CHAPTER 16
AVERY
In the last two weeks, I’ve had lunch with Tenley four times, and the Vibrant Ink family has been rotating through our house like they put together a schedule on a spreadsheet to make sure we’re taken care of. It’s rather sweet and I can’t say that I’ve minded getting to know everyone.
Knox and Travis are both hilarious troublemakers. The only difference is that while Knox’s joking is genuine, I get the feeling Travis keeps a happy face on as part of a mask. It gives me ‘fake it till you make it’ vibes. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I hope someday he can just be himself.
Monroe is amazing. She’s smart, talented, and very sweet. She’s made me feel welcome without even trying. While she doesn’t push me to open up about my past, I’ve felt the need, or at least felt comfortable enough, to share some things with her.
I thought after the last time we talked that I’d be seeing news reports about Page and Prescott going up in flames, but it hasn’t happened. Yet. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s plotting something. She’s very protective of her family.
Carson is sweet, but she’s also a little more distant than everyone else.
I get the feeling that part of her is somewhere else.
Whenever she talks about her hometown in Montana, she gets this wistful look on her face.
I won’t be surprised if she announces that she’s moving back.
If anyone is surprised when she finally follows her heart and heads home, then they haven’t been paying attention.
Ellis is the quietest one of the group. He doesn’t talk much, but he does take everything in. His quiet is different than Bridger’s. My man is broody in his silence where Ellis is more observant. I don’t know a lot about him, but there’s a calm about him I like being around.
One day all of his curiosity is going to be directed at someone, and they won’t know what to do with it. Mark my words.
I’ve settled into the thought of Bridger being mine. Every night for the last two weeks, he’s slept wrapped around me with one of his hands resting on my bump. We’ve made out more times than I can count. His kisses leave me breathless and almost begging for more.
But kissing is as far as we’ve gone.
Honestly, I’m about to spontaneously combust. I’m so damn horny I can hardly stand it and I’m not sure what to do to tip him over the edge.
I’ve been wearing short maternity night gowns to bed which I know ride up to show off far too much leg for polite company. But nothing about Bridger is polite company. The man’s eyes have been glued to my thighs, and the heat of his gaze has felt like a caress against my skin.
But he’s still holding back.
I have no idea why, but if something doesn’t break soon, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Maybe I just need to jump him? I’ve never done it before, but the sexual tension is killing me slowly.
“You’re quiet today,” Bridger observes, his large palm resting on my thigh and scalding my skin through the leggings I’m wearing.
I look away from the city surrounding us as we make our way to my OB/GYN’s office.
Today is a special day. Not only are we going to my appointment together, which is something I didn’t think was ever going to happen, but it’s an ultrasound day.
Not being able to schedule appointments during the week when I was still working for my father, since I didn’t want to answer any of the questions taking an afternoon or morning off would cause, really limited my appointments and pushed back this ultrasound.
Now, with Bridger driving us across the city, I’m glad he gets to experience this one.
Last night, with his arms wrapped around me and his lips against my neck, he rumbled, “Do you want to find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”
I tried to turn in his arms so I could look into his brown eyes. It took me more time than I would have liked to struggle through the movement, but I did it.
“Do you want to know?”
His mouth twisted into a frown, something I’ve come to realize he does when he’s really thinking about something. When his eyes cleared and he met my gaze, his voice was soft, “I just want the baby to be healthy. That’s the biggest thing.”
I fucking melted.
After leaning into him and aligning my body with his as much as I could with my bump in the way, I swiped my lips across his in a sweet kiss.
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck to hold me in place.
The way he deepened the kiss, like he was savoring me for the first time, had me dripping with need.
When he pulled back, I was a panting mess and there was lust swirling in his eyes. Lust I was hoping he’d give into.
He didn’t.
“I think I want to know,” I admitted. “I’d like to be able to prepare the nursery better and then we can talk about names that we like.”
“Whatever you want, Sweetheart,” he kissed my forehead.
Then he scooted down my body and, knowing what he wanted, I rolled onto my back. He pulled my nightgown up until it was bunched underneath my tits. His large hand moved over my bump before he moved close enough for his lips to graze my skin.
“Hi, my little heart,” he murmured. “How are you doing today?”
Even though he couldn’t feel it, I felt the baby move. Bridger’s eyes were so filled with love as he lowered his voice and started to whisper to our baby. My mind drifted as a feeling of peace settled over me. I didn’t listen to everything he said, but I caught snippets.
I already love you so much.
You’re going to be spoiled beyond belief.
I’m going to teach you so many things.
Maybe you’ll love to draw like I do. I hope so because then we can share my studio and paint side by side.
Whenever Bridger whispers to our little one, which is every night, I fall a little deeper in love with him. Sometimes he talks about all the people he works with, our family. Sometimes he’ll tell them about what tattoos he’s been working on. It’s beyond sweet.
Our baby always moves when he talks. Knowing they’re learning their father’s voice always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It’s special and I tuck those little memories away in my heart and soul.
When we park at the doctor’s office, Bridger comes around and opens the door for me before offering me his hand. The way he cares for me, in both little and big ways, makes my heart flutter. Once he leads me inside, I get checked in.
Bridger keeps looking around as we wait to be called back. I lean closer and murmur, “You don’t need to look so worried.”
“I’m surrounded by pregnant women,” he whispers back out of the side of his mouth.
“We’re not like a T-Rex. You don’t become invisible if you don’t move.”
He chuckles under his breath and shakes his head as I giggle. His hand comes up and wraps around the back of my neck to pull me a little closer. His lips land on my forehead in a sweet kiss before he brushes his lips against mine.
As much as I want to deepen the kiss, the nurse calling out, “Avery Page,” has me pulling back from him and pouting.
He grins at me before helping me stand up. I’m more than capable, but you won’t hear me complain. Not after spending the last four and a half months doing everything on my own. I’m more than willing to soak up the way he cares for me.
After going through the routine things of getting weighed and having my blood pressure taken, we’re ushered into an examination room. I’m glad I don’t have to get undressed from the waist down for this appointment, that might be a little awkward given the present company.
Bridger’s eyes are wide and wary as he looks around the room.
I don’t blame him, the posters on the wall are both informative and a little scary.
The one with the chart about how a woman’s body changes, including all of our organs being pushed around to accommodate a growing uterus, is a little off putting.
I try not to look at that one or the one highlighting the dangers of RSV. I don’t need nightmares.
“Wow,” he swallows hard and looks at me with a grimace, “I’m trying not to freak out here.”
I giggle and hold my hand out to him. He pulls the chair closer and laces our fingers together. “It’s okay if you freak out,” I tell him softly.
He nods but doesn’t say anything. Instead, his hand goes to my bump. His shoulders relax like touching me and our baby calms him down. I know it helps me.
The silence between us is broken when Dr. Huffman hustles into the room and chirps, “Hello, Avery. How are you feeling today?”
When Bridger stiffens, I study him, but he’s taking in my doctor. His jaw clenches as his eyes narrow and I almost laugh because the possessiveness in his eyes tells me exactly what his issue is.
He leans into me and whispers against the shell of my ear, “You didn’t mention the doctor all up in your pussy is a man.”
“I’m pretty sure he calls it a vagina,” I lob back at him low enough to ensure only he can hear me.
Bridger huffs out a breath but doesn’t respond as he keeps his eyes on my doctor. I can only roll my eyes at how ridiculous he’s being.
“I’m feeling really good, Dr. Huffman.”
My doctor turns toward me and smiles softly.
When he looks at Bridger, he lets out a soft, “Oh.” He looks between us, and I swear there’s relief written all over his face.
“I’m so glad you brought someone with you this time.
” He gets a serious look on his face. “I always worry about my patients who don’t have support while pregnant.
It’s not only hard on your body, but your mind as well. Having support is so important.”
“This is Bridger,” I introduce the brooding man who is holding onto my hand like it’s a lifeline. “He’s the father.”
Dr. Huffman’s shoulders sag and he breathes out a relieved breath. “It’s good to meet you, Bridger. I’m so glad you were able to join Avery today.”
There’s an undercurrent to his words and I can’t help but bristle slightly. “I only told him about the pregnancy two weeks ago,” my voice is tight, “and ever since I did, he’s stepped-up big time.”