The Baby Battle

CHAPTER 1: Alison

CHAPTER 1: Alison

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Alison grabbed Ellie’s arm as she followed her friend into La Petite Mort Club. “Have you ever been here without Adrian?” The Club seemed a bit intimidating without Harker.

“Twice. The night I came to yell at him and the night I met him. Marc was late, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right. And you weren’t nervous?”

“A little but it’s just a bar, Alison.” Ellie walked across the room as if she belonged there.

“Where people have sex.” She envied Ellie’s confidence. She was more of a stay in the background kind of person.

“Not much different than other nightclubs.”

“Really?” Her eyes darted to one of the stages where a domme punished her sub with a whip. “At what club have you seen that happen?”

Ellie laughed as she made her way through the crowd and up to the bar. “None but we’ve both seen couples who you knew were going to do something like that at home. This place is just more open about it.” She pulled out a chair and sat. “It’s actually safer here. Everyone is up front about what they want and if you tell them you aren’t interested, they accept your refusal and move on. Good luck getting that at a traditional nightclub. The guys there are positive that you want them, and if you disagree, they’re determined to show you that you’re wrong.”

“I guess.” She sat next to her friend. “It just feels...different.”

“Without Harker you mean?”

“Yeah. And stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Thinking there’s more to my statement than there is. I just felt safe with him here and without him, I feel like...I don’t know...a piece of meat.” A sexy guy smiled at her from across the bar.

“And why is that different than any other club?”

“Because everyone is here for sex.”

“Still not seeing the difference.” Ellie laughed.

“What are you ladies drinking tonight?” asked the bartender. He was a young, good-looking guy whom Alison had never seen before.

“Two margaritas,” said Ellie. “On the rocks with salt.”

“And two shots of tequila.” Alison was going to get drunk and forget about Harker. She wasn’t actually going to pick anyone up, but she was going home plastered enough to pass out.

“Shots?” Ellie winced. “I have to work tomorrow.”

“So do I.”

“But I’m not married to my boss.”

“You’re lucky and trust me, he’s not going to be too forgiving about my hangover.” She couldn’t wait to see him pissed off and grumpy. It served him right.

“Alison, I think you should tell him the truth about tonight.”

“Why? He doesn’t tell me the truth.”

The bartender dropped off their drinks and both women handed him their credit cards.

“I’ve got it.” Alison pushed Ellie’s hand back. “This is Harker’s card. I want him to see these charges.”

“Thanks and you’re evil.” Ellie put her card away. “You know, Harker didn’t actually lie about the contract. He told you to hire a lawyer to look over it. I told you to hire a lawyer but—”

“I didn’t think I needed to.” That was the worst part of all of this. “I hate being stupid. I’m never stupid except when it comes to men.”

“You’re not stupid and you know it but doing this is...well, stupid.”

“This is stupid? Why is teaching him what it feels like—”

“What are you teaching him exactly? To not trust you. Because as far as you’ve told me, he hasn’t cheated on you.” Ellie took a sip of her drink.

“And I’m not going to cheat on him.”

“He hasn’t even given you a reason to think he’s cheated on you. He’s with you every night and all day.”

“Yeah, but the contract—”

“Alison, you don’t want to do this. You need to trust him until he gives you a good reason not to.”

“I can’t believe you’re giving me advice on trust.” Alison tossed back her shot. “You didn’t even trust Adrian who’s so freaking perfect—”

“Adrian is not perfect, but neither am I. I’m begging you don’t do this. I almost lost the best thing that’s ever happened to me because of my trust issues. Harker is crazy about you. Don’t ruin that because of pride.”

“He’s not crazy enough to agree to be monogamous.”

“But he has agreed to be monogamous. He just wants you to trust him. Forget that stupid clause in the contract.”

“I can’t.” She took a big gulp of her drink. “Harker is always thinking ahead. Always. He’s shrewd. I know he wants me now but if he were really planning on being faithful then he’d change the contract. He says it’s about trust but what happens when I’m six months pregnant or eight months pregnant? I doubt I’ll be in the mood to have s*x as much as he wants and even if I am he’s not going to want me.” Her voice cracked. “I'm going to be fat and swollen and my ass is going to be huge.”

“Oh, honey.” Ellie hugged her. “I think you'll be cute when you’re all preggo.’

“It isn't funny.” Alison pulled away and grabbed a napkin to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“I'm not laughing. Really, I’m not. But I do think you're making too big of a deal out of this.”

“It is a big deal that he tricked me. He slipped that addendum in there so he wouldn’t be stuck having bad s*x for a year. Yes, I should’ve hired a lawyer, but I trusted him.” She bit her lip. “That’s what really hurts.”

“I know.” Ellie squeezed her hand. “And it was a s**t thing for him to do. Talk to him about it. Explain it to him.”

“I’ve tried.” She pushed her shot glass forward, signaling the bartender for a refill. It killed her that Harker wouldn’t even attempt to understand her point of view.

“Okay.” Ellie sighed. “Let’s look at this logically. First, we both know you aren’t going to go out every night sucking stranger’s dicks.”

“I might.” Alison glanced at her out of the corner of her eyes and tried not to smile.

“Right.” It was clear Ellie didn’t believe that at all. “So, since torturing him until he goes mad with jealousy isn’t going to happen, what are your other choices? I agree he should change the contract but are you willing to throw all of this away if he doesn’t?”

“No. I want my program and my partnership.”

“Is that all you want out of this?”

It wasn't but she wasn't ready to admit that to anyone, even her best friend.

“Because if that's all you want then I don't understand why you're so upset if Harker sleeps with other women.” Ellie glanced around. “If he’s coming here for s*x, you don’t have to worry about STDs. I can’t believe how often Adrian and I have to be tested just to maintain our membership. We don’t even sleep with anyone but each other.” Ellie took a sip of her drink. “And Harker’s right. Only the paternity of a child is ever in question. So if all you really want is to have his child in order to get your partnership, then why do you care if he has s*x with someone else?”

“I hate it when you make sense.” Alison finished her drink in three gulps and pushed her glass to the front of the bar.

“That's what friends are for.” Ellie tossed back her shot, wincing.

“No. Friends are for agreeing with you and being on your side and you're not doing that.” She’d wanted a fun night of Harker bashing. Instead she was being lectured about things she was trying to ignore like her feelings for her jerk of a husband.

“Are you sure you're not pregnant? You're usually much more rational than this.”

“No. At least I don’t think so. You know my periods are never regular, especially when I’m stressed.” Her last one had been a bit of spotting for only about half a day, but the same thing had happened a couple of times during college. Back then, she’d freaked out, thinking she was pregnant, but she hadn’t been. She’d just been over stressed, and college was nothing compared to her marriage.

“Maybe you should see a doctor or take a pregnancy test.”

“Not necessary. I’m only irrational because Harker drives me crazy.”

“So you are in love.” Ellie smiled at her.

“No. I'm just very competitive and the bastard won. I don't care whether he has s*x with someone else or not.” Oh, that was a doozy of a lie, but there was no going back. “What bothers me is that he tricked me, and I fell for it.”

“Do you want to have s*x with someone else?”

“That's not the point.” She only wished she did want to f**k someone else. This would be so much easier if her feelings weren’t involved.

“I think that's exactly the point. I understand that you’re both competitive but—”

“Good evening, ladies.” Ethan walked up to them. “I didn’t expect to see you here without your partners.”

“It’s allowed, isn’t it?” Ellie smiled at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Or am I breaking another rule?”

Alison knew her friend wasn’t Ethan’s biggest fan, but she had nothing against the man.

“Of course, it’s allowed. It’s just unexpected.” He turned toward Alison. “It’s good to see you again.” His eyes roamed over her. “You look lovely this evening.”

“Thank you.” Alison couldn’t help it; she blushed. Ethan was so damn hot and what they’d done the last time she’d been here...

“I’m surprised Harker let you out of his sight,” he said. “He does have a jealous streak when it comes to you.”

“He wasn’t happy about it.” That was an understatement.

“Does he know you’re here?” he asked.

“No, and he doesn’t need to,” said Ellie. “He doesn’t own her.”

“Some laws should’ve never been changed,” muttered Ethan.

Ellie’s mouth dropped open.

“Oh, you mean like the one where oral s*x was illegal?” Alison tried not to laugh.

“No. Not that law.” Ethan frowned but his eyes sparkled with amusement. “That should’ve never been illegal. Too hard to enforce. I mean, who’s going to report it?” He winked at her as his phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at it. “Excuse me.” He turned and walked away.

“That man is such a jerk,” said Ellie.

“You’re just mad at him because he was pissed that you snuck into the Club. I think he’s sweet and sexy as sin.”

“Yeah, he’s hot but you’ve never been on the receiving side of his temper. I have. He can be a real ass...” Ellie’s eyes widened. “Ah...Alison, as your friend I think you should run.”

“What?” She spun around and her stomach dropped to her toes as Harker strode through the crowd toward her.

“I’ve never seen anyone that angry,” whispered Ellie. “I swear I can see steam coming from his ears like in a cartoon.”

“Oh...shit.” Alison hopped off her seat.

“He won’t hurt you, will he?” asked Ellie.

“Ah...no.” She didn’t think so. “But maybe I should use the restroom.” She wasn’t proud of it but apparently her fight or flight instinct was flight.

“Good idea.” Ellie pushed her. “Go. I’ll see if I can stall him.”

Alison hurried toward the back hallway.

“Alison, stop,” Harker roared.

She froze, glancing over her shoulder as he stormed toward her. “Nope. Not a good idea.” She ran through the crowd toward the bathroom.