plate. Plus, I made this choice independently. I used to work at a sperm bank, so I chose the donor and was inseminated before they shut their doors. Now, I’m going to have a baby on my own, and it feels really empowering, actually. Like I’m totally in control of this process, without another person’s meddling and unsolicited opinions.”

  I’m floored because this is not what I expected.

  “You seem surprised,” Freya says with a smile.

  “I am surprised,” I acknowledge in a low voice. “I mean, you’re what? Twenty-one? Twenty-two? I thought women of all ages, from eighteen to seventy, were looking for steady boyfriends.”

  Freya winks while rubbing her tummy.

  “Maybe I will one day in the future,” she concedes. “But not now. This child is mine, and I literally selected the father from a database, so I want to keep going on this path. It feels right and good, and I’m really happy with the choices I’ve made.”

  I nod, although inside, my emotions are a confused mess. After all, I thought I was coming over today to make sure that Freya was alright after our frenzied lovemaking, but also to establish the boundaries of our relationship. Mainly, I wanted to make sure that she knows that I’m not available for a relationship.

  But now, everything’s been turned on its head because Freya beat me to the punch. Not only is she not looking for a relationship with me, but she’s not looking for a relationship with anyone. It blows my mind, after being on the dating market so long and having to fend off the long, sharp claws of multiple desperate women.

  “I see,” is all I can manage. “How interesting.”

  “Cat got your tongue?” Freya jokes, although I can tell she can sense how dumbfounded I am.

  “No,” I say, slowly shaking my head. “I suppose this works out great because I’m not looking for a relationship either.”

  My beautiful lover doesn’t appear surprised at all.

  “Then it’s perfect,” she chirps. “We’re on the same page, which is always a good thing, and it seems that we’ve laid out some ground rules for our entanglement too. This is just sex,” she says for clarification. “I’m not looking for a relationship, boyfriend, babydaddy, or even a friend, really, because I already have a big social circle. I’m looking for an all-you-can-eat anal experience,” she clarifies while looking straight in my eye. “Although maybe that metaphor wasn’t so great,” she concedes with a giggle.

  “No, it’s fine,” I say in a deep voice, my cock pressing stiffly against my fly. “It’s okay because that suits me just fine too. All you can eat anal coming right up, sweetheart.”

  Then, I move to kiss her, and soon the clothes are flying off as I devour those lush curves, even as I’m careful with the bulge of her tummy. After all, I find Freya Coleman to be absolutely irresistible with her beautiful body and wanton ways. Even more, she wants what I want, so it’s perfect, right? Because isn’t this what I want? No commitment, no connection, only physical intimacy? I push the thought out of my mind because our lovemaking is growing intense at the moment, but somehow, I know that the issue’s still unsettled, and that I’ll have to address it sooner or later.

  6

  Freya

  * * *

  A week later.

  I settle into a booth at Hiro Japanese, and look about.

  “This is a really nice place,” I say with a smile. “Thanks for inviting me.”

  Mark grins and sits, his huge form looming on the other side of the table.

  “No problem honey. I thought you might like this place because it’s part Japanese restaurant, and part plant store. It’s a strange combination, but it works, don’t you think?”

  I nod and laugh because as weird as the setting sounds, it’s actually nice. The booths are very private because they’re surrounded on all sides by bonsai, blooming lilies, as well as topiaries and beautifully arranged fresh-cut flowers that I can’t identify. The front part of the shop is actually a dedicated plant store, and the restaurant is like a hidden gem in back.

  “I never would have guessed that Hiro is a restaurant,” I nod with a smile. “Except for the display menu they placed outside, of course.”

  Mark grins, flashing bright white teeth, and he’s so handsome that it hurts. How did I get so lucky? Of course, I knew when he moved in that I’d gotten a new neighbor who redefines the words “hot” and “utterly irresistible,’” but I never thought I’d be sleeping with him. I thought guys like Mark had girlfriends or wives, or that they were under constant assault from would-be girlfriends or wives. But instead, he seems happy to come over every day to satisfy my physical cravings, and it’s wonderful. Actually, it's more than wonderful because I haven’t had any nausea ever since Mark started putting his cock in my ass regularly, and as a result, I’ve been floating in Seventh Heaven on a cloud of good health.

  “So how are you today, baby?” Mark growls, those blue eyes glinting at me over the menu.

  “Good,” I smile back, clenching my bottom cheeks a little. “Ooof!”

  He immediately looks concerned.

  “Are you okay, honey? Was it the baby kicking?”

  I giggle and shake my head.

  “No, not exactly. It’s just that I’m a little sore from that new position we did this morning. You know, the one where my back is up against the couch with my legs spread, and then …”

  “Ah, that one,” Mark growls, his blue eyes going dark with desire. “Yes, I remember, but you took it so well, honey. It’s astonishing that you’re so acrobatic for someone who’s tummy is definitely getting up there.”

  I laugh joyously again.

  “Well, I want to keep this going for as long as I can before the baby’s born,” I say in a light voice. “So yes, I’m happy to try the entire Kama Sutra if that’s what floats your boat.”

  Those blue eyes glint again, and I can tell that Mark wants to say something sexual, but then the waitress comes over to take our orders.

  “I’ll just have the garlic chicken ramen with a side of seaweed salad,” I say. “Thanks.”

  My date, meanwhile, goes crazy with sushi and hand-rolls, ordering enough for a feast.

  “Are you sure you can eat all that?” I ask after the waitress departs.

  Mark pretends offense.

  “Of course!” he grins. “But you’re going to help me, right?”

  I shake my head.

  “No can do, unfortunately. You know pregnant women aren’t supposed to consume any type of raw meat, so maybe I could eat one of the sushi rolls that has just egg and rice, but not the ones with tuna or mackerel or anything. It’s all you.”

  Mark grins.

  “Yum, more for me. No, I’m just kidding, honey, because I’m sad I can’t share with you. But tell me, are you working right now, Freya? You mentioned that you used to work at a cryo bank, but that ended, right?”

  I nod and smile ruefully.

  “It’s kind of a long story because yeah, I was a receptionist at Valley Cryo just a few months ago. But they were shut down for violating FDA regulations, so that’s that I suppose. Who knew there were so many rules for operating a sperm bank? But there you go.”

  Mark nods slowly.

  “Yeah, it sounds like an industry that should be regulated closely because guys are donating bodily fluids. But are you working now?”

  I shake my head.

  “No, because I got pregnant. You know my baby was conceived using a donor, right?”

  Mark nods.

  “Yes, you mentioned earlier.”

  I laugh lightly.

  “Yeah, and I suppose me getting pregnant was good timing. Or maybe opportunistic timing. Valley Cryo was closing its doors, and they had a bunch of unused sperm samples. I think they were going to sell or transfer them to another cryobank, California Cryo or something like that. But anyways, I’d already gone through the screening process, so I jumped at the opportunity. I was inseminated the week before my old employer closed their doors for good, and fortunately, it only took one try and boom! A baby on the way.”

  My handsome date nods.

  “That does sound like great timing, and it certainly worked out well. But tell me more: why do you want to be a single mom? It’s a really interesting choice for a young woman.”

  I shrug.

  “I guess it’s because I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and the opportunity came along. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just that. My parents have always had a contentious relationship, even if they’re married still, and I don’t want that. I’d like to have complete control over what happens to me, my body, and my child, and this is the best way to go about it.”

  Mark nods

  “That sounds legitimate,” he growls in a low voice. “I’m very impressed with your independent streak.”

  I giggle.

  “Well, it’s more than just a streak. I’d say it’s a four-lane highway whizzing with cars going at eighty miles an hour. But yeah, there are definitely considerations. For example, as you know, I’m unemployed right now, and it’s by choice. I mean, of course, I was laid off by Valley Cryo but I’ve decided not to look for another job immediately because of my pregnancy. Who’s going to hire a woman who waddles like a hippo who’s also on the verge of giving birth?”

  Mark nods.

  “That sounds like a good decision. Plus, you had severe nausea,” he adds while shooting me a meaningful glance. “So that would have been a problem in an office setting. Imagine running for the ladies’ room every half hour.”

  “Yes, but it’s all better because of you,” I wink at him. “Thank you so much, by the way. You’ve helped me a great deal.”

  Something hot flares in Mark’s eyes and he takes my hand in his big one across the table.

  “No, thank you, sweetheart. I’ve been enjoying myself this past week. More than you can imagine.”

  I giggle again.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re available because the constant sex has really helped with my nausea. And this will pass, I promise. It’s definitely a pregnancy thing because before I got pregnant, I was as healthy as a horse.”

  Both of us are silent for a moment because we’re not sure what’s going to happen after I give birth. The question shimmers in the air between us, and it’s a little awkward. After all, once I don’t need anal all the time, will our entanglement be called off? Will it simmer down to nothing? Will we meet, only for conversation and drinks? The prospect of that scenario seems weird, definitely, given how dirty we’ve been together already.

  But there’s no sense in addressing that now, so I smile winsomely.

  “But yes, at some point, I’ll have to go back to work. I’m not too worried about finding a job because I’m just a receptionist, so someone will be hiring. But yeah, childcare and all that isn’t going to be fun, for sure. My parents have said they’ll help, but I think that means they’ll babysit for about two hours a week.”

  Mark sits back, surprise in his blue eyes.

  “Only two hours?”

  I nod.

  “Yeah, Gary and Carine are just … well, again, they’ve always had a contentious relationship, even after being married for a quarter century. It’s astonishing, right? You’d think they’d get along better, but no. So two hours is a good thing because I don’t want my baby subjected to their tantrums and bad behavior. Keep in mind that they’re fifty now, and it’s still happening.”

  Mark shakes his dark head with wonder.

  “Wow, I thought most folks got more chill with age.”

  I nod ruefully.

  “I know, right? But not my parents. Gary and Carine still get into terrible screaming matches and sometimes it’s about the mortgage, sometimes it’s about renovating the house, but most of the time, it’s about something that’s utterly ridiculous. Again, it’s just another reason why I want to raise this baby on my own. There’s no need to repeat the bad behavior of my family.”

  Mark looks thoughtful.

  “That’s very interesting sweetheart. But tell me, is there anything I can do to help? Do you want me to babysit once the kid’s born? Money? I make plenty as a firefighter and you know I’m just a single guy, so there’s lots of cash to go around.”

  Immediately, I shake my head with vigor.

  “Oh no, I can’t impose on you because that wouldn’t be right. Besides, we just met!”

  But Mark merely squeezes my hand.

  “No, it’s fine. I promise I’m good with kids even if I look like a bear in the mornings. I’m a friendly bear, I swear, and children love it.”

  I laugh then because the bear comparison is actually very apt. My lover is one of those men who needs coffee first thing, otherwise he glowers and prowls around with a chip on his shoulder. But after that first sip of caffeine, everything’s fine. Actually, scratch that. After a mug of steaming joe and some hot anal sex, Mark is more than ready for the day with a big smile and a relaxed attitude.

  “Hmmm, good with kids, huh? Well, maybe I will have to use you as my go-to babysitter.”

  He grins, blue eyes humorous.

  “Just ask, baby girl. Just ask.”

  With that, our food is delivered, and my mouth starts watering at the bowl of steaming ramen. It smells so good and I inhale the aroma while my lashes flutter shut.

  “Sesame, mmm,” I moan. “Plus, chicken too. This is really hits the spot,” I say after gulping a big spoonful of noodles and broth.

  Meanwhile, Mark is inhaling sushi like there’s no tomorrow.

  “This is so good,” he agrees, his mouth full. “Dang, pass the wasabi please.”

  I giggle while handing him the tube of green goo.

  “Isn’t that stuff like eating fire?” I ask. “It’s made from the same root as horseradish.”

  Mark nods while squirting a big glob on his plate.

  “It is, but it really brings out the flavor of some of the fish,” he growls. “Especially when you mix it with soy sauce like so.”

  Then, he dunks a big piece of tuna and rice into the mix and pops it into his mouth and barely even swallows before it disappears.

  “Fantastic,” he growls. “Now, I just need more.”

  I laugh because I’m a girl who eats a lot, especially since I’m pregnant, but this man consumes at least three times more food than me.

  “So tell me,” I say in a coy voice. “Do you always eat like this at the fire station?”

  Mark nods, still chewing.

  “Yeah, pretty much. All of us are monsters there, and when we go to the grocery store, we’re sometimes cleaning out that place. Seriously, we’ll walk out with gallons and gallons of milk, as well as meat, fish, poultry, pasta, you name it. It’s just part of our job,” he says.

  I nod.

  “Because you sleep at the station sometimes, right?”

  Mark grins.

  “Yeah, the nights when I haven’t been available to service you are usually because I’m on an overnight at the station. We have weird shifts sometimes because fires can happen any time of the day. Hell, a lot of times it feels like it’s more likely we’ll be summoned at 3 a.m. than 3 p.m. Burning candles, forgetting to shut off the stove, and all that. As well as health emergencies,” he frowns. “Heart attacks and other medical events that require EMS personnel.”

  “Of course,” I say in a soft voice. “Thank you for your service.” But then a thought strikes. “Wait, have you delivered babies before as part of your job?”

  My handsome date grins while popping another piece of sushi in his mouth.

  “I have,” he grins. “Just a handful, and it’s stressful, so don’t try to do it, sweetheart. You should stick with your delivery plan, and not call 9-1-1 hoping to get me.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t!” I protest merrily. “Just curious that’s all. But didn’t you just join the fire department in Millbrook?” I ask in a questioning tone, cocking my head to one side. “Or were you living elsewhere in town and just relocated to the house next door?”

  Mark nods.

  “No, I used to be with the Sansome Fire Department, but then got transferred here. It’s a nice fit. I like the guys and mesh well with my new co-workers.”

  I nod.

  “But why did they transfer you? Or did you request it?”

  Those blue eyes shutter for a moment, but it’s so fast that when he blinks, it’s gone.

  “I just like the smaller size of the team in Millbrook,” Mark says in a casual voice. “Sansome is a much bigger city, so sometimes, you didn’t even know all the other guys. There were multiple ladders, and you never really became a “family,” the way things are like at Millbrook. So yeah, it’s just the culture. Every department is different,” he says in a meaningful voice.

  “Of course,” I respond quickly. “That makes total sense, and I love having you as my new neighbor. Welcome to Millbrook,” I giggle, and with that, the conversation continues, light and airy. Somehow, I know there’s more to Mark’s transfer than he’s letting on, but it’s clear that he doesn’t want to get into it right now. What could it be? After all, Sansome is a bigger city so the position there probably paid more, and had better benefits.

  But who knows? I suppose everything will come out in its own good time, and I’m looking forward to learning more about my hot neighbor because he’s interesting, charismatic, generous and fun. Yes, we hit it off in the sack, but even better, we’re hitting it off interpersonally as well, and that’s the big surprise in this entanglement.

  7

  Mark

  * * *

  A month later.

  I’m chilling with my buddy James at a bar in Millbrook, and it’s good to see him because there’s a lot on my chest.

  “So what’s up?” the handsome bastard asks, taking a sip of his beer before setting it back down on the table. “I see you enough at the fire station as is, so I take it this is something that you didn’t want to talk about there?”

 

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