Chapter 15 Suspicions Rise

Chapter 15 Suspicions Rise
I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching me. Every single time I left the house, I checked the mirrors three times,I parked in different spots, and changed my phone password twice in a week.

Paranoia wasn't just a whisper anymore,it was a scream in my head. The pregnancies were advancing fast. Ruby's belly had that undeniable curve now, the kind she hid under loose tops and cardigans. Susan and Lilly were showing too, their walks a little slower, hands often resting on their stomachs like they were protecting something fragile. It made the whole thing feel more real, more trapped,like the family was breeding its own destruction.

But Ruby and I still kept meeting,the risk made it hotter somehow. The grief from Humphrey's death lingered, but it twisted into this desperate need. We were both running from the mirror of our sins, chasing each other instead.

The first meeting after the last close call was at her house. Afternoon sun cutting through the blinds in sharp lines. Robbinson was at a long meeting downtown. The kids were at after-school stuff,I parked six blocks away this time, walked the back alleys with my hood up, heart pounding like a drum.

As I always said to myself,What if a neighbor's dog barked? What if someone was looking out their window? Paranoia clawed at me, but the thought of her waiting pushed me forward.
She opened the back door quietly and locked it behind me. "You're late," she said, smiling.She wore a flowy white blouse,jeans unbuttoned at the top to make room for the swell,and her hair loose over one shoulder.

"Sorry. I was being careful."
She pulled me into the kitchen, kissed me deeply,and her hands fisted my shirt. "I need you."
I backed her against the counter,lifted the blouse,and touched her belly,her skin was warm. Slight curve that fits my palm perfectly. "How's it feeling today?"

"Restless. Kicking like crazy." She guided my hand lower,unzipped her jeans and slid them down with her panties,already wet. "Touch me."
I did. My fingers slid between her legs,slow strokes and thumb circling her clit gently.
She moaned. Low,throaty and head back against the cabinet.

I knelt,kissed her inner thigh,up. My tongue flat against her,licked slowly, savoring the sweet,salty addictive taste.
She gripped the counter. "Yes….Richy….don't stop." keep on sucking that pussy right there…,the baby needs it.I sucked her clit soft,fingers inside,curled to hit that spot.

She rocked against my mouth,her breasts heaving under the blouse.Then the garage door hummed. Robbinson home early?

We froze.

"Shit," she hissed,pulling up her pants. "Hide in the pantry."I dove in immediately. The door cracked.My heart was slamming so loud I thought he'd hear.Robbinson walked in. "Ruby? Home?"
"Yeah. Kitchen."
He kissed her cheek. "The meeting was canceled. Idiot client."

They talked casually,about the weather,dinner plans.I stood in the dark,sweating,paranoia roaring. What if he opened the pantry for snacks?
He didn't,he left for the office upstairs.

Ruby let me out. "Go,back door."I slipped out. Ran the alleys,breath ragged.
Close call. Multiplied the fear.
But we met again two days later,at my place. Mom was out shopping with a friend. I texted Ruby. Now. Door unlocked.

She came quickly,slipped in,and we hit the stairs,went to my room,and locked the door. She undressed fast,took off her blouse, bra, black lace,jeans,and matching panties. Belly rounded more,and skin glowing.

I kissed her,with my hands on her waist,and pulled her to bed,she pushed me down,and straddled my face. "Lick me."
I did. My tongue went deep,and my hands squeezed her ass.

She ground slowly,sensually,moaning,Fingers added from behind,and thrust gently.She came hard, spreading her juicy water on my chin,while Body shaked
Then on her back, legs spread,I entered slowly. I thrusted deep,hand on belly. I felt a kick midway.
"See?" she gasped. "Active."
I sped up, her nails on my back,scratching.

Mom's car drove in, immediately we heard a key in the door.We froze.
"Richy?" Mom called. "Home early.come help with bags?" "Up here! Be down!"
Ruby wide-eyed. "Closet,now!!."

She grabbed her clothes,and hid immediately,I dressed fast,and went down,unloaded groceries,while my hands shaked,Mom eyed me. "You look flushed and sick?""No. I was just napping."She nodded slowly,suspiciously. "Smells like perfume up there." "New cologne."
She didn't push,but the look stayed.

I slipped back upstairs. Ruby was already out of bed and dressed.
“Too many close calls,” she said quietly.
“Yeah,” I agreed.

We didn’t waste time talking,we finished standing right there. She bent over the desk, and I took her from behind,hard, quick thrusts until I came inside her. I held her afterward, both of us breathing heavy, but paranoia was already creeping in.
“She suspects,” I muttered.
Ruby nodded. “We have to be careful.”

The pregnancies kept advancing, Ruby’s belly swelled noticeably now; she waddled a little when she walked and often complained about her back.
“Rub it for me?” she’d ask during our secret meets.

I’d massage her with oil, hands gliding over her skin,sensual at first, then inevitably leading to slow, careful sex. Her on her side, me spooning behind her, moving gently.

Susan and Lilly’s bellies were rounding too. They started coming over more often, sharing pregnancy tips with Ruby over the phone.
“Try ginger for the nausea,” Susan would say.
“Works wonders,” Ruby replied.But the suspicions kept growing.

One morning Mom cornered me in the kitchen, coffee mug in hand.“Richy, we need to talk.”

My stomach dropped. “About what?” “You’ve been sneaking out,and coming back smelling like her.” “Like who?”
“Ruby. That vanilla perfume,don’t lie to me.”
I tried to brush it off. “That’s crazy, Mom.” She stared hard. “I know what an affair looks like. lived one. It destroys everything.”

Guilt slammed into me. “Nothing’s happening.”
She walked away, with doubt written all over her face.

Next came Robbinson,he pulled me aside at lunch. “You and my wife. Is there something going on?”
“No.”

He leaned closer. “She’s pregnant. You disappear at the same time she does.”
“Maybe coincidence.” I replied

His eyes turned cold, “Better not be more than that. She’s mine.” The threat hung there,our old alliance was shattered.

Then Susan and Lilly came at me directly,out in the backyard during a smoke break.
“You’re screwing Mom,” Susan said flatly. “We know.” Lilly nodded. “Her pregnancy timing fits yours perfectly.”

I snapped. “That’s bullshit.” Susan didn’t back down. “We saw you leaving her house once. Late.”

Paranoia turned real. “Mind your own business.”
Lilly’s voice cut sharp. “It is our business. After what Humphrey did? You’re turning into him.”

“I’m not!”

They walked off, throwing glares over their shoulders,and family dinners turned explosive, Questions flew like knives.

The near-misses kept piling up.

One time at a hotel, in a dim room, Ruby was naked on the bed, her belly prominent. I kissed it softly, then moved lower, tongue slow and teasing until she moaned, legs hooked over my shoulders.

A knock at the door. “Room service.”
We froze. “No thanks!” I called.
We kept going,me inside her, deep thrusts,until my phone rang. Mom. but I ignored it.

Voicemail later: “Where are you? Come home.”

My mind raced. Did she track me?

Another night at Ruby’s place, while Robbinson slept. We used the guest room,which was safer. Her on all fours, me behind,with my hand resting on her belly as I thrust hard. She moaned louder than she should have.

Stairs creaked. Robbinson was up.
We froze. “Bathroom,” she whispered, shoving me under the bed.

He opened the door. “You okay? Heard a noise.”
“Bad dream. Go back to bed.”

He left. We finished quickly after, but we were both shaken.
“We can’t keep risking this,” I said.
“We have to,” she whispered back.

Tensions finally boiled over at dinner. Mom had invited everyone “to heal.” The table was full, but the air was thick with tension.

Susan broke first. “This is all lies. The secrets are rotting us.”
Mom tried. “Please, not now.”
Lilly wouldn’t stop. “When then? Humphrey’s babies are inside us. Robbinson and Annie have been fucking forever.” Robbinson snapped. “Watch your mouth!”

Susan turned on Ruby. “And you,pregnant by Richy. Just admit it.” Ruby’s voice cracked. “No! stop this!”

I stood up. “Shut up, all of you!” Shouts erupted. Accusations flew,“Liar!” “Whore!” “Hypocrite!”

Mom started crying. “Enough!” But it didn’t stop,The rage just kept boiling over .