Chapter 14

Jalen got into his truck, started the engine, and then sat behind the wheel for a moment, the engine rumbling quietly as he stared out at the driveway, still lit by the glow of the party lights spilling from the Horner mansion. His hands tightened around the steering wheel and his jaw was clenched. He had just crossed a line he’d been trying to avoid since the moment he realized Heidi was one of the eight. He knew what the Beyonder’s prophecy meant. He knew what came next. Unprotected sex meant another possible pregnancy. He let out a slow, heavy breath and leaned his head back against the seat, eyes closing briefly. Six women. Sydney. Kristen. Megan. Rachel. Karla. And now possibly Heidi. If tonight resulted in a pregnancy, and he had a gut feeling it would, it meant the prophecy was almost complete. Only two more women would remain. It also meant that the most volatile family in the mix was about to get involved. Tim Horner. God help him.

Jalen opened his eyes, started the drive down the long winding road out of the Horner estate, headlights cutting through the Georgia night. His thoughts raced, but under the tension ... there was a calm too. Something about Heidi’s conviction. Her passion. The way she looked at him like she knew what she was doing and chose him anyway. He didn’t know how they were going to survive the chaos that would surely come. But she was in it now. And he knew she had no regrets.

As casually as she could, Heidi slipped back to the main floor where the party was and began to make her way upstairs to the 3rd floor so that she could freshen up and reapply her makeup in her room. The heat from the sex with Jalen and subsequent clean up with the towels downstairs left her face essentially bare.

She had almost made it to the stairs when a voice called out, “Heidi! There you are! I’ve been looking for you!”

“Fuck.” Heidi muttered under her breath.

Her mother, Sylvia, walked up to her wearing a concerned look on her face. “Where have you been? I need your help with the drinks and the cake! We’re gonna start the toast soon.”

Her mother started analyzing her face and its noticeable lack of makeup. “What happened to you?” She said, eyeing her suspiciously.

Heidi thought up a lie quickly. “I’ve been downstairs in the basement bathroom. Something I ate didn’t sit well with my stomach, so I was chucking it up. I feel better now, but I obviously need to freshen up.”

“My goodness, Sweetie, are you okay? Was it the deviled eggs? I told your father not to trust those-”

“It’s fine Mom!” She said cutting her off. “I’m fine now, I just need to freshen up after that ordeal. I’ll back down in ten minutes.”

Before her mother could respond, Heidi sprinted up the stairs trying to avoid any further awkward conversation with her.

Heidi went into her bedroom, locking the door behind her. She then went into her connected bathroom. The mirror didn’t lie. Her cheeks were flushed, her lipstick was essentially gone from all the kissing and sucking, and her hair was tousled. She stared at her reflection, breathing hard. That really just happened. She had sex with Jalen Moss in her parent’s house, while her father’s birthday party was in full swing overhead. Heidi reached for her makeup bag, pulling out her compact and lipstick. She reapplied with shaking fingers, doing her best to cover any trace of what she had just done. She fixed her hair next, smoothing it down, twisting a strand behind her ear. She applied some foundation and mascara to add finishing touches. When she finished, she paused again and stared at herself.

Jalen had cum inside of her. Would she become pregnant now? The thought came hard and fast, and yet ... she didn’t regret it. Not a single second of it. Not his hands, not his mouth, not the way he looked at her like she was the only woman on earth. Not the way he moved inside her. She’d never felt so claimed, so utterly unraveled. And the way he whispered her name? Like he knew she’d never be the same again? That was everything. And it was an experience she’d cherish forever.

She pressed her lips together, gave herself one last look in the mirror, and opened the door. Time to rejoin the party and pretend like her entire life hadn’t just shifted in the space of thirty dizzying, unforgettable minutes. Heidi barely made it back into the main part of the house when she heard her mother’s voice cutting through the crowd.

“There you are honey! Come here, I want you to meet someone!”

Sylvia led her over to a polished-looking woman in her late forties, Linda, and standing beside her was her son, Hunter, whom her mother had told her about in her bedroom last week. Hunter was tall, clean-cut, wearing a perfectly pressed blue button-down and khaki slacks. His sandy blonde hair was neatly styled, and he had that typical “future politician” handshake ready. He smiled at Heidi with perfect, practiced teeth.

“Heidi, this is Linda. You remember me telling you about her. And this is her son, Hunter.” Sylvia’s voice dripped with obvious pride, like she was unveiling a prized gift.

“Hi,” Heidi said politely, extending her hand.

Hunter shook it firmly. “Nice to meet you. Your mom’s told my mom all about you.”

Heidi forced a polite smile. “All good things, I hope.”

Heidi forced herself to shake his hand, her mind still a chaotic blur. She could still feel the lingering phantom of Jalen’s touch on her skin, could still feel the soreness between her thighs from where he had stretched her so thoroughly.

Hunter grinned a little too widely. “So, your mom said you’re in law school? That’s awesome. I’m in the finance world myself. I work for my dad’s firm.”

“Of course you do,” Heidi thought bitterly. She nodded, feigning polite interest. “That’s great.” She said.

Sylvia chimed in with a gleam in her eye, “Hunter’s a wonderful young man. Comes from a good family, strong Christian values, hard worker. And he’s a fantastic golfer.”

Heidi smiled tightly, her stomach twisting with guilt and irritation. “This is who they want for me,” she thought, “This is who they think will make me happy.”

But Hunter didn’t make her pulse race. He didn’t make her feel alive. He didn’t make her feel like the world was spinning in the best way possible. He wasn’t Jalen.

Sylvia and Linda left them to talk. Hunter continued chatting, talking about his love for college football, hunting trips with his dad, and how he was hoping to model his own family after his parents’. Heidi nodded and smiled where appropriate, but her mind kept drifting back to the basement. To the way Jalen had kissed her. Touched her. Fucked her. Every few seconds, her eyes involuntarily flicked toward the back window, toward where Jalen’s truck had already pulled away into the night. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to be making small talk with a man she felt absolutely nothing for.

Hunter barely got his next sentence out. “So, I was thinking maybe we could—”

“No,” Heidi said.

Hunter blinked. “Sorry?”

Heidi gave a tight, polite smile. “I appreciate you coming tonight, and I’m sure you’re a great guy, but this little matchmaking thing? It’s not gonna happen.”

Hunter looked caught off guard. “Oh ... uh, I didn’t realize—”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she cut in gently, but firmly, “But my mom had a completely different idea than I did about how this evening was gonna go. I’m not interested in being set up. Not with you. Not with anyone.”

Hunter looked uncomfortable, glancing around. “Okay. Uh ... thanks for being honest, I guess.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone who actually fits into the world our parents want for us,” Heidi added.

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing awkwardly near the punch bowl as she disappeared into the crowd.

There is now a new addition to Jalen’s routine during his workday at the Horner property. He didn’t need to check the time. He didn’t need a reminder. As soon as his crew packed up their tools and left, and Tim Horner finished his daily inspection, Jalen already knew what was coming next. Every day, like clockwork. Heidi. At exactly 5:45 PM, she would appear, heels clicking against the pavement, long red or pink acrylic nails catching the light as she discreetly made her way into the guest house. Sometimes, she wore a fitted blouse and a short pencil skirt, her legs bare and toned, her curves framed perfectly, other times, she opted for tight jeans that hugged her in all the right places, and sometimes she would wear a simple sundress with either heels or flip flops depending on how she was feeling that day. Every single time her lips were painted a bold color. She had a color rotation of red, pink, brown, and a nude color, but always some kind of lipstick. She knew that her lipstick and her So Kate high heels drove Jalen crazy, and every single time she was proven right when Jalen lost himself in her. It didn’t matter that this was dangerous. Risky. It didn’t matter that her father’s house was right there. Because the second Heidi locked the guest house door behind her, the moment she closed the distance and pressed her soft, eager lips against his, all logic disappeared.

Jalen would lift her onto the workbench, slide her skirt up if she was wearing a skirt or dress, or he’d pull her jeans down, and fuck the shit out of her. Some days, she rode him slowly, rolling her hips as she clung to him. Other days, he would bend her over the worktable, hands gripping her waist, pounding into her so hard that her moans mixed with the sounds of tools shifting and wood creaking beneath them. Then on some days, he’d pin her to the wall and thrust into her.

Heidi became more and more accustomed to the size of his cock and while it still stung a little whenever he pushed inside of her, she adapted to it more and more quickly each time they fucked. And every single time, Heidi allowed the same thing to happen in the end. Jalen would explode inside of her and spray his thick creamy cum on her vaginal walls. He knew what this meant; what it could lead to. But every time, as Heidi’s legs locked around him, her fingers clutching his shoulders or face, her voice whispering for him not to stop, he gave in and released his cumload inside of her.

“God you’re amazing.” Heidi said in his ear as he finished cumming inside of her yet again this latest time. At this point, they had been doing this for nearly two weeks.

Jalen pressed his forehead against Heidi’s, both of them breathless, still tangled together in the aftermath of their raw, heated moment.

“Right back at’chu.” He said softly.

Heidi sighed contentedly, running her nails gently down his back, keeping him close even though they both knew they should be cleaning up and getting out of here before someone, like her father, showed up unexpectedly. But neither of them moved.

“I’m yours, Jalen.” Heidi whispered; her green eyes locked onto his. “No matter what happens.”

Jalen exhaled deeply, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips, then her jaw, then down the side of her neck where he could feel her pulse racing. “Then I guess that makes two of us,” he murmured.

The following weekend, Jalen and Heidi take a secret trip up to the mountains, where they stay at a cabin and have a fun weekend of hiking and experiencing the outdoors together. Heidi’s family thinks she is with her usual friends.

Their day had been full of fun. They went hiking through the winding trails, stopping to take in waterfalls, and even spotting a deer drinking from a quiet stream. Heidi had been in awe the entire time, marveling at the untouched beauty of nature and the quiet peace that came with it, which she had always appreciated growing up. It was nothing like her world back home. Out here with just Jalen, there were no rules. No parents. No judgments. Just them.

The crisp mountain air filled Jalen’s lungs as he stepped onto the cabin’s wooden porch, taking in the breathtaking view of the rolling peaks stretching into the horizon. The sun had started its slow descent, casting an orange glow over the vast wilderness. Behind him, Heidi was inside, kicking off her hiking boots and shaking out her long auburn waves, her cheeks still flushed from the day’s adventure.

“That was amazing.” She sighed as she stepped outside to join him, slipping her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back.

“I told you you’d like it,” Jalen smirked, reaching down to squeeze her hands around his stomach.

She pulled away and stretched, grinning up at him. “So ... what now?”

Jalen smirked. “Now? Now, I’m about to make you the best steak dinner of your life.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Heidi teased, raising an eyebrow. “And what exactly makes your steak the best?”

Jalen grinned as he led her back inside. “You’ll see.”

An hour later, Heidi sat cross-legged on the couch, a glass of red wine in her hand, watching as Jalen expertly plated the perfectly seared steaks with garlic butter, roasted potatoes, and asparagus. The entire cabin smelled heavenly.

“Alright, I gotta admit, this looks pretty damn good.” She smirked as he set the plates on the coffee table in front of them.

“See? You doubted me.”

They clinked their glasses together, laughing between bites, the warm glow of the fireplace making the moment feel even more intimate. Heidi felt completely at ease, tucked away in their own little world.

As the night went on, the air between them shifted. The teasing and laughter softened into something deeper. More unspoken.

Jalen leaned back against the couch, his arm draped around Heidi’s shoulders as she nuzzled into his side, drawing light circles on his forearm with her nails.

“I don’t want to go back,” she murmured after a long silence.

Jalen kissed the top of her head. “I know.”

Later that evening, the soft glow of the fireplace flickered across their skin, casting long shadows against the walls of the cabin as Jalen slowly trailed kisses down Heidi’s body. The plush rug beneath her felt like heaven, but it was nothing compared to the way Jalen’s mouth felt on her inner thighs.

Heidi let out a soft, shaky breath, the anticipation building as Jalen kissed the inside of her knee, working his way up, his hands gripping her hips possessively. She had never been worshiped like this before. Never had a man take his time, savoring her, making her feel like the only thing that mattered in the world.

“Jalen...” she whimpered, her red acrylic nails lightly scratching against his scalp.

He didn’t answer. He simply smirked against her skin before finally giving her what she so desperately craved. The first flick of his tongue made her entire body jolt. She gasped, her back arching off the rug as his mouth latched onto her, teasing, licking, sucking on her clit. Jalen held her hips down, his strength keeping her exactly where he wanted her. The way he moved, the way he knew exactly how to play with her body was overwhelming for Heidi. She remembered their conversation at the lounge when they went on their excursion in Jalen’s part of town.

“Seeing a woman completely unravel because of what I’m doing? Feeling her body shake, hearing her beg for more, knowing I’m the only one making her feel that way? Yeah ... I enjoy it.” Is what he had said.

Now he was doing just that to Heidi. She felt herself unraveling, lost in the sensation, her mind going blank as pleasure surged through her veins. Jalen’s fingers stuck inside of her and made small circles inside of her pussy, while his tongue and lips licked and sucked right on her clit. It was too much in the best way. Jalen only had to do this for several more minutes before Heidi exploded. She let out a scream of pleasure that reverberated throughout the cabin. Her legs shook violently, her hands fisting the rug beneath her, her breath ragged as Jalen rode out every wave of her release. He didn’t stop until he had taken everything from her.

And then, he was on top of her. Jalen pushed his cock forward slowly, stretching her, filling her inch by inch. Heidi’s mouth fell open, a low moan escaping her lips as she adjusted to him.

“Fuck...” she breathed, her nails digging into his back.

Jalen growled, his forehead resting against hers as he pushed himself fully inside of her as deep as he could go before pulling back and then pushing back in again. He felt her pussy clench around him, warm, tight, perfect. He moved slowly and deep, savoring every reaction he pulled from her. Heidi arched against him, her breathy moans spurring him on. Her hands roamed his back, with her fingernails digging in. Her lips found his neck and then his collarbone, her need growing with every powerful thrust.

“Faster,” she whimpered, rolling her hips to meet his movements.

Jalen obliged, picking up the pace, his grip tightening on her hips as he drove into her harder, deeper, eliciting a loud scream of pleasure from her. Heidi was completely lost in him now, her mind blank of everything except for his cock moving in and out of her, the way he filled her beyond what she thought had been possible was still incredible to comprehend. Her nails raked down his back as she spiraled higher with every stroke sending shockwaves of pleasure through her. Jalen was hitting her cervix now, and Heidi’s eyes were shut tight as she absorbed his thrusts and the intensity of the sensations they generated.

Jalen could feel her getting closer once again, her body tensing, trembling beneath him. “Come for me, baby,” he murmured against her lips.

JALEN ... FUCK ... YES!!!!” She screamed.

There was no fear of getting caught here. She could scream his name, dig her nails into his back, lose herself completely in the moment. Her entire body shattering as another intense orgasm ripped through her like lightning that kept its shock for more than an instant. Jalen kept thrusting through the orgasm determined to reach his own release. A moment later, he felt the sensation radiate through his cock and he pulsated streams of cum into her. Heidi’s entire body was spent. Her skin was flushed, her legs felt like jelly, her heart still racing. She had never felt so alive.

Jalen was still laying on top of her. Heidi didn’t even think about it when she instinctively whispered in his ear, “I love you.”

Jalen froze for a hot second, caught off guard, but then quickly relaxed because he realized that this was not breaking news to him. He’d known she loved him for weeks now, even though she hadn’t said it before now. And after everything that’s happened since they met, he didn’t bother denying the truth.

He lifted his head up and looked her in the eye. “I love you too.” He whispered back.

Heidi grinned, relieved at his response before pulling him in a kiss. She could honestly say that it was the happiest moment of her life.

9 hours later, the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the cabin bedroom. Heidi stirred slightly, her body still deliciously sore from the night before. A small, satisfied smile tugged at her lips as she became aware of the strong, steady warmth pressed against her back.

Jalen’s arm was wrapped around her waist, his broad chest rising and falling behind her, his breath warm against the back of her neck. They were tangled together beneath the blankets, both completely bare, the remnants of their night still lingering in the air. Heidi relished the feeling. The security of his arms around her, the way his fingers lazily traced circles against her stomach, the way his body molded perfectly against hers. She had never woken up like this before. With a man who made her feel both completely safe and completely desired at the same time. She let her fingers gently glide over his forearm, feeling the firmness of his muscles, the contrast between her soft, fair skin and his rich, golden-brown tone. Everything about them was different, yet everything about this felt right.

Jalen shifted slightly behind her, pulling her even closer, pressing a lazy kiss to her shoulder. “Morning, baby.” His voice was thick with sleep, raspy and deep in a way that sent a soft shiver down Heidi’s spine.

She turned her head slightly to meet his gaze. His dark brown eyes, still heavy with sleep, held that familiar intensity that always made her stomach flutter.

“Morning,” she whispered back, reaching up to run her fingers through his short curls.

Jalen smirked, his grip tightening slightly on her waist. “You sleep good?”

Heidi chuckled softly, shifting just enough so that she could press her lips against his jawline. “After last night? Definitely.”

Jalen let out a soft, amused grunt before rolling her onto her back, hovering over her, his body pressing deliciously into hers. “Good,” he murmured, brushing his lips teasingly against hers. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”

Heidi giggled as he kissed her neck, her body already heating up again.

On Sunday afternoon, Heidi and Jalen drive back to metro Atlanta. Heidi is humorously playing Miley Cyrus songs and trying to get Jalen to sing along with her to them. Jalen only knows one song by Miley Cyrus, which is Party in the USA.

Eventually, Jalen pulls into the parking lot of Heidi’s go-to meetup spot with her friends, a small shopping center with a couple of boutique stores, a juice bar, and an overpriced coffee shop. This is where Heidi’s parents assume she’s been all weekend.

“You sure you’re good?” Jalen asks, looking over at her.

Heidi grins and flicks his ear playfully. “Jalen, I’m fine. Relax. I do this all the time.”

Jalen smirks but doesn’t look convinced. “This ain’t exactly a white lie, Heidi. You were in the mountains with me, not having brunch with your friends.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Trust me, my parents aren’t gonna interrogate me about every detail. They’re too caught up in their own world. Besides...” She looks at him, eyes shining with mischief. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Jalen exhales, shaking his head with a chuckle. “You really are somethin’ else.”

“And don’t you forget it.” She leans over, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “See you tomorrow?”

Jalen nods. “Yeah, I’ll be at the site.”

Heidi steps out of the truck, grabbing her bag, and Jalen watches as she walks toward the coffee shop, pulling out her phone as she calls an Uber to go back to her house.

That evening, the sky hung low, swollen with gray clouds as Jalen stepped out of his truck and jogged up the short concrete walkway toward the shelter’s entrance. The old brick building didn’t look like much from the outside, but he knew the kind of refuge it had become for women who had nowhere else to turn, including Megan Westward. Jalen buzzed the front door and waited. A few moments later, a staff member opened it and smiled faintly when she recognized him.

“You here for Megan?” she asked.

Jalen nodded. “If she’s up for it.”

The woman stepped back and waved him in. “Give her a few minutes. She’s in the rec room.”

Jalen nodded again and leaned against the wall in the lobby, arms crossed. His reflection stared back at him from the rain-speckled glass door, fitted hoodie, jeans, Nikes.

Helping Megan escape Chris was the right thing. No question. But now, Megan was holed up in a shelter with a bag of trauma and a baby growing inside her. His baby. Jalen couldn’t help but ask himself: Was she safer now? Happier? Or did I just trade one prison for another?

“Jalen?”

He looked up. Megan stood down the hallway, hair pulled back, sweatshirt slightly oversized over her frame. She looked tired, but there was a softness in her face he hadn’t seen in a while.

He walked over and hugged her, holding her a second longer than usual. She didn’t pull away.

“You good?” he asked quietly.

Megan nodded, then shrugged. “I’m surviving.”

They sat together on a worn couch in the common room. A TV played some muted talk show in the corner while two other women quietly played cards nearby.

Jalen rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve been thinking ... I dragged you into a lot.”

Megan gave him a tired smile. “You didn’t drag me. I walked.”

He looked at her. “Still. I think about you here, in this place ... and I can’t help wondering if I made things worse.”

Megan took his hand. “You didn’t. You helped me breathe. You showed me I wasn’t crazy, or weak. You gave me a way out.

Jalen’s face still didn’t look like he truly believed that, so Megan continued,” Jalen ... I chose this. I chose you. And yeah, it’s messy, and it’s complicated, and some days I still feel overwhelmed. But I feel. And for the first time in years, I feel like I’m becoming who I’m supposed to be. You helped me get out. You helped me believe I was worth something more. And every time you show up, even just like this ... I remember why I love you.”

Jalen swallowed hard, emotions threatening to claw up his throat. “I want you to be okay. You and the baby. You deserve peace. Not more chaos. And...” He paused, “I don’t want you to regret me.”

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I won’t. I know what this is. I know what it means. But I also know what it feels like to be loved by you. And that’s something I never want to lose.”

She then squeezed his hand before continuing, “I’ll find peace. It’s just not instant. But I’d rather rebuild from scratch than keep pretending I was fine in that mansion.”

Jalen nodded slowly; eyes locked on the floor.

“You’re doing right by me, Jalen,” Megan added. “But I need you to keep being that man. The one who protects, not just reacts.”

That hit him. He looked up at her and nodded once more. “I can do that.”

Megan smiled. “I know you can.”

They sat in silence for a while, Megan laid on his shoulder while she caressed his arm. Outside the window, the sun dipped behind a gray cloud, casting long shadows into the lounge. But in that moment, everything between them felt clear.

Three weeks later

Heidi stands in her bathroom, staring at the pregnancy test sitting on the counter. Her stomach twists, her whole body suddenly feeling hot. She knew this was coming. The second she saw those two pink lines, she felt it in her soul. This wasn’t an accident. This was inevitable. Jalen had told her the truth about his whole situation, and still she chose to keep having sex with him unprotected. And now here she is, pregnant with Jalen’s child, but what the hell is she supposed to do now? Heidi grips the counter, exhaling shakily. She has to tell him. Tonight.

She sits down on the edge of her bed, trying to calm the whirlwind in her head. She had chosen this. When she and Jalen had sex in the basement and she let him cum inside of her, as well as every time after that, she knew what she was doing. Because deep down, she wanted it. Not just the baby, but Jalen. And now, she’s going to have a piece of him forever. Heidi grabs her phone, hesitating for a long moment before finally pulling up Jalen’s contact. She types out a message.

Heidi: “Hey ... I need to see you tonight. It’s important.”

She stares at it, debating whether to send it or not. But there’s no point in delaying this. She hits Send. Now, all she has to do is figure out what the hell she’s going to say.

That Friday night, Jalen opened the door to his apartment after hearing the expected knock. He had a feeling this was coming. The second Heidi asked to meet, he knew. And now, here she is, standing in his doorway, looking at him with those piercing green eyes, her face serious, lips slightly parted like she’s still trying to find the right words.

Jalen steps aside. “Come in.”

Heidi walks past him into his apartment. She crosses her arms, pacing slightly as if trying to shake off the nerves. Jalen watches her carefully. He knows what she’s about to say.

Finally, she stops, turns to face him, and lets out a shaky breath, “I’m pregnant.”

Jalen nods slowly, taking it in. Even though he expected this, hearing it out loud still hits hard. He steps closer. “How are you feeling?”

Heidi lets out a dry laugh. “You’re the only man alive who hears ‘I’m pregnant’ and asks how I feel before anything else.”

Jalen shrugs. “It’s important.”

She bites her lip, looking away for a moment. “I don’t know how to feel. I mean ... I knew this was a possibility. Hell, I should’ve known it was a damn guarantee. But now that it’s real?” She swallows. “It’s terrifying.”

Jalen nods. “I get that.”

Heidi sighs, running a hand through her long red waves. “So, what now?”

Jalen doesn’t hesitate. “Now, I step up.”

Heidi stares at him. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” He says.

Heidi shakes her head. “How? You already have five other women who are pregnant with your child. How the hell do you have enough of yourself left to give?”

Jalen looks at her, his voice steady. “Because I don’t abandon what’s mine. I don’t run. And I sure as hell don’t let the women in my life feel like they’re alone in this.”

Heidi swallows hard. This man. She had a feeling he would say something like this, but still, hearing it and feeling the weight of his words hit different. Her lips part slightly. “Jalen...” She doesn’t even know what to say.