《Once Upon Series》 CHAPTER 1 Part 1 – Once Upon a Baby CHAPTER 1 Part 1 ¨C Once Upon a Baby Katie blew out another breath as she tried to squeeze into her jeans, but it was pointless. There was no way they were going on. Ripping them off her legs, Katie threw them onto the increasing pile of things that she could no longer wear. Trying not let it get the best of her, she turned back to her closet. ¡°Kat get your butt down here! We are going to bete for school!¡± her older brother Liam bellowed from the kitchen. ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Katie knew she sounded like a two-year-old. But how many seventeen-year-old girls out there were dealing with a pregnant belly? Katie could hear Cole, Liam¡¯s best friend¡¯s rumbly voice. That was perfect. She only needed more witnesses to her humiliation. ¡°Katie-cat,¡± Cole¡¯s voice was just outside of her door. ¡°What is the problem? Are you feeling sick again?¡± Most of Katie¡¯s first trimester had been hellish. Whoever named it morning sickness, is aplete numbskull. It was an all day, every day, puke fest. Katie had even lost five pounds on her small frame. The doctor had been concerned and even pulled Liam in to speak with him about it. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Cole,¡± Katie yelled through the door. ¡°If you are fine, I¡¯ming in.¡± As the knob started to turn Katie realized that she was standing there in her underwear. Screeching she grabbed a nket from the bed to cover herself. ¡°What the hell, Cole? I¡¯m not dressed!¡± Cole caught sight of the tornado that had hit his friend Liam younger sister¡¯s room. He wasn¡¯t even sure he could see the floor. Raising his eyebrows, he nced over to where Katie was standing with a nket wrapped around her. ¡°Were we invited to a toga party I wasn¡¯t aware of?¡± Katie rolled her eyes, ¡°I wasn¡¯t dressed.¡± Coleughed. ¡°I used to see you run naked across the yard on a daily basis.¡± Cole lived next door to the McCannons and had been best friends with Liam for as long as Katie could remember. When Liam and Katie¡¯s parents were struck in a hit and run ident a year ago, Liam had been eighteen and was able to keep Katie, a minor, living with him in their parents¡¯ home. ¡°I haven¡¯t run naked in the yard for over ten years,¡± Katie frowned at Cole. Laughing at her tone, Cole stretched his arms over his head, showing a slice of his washboard abs. Katie couldn¡¯t help a wave of lust shooting through her. Stupid second trimester, it was causing havoc with her hormones. Here she was ready to jump Cole. Obviously, she was out of her mind. ¡°More is the pity,¡± Cole sighed. ¡°Now, you have your brother¡¯s panties in a twist. So, throw something on, and let¡¯s go.¡± Katie felt a pinching behind her eyes, those damn hormones! ¡°Nothing fits, and I am not going to school in a nket.¡± It was bad enough that people thought she was a slut because she was seventeen and pregnant. Friends that she had known for yearspletely dropped her. It wasn¡¯t a secret that Katie got a little wild after her parents passed. Everyone deals with grief in their own way. ¡°Cole?¡± Liam was in her bedroom doorway. ¡°What the hell happened in here?¡± ¡°Fashion crisis,¡± Cole quipped. Katie wanted to throw something at him, preferably a spiked heel. ¡°Nothing fits, I¡¯m not going to school today.¡± Liam leafed through the discarded pile. ¡°If you didn¡¯t insist on wearing those damn skinny jeans.¡± Katie¡¯s lips trembled. ¡°I¡¯m fat now. I will just get uglier and uglier.¡± ¡°Aww hell,¡± Cole went over to Katie and awkwardly patted her head. ¡°Can we skip today and get the girl some clothes?¡± Liam apparently did not want to skip. But he knew what an emotional mess Katie could be. And this pregnancy thing threw in a wild card that he had no idea how to deal with. ¡°I have a test in trig, Kat,¡± Liam tried to reason, but as he saw the first tear ssh against her cheek, he knew that he was cooked. Liam would do anything for Katie. They were all they had left for each other. ¡°I don¡¯t have any tests today,¡± Cole offered. ¡°We can drop you at school, and I will take Katie shopping.¡± ¡°You would do that?¡± Katie¡¯s voice held just a hint of disbelief. ¡°Anything for you, Katie-cat,¡± Cole shrugged it off. ¡°What do you say, Liam?¡± Katie looked up at her older brother with longing in her eyes. For the first time that morning she looked hopeful. Liam sighed, ¡°Fine, but as soon as you are finished you need to get your ass to school.¡± Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Katie made a face. ¡°It¡¯s my favorite ce, why would I want to miss a moment?¡± Cole grinned, ¡°Sarcastic, much?¡± Liamughed at Katie¡¯s sour expression. Both boys knew how challenging school had been on Katie since discovering she was pregnant. Katie looked around, ¡°But what am I going to wear to go shopping?¡± Liam¡¯s eyes lit. ¡°I have just the thing.¡± CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 2 Cole couldn¡¯t stop sneaking looks at Katie as they drove to the mall. She was just so damn adorable. It was all he could do not to burst outughing when she came down the stairs in Liam¡¯s basketball shorts. They looked like capris on her tiny frame. Cole held it in, though; he knew that hormone city was only a stupid, thoughtlessment away. And it was torture when those big blue eyes filled with tears. Cole didn¡¯t want to go through that again. ¡°Is there something on my face?¡± Katie began brushing the side of her cheek. Katie had noticed Cole sending her strange nces ever since she got into the car with him. When he didn¡¯t answer, she nced up at him and saw a faint pink on his cheekbones. Was he embarrassed? Undoubtedly, it would be embarrassing to go shopping with her. Katie grimaced. ¡°Thanks again for taking me, Cole.¡± ¡°No problem, Katie-cat. You know we really should work on getting your driving hours in.¡± Katie groaned, causing Cole tough. ¡°I don¡¯t see why I need a license.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know why you are so afraid,¡± he responded. ¡°It¡¯s not like we don¡¯t love going to your appointments, and taking you ces. But I think that you would like to know if you needed to be somewhere you could just drive yourself. It¡¯s worrisome if Liam or I are not at home.¡± Katie felt a familiar churning in her stomach, the thought of driving always made her ill. ¡°I will consider it.¡± Cole looked over at her. ¡°You always say that.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m considering it!¡± she snapped. Knowing when to leave well enough alone, Cole turned up the radio. But he was worried about her not being able to drive. What if something happened to her or the baby? He and Liam tried to be there as much as they could, especially now that Katie was pregnant, but there were times when she was left alone. He knew that obsessing over Katie was a bad idea. That only led to him having other kinds of feelings, ones that he didn¡¯t much want to explore. ¡°We are finally here; are you just going to wait in the car?¡± Katie asked hopefully. ¡°Hell, no,¡± he unbuckled his seat belt and unclicked hers. ¡°There is no way I¡¯m sitting in the car while some idiot in the mall tries to pick you up.¡± ¡°That only happened once, Cole!¡± A few months ago, they had all gone over to the mall. Liam and Cole had gone to look at the music store. Katie had stopped at Victoria¡¯s Secret; while she was walking out a guy tried hitting on her. At first, she was ttered, he seemed a little older, though, and so Katie decided to shut it down. But the guy didn¡¯t want to take no for an answer; he grabbed her arm tightly, and suggested they find somece quiet. Katie was feeling real panic when she heard her brother yelling at her to hurry up and join them. The guy looked around and saw Liam and Cole; he dropped her arm and took off. Katie was shaken up. Cole gritted his teeth. ¡°Once is all it takes.¡± Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. They walked in together and went to the one and only maternity store in town. Money wasn¡¯t an issue, Liam had given Katie a credit card to use. He knew that she was responsible and wouldn¡¯t buy the ce out. They had been left fairly well situated with the life insurance policies from their parents. But Liam was careful just the same. He knew that life threw unexpected things at you. It was better to be safe than sorry. ¡°I cannot wear these tents.¡± At Katie¡¯s horrified tone he looked over and saw she had a t-shirt that said, ¡®baby on board¡¯ with an arrow pointing down. Cole snorted; he couldn¡¯t see her wearing that either. Just then the saleswoman came up to them. You could tell from her expression she was not thrilled about their age. ¡°May I help you?¡± Katie immediately said, ¡°No!¡± Just as Cole replied, ¡°Yes.¡± The saleswoman looked at Katie to Cole. ¡°How far along are you, dear?¡± ¡°Sixteen weeks,¡± Katie mumbled. The woman''s judgment mmed into, ¡°And are you the father?¡± The first time someone asked this question Cole about wet himself. It was at Dr. William¡¯s office when they had first heard the heartbeat. Katie said the same thing then that she did now, ¡°My baby doesn¡¯t have a father, this is my friend, Cole.¡± The saleswoman eyed him once again, and Cole felt the urge to stick his tongue out at her. But then she turned to Katie, ¡°I see. So, I would imagine that at sixteen weeks the things in your closet are getting a little bit tight.¡± Katie nodded. ¡°I can¡¯t get into any of my jeans.¡± ¡°Come with me, dear, we will find just the things for you.¡± The saleswoman started leading Katie to the back. Cole wasn¡¯t sure if he was supposed to follow them. This looked like female territory, and he wondered if males were even allowed in. But then Katie turned around and gave him an exasperated look, ¡°Cole,e on! I¡¯m not doing this alone.¡± Cole grinned; he would follow her just about anywhere. CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 3 Liam finished his Trig test with a few minutes to spare. ncing around, he noticed that most of the other students weren¡¯t done yet. That worked perfectly for him because that meant he could stare at Heidi Dny without anyone noticing. Liam usually had no problems talking to girls. It helped that he and Cole yed ser, volleyball, tennis, and baseball for the high school team. Liam felt his heart race just looking at her long shiny brown hair. There was just something about her that did it for him. Maybe it was her chocte brown eyes or that body that just wouldn¡¯t quit. Heidi was twirling a long curl aimlessly around her finger. What Liam wouldn¡¯t give just to be near her. When she crossed her legs, and that tiny white micro mini rode up on her thighs, Liam thought he had gone to heaven. How girls managed to wear high heels every day, Liam would never understand. But damn, it was doing something for the man downstairs. Liam adjusted himself. It would not be cool to get a hard-on in ss. He had to think of something else. Where in the hell were Cole and Katie? They hadn¡¯t been there at lunch. Liam didn¡¯t think that buying pregnancy clothes would take that long. But knowing Katie, she probably had to try on everything in the store. Undoubtedly, Cole was bored out of his mind. But then again, Cole seemed to like hanging out with Katie. Liam wasn¡¯t stupid enough to think that his best friend wouldn¡¯t develop feelings for his sister. He saw the way that Cole watched her. But as far as he knew Katie had no idea, and it was probably for the best. Cole Andrews was a great guy. They had been best friends since kindergarten. The Andrews lived next door, and Mrs. Andrews had been a life saver on more than one asion. Cole didn¡¯t have any siblings, though, so he had adopted Katie as a little sister from the start. Liam just worried that Katie didn¡¯t feel the same way. Thest thing he wanted was a wedge between Katie and Cole or himself for that matter. And then there was the baby. It pissed Liam off to no end that Katie wouldn¡¯t tell who the father was. He wanted to punch the bastard¡¯s lights out. But what worried him most was that Katie might not even know. Katie had gotten into the party scene, and there was more than one night he had to go after her before she killed herself. Either from too much to drink, or t out stupid choices. Liam was terrified that child protective service was going to take her away from him. They were already breathing down his neck. But again Mrs. Andrews had been there, throughout all the investigation after Katie turned up pregnant. They offered Katie a few different programs, but she opted to stay with Liam. CPS also strongly rmended therapy, and this time Katie couldn¡¯t get out of it. Liam just prayed that she would get the help that she desperately needed. He also hoped that she would consider the options for the baby. He would never tell her what to do, but he was scared. He could barely parent Katie. What would happen if she fell back into her partying ways? Letting out a huge sigh Liam rested his head on his hands; he was almost neen, but he felt thirty. When the bell rang alerting the students that it was the end of ss, Liam started putting his things in his backpack. ¡°Liam!¡± He turned to see who had called him and saw Mitch from the baseball team. Getting up and throwing his backpack over his shoulder he replied, ¡°Hey man, how¡¯s it hangin¡¯? Mitch grinned. ¡°Large my friend, definitelyrge.¡± Liamughed, ¡°You wish! What¡¯s going on?¡± Mitch raised a brow. ¡°Where is Cole? That douche was supposed to help me give an oral report in Health.¡± Liam grimaced; Cole had said he had nothing going on. ¡°He stayed home to help take care of something for Katie. I¡¯m sorry, man.¡± Mitch shrugged, ¡°No big, just making sure that he wasn¡¯t skipping out on me. He usually sleeps through the ss but somehow aces every test. Senior Rodrigues is going to let us present tomorrow. But when you see him make sure to mention that I let the ss know he was out with a bad case of the crabs.¡± Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Liam busted upughing. ¡°You are such a dick! That is awesome. He¡¯s going to kill you.¡± Mitch¡¯s eyes were alight withughter. ¡°I can¡¯t wait until someone asks him about it. Hey, is Katie okay?¡± Liam appreciated that his friends had rallied around Katie. The same couldn¡¯t be said for hers. ¡°Yeah man, she is good. Should be here tomorrow.¡± Mitch nodded, ¡°Cool, well I better head to Chemistry. Youing to the party at my ce this weekend?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t miss it! See ya, man.¡± Liam turned to go towards the gym; he had Weights ss next. Not watching where he was going, he ran right into someone. Sending their books and papers flying all over the hallway. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± The moment he heard her sweet voice, he knew who it was. Not wanting to look like a bigger idiot, he kept his eyes on the floor, trying to help gather her things. ¡°It was my fault,¡± Liam¡¯s voice was deeper than usual, and he fought the urge to clear his throat. Handing over the things he had gathered, he took a chance, ncing at her face. Heidi smiled shyly at him. ¡°Thank you.¡± Liam just stared at her. Why was she so damn beautiful? The man in his pants started to stir again. ¡°I had better be going.¡± Heidi blushed and tried to walk around him. Liam knew he was blowing his chance. ¡°Wait!¡± When she stopped, he felt like an even bigger idiot because he had no idea what he wanted to say to her. ¡°Did you need something?¡± Heidi tucked a lock of hair behind her perfectly shaped ears. ¡°You have beautiful ears.¡± What the hell? Where had thate from? What kind of moron talks about someone¡¯s ears? Heidi ducked her head. ¡°Umm, thank you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant to say,¡± Liam blurted out. Heidi looked confused. He was making a mess out of it. ¡°You do have beautiful ears. You have beautiful everything. But I was going to ask if you were going to Mitch¡¯s party this weekend.¡± Heidi wrinkled her nose. ¡°I¡¯m not really a party person. I always feel out of ce at parties.¡± Liam felt like he was sinking. ¡°I understand, sorry I got in your way.¡± He was such a numb nut¡ªbeautiful everything? Who says that? Just as he turned to go, Heidi caught his arm. ¡°But maybe if you are there?¡± Liam felt a burst of happiness in his chest. ¡°I will be there. We could go together if you would like.¡± Heidi smiled. ¡°Okay.¡± They exchanged phone numbers and settled on a time. Liam knew that he waste for ss. Usually, that would have him worked up, but nothing could ruin his day now. CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 4 ¡°Katie,e on!¡± Cole called through her bedroom door. ¡°I said that I was sorry.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a gigantic ass-wipe, and I hate you,¡± Katie yelled back from her position on the bed. Why had she thought that shopping with Cole would be a good idea? Cole rested his head against her door. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m a gigantic ass-wipe. But please don¡¯t hate me.¡± There was a long pause, making Cole worried that she wasn¡¯t going to respond. But then the doorknob began to turn. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you, Cole. But you are nevering shopping with me again.¡± Cole scooped Katie up with both arms. ¡°I knew you couldn¡¯t stay mad at me!¡± ¡°Let go of me, you oaf!¡± Katie giggled, trying to wriggle out of his arms. ¡°Never! Not until you say I¡¯m not a gigantic ass-wipe,¡± Cole teased, tightening his grip. He loved the feel of her small soft body against hisrger one. Something smelled amazing. He buried his nose in her hair. ¡°Are you smelling me?¡± Katie asked in confusion. It was then that Cole realized how close they really were. Katie¡¯s long streaky blond hair was wrapped in his hand. Her firm breasts were pressed against his chest. And her blue eyes were looking at him in confusion. She was so damn beautiful, and her lips were closer than he could ever remember them being. Katie¡¯s heart was racing. She knew that Cole was hot, he had the whole tan surfer look down without even trying. His blond hair was always perfectly disheveled. And his green eyes which always held amusement were dark and focused. Katie felt a familiar stirring in her stomach. Her eyes nced over his chiseled jaw that hadn¡¯t been shaved that morning. Cole was tall, at least two inches above six feet. His body was built from constant sports and weight training. There had been more than one asion when Katie had to stop herself from drooling. And when Cole had walked around without a shirt on it was like Christmas or her birthday. But the way he was looking at her today, this was new. Was he going to kiss her? Katie knew that she was breathing rapidly, but she couldn¡¯t help herself. Cole¡¯s eyes were still glued to her mouth; all thought, and reason had gone out the window. ¡°Where are you, idiots?¡± Liam called out as he mmed the front door. ¡°You better have a good excuse!¡± Immediately they sprang apart, Cole dropping his hold on her. He had barely sat down on her bed and grabbed a pillow when Liam appeared. Looking at the both of them, Liam knew that something was up, ¡°What happened?¡± There was no way Cole was going to exin his hard-on to Liam. Katie frowned. ¡°This ass-wipe decided it would be funny to try on maternity bras.¡± Liam¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°On himself?¡± ¡°He got us kicked out of the store! The only maternity store in town! What the hell, Cole?¡± Katie focused on her anger, not wanting to touch what had just happened. ¡°I looked damn good, and you know it.¡± Cole grinned, the amusement back in his green eyes. Liam turned to Katie, ¡°So, did you not get any clothes? Because there are several bags downstairs with new things that I¡¯m assuming are yours. Unless, Cole here is making an announcement, but I am going to warn you both. I can only take one person pregnant in the house at a time.¡± Katie huffed, cing her hands on her hips. ¡°No, Cole went back and apologized. The woman finally allowed him to buy the stuff I had set aside. But I am still very unhappy.¡± Liam turned to Cole, ¡°What do you have to say for yourself?¡± Cole smiled, ¡°Did you know that they have bras where the cups just unsnap? It¡¯s genius!¡± Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°They do?¡± Liam asked. ¡°Ugh! You are both ass-wipes, they are nursing bras¡ªto feed a baby.¡± Katie rolled her eyes, ¡°It¡¯s like talking to a three-year-old. And thements he made about the tummy panels on the jeans were not helpful either.¡± Cole¡¯s eyes lit, and he jumped from the bed. ¡°Dude, you have to see these. You could eat a butt load of food, and it wouldn¡¯t matter, they just keep stretching. I am seriously consideringing out with maternity wear for men. Women shouldn¡¯t be the only ones with these perks.¡± Katie looked at them in astonishment. ¡°Some perk, squeezing a basketball out of my hoo-ha!¡± The guys stepped back, grimacing. ¡°There is no need to use dirty words,¡± Cole said loftily. ¡°Hoo-ha, you are lucky I didn¡¯t call it a vagina. But now, all bets are off. Not more special words for Cole.¡± Cole covered his ears, ¡°You know I hate that word! It¡¯s gross for such a fabulous ce.¡± ¡°Vagina!¡± Katie yelled back at him. ¡°I¡¯m out,¡± Cole bolted past Liam. Stopping in the hallway, he turned to Liam, ¡°Mom wants you both for dinner, but Katie can¡¯te if she is going to talk like that.¡± ¡°You freaking love vaginas¡ªman up, ass-wipe!¡± Katie called out from her bedroom. Liam shrugged, ¡°You do have a track record that leans in that direction, she has a point.¡± Cole rolled his eyes. ¡°At least she isn¡¯t locked in her room anymore.¡± Liam went to walk Cole out. ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t happen to get any of those magic bras, did you?¡± Cole¡¯s face lit. ¡°Three!¡± CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 5 The repetitive sound of a basketball being dribbled just outside her open window woke Katie from her dream. Yawning she looked over at the clock. It was two thirty in the morning. After their parents diedst summer, Liam had spent many sleepless nights shooting hoops. With a sigh, Katie got up to use the bathroom and then headed down the steps to see why Liam wasn¡¯t sleeping. Only when she opened the door, it wasn¡¯t Liam standing shirtless with some low hung basketball shorts that showed far too much of his amazing body. Suddenly Katie¡¯s mouth was drier than the desert. Cole had to have been out there for some time. His hair was dampened with sweat. It should have been gross. On Liam it would have been. But for reasons Katie had no wish to evaluate, on Cole it was one of the sexiest things she had ever seen. Just then Katie saw Cole turn and catch her standing there watching him. A wide smile broke across his face. ¡°Are you still mad at me?¡± he asked with a cocky smile. Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Katie folded her arms and red at him. She had intended to look stern. But the yful look in his eyes had faded. It was reced by an intense gaze that was zeroed in on her. But it wasn¡¯t her face, Katie could tell that. He seemed to be looking¡­ Realization dawned on her and she nced down to see that her nipples were doing their damnedest at being seen through the thin tank top. Folding her arms had only framed her breasts and helped them to stand up more prominently to be seen. With a horrified gasp, Katie covered her nipples. But that only made it worse. Cole¡¯s eyes had darkened and he dropped the ball in his ce and started to stride toward her. Katie wasn¡¯t sure if she had ever seen him looking so intently at something, certainly not her. A part of her wanted to run. Perhaps that was the animal inside that knew when it was being hunted by bigger prey. Cole stopped right in front of Katie, he was breathing hard and she didn¡¯t think it was from ying ball. ¡°You have two choices, Katie,¡± he said in a low voice that had her pussy throbbing with need. ¡°You can go inside and lock the door and we will pretend that you never came out here.¡± ¡°What¡¯s number two?¡± Katie asked. For a moment Cole looked confused, so Katie rushed on, ¡°You said I had two choices. What is number two?¡± Cole reached out and yanked her against his chest. Her handsnded on his pecs and her breasts were smashed against his rock-hard body. Despite the fact that she had a on thin tank top, it felt like they were skin to skin. Suddenly she desperately wanted it to be skin to skin. ¡°Oh!¡± Katie eximed with wide eyes. ¡°Tell me to stop,¡± he growled. Katie had no intention of telling Cole to stop. She rose up on her toes, causing the front of her body to rub against his. She felt his thick erection and knew that he wanted her every bit as badly as she wanted him. ¡°Katie,¡± Cole warned. But Katie wasn¡¯t listening. She leaned over and gently bit his nipple. With a grunt, Cole¡¯s hands came around Katie¡¯s body and firmly grabbed her ass. The next thing she knew, he was lifting her, and she was wrapping her legs around his waist. A part of her was embarrassed. Without his shirt, Cole was sure to know that her pussy waspletely wet for him. Her pajama shorts were thin, and she wasn¡¯t wearing any underwear. ¡°Fuck,¡± he cursed, ¡°You are driving me crazy. Your perfect tits, they haunt me. We need to stop Katie. I can¡¯t be doing this with you.¡± Hurt pierced through her and he must have seen it in her eyes because Cole said quickly, ¡°No Baby, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to. I want you so fucking badly that my teeth hurt. It¡¯s only, what about Liam? I can¡¯t fuck his pregnant sister while he is asleep right upstairs.¡± Katie winced. Cole did have a point. But she wasn¡¯t about to let him go. There had to be another answer. In an instant it came to her. ¡°The treehouse,¡± they eximed at the same time. With augh, Cole put Katie on her feet, and they raced across thewn, past the pool, to their old abandoned tree house. Scrambling up the steps, they were panting andughing as they both hit the floor. Turning on his side, Cole grinned at Katie. She was certain that she had never seen anyone as beautifully handsome as he was. He had always been her idol. But now, everything was different now. ¡°The right thing to do would be to climb back down those stairs. If I was honorable or even a good friend, I would have had you back inside the house by now. I know that this isn¡¯t good timing. Fuck, what am I thinking?¡± Katie worried for a moment that he had changed his mind. Her heart was screaming no! She had waited her whole life for him to finally see her as a woman, as someone he would want to be in his bed. Cole reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. She didn¡¯t dare say a word to him for fear that he would do just as he said. Was she dreaming again? Had this all been cooked up by her imagination? Just as she was about to pinch herself when Cole leaned even closer. ¡°You are so fucking beautiful. Did you know that?¡± he whispered. Katie knew what she looked like. She had never been a light sleeper. It was more than likely that her hair was sticking up everywhere and she had pillow crease lines on her face. Her baby bump was starting to show, and she had a new zit on her forehead. She had no idea what would induce Cole to look at her the way he was currently looking at her. But the more he stared the hotter she became. Until she finally blurted out, ¡°Are you going to kiss me or what?¡± Coleughed, the familiar good nature that she was used to suddenly lighting his eyes. Fuck. Fuck! FUCK! She had ruined it. Katie knew that by not being able to keep her mouth shut she had gone and ruined the mood. Now Cole could say that he never meant to kiss her in the first ce. She was such an idiot. She tried to turn her face away, but Cole was faster. One moment he was beside her and the next he was hovering over her, smashing his lips down onto hers. CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 6 Katie had been kissed before. Obviously, since there was now a baby growing inside of her. But none of those other kisses could have prepared her for what it would be like to be kissed by Cole Anderson. She had read her fair share of romance novels, but she never could quite understand what they meant by fireworks from one little kiss. This was not a little kiss. And while Katie couldn¡¯t really say there were fireworks, there was a nuclear bomb going off inside of her. Everything felt weak and melty as Cole kissed her senseless. His lips were firm and demanding. He didn¡¯t wait for her to open her mouth. One sweep of his tongue and she was helpless not to respond to his kisses. They were deep, dark and decedent. She wanted to drown herself in this moment. Tomit it to memory so deeply that it would override any other boy for her. Her handsnded on his shoulders and as she slid them along his warm skin she felt his response to her touch. His keep deepened, because harsher and more demanding. Katie ran her hands down his muscr back and brushed her finger tips against his tight ass. Cole groaned and pressed his length into her. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. The thin fabric of her shorts and his nylon mesh was hardly any barrier. ¡°Fuck,¡± Cole ripped his lips away. ¡°I don¡¯t have a condom.¡± Katie frowned. ¡°Are you not clean?¡± He reared up a little. ¡°I¡¯m clean. I have never gone without one. Went to the doctorst month¡ªclean bill of health.¡± ¡°Are you worried about me? I don¡¯t have anything. They checked that at my first appointment. I haven¡¯t been with¡­¡± He cut her off, ¡°No, Katie, no. I didn¡¯t mean that. I guess I forgot about the baby for a moment. I don¡¯t want to push you into anything you aren¡¯t ready for.¡± Katie¡¯sugh was boarder-line hysterical. ¡°Cole, I need you. I am a pregnant woman in my second trimester. My hormones are through the roof. You can have no idea how many times I have gotten myself off just thinking about you.¡± ¡°Fuck Katie,¡± he moaned and then he was kissing her again, more insistent this time. His hand slipped past the stic waistband of her shorts and he felt the slick heat between her thighs. Katie moaned into the kiss, her thighs opening obscenely wide as Cole¡¯s finger dipped inside of her and then trailed up to rub her clit. Her hips bucked and Cole smiled against her lips. ¡°You do need this baby, don¡¯t you?¡± he whispered. ¡°So fucking bad,¡± Katie moaned. Cole shoved his fingers into her slick tight heat. In and out, in and out, all the while bringing them up to swirl around her clit again and again. Her pants became cries and her thrusts became wild until she was shattering,ing hard and fast on his fingers and there was nothing she could do but ride out the best orgasm of her life. Before she could even think about being embarrassed. Cole had yanked his basketball shorts down and then removed her pajama shorts. ¡°For the record,¡± he drawled, ¡°I vote for no panties all the time.¡± She blushed smacking his arm, but he merely looked down at her with so much affecition and humor that Katie felt overwhelmed with happiness. Then Cole was pushing inside of her, stretching her until his full length was sheathed inside of her tight channel. ¡°Fuck,¡± he bit off. ¡°You are so tight. I want this tost.¡± Katie moaned, ¡°Move, Cole.¡± He didn¡¯t need to be asked twice. Cole pushed up on his knees and took her by the waist, pulling her against his throbbing cock. Katie threw an arm over her mouth so that her cries wouldn¡¯t wake anyone up. Her breasts bounced with ever thrust and Cole couldn¡¯t seem to look away from them. ¡°I will fuck these,¡± he said in a low tone. ¡°I want you, Katie. Every part of you.¡± Katie couldn¡¯t respond, she couldn¡¯t think. Her body was winding tighter and tighter, causing her to spiral higher and higher. She didn¡¯t think that she could possiblye again after such an amazing release. But seemed like Cole wasn¡¯t going to stop until they both flew over the edge of reason. She tightened her legs around his waist, giving Cole and even deeper fit. He groaned, looking pained, ¡°Come on, Baby, you cane again, Katie.¡± His finger slipped between them and he began to rub circles on her already swollen nub. It was just the right amount of pressure to send her soaring once again. Her pussy milking his cock and sending him over the edge as well. They both copsed when their bodies were finally finisheding. The old tree house smelled like sex and them. Katie wasn¡¯t sure what they should do. Did one just get dressed and leave? Did she say thanks for helping with the hormones? She knew that he wasn¡¯t her boyfriend now, as much as she wanted him to be. All she knew was that she would never see him the same way again. The crush she had on Cole Anderson had grown into something that wasrger than her,rger than the both of them. Katie didn¡¯t want to use the L -word. She knew it was too soon. The only problem was that her head might have known to was too soon. But her heart just didn¡¯t agree. Cole pulled her back against him, interrupting her thoughts. ¡°Stop thinking so hard,¡± he said sleepily. ¡°It¡¯ste, we should probably go to bed,¡± she whispered back, not wanting to leave thefort of her arms. It seemed that Cole felt the same way because he added, ¡°I set my rm to go off in a little less than an hour. I hardly ever get to hold you like I want to. Let me have this time, Katie.¡± She wouldn¡¯t have taken it from him for the world. CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 7 ¡°Hey, Mrs. A, thanks for having us over!¡± Liam hugged Cole¡¯s mom before going to smell the spaghetti on the stove. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If you stick your fingers in there, Liam, I will cut them off.¡± Mrs. Andrews smiled at her son¡¯s best friend as she waved therge knife that she had been using to cut vegetables. ¡°Mom,¡± Cole came in and kissed her cheek, ¡°Stop threatening to dismember people. It¡¯s not nice.¡± Mrs. Andrew¡¯s rolled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t threaten strangers, just the ones I love.¡± ¡°Thanks, Mrs. A!¡± Liamughed, shoving off the counter, ¡°It smells amazing. Can we help with anything?¡± Cole smacked the back of Liam¡¯s head. ¡°What the hell, man? Now she is going to make us work.¡± Mrs. Andrews snapped her dish towel, catching Cole¡¯s hind end. Liam wasughing his butt off. ¡°Mrs. A, I love you.¡± ¡°Stop perving on my mom!¡± Cole grumbled. Mrs. Andrews was used to their banter; shaking her head with amusement she asked, ¡°Boys, I need you to set the table. And Cole, watch your mouth. You are not too old to be washed out with soap.¡± Cole made a face. ¡°You should have heard thenguageing out of Katie-cat.¡± Katie rounded the corner after just returning from the bathroom. ¡°Whatever he is saying is a lie, Mrs. A. It smells awesome, did you make spaghetti?¡± Katie walked over to the rich red marinara that was simmering on the stove top. Taking a deep breath, she sighed happily, ¡°I love you, Mrs. A.¡± Liam busted upughing again. ¡°Cole doesn¡¯t like it when we perve on his mom. Besides I saw her first!¡± Cole flushed. ¡°That¡¯s not what I said. I don¡¯t like it when you perve on my mom, ass-wipe!¡± Katie went up to Mrs. A and gave her a hug. ¡°Maybe we could sell them somewhere. Surely someone wants two eighteen-year-old boys, only slightly used.¡± Mrs. Aughed and hugged her back. ¡°How are you feeling, sweetheart?¡± ¡°Fat,¡± was Katie¡¯s automatic reply. Mrs. A smiled at her. ¡°Katie, you are not fat, you are quite tiny for being sixteen weeks along. I meant, are you still throwing up?¡± Katie shook her head. ¡°I haven¡¯t in thest two weeks, although there are times at school when I feel like I¡¯m fighting it. Some kids have major hygiene problems. I think I am feeling the baby move more.¡± Liamughed, ¡°Or she has wicked gas.¡± Katie scowled, ¡°I can¡¯t help that! And you were not going to tell anyone, you swore!¡± Cole doubled over withughter. Mrs. A snapped her dishtowel at him again. ¡°Ma, freaking hell! That hurts!¡± Cole rubbed his backside, shooting his mother an offended look. Katie was transfixed for a moment on the ce that he was rubbing. Suddenly her fingers twitched, and Katie wanted to touch his perfectly shaped ass. ¡°Kat!¡± Katie cleared her head. ¡°What?¡± Liam looked at his sister strangely. ¡°You were zoning out. Mrs. A asked you when your next appointment was.¡± Katie felt the blush spread from her neck up. ¡°Sorry Mrs. A, sometimes I feel like I am losing my marbles. I have an appointment in two weeks.¡± Cole¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Is it the ultrasound?¡± Katie nodded. ¡°They said that they should be able to tell us the gender of the baby.¡± Mrs. A looked concerned. ¡°Do you want me toe with you? Is there anything that I can do?¡± Katie shook her head. ¡°Liam and Cole areing, but thank you, Mrs. A. You really are the best. Do you want me to set the table?¡± Mrs. A smiled at Katie. ¡°You are such a dear. I asked these two.¡± The boys hopped up and started grabbing things. ¡°We were working on it,¡± Cole said with a smirk. Katie felt heat in her stomach again. She couldn¡¯t help but stare as he reached into the cabs getting the dishes. There wasn¡¯t a bad angle on the guy. He was hot; there was no denying it. Cole turned around and caught Katie starring. With a sexy grin, he winked at her before going back to setting the table. Katie felt hot; was it too warm in the kitchen? Excusing herself, she went into the living room for a moment. Fanning her face, Katie took some deep breaths. Whatever was the matter with her? Why was she so focused on Cole? This was Cole. The same one who cut her hair when he smuggled scissors home from kindergarten. To be fair, he had also cut his and Liam¡¯s. ¡°What are you doing, Kat?¡± Liam poked his head in. ¡°Dinner is ready if you are okay.¡± Katie smiled at her brother. ¡°Yeah, I just got a little overheated. But I¡¯m starving, let¡¯s eat.¡± Dinner was filled withughter and a truckload of pasta. When everyone had eaten their fill, Mrs. A set the boys on the dishes. She insisted that being pregnant was job enough for Katie. The girls went out of the back deck to enjoy the cool breeze. ¡°How is school going?¡± Mrs. A asked gently. She knew of the troubles that Katie had been having. ¡°About the same,¡± Katie sighed. ¡°I went from being on the dance team, someone that everyone wanted to be friends with, to being a social pariah; it¡¯s almost like I am invisible. Liam and Cole eat lunch with me but being seniors, they are not in any of my sses. I just don¡¯t know what I would do without them.¡± Mrs. A was sympathetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart, but people suck sometimes. Most of the time, but there are good ones out there too.¡± Katieughed, ¡°People do suck. But you are right.¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t close yourself off, okay? Have you thought any more about adoption?¡± Katie fidgeted. ¡°I looked through the pamphlets.¡± Mrs. A looked out at the yard and trees beyond. ¡°It¡¯s funny, I can still picture you three running around here begging for popsicles like it was yesterday. And here you are almost full-grown, about to be a mother yourself.¡± Katie braved a look at Mrs. A. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s wrong to try and raise my baby?¡± Mrs. A looked at Katie. ¡°There is no right or wrong answer from me. Katie, you are an amazing girl. You have been throughplete hell. First, losing your parents and then with this pregnancy. If you are asking if I think you would be a fit mother, then I will answer you honestly. You will not be perfect. You will make mistakes. You will second guess yourself and wonder if you are the worst parent alive. And it will be damn hard, harder than anything that you have been through yet.¡± Katie¡¯s eyes filled with tears. ¡°Then I should give my baby up?¡± CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 8 ¡°No, sweetheart, that¡¯s not what I¡¯m saying. I am telling you that I was not a perfect mother. Katie, I have made thousands of mistakes, literally, and continue to do so. You don¡¯t know how many times I have cried until my head ached or prayed that my son would thrive with the worst mother alive. I¡¯m saying that if you choose to keep this baby, you will feel these same feelings and more. I am saying that even though it will be the hardest thing you may ever do, it¡¯s worth it. I wouldn¡¯t go back and change a thing. I love being a mother, and I think you would be an incredible mother. You just need to decide if that is what is right for you, at this point in your life. But no matter what you choose, I know that you have two young men in there that will support you one hundred percent. Not every young mother has that.¡± Katie wiped at her eyes. ¡°I worry that I¡¯m ruining their lives. They shouldn¡¯t have to take care of me.¡± Mrs. A smiled, ¡°I have seen so much growth out of both Liam and Cole. Don¡¯t worry about them, Katie. If they didn¡¯t want to be there, they wouldn¡¯t. They love you, and so do I.¡± ¡°Thanks, Mrs. A,¡± Katie said softly. ¡°I think I am going to go outside for a little bit.¡± ¡°Oh honey, I didn¡¯t mean to upset you.¡± Katie nodded. ¡°I know, I just need some air.¡± Katie knew that Mrs. A was looking on with concern as she crossed the house and went into the backyard. After closing the sliding ss door, Katie blew out the breath she had been holding. Tears began to slip down her face, and she knew that she needed to get away from the house. Mrs. A wasn¡¯t the only one bringing up adoption. Her therapist Dr. Franklin had also been advocating for that choice, not to mention the school counselor. Much of what they said about adoption made sense to Katie. Yes, the baby would likely have opportunities that she couldn¡¯t give it. She was young, inexperienced, and until recently not very trustworthy. Katie closed her eyes as she thought about the drinking and partying, and even sometimes drugs. Images shed through her mind. Things that she wished she could unsee, or better yet undo. When her parents were alive things were different. She had friends. She got good grades, and even managed to stay on the honor roll. But after their unexpected deaths, everything was too much. She felt too hard, needed a release from the pain that wouldn¡¯t stop no matter how hard she tried. That¡¯s what started the drinking. She would slip downstairs while Liam was asleep and break into their parent¡¯s liquor cab. It wasn¡¯t like they were going to use it. At least that¡¯s what she had told herself. Then when Liam found out, she began to lie about it. He must have remembered wrong, she¡¯d snap angrily. Then the waterworks came, followed by a screaming match and would eventually wear her out and she would promise never ever to get into it again. But it did happen again, and again. The parties started soon after that. There it waspletely eptable to drink your worries away. Hell, it was encouraged. If your drink was close to being low, somebody was there to fill it up. The sex, that was also a new escape. Her first time had been terrible, nothing that she wanted to repeat. But as she kept chasing numbness, it became another way to escape. Katie¡¯s hands went to her belly. She had walked to the far corner of the back yard where Mrs. A¡¯s fence met her own. Shame washed over her has she thought about how freely she had given her body to Cole the night before. He must think that she was a slut. Katie felt like her heart was breaking, but she wouldn¡¯t fall back into those old habits, she couldn¡¯t. Dr. Franklin had been teaching her other strategies, that¡¯s what he called them. Tricks that she could use so that she didn¡¯t fall back into old habits. Somehow Katie didn¡¯t think that counting to ten could cut it. What hurt the most was that she wasn¡¯t trying to escape with Cole. Katie honestly had feelings for him. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± As if she had conjured him up with her thoughts, Cole appeared by her side. Katie nodded, but keep her face averted. She knew that she wasn¡¯t a pretty crier. Cole didn¡¯t need to see the snotty mess she had be. He held out a bunch of toilet paper. ¡°Um, we didn¡¯t have any tissues. I hope this is okay.¡± It was approximately the size of a basketball. Katie couldn¡¯t help theugh that bubbled up inside of her. She took the massive bunch saying, ¡°Thank you.¡± He tugged on her elbow and Katie reluctantly turned in his direction. He cleared his throat, bringing Katie¡¯s gaze up to his. She knew that she looked horrible. But was surprised her was how serious he looked. A moment of panic gripped her. Was he trying to find a way to let her down easy? ¡°Katie, aboutst night,¡± he began. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not big deal,¡± she interjected. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± Instead of looking relieved, he looked confused. Katie plowed on. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°Katie,¡± he started again. But Katie couldn¡¯t hear him say it. Thest thing she wanted from Cole was pity. It would literally shatter her. She couldn¡¯t take it. ¡°No, really, I don¡¯t want it ruin anything,¡± she rambled on. Cole¡¯s expression looked pained. ¡°I don¡¯t either.¡± ¡°Can we just not talk about it?¡± she pleaded. Cole searched her face and she could have sworn he saw right through her words. It was a big deal to her. He meant everything to her. As much as she wanted to say this and so much more, Katie remained silent. Then suddenly she felt a sharp thump on her belly. ¡°What is it?¡± Cole eximed. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Katie¡¯s hand flew to the spot on her belly. ¡°Yeah, I think the baby just moved.¡± Cole¡¯s expression cleared and a soft smile reced his worried look. ¡°That¡¯s awesome Katie-bug.¡± Impulsively, Katie reached out and grabbed hisrge hand. cing it over the spot she waited to see if Cole could feel the same thing she had. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Liam¡¯s voice had to the two of them jumping apart. That movement alone had Liam¡¯s brows shooting into his hairline. ¡°The baby moved,¡± Katie said with excitement. ¡°I tried to see if Cole could feel it, but it didn¡¯t happen again.¡± Liam smiled at Katie. ¡°That¡¯s so cool. Is it still moving around?¡± Katie shook her head. ¡°No, do you suppose something is wrong?¡¯ Both boys shook their head. ¡°Remember the baby is still pretty small,¡± Liam added. ¡°We read about that in your pregnancy book. Anyhow, I am d you are okay. It was weird seeing you guys like that.¡± Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Cole let out a strangledugh while I frowned. ¡°Like what?¡± Liam shrugged. ¡°I dunno. It was just weird and couple-like. That would be fucking crazy. It doesn¡¯t matter. Let¡¯s y some hoops.¡± Cole turned to leave with Liam, so I called out, ¡°I am going to head home. I am getting tired.¡± The boys said goodnight and went to the basketball court in Cole¡¯s backyard. Katie couldn¡¯t help but take onest look before she crossed into her own backyard. As she did, Katie saw that Cole was staring straight at her with an intent expression. She gave him a small wave and then she was gone. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!