Chapter 7: New

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A car service picks Russell and I up from the airport. I’m ready for bed. I was up late packing and getting my ducks in a row. Dad isn’t too thrilled about this trip either, but it’s just more incentive to get things squared away so I can get back home.

Traffic from the airport isn’t very bad. Having been to Russell’s house in Lake Barrington, I’m not surprised to see that his house in Seattle is fancy too. It’s also enormous. I count three floors, lots of windows and at least a four car garage. It’s definitely nicer than any hotel he’d put me up in. There’s a black Nissan SUV sitting in the driveway with a rental car company license plate holder attached to the back, so I assume that’s what I’ll be driving while I’m in town since I know Russell hasn’t driven himself anywhere since Ditka was still the king of Chicago.

“Nice digs,” I say with a smile as the car comes to a stop.

“I like to be comfortable when I travel,” he smiles.

“Four star penthouses aren’t cutting it, huh?” The driver opens the door for us and Russell gestures for me to go ahead of him. If he wasn’t gay and old enough to be my father, there would probably be a lot of rumors about the nature of our relationship. As it stands, Russell has a partner and he looks nothing like me.

“Not when I want some peace and quiet after a long day,” he tells me, following me out of the car.

“This is a beautiful house. I don’t blame you for preferring this place.” I follow him to the front porch after he hands me my carry-on bag. I have my laptop and electronic stuff in there, along with a few pregnancy books I’ve been reading.

The exterior of the house is a cheerful shade of yellow that isn’t obnoxious. There’s off-white columns and off-white trim around the windows and along the eaves. I can smell the crisp, woodiness in the air and I find myself hoping there’s a fire pit out back.

“I fell in love with it before I even walked into it. Come on, I’ll show you your room.” Russell looks just as tired as I am.

The inside of the house is as inviting as the outside. I’m guessing he had the place aired out since it doesn’t smell musty. Russell leads me up a flight of stairs right off the entryway and then down the hall to the right. He opens the fourth door on the left to reveal a very nice room with big windows and a stunning view of the back of the property.

“This is stunning,” I say as I walk into a room that looks like it’s been professionally decorated. It probably was, come to think of it.

“I paid an arm and a leg for the best decorator in town.” he winks. “You have your own bathroom through that door.”

“This is wonderful, Russell, thank you. I’ll do my best not to be a lazy sloth tomorrow if that bed is as comfortable as it looks,” I chuckle.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you were,” he smiles. “You look like you’re dead on your feet. Get some rest. I’ll have breakfast ready at nine.”

“Sounds wonderful.” I hear the driver bringing in luggage downstairs. There’s no way I’m sleeping in jeans with my little buddy on board. “I’ll get my bags and then pass out, probably.”

“I can have him bring them up. You shouldn’t be carrying them in your condition,” he says like this is 1952.

My pride wants to argue but I can see Eric’s scowling face in my mind, shaking his head and huffing and puffing over the idea of me bringing my luggage upstairs.

“That’s fine. If there’s food stocked in the kitchen I could use a snack. If not I can go out for something.” Or I can try out GrubHub in Seattle and let them deliver to me.

“The kitchen is fully stocked, just for you,” Russell winks. “Feel free to roam around and get comfortable.”

“Thanks.” I set my purse and carry-on on the bed. Russell goes downstairs while I untie my Doc Martens. My phone pings in my bag so I pull it out to see a reply from Eric. I sent him a text when we landed here.

Eric: Thanks. How was the flight? How is the house?
Me: Got a little dicey over Nebraska but we worked most of the time. House is gorgeous. You’re lucky I’m prego or I might not come back.

Eric: I’m sure you can hear me growl at that 😉 You know if you moved away from me I would just follow.

Me: Stalker.

The driver knocks on the open door.

“Those can go on the bed, thanks,” I say with a tired smile and note that he checks out my tits as he passes me. I’m too tired to be grossed out.

“Anything else, ma’am?” he asks once he sets my bags down.

“No, thank you.”

“Have a good night,” he nods as he walks out.

I unzip my big suitcase and pull the top up to start unpacking. In addition to the bathroom, I also have a large closet. It’s a good thing since I brought quite a bit with me. I’m putting panties away when my phone chimes again.

Eric: I’m not a stalker. I’m just devoted. How’s my baby?”

Me: Hungry. What else is new?

Eric: Then feed him! 🙂

Me: As soon as I’m done unpacking. He’s getting fruit.

Eric: That’s fine. I won’t tell if you give him donuts too.

Me: Ummm no. He’s had enough donuts.

He’s two weeks ahead of schedule. I don’t need the baby being born a month early because he’s a that big.

Eric: I’m glad you’re not my mother. lol

Me: Yeah, so am I.

Especially after what happened in his office last night. I don’t even know what I was thinking. One minute I wanted to slap the smug out of him and the next I couldn’t think of anything better than having his cock down my throat. This time I’m blaming hormones.

Eric: Want me to leave you alone? I’m trying to avoid doing payroll.

Me: Go scare up some tail. You used to be a master. I think you’re losing your touch :p

Eric: That’s a good idea… I’m checking the cameras now to see if there’s anyone worth looking twice at…

Me: If all else fails you can always go to the highlight reel lol

Eric: Mmm… that does play back nicely.

I get a picture from him a few seconds later. It’s an image of a skinny blonde. It was taken from his security camera.

Eric: Yay or nay?

Me: idk. You getting any small craft advisory warnings?

Nothing on him is small. Fifty bucks says he reminds me of it…

Eric: You’re right. I would break her.

Me: Plus she doesn’t have an ass, from what I can see.

Eric: Either way it wouldn’t be as nice as yours.

Me: You got your share last night.

Seriously, I need to stop it. All my yammering on about boundaries was pretty much for nothing at this point. Maybe the time apart will be good. Despite what Al says, Eric hasn’t told me he loves me in a boyfriend kind of way in a really long time. I know he’s still attracted to me and he does care about me, but when he talks about us being together it’s in terms of us sleeping together and that’s all.

Eric: It’s on top of the highlight reel 😉

Me: Of course it is.

I really don’t want this conversation to turn sexual. All I want is to find some comfy pajamas and then go down to the kitchen for a snack.

Eric: I’m going to see if I can make new highlights. Sleep well and tell Butterball I love him. I love you too, Sook.

Me: Back at ya. Don’t forget your raincoat 😉

I toss my phone on the bed and resume my unpacking. It’s good that Eric is finding someone else. Maybe it’s the only way for him to move on. Maybe I should do the same thing.

***

It turns out that Russell is a pretty good cook. I wake up the next morning to quite the spread down in the kitchen.

“Are those sweet potato pancakes or pumpkin?” I ask as I inspect the stack. I’ll eat them either way. Butterball gets a whiff of the bacon and that’s where my attention shifts to. I’m going to end up with preeclampsia, I can feel it.

There’s a knock on the kitchen door and I look up to see a friendly looking guy with dark hair and deep blue eyes standing there. He’s probably closer to forty, but he’s good looking all the same. It’s something about his smile that sets me at ease. I’m not sure why that is.

“Come on in, Bill!” Russell calls out. “And those are sweet potato spiced pecans.”

Bill enters the house while I pick up a plate to serve myself.

“Good morning, Russell,” he smiles as he walks in. He looks at me, “Hello.”

“Breakfast is ready,” Russell tells Bill. “This is Sookie Stackhouse. She’s going to be covering Jennifer until we find a suitable replacement.”

“Sorry, I’m a mess. It’s nice to meet you, Bill.” I offer him my free hand instead of claiming the bacon plate like Butterball wants me to.

“Likewise, Sookie.” Bill takes my hand to give me a firm shake. “I have to say, I hope it takes longer than necessary to find a replacement with a pretty face like yours around.”

“Awwww, you’re either very sweet or a little nearsighted,” I joke.

“I like to think I’m just honest,” he winks.

“Bill, stop flirting with the new girl,” Russell teases.

“I don’t mind. That’s very sweet of you.” I take my hand back so I can get some of the fresh melon that Russell cut up.

“So, Sookie, is there a Mr. Stackhouse at home in Chicago?” Bill asks boldly.

“Several, actually, but if you’re asking if I’m single, the answer is yes,” I reply while reaching for the serving spoon in the hash browns. Butterball is particularly fond of potatoes.

“Good to know,” he smiles.

“So how do you and Russell know each other?” I could really use a cup of coffee but I go for a glass of milk instead since Butterball needs the calcium and all that.

“I actually live just down the road. I do IT consulting as well for the Seattle branch of Edgington Inc, which is how I know Russell. You and I may get to work together while you’re in town,” he explains.

“Ah ha. Do you like it out here?” I swear I detect something southern to the way he speaks.

“I do. I enjoy the rainy weather. I was born and raised in Louisiana and the humidity down there is horrible,” he chuckles. “I like it here much better.”

“Oh I know all about horrible humidity,” I laugh too. I take my plate and glass of milk over to the table. Russell looks amused by the way my plate is piled up. I’m sure there are Olympians who don’t eat as much as I’m about to.

“Not a coffee drinker, huh?” Bill asks me as he pours a cup for himself.

“Oh I am, but I’m off the sauce until November,” I answer.

“Sookie is expecting,” Russell explains.

“Oh… I see,” Bill nods. He takes a seat in the chair next to mine. “My condolences and congratulations.”

“Condolences?” I pour a little syrup on my pancakes, careful not to get it on my potatoes.

“On not being able to drink coffee,” he clarifies. “I don’t know what I would do without it.”

“I’ve been sleeping a lot more,” I admit. The spiced pecans in the pancakes are heaven. The bacon is making my eyes roll back in my head. While Russell doesn’t seem to be affected by the noises I’m making, Bill obviously is.

He shifts in his chair, clearing his throat a few times.

“So, uh, I know you just got to town, but would you be interested in going out to drink… uh, dinner with me some night?” Bill asks, making Russell chuckle.

“Well, I’ll have to run it by the boss to make sure he doesn’t have me all scheduled while I’m here, but yes, I’d like that,” I answer. If nothing else it’s dinner with a new person. I don’t see the harm in it, and if he’s a friend of Russell’s he can’t be that bad.

“As requested before we had this fiasco come up, you’re not allowed to work any more than forty hours in a week,” Russell answers.

“Great. I’ll give you a few days to settle in and then we can plan something,” Bill offers.

“Alright,” I nod. I take a bite of the melon but it barely hits my stomach before Butterball decides it’s a no go, and I have to haul ass to the nearest bathroom to evacuate the offending fruit. The joys motherhood…

EPOV

When I wake up the sun is blasting through the windows. I have blackout curtains in my room so I don’t know why the fuck… oooh. When I stretch my hand bumps into Holly, a chick I met at the bar. She’s actually the girl I sent to Sookie. She’s really sweet and when I turn to look at her I’m a little creeped out by her staring at me.

“Morning,” I say in a creaky voice.

“Hi,” she smiles. “I hope you don’t mind I started a pot of coffee.”

“Mmm, I would kiss you for that but I have terrible morning breath,” I chuckle. She wasn’t a bad lay, I’d hit it again. And she’s even cute in the morning. That can’t be a bad thing.

“Understandable. I can get you some coffee if you want. Or a stick of gum,” she offers.

“I think I’ll start with coffee unless you’re interested in morning kisses,” I shrug.

“I’m definitely interested but I can wait until you’re caffeinated.” She has dimples when she smiles.

“Your call,” I wink. I sit up and stretch again. My clothes are in a pile on the floor. “Do you have a roommate? I don’t want to walk around naked and give someone a cheap thrill,” I joke.

“Nope, it’s just me in this shoebox. The bathroom is right across the hall if you need it,” she says.

“I do. Thanks.” I turn to stand up. I can feel her eyes on my ass when I do. My morning wood is poking straight out toward the door. “Will it bother you if I walk around naked?” I ask. If she wants morning kisses, she’s probably going to want another round so there’s no point in putting clothes on.

“Go for it. I’m enjoying the view.”

I wiggle my butt before I walk out of the room to find the bathroom. It takes a moment to get my cock to die down enough for me to take a piss. Once I go I wash my hands and don’t hesitate to take a swig of the mouthwash on the counter. Our mouths were in very private places last night. She shouldn’t be bothered by my lips on her mouthwash. Once I spit I rinse the sink out and saunter into the tiny kitchen where Holly has a mug of coffee steaming next to the pot, waiting for me.

“You’re a doll,” I groan as I approach.

“That’s nothing. I haven’t made you one of my three cheese omelets with a bacon blanket,” she smiles.

Before I even touch the coffee I lean down to press a lingering peck to her lips. “Good morning,” I purr as I pull back.

She giggles. “It’s the bacon blanket, right?”

“Yep,” I smile. When I straighten up I hook her hip with my hand to pull her a little close. “And you’re cute,” I finish, kneading her hip.

“Oh yeah? I never hear that.” Liar. But then she’s stroking my dick, so…

“Mmm, well, you’re very cute,” I say again. “So cute I don’t even mind your hand making me hard again.” I dip my hand into the back of her shorts to squeeze her ass. Not as small as it looked on screen, but still no Sookie ass.

“I would hope not.” Her thumb circles my tip.

We kept all the sex to the bedroom last night, which is where the condoms are… All the same, I push her shorts down her thighs and reach between her legs. She’s extremely wet. The kind of wet I would love to feel bare, but I’m not taking any chances.

“Hop up. I’ll be right back,” I tell her before I turn to leave the room to get the condom. When I get back to the kitchen Holly is sitting on the counter with her legs spread. She has her hands settled next to her with her head back against the cabinet.

I step between her legs as I set the condom on the counter. My lips find hers in a deep kiss while I probe her tight core with my middle finger. Holly lets out a deep groan as I start to wiggle my finger, trying to make sure she’s stretched enough to take me. Last night was a tight fit. Like tight enough I asked her if she was virgin. My other hand goes to the back of her hair to hold her head in place as I kiss her. I can be very dominant when it comes to sex, but I’m also very giving, As a matter of fact, I slide my finger deep into her pussy, twisting and curling in search of her g-spot. The little gasp she lets out lets me know when I find it. I start to rub back and forth slowly while my thumb meets her clit. I rub just as slowly to make this orgasm last.

I pull away from the kiss to watch her face. Her eyes are closed, her lips pressed together tightly. Her walls are fluttering, preparing to grip tight. A woman’s orgasm is one of the sexiest things in the world to me.

“Cum and I’ll let you have my cock,” I whisper.

“Mmm… I want it so bad,” she breathes. Her pussy grips my finger. “Oh wow… Eric…”

“That’s a good girl,” I smile. I lean in to kiss her jaw as I slowly pull my finger out. As I press soft, wet kisses along her jaw and up to her ear I work the condom down my shaft. I line my head up with her dripping wet pussy and I have to give her shallow thrusts, working my cock a little deeper into her pussy every few seconds. “Goddamn you’re tight,” I groan when I’m about halfway into her. She’s a little younger than me but she assured me I wasn’t her first.

“And you have a very big dick,” she says. Holly reaches down to rub her clit and it makes her suck me in a little deeper.

“Fuck,” I hiss. When I’m buried in her completely I grind against her. It takes all of my willpower not to pull her hips up and start pounding away at her. She may like it… so I purr, “Tell me how you want it, Holly.”

“Fuck me,” she pants. “Hard.”

I smirk as I do as I wanted. I lift her hips off the counter. She catches herself with her hands as I start to drive into her pussy. My cock looks huge every time I fill her. I slam in, my hips smacking against her inner thighs. I tilt her so the head of my cock rubs over her g-spot on each deep thrust. Fuck. This is fuckin’ amazing. Way better than Nora, even without anal.

“Yesyesyes ohmygod!” Holly shouts. She holds herself up on one hand and uses the other to play with her clit. She quickly pulls another orgasm from herself.

Good fuckin’ Lord. I’d love to get one more out of her but her pussy is so fucking tight I don’t think I’m going to last more than a few more strokes.

“Ready for me to cum?” I growl without taking my eyes off of the spot where we’re joined.

“Yes! Oh fuck!” Holly’s still rubbing her clit, prolonging her orgasm.

“Take it,” I grunt. My hips smack against her a handful of times before I lose it. My cock pulses inside of her as my cum pumps into the thin rubber barrier. “Fuckfuckfuck!” The hard aftershocks rip through my body, making me jerk a few more times.

Holly whimpers and her arms wrap around my neck before her lips find mine in a heated kiss. She uses a little too much tongue, but that’s easily corrected.

“Mmm, I need to get rid of the condom,” I whisper against her lips when I try to pull back.

“Okay.” Her mouth moves to my neck for a few seconds before she eases up.

I step back, groaning when my cock falls out of her. As I turn to walk to the bathroom I pull the condom off. I sigh when I dispose of it. I’m going to have to tell her about Butterball and I’m sure that’ll be the end of this one too. Holly is a little young, but she’s a great fuck and she has a wicked sense of humor… and bacon blanket… mmm.

I stop in her room to get my jeans on the way back out to the kitchen. When I get there she has her shorts back on.

“Now I’m ready for coffee,” I smile as I approach.

“And a bacon blanket?” She hands me a full mug.

“Definitely a bacon blanket,” I chuckle. “What time do you need to get out of here for work?” I ask. I have no idea what she does and it’s already ten.

“I have to be out of here in a little over an hour. I’m closing my classroom tonight,” she says.

“Ah, I guess you’re a teacher?” I ask.

“Yes, I am. I work with three-year-olds but I’m certified in early childhood education,” Holly tells me. “I used to be in the infant room up until the first of the year, but it was time for a change. I’m kind of regretting it. I miss my babies.”

“Oh…” No time like the present. “I don’t know if you want to see each other after today, but if so I should tell you I have a baby on the way. I’m obviously not with the mother…” Not by any choice of my own.

“Really? That’s… I mean congratulations on the baby. Sorry things with the mom didn’t work out. Did you want them to?” Holly gets the eggs and bacon from the fridge.

“It’s weird with us,” I shrug. “She and I have been off and on for as far back as I can remember. She’s one of my best friends and as great as it would be to have our family together, I don’t know if that’s best. We’re both too strong willed and determined.”

“That’s too bad,” she frowns. Holly turns on the oven. “Do you want three eggs or four?”

“Three please.” I take a sip of my coffee and lean against the counter. “She’s out of town for work and doesn’t know how long she’ll be. I’m pretty fuckin’ pissed about that. I feel like I’m going to miss out on so much with the baby.” I don’t know why I’m telling Holly this; I just need to get this off my chest I think.

“Is this your first?”

“Yeah. I didn’t think I wanted kids until this one,” I shrug.

“It’s understandable,” she says. Holly gets out a roll of parchment paper and a cookie sheet. “How far along is she, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Ten weeks. Do you need help?”

“Ever weave bacon before?” Holly tears off some of the parchment and lays it out on the cookie sheet.

“Nope. That’s too crafty for me,” I snort.

“Then you can be the egg whipper while I weave the blanket.”

“Sounds fancy,” I smile. I grab the whisk from her utensil holder and crack the eggs sitting out on the counter into the bowl she has sitting there.

“So I take it you’re excited about the baby?”

“Yeah. I’m terrified but happy. We got to hear the heartbeat at the last appointment and I was in awe. It’s a crazy, crazy feeling to love someone so much when you haven’t even met them.”

“That’s being a parent,” she says with a little smile as she lays out the bacon strips. “Hopefully she’ll be back soon and everything will be fine.”

“Hopefully,” I agree. “We got into a nasty fight when she told me she was going. We have so much history it turned into a fight about why we broke up the first time,” I chuckle. “Sorry to lay all this on you, my best friend is getting married so I try not to bother him with all my baby mama drama.”

“I don’t mind,” Holly replies. “I hear baby mama drama stories at work all the time. If you ask me it’s worse for little kids to get caught in a messy divorce than it is for them to have two parents who know they can’t make it work.”

“Yeah, Sookie said we have to set boundaries now that we’re having a baby and it makes sense. We had a habit of sneaking into each other’s houses at night for snuggles. That’s over and done with,” I sigh. Not that Sookie has stuck to her boundary setting, but I’m sure there’s going to be a time when she stands firm on it.

“You still love her, don’t you?”

“Of course I love her. She’s one of my best friends.”

“You know what I mean.” Holly has two beautiful bacon blankets laid out on the cookie sheet.

I take a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “I’ve been in love with her since the moment I first laid eyes on her,” I admit. Alcide is the only other person that knows that and that’s only because of one drunk night after Sookie and I got into a nasty fight.

“Does she know that?” Holly puts the cookie sheet in the oven.

“Probably not,” I shake my head, pushing the whisked eggs in her direction. “There’s no point in telling her. She’d just tell me I’m a crazy fool and then lay down all the reasons why we don’t work.”

“That’s possible.”

She moves to the fridge to get the cheese out for the omelets.

“That’s probable,” I sigh.

“It’s none of my business, but things might be different if you told her how you feel,” Holly suggests.

“Maybe. I’ve never been good at the feelings thing, ya know? It always comes out wrong and I end up sounding like an idiot.”

“Feelings are tricky landmines,” she agrees. “To me, it’s a question of risk versus reward. If the potential reward outweighs the risk, it’s a no brainer. I think it also comes down to what you can live with. If I think I’m going to regret something either because I did it or because I didn’t do it, it makes me think twice. Plus, I’m of the opinion that there’s no such thing as a bad time to tell someone you love them.”

“Believe me, I’ll find the worst time,” I laugh. I reach out to rest my hand on the small of her back. “Thank you, Holly,” I smile and lean over to kiss her cheek.

“You’re welcome. Give yourself a break, Eric. You don’t seem like a bad guy to me. You obviously care and want to be an active part of your baby’s life. Those are good things. Don’t lose sight of that,” she advises.

“I think I need to bring you with me the next time I try to talk to her about my feelings,” I chuckle. “Which reminds me… Do you want to see each other after today?”

“I’d like to, but I can understand if this was just a one night thing.”

“Hmm, I think I can be convinced to see you again,” I joke as I move to stand behind her, settling my hand on her hips. I dip down to kiss the side of her neck and add, “And that’s before the bacon blanket.”

“Your life will never be the same after the bacon blanket,” she giggles.

“I’m sure it won’t be. Maybe next time I can pay attention so I can make one for my little Butterball one day.” I kiss her neck again before I pull back so she can finish cooking.

Holly wasn’t kidding. When the bacon blanket comes out of the oven we sit down at her table to eat. It’s hands down the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I leave fairly quickly after we eat since she has to go to work. I like her. She’s the kind of person I could use in my life. She’s good advice and clearly has a soft heart since she’s willing to see me again, even after learning about Butterball.

I wait until I’m home to text Sookie. I don’t think I’ll hear back right away, but I need her to know I’m thinking about her and the baby. I’ll tell her I love her one day. I’m terrified of her reaction, but it’s going to have to happen. The risk is worth it.

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