Chapter 70
CHAPTER 70
HAYES
“ S o, are you still interested in hiring a doula?” I asked her. “Because this lady seemed to know her way around a womb.”
Dixie nodded, her eyes lighting up. “I think so. From what I’ve read, they can be really helpful.”
“After that information session, I have a whole new appreciation for what you’re going to go through.”
She looked at me curiously. “What exactly did you learn?”
I chuckled nervously. “Well, let’s just say it was eye opening. I learned about blood volume and uterus size and hormones and oxygen needs. I’m still in awe of the human body.”
Dixie’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, you actually paid attention.”
“I wanted to understand what you’re going to experience,” I explained. “I learned about morning sickness, mood swings, food cravings, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The changes your body goes through are bonkers.” I paused, taking her hand in mine. “I saw videos of actual births. It was intense. I almost passed out at one point.”
Dixie burst out laughing. “You did not!”
“I did,” I admitted sheepishly. “Hudson had to talk me through it. But I’m glad I saw it. I had no idea the miracle of birth involved so many fluids .”
“There’s a reason some ladies give birth in a pool.”
“I want you to know that I’ll be right there with you. I would offer to do it for you, but honest to God, I don’t think I’m man enough. None of the holes in my body are equipped for that. I’ll do diaper changes and midnight feedings, but that’s nothing compared to gestating the little guy.”
“Or girl,” she said, grinning. “But that means so much to me. I can’t believe you went through all that just to understand what I’ll be going through.”
“Well, knowledge is the enemy of fear,” I said. “This is our baby, Dixie. I want to be as prepared and supportive as I can be.”
She leaned in and kissed me softly. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
I smiled against her lips. “I’m just trying to keep up with you.”
“I am very impressed.”
There was a soft knock at the door.
“That would be our room service,” I said.
“We don’t even have to leave the room?” she asked.
“Nope. Or get dressed. This is the epitome of pampering.” I gently lifted her off my lap and went to answer the door.
I opened the door to find a smiling attendant with a covered cart. “Good evening, Mr. Bancroft. I have your dinner for two.”
“Thank you,” I said, stepping aside to let him wheel the cart into the room.
The attendant efficiently set up our meal on the small table by the window. He uncovered each dish with a flourish, revealing an array of mouthwatering dishes. The aroma made my stomach rumble.
“Is there anything else you need, sir?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, this is perfect. Thank you.”
After he left, I turned to Dixie, who was still curled up in the window seat. “Dinner is served, my lady,” I said with an exaggerated bow.
She laughed, the sound warming my heart. “Why thank you, kind sir.”
I helped her to her feet and led her to the table. We sat down, still wrapped in our plush robes. I poured us each a glass of sparkling cider.
“To us,” I said, raising my glass.
“To us,” Dixie echoed, clinking her glass against mine.
We dug into the meal, each bite a symphony. The chef had outdone himself with a selection of dishes that were both delicious and pregnancy friendly. There was a light salad with fresh greens and berries, followed by a perfectly cooked salmon with roasted vegetables. For dessert, there was a decadent chocolate mousse that had Dixie practically purring with delight.
As we ate, Dixie told me about her latest projects at work, her eyes lighting up as she described a particularly challenging piece she was working on. A credenza that would not stand up straight. I loved how excited she got talking about her misfit furniture.
It felt so normal, so right, sitting here with her like this. I got a glimpse of our future. It actually made my heart jump thinking about it.
“What?” she asked, catching me staring.
I shook my head, smiling. “Nothing. I’m really happy right now.”
Dixie’s expression softened. “Me too,” she said.
“What do you think you’ll crave?” I asked.
Dixie tilted her head, a playful smile on her face. “What do you think I’ll crave?” she asked, her voice light and teasing.
I leaned back in my chair, pretending to think deeply, though I’d already given it plenty of thought. The doula had told me about some of the cravings her clients had. “Hmm. Let’s see. I’m betting on pickles. Classic, right? Or maybe something weird, like pickles and ice cream. Or peanut butter on pizza. Who knows? Your body’s going to be in charge, and I’ve heard it can get wild.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Peanut butter on pizza? That’s a crime, Hayes.”
“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it,” I said, grinning. “But seriously, whatever it is, I’ll handle it. Midnight run for tacos? Done. Need a gallon of orange juice at three a.m.? Consider it done. Crave something so bizarre it doesn’t even exist yet? I’ll invent it for you. I’ll fly cheesecake in from Paris if you want it.”
“You’d really do that?”
“Absolutely,” I said without hesitation.
“Good,” she said. “Because I might have already started craving something.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What is it? Spill.”
She leaned in, lowering her voice like it was some big secret. “Strawberries. But not just any strawberries. They have to be perfectly ripe, sweet, and cold. Like, straight-out-of-the-fridge cold.”
I nodded seriously, as if she’d just handed me a top-secret mission. “Strawberries. Got it. Consider it handled. I’ll make sure we’re fully stocked at all times.”
She laughed again, the sound filling the room. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” I said. “But I’m your kind of ridiculous.”
We finished our meal in comfortable silence. While she went into the bathroom, I picked up the phone and talked to the manager and asked for those strawberries. I sat down on the couch. Dixie nestled against me, her head resting on my shoulder.
“You know, this whole thing still feels surreal sometimes. Like, we’re really doing this. We’re really having a baby,” she murmured, her voice soft and filled with wonder. I tightened my arm around her, feeling the same awe she did.
“Yeah,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “We are. And it’s going to be amazing. Scary, exhausting, messy—so many fluids—but amazing.”
She sighed contentedly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest. “I’m glad you are the father of my child.”
“Me too,” I said, chuckling.
She slid over me, straddling my lap, and kissed my forehead and then my cheek. Her mouth moved to mine. I kissed her back, my hands gently resting on her hips. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if she needed to anchor herself to me.
When she finally pulled back, her eyes were bright with emotion. “I love you,” she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
“I love you too,” I said, my hands sliding up to cradle her face. “More than anything.”
She rested her forehead against mine. “Promise me something,” she said after a long pause.
“Anything,” I replied without hesitation.
“Promise me that no matter how hard it gets—the sleepless nights, the crying, the chaos—we’ll still have moments like this. Just us. Even if it’s only for a few seconds.”
“I promise,” I said firmly, my thumbs brushing against her cheeks. “We’ll always find our way back to each other. No matter what.”
My hand slid down to untie her robe. Her breath hitched as my fingers brushed against her skin that felt like satin. Soaking in the minerals had left us both smooth as butter. I pushed the robe open, revealing her cleavage.
“I’ve got you,” I murmured, my hands pushing the robe off her shoulders. She shivered under my touch, her fingers tightening in my hair. I pressed my lips to her collarbone, then lower, trailing kisses along the slope of her shoulder. She tilted her head back, a soft sigh escaping her. I felt her heart racing against my chest.
My mouth moved lower to gently take one nipple into my mouth. She gasped, her back arching slightly as her fingers tightened in my hair. A soft moan escaped her lips. I lingered there, my tongue teasing carefully, my hands roaming her body with tenderness. Every touch, every kiss, was slow and deliberate.
Her hands slid down to my shoulders, pushing my robe back until it fell away. Her touch was electric, sending shivers down my spine as she traced the muscles of my chest. She leaned in, her lips finding mine again, this time with a hunger that matched my own.
“Do they hurt?” I asked, gently massaging one breast.
“A little but that feels good,” she murmured.
She shifted slightly in my lap, her body pressing closer. She dropped her mouth to my ear and sucked the lobe before sliding down to my neck. She nibbled at my neck before her lips trailed lower, kissing a path down my chest. Her hands roamed over my shoulders and arms, her touch both possessive and tender. Everywhere her fingers brushed felt like she was touching me with a flame thrower.
“Dixie,” I murmured, my voice rough with emotion. She looked up at me, her eyes dark and filled with something I couldn’t place—love, yes, but also a kind of fierce possession.
Her hands slid lower, tracing the line of my abdomen before she slid down and grabbed my cock. She gently squeezed. I jerked, unable to stop my reaction. She slid off my lap and knelt in front of me. Her eyes locked with mine as she leaned in. I could feel the heat of her gaze and her warm breath brushing over the inside of my thigh.
“Damn,” I managed to choke out, my fingers tangling in her hair as she took me into her mouth. The sensation was overwhelming, every nerve in my body burning with pleasure. Her tongue moved with a skill that left me trembling. Her hand massaged my balls as she took me deep into her throat.
My hands tightened in her hair as I fought to keep control, but it was a losing battle. She was too much, too perfect, and I was completely at her mercy. Her eyes never left mine, even as she took me deeper, her hand moving in tandem with her mouth. I could feel the tension building inside me, coiling tighter and tighter until I thought I might burst.
“Dixie,” I groaned, my voice barely above a whisper. She hummed in response, the vibration sending a shiver down my spine. My hips jerked involuntarily. She didn’t pull away, instead taking me deeper still.
It was too much. I could feel myself unraveling. My fingers tightened in her hair as I tried to hold on, but it was no use. I was losing myself in her, in this moment.
“Dixie,” I gasped again, my voice strained. “I?—”
She didn’t stop. Her hand moved faster, her mouth working me with a rhythm that drove me wild. My body shuddered as I came undone, her name tumbling from my lips like a prayer.
When it was over, she stayed there for a moment. Then she leaned back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, a small, satisfied smile on her lips.
“God,” I breathed, still trying to catch my breath. “You’re something else.”