: Chapter 16

The next morning, I was awake bright and early. It’s a shame I can’t say I was feeling refreshed. I felt like shit. I tossed and turned most of the night just replaying the scenario from last night over in my head. What I should have said, what I should have done. And when I finally managed to let myself drift off, I was awoken by heartburn.

I padded into the kitchen, flicking the coffee machine on. I allowed myself one espresso a day, I needed a little kick today, so I chose a double. Leaning over the worktop, I drank my coffee in silence while picking at fruit and granola.

I heard my phone ping, reaching for it I saw my notification on my calendar. We had an appointment with Dr McHottie at ten a.m.

Brilliant.

I didn’t see him outside of appointments after I was sick. He messaged a few times, I messaged back, but it soon fizzled out. Maybe if we met at a different time and different place it may have worked, but let’s be honest… now isn’t the right time for me to be dating. Then again, maybe it was. Preston doesn’t seem to give a toss about it so why should I?

I huffed, placing the bowl in the sink and walked towards my bathroom so I could brush my teeth then I would wake his lordship.

Once done, I edged towards his room quietly. His door was ajar, so I pushed it gently to see him sitting at his desk tapping away on his computer.

“We have to leave in twenty.”

“I’m fully aware, just finishing up this email. I’ll be five minutes,” he replied. He didn’t turn to look at me, but why would he? I ignored him last night and he knows he fucked up.

I didn’t respond, just closed the door behind me and started gathering my bags. I felt like this pregnancy was flying, I was coming up to nearly six months. My bump was growing by the day and so were my ankles. Tapping my phone, I made a mental note to speak to the doctor about it, just so I could make sure I knew what I was doing. I could look on the internet, but then no good comes from that. I will end up finding out some scary and terrifying issue online so best to just ask the doctor.

Waiting at the door, Preston appeared in a crisp white shirt and sand-coloured chinos. He looked very handsome, but I wasn’t going to tell him that.

“Ready?” he asked, I nodded and slipped my sunglasses onto my face. That way I could eye him up without him realising.

Preston let the music fill the car so there was no awkward silence between us. I wanted to speak to him, ask him how his day was and tell him how his baby was kicking and wriggling most of the night but I couldn’t seem to find the courage to speak to him.

Pulling into the road where Dr Spencer’s surgery was, Preston turned the music down.

“Look, I know you’re pissed with me…” he started by saying, pulling into a space on the road. “And I shouldn’t have left you last night or said what I did.”

I kept my mouth shut. Pressing my arms across my chest, my eyes forward as I stared at the car in front of me. It was a nice car. That’s what I need to buy next.

“It wasn’t a date, per se,” he continued.

Maybe a little mini, something not too small but not too big. It’s only for me.

“It was a work date, an important work date.”

Or an Audi, a little Q3, they’re nice too.

“I have a lot going on with the hotel, which I am dying to tell you but I can’t just yet.”

Yeah, I think I’ll go for the Audi. A nice grey colour.

“Sky, please, don’t freeze me out.” His voice took on more of a begging tone now.

“Cool,” I chirped, reaching down for my doctor’s notes and bag. I opened the door and stormed into the doctor’s office, not once looking behind me.

From now on, just call me petty Pam.

To say the doctor’s appointment was awkward was an understatement. Preston just eyed Aiden down the whole time, I didn’t even think he was listening. I couldn’t stop thinking about his face when I threw the contents of my stomach up over him.

Good news was, baby boy was doing fine. I was measuring well and the swollen feet weren’t a cause for concern at the moment. I was to elevate them where I can and if they don’t improve I am to call him. He told me it could be an early sign of pre-eclampsia, but everything that went with it wasn’t showing.

I edged down the steps of the doctor’s office cautiously, Preston rushed to hold my hand but I yanked it from him.

“I am more than capable thank you, I do a lot of things by myself without you.” I scold him, holding my head high and walking to the car.

“Do you feel him move a lot?” Preston asked as we pulled down the country lanes, he wanted to take me to lunch and have a chat about what has been going on. I didn’t decline, but I didn’t agree either. Truth was, I was starving so I was grateful that he was ignoring my brattish behaviour.

“Yup,” I sighed, looking out the window.

“Next time he moves, can you tell me? I would love to feel him.”

I nodded. Whether he saw it or not was another matter and honestly, I didn’t care if he saw it or not. See, petty Pam.

The summer breeze was filling the car, the sweet smell of the blossom trees that were arched over the pretty lanes as Preston headed towards one of his favourite places was consuming me and I couldn’t inhale their perfume fast enough. I loved summer. It was my favourite time of year. Our baby would be born just as we go into autumn, and Harriet’s wedding felt like it was just round the corner. The months were whizzing by.

I felt Preston’s eyes burning into me, the pull was too much, the tension at boiling point. Thoughts rushed through me, playing fantasies in front of me. I wanted to climb in his lap and ride his thick cock until we’re both exploding around each other. Sighing, I gave in. I looked at him with big, wide eyes.

“Please forgive me?” he whispered.

I couldn’t muster the words; the stubborn streak was too strong inside of me and I just couldn’t bring myself to say yes. Rubbing my lips together, I bent down to get my water, but as I did, my eyes locked on the view in front of me. A large 4×4 veering over to our side of the road. Slamming my hand into the dashboard, I couldn’t move in time before screaming.

“Preston!”

That’s all I remembered before everything fell silent, and I was plunged into a never-ending sea of darkness.