Artificial Insemination [1/2]

A forced four-day absence from Seth and Ethan was harder this time around than it had been in the past. Due to finals, The Coffee Barn was experiencing one of its many peak seasons and Megan had needed me to do three back-to-back double shifts. I loved working there, but with my finals to study for, my only option was my apartment because I had no business blowing off finals and sleep, which would have happened if I'd gone to Ethan's.

My study regime consisted of thirty-minute cram sessions every two hours for four weeks, but the weekend before the finals is when I stopped. No more chapter re-reads, no more note cards, no more study groups... nothing. Last-minute studying worked for some people, but not for me, which is why I made it a habit of returning my rental books as soon as possible. Plus, the ones that weren't rentals were easy money.

The slightly pudgy, salt and pepper haired man behind the library counter pushed his glasses up his nose and greeted me with a wide, but tired, smile, "Hi Cassie! Ten minutes later and you would've met with closed doors. You're usually earlier than this."

I smiled with a nod. "I know. Sorry for cutting it so close, but I had a double shift at work."

Mr. Echols nodded in understanding and pulled the first stack of books I'd placed on the counter towards his scanner. "Ah. The very reason we extend hours during finals," he said, sounding put out.

I'm sure it wasn't the only reason for extended library hours during finals, but I wasn't going to say anything. He looked as tired as I felt with his hair sticking up in odd places and his shoulders slumped. "No student to do the late shift, huh?" I asked.

He heaved a sigh. "You know how it is, but I'm usually in bed by now. My old bones weren't meant to last past nine." He paused and gave me a once over. "Interested in a job?"

With a snort, I shook my head. "I've got all the hours I can handle thanks. Besides, summer's here."

"If more young people had your work ethic..." he shook his head as if his wishful thinking was too much to bear. "No summer enrollment for you, I take it?"

"I should, considering I have to take off this upcoming spring semester. My boyfriends and I agreed to take this summer off to spend time together."

Mr. Echols raised a bushy eyebrow. "Boyfriends?"

My heart slammed in my chest. For appearing tired, he was still quick on his feet. "Um, boyfriend. My brain is fried," I mumbled, wrapping a protective arm around my midriff to stave off sudden nausea from my slip-up. What would happen if anyone figured out the truth was a thought I didn't want to have. "I'll probably spend most of the time working, but I could use the cash anyhow."

"No traveling plans?" he asked.

"I don't think so."

Placing a hand on top of the second stack of books, I tapped my finger on the top cover, "I have a couple of books that aren't rentals right here. I know buy-backs not for a couple of days, but I was wondering if you could see if any students are interested in some early buying?" I asked.

"I'm sending out a mass e-mail in a few days." Only faculty was allowed to send out mass e-mails and it was rarely done for students. Mr. Echols was the only one who did it consistently.

"Awesome. Thank you!" I said, starting to turn away, but stopped. "Want me to get you a coffee? You look beat."

Mr. Echols lifted a Styrofoam cup. "Got it covered. I hope you aren't walking out there by yourself. It's late."

I gave him a half-smile. "I've got my boyfriend's car. It's right in the front. In fact, if campus security drives by I'm gonna get a ticket. I'll see you next semester, Mr. E!"

"Have a good one!"

"You too."

I glanced down at my watch, 9:30 pm. My stomach fluttered with anticipation and worry. Seth should be done running soon and Ethan would be finished with his study group at ten. Four days was too long, but that wasn't the only thing that had my stomach in knots. The doctor called me today. What I was going to tell them tonight was big and I didn't want it ruining our first night together in almost a week, but they needed to know. It was too important not to tell them.

I made it to Ethan's apartment in record time, and when I unlocked the door to darkness I knew I was the first one there. Pushing the door open, I flipped the light switch on and inhaled deeply, letting the woodsy, sweet honeysuckle mixture that was Seth and Ethan fill my nose.

That was the smell of home. That's what I'd been missing.

Going into the kitchen, I opened the fridge and pulled out a leftover Chinese takeout box. The timer on the microwave beeped when it was finished warming up at the same time the front door opened.

"Hello?" I called out around a bite of white rice and a piece of Mongolian beef.

Seth jogged into the kitchen, earbuds in his ears. When he noticed me, he pulled them from his ears and watched me as if he hadn't seen me in years instead of just four days.

I knew how he felt.

He was sweaty from his run. It beaded on his temple but drenched the back of his gray t-shirt. I was two minutes away from demanding to lick those droplets off and exploring where else they could be.

"Hey," he said, before letting out a breath. "You off today? I thought you had another double shift."

I shook my head. "Megan got someone else to come in and gave me the night off."

Seth bit his bottom lip, his gaze heated as he looked over me. "Miracles do happen," he said and then he opened the refrigerator to pull out a blue bottle of water.

"Yeah," I said, rocking back and forth on my feet, not bothering to hide my smile. "Hey, I got some news."

"What news?" he asked as he twisted the cap off and chugged his water back.

I eyed his throat as he guzzled without taking a breath. When he was finished he tossed it in the garbage and lifted an arm to tug at the back of his sweat-dampened shirt, pulling it up and over his head before he settled his elbows on the kitchen counter.

Yes, sir, miracles do happen.

The things I wanted to do to that body I couldn't speak out loud, at least, not now. It was such an inappropriate time, especially given what I was about to tell him, but damn.

"Cass, my eyes are up here," Seth said. I jerked my gaze away from his chest, surprised to see him staring at me with an amused smirk.

"Is it hot in here?" I asked, fanning my flushed face.

Seth shook his head. His hand shot out and he hooked a finger in one of the belt loopholes going around my jeans to pull me closer.

"W-what was I talking about again?"

His satisfied male smirk deepened and he raised an eyebrow. "You said you have news. What news?"

"News. News... news? What news?" I wracked my brain, still fighting to keep my eyes on his face. Half a minute later, it dawned on me, "Oh, that news!"

Seth chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, that."

"It's all done, that counseling and medical crap for me to go through with the surrogacy. I've got the green light to stop taking birth control." The color drained from Seth's face and I forced the rest of the words out as fast as I could, "I'll stop taking it in a couple of days." I gave a casual shrug and placed my palms against the counter. My bicep brushed his as I shifted closer, leaning my shoulder against his. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but our days of no-condom sex are going to be numbered. Maybe even sex in general, at least until the insemination is successful."

Seth heaved a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. "Wow. Um-well, I didn't think things had gotten so far. I mean, I didn't realize it was to that point yet. I know you said a week ago that this would happen, but—"

I licked my lips and nodded, "Time flies when you're having fun!"

Seth's tsk and eye roll made it clear that my attempt at lightening the mood failed. "I know you know how I feel about this, but I'll try to be—" he cut off and I watched as the side of his jaw clenched. He pushed himself away from the counter and me, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I can't be supportive of something I disagree with."

"Please don't be mad," I said as he started to walk away. "Push it to the back of your mind and let's make the most of tonight. Please?"

He shrugged. "You shouldn't have told me then."

"But—"

With his back turned, he held a hand up, cutting me off. "Let me cool off. I gotta take a shower anyway," he said. He turned halfway around, his head tilting to the side as his eyes slowly trailed down my body once more. "Don't leave."

"I'm sorry I told you, but it needed to be out there on the table. I'm telling Ethan the minute he walks in the door, but I won't stay if you're going to be mad the whole time."

Seth's gaze could've pierced through my body, probably even my soul as he stared at me. I shivered under his scrutiny, licking my bottom lip as my body reacted as if he was between my legs and not standing three feet away.

"Cassie. Stay."