Baby Makes Four, page 8
“Thank you for calling me.”
“Yes, ma’am. If you hear from Mr. Marks-Davidson, please call the office and let us know he is okay.”
“Will do,” Trisha replied.
“Who is it? What’s going on?” Ken called out.
After she hung up, she told him what she’d learned.
“Flight number doesn’t match anything they’ve confirmed so far, but...shit. Why hasn’t he called back?”
Trisha put her arms around Ken’s waist and buried her face in his chest. As his heart pounded by her ear, she breathed in his fresh scent. He smelled of lavender. She held back tears. “I’m scared.”
He caressed her back. “I was such an ass to him. What if—“ His voice was shaky.
“Don’t say it!” Trisha lifted her head and looked him in the face. His eyes were glassy, tears threatening to spill over any second.
“I love him so much.”
She nodded her head. “I know.”
Ken’s bottom lip trembled. “He doesn’t.”
“He will. You’ll tell—“ She was cut off by the ringing phone.
Trisha dashed toward it, tripping but catching herself by kneeling on one knee. Ken grasped each of her shoulders and hauled her up onto her feet. She stepped up into a sprint and snatched up the phone. “Hello? Tommy?”
“It’s me. I’m okay.”
“Tommy!” She burst into tears. “Why didn’t you answer my call? Why didn’t you call back sooner?”
“I couldn’t. They disallowed cellphone use on the plane. We didn’t know what was going on, only that they were grounding our flight. They left us on the tarmac for what seemed like forever before letting us enter the airport.”
“Where are you?”
“Houston. It just so happened to be the closest airport when they grounded everything so I would have made my connection but nothing’s flying.”
“Do you know what happened?” Trisha’s voice was breathy.
“It’s on all the news stations.”
“What’s going on, Trish. He’s okay? Tell me he’s okay.” Desperation clung to every syllable Ken uttered.
She looked at him and nodded. “Here. You talk to him.”
He grabbed the phone. “Hey, buddy. Where are you?”
“I’m at Hobby airport. I’m waiting in line to rent a car, but so is everyone else. I might not get one.”
“Forget that. I’ll come get you, but I don’t want you in that airport. Find a hotel and take the shuttle there. Then call me to let me know where you are.”
“Okay, thanks for coming to get me. It’s a long drive.”
“Of course.”
“Wait, wait!” Trisha cried out while scrambling to find Ken’s cell phone. “I’ll make some reservations while you’re on the line.”
“Oh, I can do it faster from the computer.” Ken hurried to his home-office and then sat in front of his PC before typing as fast as lightning. “Okay, I’ve found something close to hobby.” He tapped a few more buttons while holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder. “I’ve got you checked in at a Luxury Inn. Just look for their shuttle.”
“Thanks, Ken.” I’m a little freaked out so I appreciate your doing all this for me.”
“You’re my best friend. See you soon.” As Ken hung up the phone, Trisha kicked him in the shin. “Ow! What the hell was that for?”
“Why didn’t you tell him you loved him?”
“On the phone?”
“Yes!” She lifted her foot again, and he jumped back.
Ken wagged a finger in the air in front of her. “Hey. You’ve become way too violent since you got pregnant.”
“Is that right?” She balled up her fist.
“You never use to hit or kick me.”
“Maybe you never acted so stupid before.”
His lips thinned into a line and his eyebrows knitted. “Could you cut it out?”
She sighed, the fight fleeing from her. “Yeah, I’m sorry. I suppose I have been out of hand, but you did sort of wreck me.” She motioned to her abdomen with one hand.
He smirked. “Like a new driver in a Ferrari.”
She shook her head. “More like a Hyundai, but okay. Let’s go get Tommy.”
He raised his chin. “You aren’t going.”
Trisha lifted an eyebrow and laughed mockingly.
AS KEN DROVE, TRISHA sat on the passenger side, looking over a state map. “I can’t believe I’m letting you go.”
“Pfft. You say that like you had a choice.”
He pursed his lips and shook his head as he watched the road. “You’re pregnant, and horrible stuff is happening. You should be safe at home.”
“How do you know our house isn’t next? I’m just as safe here.”
“A three-hour drive is not good for you.”
“Neither is worrying about both of my husbands all day.”
“Why are you so stubborn?”
“I was born that way.” She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded toward the exit. “That way.”
“God help me.” Ken pulled onto the interstate highway.
Chapter Seven
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Tommy arrived at the hotel long before the 3:00 p.m. check-in time, but due to the situation, the staff allowed him to wait and use any of the facilities until they could get his room ready at 1:00 p.m. The bar was definitely out; he didn’t feel like working out and he hadn’t packed a bathing suit for the pool. On the other hand, the hotel had a top-notch spa and a massage might soothe his frazzled nerves.
He paid for a full hour, but when it was over, he still felt antsy. After he tipped the masseuse, he asked, “So what other services does this joint offer?”
“TAKE THE NEXT EXIT.” Trisha pointed as she spoke.
Ken grumbled. “I can read a map. I’m not a dummy.”
“Sorry. I’m just anxious. And it didn’t help—you insisting we stop at that McDonald’s.”
“It was the half-way point. You’re pregnant. You needed to stretch, eat and pee.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “Did not, and I don’t require reminders from you about my delicate condition.”
“Oh, you didn’t need to stop? Couldn’t tell by the way you scarfed hat double cheeseburger and fries before washing it down with a strawberry shake.”
She stuck her tongue out at him like a child. “Well, if you were stopping anyway, why I shouldn’t have a bite?” She fiddled with her seatbelt in an attempt to get comfortable. She’d never admit it, but stretching had alleviated the soreness in her back, and the baby had been sitting on her bladder like a block of cement. Normally, she and Ken would be bickering over such trivial things, but somehow, being grumpy felt better than worrying.
As they stopped for the second traffic light since leaving the highway, she staring out the window and frowned. “There sure is a lot more traffic in Houston than what we’re use to in San Antonio.”
“Yep, say what you want about the inner and outer loops, but they keep things moving.” He glanced at her and smiled. “The hotel isn’t far from here.”
She placed her hand on her belly and rubbed. At this point in her pregnancy, her skin had stretched and pulled her navel tight. Driving for hours hadn’t been her brightest idea but since she had no way to gauge how miserable she’d have been if she sat at home waiting for her husbands to come back to her, she was convinced she’d made the right decision. Her stomach was swimming like she’d eaten a live fish rather than a combo meal, but she’d feel better when she saw Tommy and put her arms around him.
“Are you alright?”
“Five by five,” she insisted while fingering the wedding ring hanging from a chain around her neck—she’d had to start wearing it that way when it had stopped fitting her puffy fingers.
As the hotel came into view, Trisha’s heart pounded. She pointed. “There it is! There it is!”
“I see it already. Calm down before you pee your pants.” She threw him a dirty look he didn’t appear to notice as he put on his turn signal. As soon as he found a parking spot, she opened the door.
Ken grabbed her arm. “Can you wait for me to get it in gear?”
She stuck her nose up in the air. “I wasn’t going to jump out before you stopped.”
He threw her a stern look. “Stay put until I can come around and help you. I don’t want you tripping on the asphalt and as worked up as you are right now, that’s exactly what will happen.” Trisha’s nostrils flared as she pursed her lips, but she couldn’t say he was wrong.
She glanced at the time on the truck’s digital display while clutching her purse. The seconds seemed like days. When he finally opened the door, she nearly sprang into his arms. He grabbed her around the waist, holding her steady.
“Careful, it’s okay, baby.” He kissed her on the side of the head before taking her hand in his. The warm clamminess of his palm took her by surprise. Ken was the calm, cool customer in the family. He must have been a lot more shaken than he was letting on.
As soon as they walked through the sliding glass doors, Trisha saw Tommy sitting in the lobby. As she took off running toward him, her flip-flop slid, sending her in a forward momentum.
“Whoa!” Tommy somehow managed to catch Trisha. Ken, who had been right behind her, reached out at the same down grasping her shoulders. Between the two of them, they’d somehow prevented her from knocking the whole couch over.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” She grabbed both sides of his face and kissed him on the lips. “I’m so happy to see you.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Ken helped Tommy to his feet before throwing his arms around him and giving him a bear hug. He patted Ken’s back. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”
After she wiped the tears from her eyes, Trisha noticed his blond locks had been cut, and he had a smooth shave. “Wow, you look amazing.”
He touched his hair and gave a bashful, half-smile. “I had some time to blow, and the spa was having a package deal.”
Although Ken was still clutching onto him as if he might suddenly disappear, he scoffed, “Only you would take the time to primp while everything around you is going to shit.”
Tommy squeezed Ken with one arm. “I’m alive and the two people I love rushed to see me. That’s something.”
Trisha covered her mouth, holding back a mixture of sadness and joy. Her feeling were everywhere. Something terrible had happened and there would be repercussions for the entire country for a long time to come, but Tommy had been spared. She could see him, touch him and enjoy his scent. As her relief chased away all the adrenaline that had been driving her, the full weight born of the exhaustion of sharing her body with another person took her strength. “Let’s see if we can check in now. I want to lay down.”
Tommy nodded. “I could use a shower. I feel sticky from all the massage oils.”
Ken rolled his eyes but smiled. “Let’s go.”
After Ken used the key card to open the door and escorted Trisha inside, Tommy put his luggage away in the closet. Ken looked his way and said, “Go ahead and get your shower; I’ll get Trisha settled.”
“Alright then.” Tommy passed by two double beds covered in plush, crisp, white comforters with matching pillows on his way. As he surveyed the huge bathroom with its separate bathtub and shower, his eyes widened. Sheesh...how much am I paying for this room? He stripped off his clothes, leaving them on the floor before turning on the plexiglass-enclosed shower. He let the running water build a full head of steam while he unwrapped a bar of complimentary soap and held it to his nose, breathing in the aroma of white tea until it dizzied him. Now that he wasn’t distracting himself, his brain felt as if it might turn to mush. So many were gone. His stomach churned. A random miracle amid terrible, calculated violence—He could have been on one of the ill-fated planes, but he was alive. Survivor’s guilt clawed at his insides.
After taking a deep breath and exhaling, he stepped under the running water. He closed his eyes as he attempted to process everything that had occurred. No matter how long he lived, he’d never understand the reasons for the events of the day. Tears burned his sight.
As he blinked and focused on the good-looking man staring at him while shedding his clothes, he gasped. “Ken?”
His best friend opened the door. “Mind if I join you?”
Tommy’s lips turned upward. “I’d like that very much. You feeling dirty too?”
Ken slipped inside next to him. “You have no idea.” His husband wrapped his arms around his waist and moved in so close he could smell his raw masculinity. Ken’s breath warmed his face as he closed the gap between their lips before claiming a kiss, lapping at the crease, begging for entrance. Tommy’s eyes snapped shut and his mouth opened providing the access. Ken’s tongue plunged inside, hungrily probing.
Tommy trembled, every synapse in his nervous center firing into a pleasurable chemical overload. While breaking the kiss, Ken placed a palm on each side of Tommy’s cheeks while a tear streamed down his own. “I love you so fucking much. I don’t know what I would have done...”
“Shhh.” Tommy placed a single finger over his friend’s lips. “I’m here. I’m alive.”
“I’m sorry.” More tears stained Ken’s face as he gazed into Tommy’s eyes. “I love you. I’m sorry if I made it seem like I didn’t.” Before Tommy could respond, Ken dove in for another kiss. Tommy’s cock stiffened as he reached under Ken’s arms. He clutched his friend’s muscular back, pushing his fingertips against his shoulder blades. Holding Ken was bittersweet. Would he be doing this if it weren’t for... He lost his train of thought as Ken nuzzled at his neck, his smooth shiny hair brushing against Tommy’s jawline as he did.
Tommy worked up a lather in his hands and then began to bathe Ken. The sexy brunet picked up a washcloth and reciprocated. They kissed and caressed as they washed one another. Tommy’s erection pulled his skin taut as Ken closed his soapy palm around the hilt. As he stroked him in an up-and-down motion, Tommy’s knees weakened. He closed his eyes, groaning as he leaned against the shower’s wall.
As he pressed his palms against Ken’s hard chest, he spread his fingertips and caressed his hot skin. His heart galloping, he could barely catch his breath as he leaned forward and rested his forehead on Ken’s shoulder. He gripped Ken’s hips and nibbled on his neck, tasting his salty-sweet flesh before tracing the definition lines of Ken’s abdomen, committing every inch of skin to his tactile memory. His cock twitched with need as he stood upright, moving his hands to grasp Ken’s firm ass. He glanced at Ken’s silver-gray eyes. “Kiss me again.”
A lopsided smile curved one side of Ken’s mouth as he put his arms around Tommy’s neck. “Where?”
Tommy’s pulse raced and his head dizzied as he prayed this wasn’t some sort of stress-induced dream. He’d wanted Ken for so long. If he woke up and found this wasn’t real, he’d be devastated. Ken’s dark hair felt silky beneath his palm and his body heat warmed him to his core. It had to be real. He panted. “Anywhere...everywhere. Just don’t let me go.”
“Never.” As Ken dipped his head, he dragged his teeth over Tommy’s collarbone before twirling his tongue around the area. Tommy moaned, his skin on fire with a pleasurable tingling as Ken rubbed his chest. He quivered, his erect cock swaying and his head hazy with longing and love. As he looked up at the ceiling and moaned, a powerful aching need filled him. What am I waiting for? I need to take control.
He grabbed Ken’s wrists and pushed them up over his head, holding him against the shower as he kissed his bottom lip first and then nipped at the one above. As Ken opened his mouth, they engaged in a hungry, oral embrace. Tommy devoured him with gusto, wagging and twisting his tongue. He broke the kiss, going for Ken’s neck. He nibbled, sucked, kissed and licked a trail down over Ken’s chest before stopping to lavish attention on one of the tightened, pink nubs. As he teased Ken’s flesh, he delighted in his moans and the guttural sounds caught in his throat.
As Tommy’s dick stiffened and throbbed, he peered at Ken’s and licked his lips. He moved to his knees while licking Ken’s stomach, paying special homage to his navel. The sounds of Ken’s erratic breathing and moaning sent a shiver down Tommy’s back. He lapped at the tip and parted his lips.
“No.” Ken’s voice was low and husky.
“What?” He looked up at Ken with hooded eyes. “But—“
“I want to do it for you.”
Tommy’s eyes widened as a lump formed in his throat. He grasped the hand Ken offered before his friend hauled him back to his feet. He swallowed as Ken knelt, his hot breath covered Tommy’s cock before his lips wrapped around the head. Tommy quivered, tightening his abdomen muscles as he panted. He leaned against the shower and closed his eyes as the heat and saliva varnished his throbbing dick. Forceful currents of arousal surged, stimulating engorgement.
“Feels amazing.” He glanced downward, breathing heavily. His heart turned cartwheels as he bucked his hips in time with Ken’s movements and stroked his soft, black hair. “Are you sure about all this? You don’t have to if you—“ He lost his voice when Ken sucked him in deeper while cupping his balls. “Oh, God.”
Tommy’s desire surged, coiling in his stomach. He wanted to come but at the same time, he wanted to hold on to the feeling for as long as he could. He fought the urge to release, his eyes rolling upward as he panted.
“Stop, Ken. I’ll come.” As accommodating as his friend was being, Tommy half expected to be ignored, but Ken pulled back, releasing him.
“We can’t have you coming too soon. You still need to make love to me.”
Tommy’s head jerked back and his lips puckered as his brows lifted. His nerve ending buzzed like a jumble of live wires, and his heart beat as if it would break through his chest at any moment. He clutched Ken’s forearm and yanked him to his feet before turning him. While leaning down, he planted a sweet kiss on Ken’s shoulder blade and then another one on the small of his back as he stooped.
