Chapter 14 #2
He had gotten into the habit of bringing over food for her, so they would not have to prepare anything.
The man thought of everything and made certain she was well taken care of.
She had come home one evening to see the place stocked with food.
She had never seen that many fruits and vegetables in her fridge before.
He was a treasure. And here he was, opening the door as soon as she cleared the steps.
"Hi."
His devastatingly sexy smile had her going weak and that was before he lifted her clear off the floor and carried her in, closing the door behind them.
"I have to take my jacket off."
"Hmm." His lips seized her in a kiss that had her forgetting everything else.
The frustration of the day, the fighting with after-work traffic, all of it slipped from her mind as well as the briefcase she had on her left shoulder.
Wrapping her hands around his neck, she sank into the kiss with a sigh.
When he dragged his mouth from hers, she was too weak to do anything else other than rest her head on one broad shoulder and fight to get her breath back.
"That was some greeting."
"I missed you."
"Are we going to be this sappy every day?"
"Absolutely." He carried her into the kitchen and sat her around the counter. Then proceeded to remove her jacket. Her heart did a slow turn when he hunkered down to take off her boots.
"I love the idea of having you as my slave." She wriggled her toes as soon as he removed the boots.
"I like the idea of being your slave." Rising, he cupped her face between his hands and kissed her again.
"Hmm." She smacked her lips. "Do it again."
Laughing, he planted a quick kiss on her forehead and went to the stove. "Frank made chicken pot pie."
"Yummy." She muttered and tried to swallow the bile rising to her throat. She was approximately six weeks pregnant, and the OB had assured her it was too soon for symptoms. But for the last few days, she had been feeling queasy.
He glanced at her and seemed to read her thoughts. "Some tea first?"
"That sounds good." She would wait until she was drinking the tea before telling him the news.
She watched him move about the kitchen, his presence instantly calming her nerves.
The soft clatter of teacups and the gentle hum of the kettle gave her a moment to collect her thoughts.
She pressed her palm against her stomach, a small, secret smile playing at her lips, marveling at the changes soon to come.
"How was your day?"
It was a marvel to her that she had this. Someone to talk to about what had transpired during the day. He was always ready to listen and give a comment or two. But most of all, he would listen in that quietly patient manner of his.
She told him about the conversation she had with Justin and his concerns.
"Is the mother showing signs of violence?" he asked as he placed the steaming cup of herbal tea and slices of homemade tea bread in front of her.
"Thanks. I don't know. He said she called and stood across the road from his shop.
" She shrugged and sipped. "I told him to call if there's anything suspicious.
" She beamed at him as he sat across from her.
He was such a damn pleasure to look at. His thick dark hair was tousled as if he had been running his fingers through the strands.
The midnight blue sweater stretched across his broad shoulders, and he just made her want to gobble him up. "Enough about me. What about your day?"
"Sure you want to hear?" His slow smile did things to her insides and made her weak.
"Naturally." She inclined her head gracefully. "Who wouldn't want to hear about pigs being slaughtered and cows being milked? Not to mention cattle being branded. Sounds pretty exciting."
"It is." He reached for her hand and linked their fingers.
"We cannot all be about righting the wrongs in the justice system.
Some of us are more concerned about putting food into people's bellies.
" Lifting their joined hands, he brushed his lips on her knuckles, his eyes on her face.
"Now, is there something in particular you want to share with me? "
"What?" She stared at him puzzled. "I already did."
"Sure?" His brows lifted as he continued to stare at her.
As he continued to look at her, she finally understood and could not believe he knew.
"What are you talking about, specifically?" She asked carefully.
"I think you know." His expression was tender.
"I know your body as well as I know mine.
I also know your moods, or I am beginning to know them.
I make it my duty to know everything about you.
" His fingers tightened on hers. "Your breasts are very sensitive.
You're now drinking tea instead of inhaling gallons of coffee.
And I've seen you rubbing your chest. When were you going to tell me? "
She simply stared at him. The man surprised her more and more each day.
His sensitivity when it came to her was amazing and uncanny.
Also, a little uncomfortable. It was as if he was tuned in to her every emotion.
"Well!" She blew out a breath and took another sip of the tea.
"That's unsettling. It means that if I decide to have an affair, there's no way of hiding it from you. "
"None at all. How far along?"
"Six weeks." She pouted. "I was planning to tell you when I came home. Now you've completely spoiled it."
"How long have you known?"
"Just yesterday. I bought some pregnancy tests at the nearby pharmacy and confirmed it officially in the afternoon. You could have waited."
"I could have." Letting go of her hand, he came around. Plucking her off the stool, he sat and placed her on his lap. "I spent several days waiting for you to realize you're with child." He turned her face upwards and studied her. "Is it a problem? Do you want my child?"
His question threw her for a moment and had her glowering. "What the hell kind of question is that? Why would you think otherwise?"
"We've never discussed it, and everything is happening so quickly.
" His fingers were a bit unsteady and his breathing shallow.
"I never dreamed I would find someone I love so completely.
" He inhaled sharply. "When I decided to come to the states, I told my brother that I might discover my salvation here or it might be a mistake.
Nothing ever prepared me for this. I never expected to find my life here, the center of my gravity, a woman who means more to me than my own life.
" He lowered his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.
"I never expected to find you. The heart and soul of me.
And now..." Lifting his head, he stared at her with eyes so intense, it sent tremors throughout her body.
"You're carrying my seed. You've given me so much, that I cannot adequately know how to tell you what you've done. "
For a minute, she could not speak. Words failed her and she could only stare at him.
Finally, she managed a whisper, her voice barely audible.
"You make me feel safe. Like I belong somewhere real.
" She reached up, tracing the curve of his jaw with gentle fingers, grounding herself in the warmth of his embrace.
For the first time in a long while, she let herself hope for the future, one filled with laughter, love, and the promise of something extraordinary.
"It's not one-sided you know." Her voice was raw, and emotion-filled.
Whether it was hormones or simply love, she had no idea.
But ever since she met him, she was vulnerable.
And it was not a terrible thing. She wanted to be held by him.
She didn't feel weakness where he was concerned, but grounded and strong.
It was natural for her to want to lean on him and allow him to take charge and take care of her.
She felt needed and loved. And it created a warmth inside her that was unimaginable.
"I want this, our baby. I keep holding my breath and praying that for the next seven months and two weeks, everything will be fine.
I also told myself that I will gladly endure the symptoms, the morning sickness, the swollen ankles, and the fact that I am forty years old and going through my first pregnancy. "
"We'll get you the best doctors money can buy."
"I'm counting on it. We should tell your grandparents."
"And wait until my family comes for the wedding to share the news." His fingers stroked her cheeks gently. "How's my baby mama?"
She burst out laughing. "How on earth did you come up with that term?"
He grinned charmingly. "There's an African-American guy, his name is Tyler on the farm, and he delights in telling me about his various 'baby mamas'. At first I had no idea what that meant and he explained it to me."
"So, Tyler is a stud."
"Or so he wants us to think." He cupped her face. "I love you. I never dreamed I would find someone like you and for the rest of my life, I will cherish you."
"You'd better. Even when I'm swollen and out of shape, I'd better not see you looking at another woman." She warned.
"I will certainly make sure to look when you're not present." He grunted when she landed an elbow in his ribs.
She snorted, unable to hide her smile. The gentle banter between them felt like a secret language, woven from shared glances and tender touches.
He always found a way to lighten even the most serious moments, and she marveled at how effortlessly he could make her laugh or forget her worries.
In that quiet kitchen, with afternoon light spilling across the room, it was easy to imagine a lifetime built on these small, beautiful exchanges.
"How about something to eat?"
She wrinkled her nose. "I'm not certain my stomach can stand the pot pie."
"Some soup then?"
"There's soup?"
"I was thinking ahead." He kissed her on the lips. "Three different kinds. Tomato, chicken and mushroom."
"Now I remember why I love you."
"Because I feed you."
"Precisely." She told him with a laugh.