Chapter 11 #2
“Absolutely N-O-T, Chief. No. There is no way you are staying in here for that.”
“You know I’m going to see our child exit your body in a few months, right?”
She gasped as he set her down in front of the sink. “You will not. You are strictly forbidden to look down there as our baby, who will probably have your gigantic head, rips me apart as he comes into the world. You are staying topside, handsome. Ain’t no way.”
Hawk’s arms wrapped around her and he tugged her into his chest. His cheek rested on the top of her head and he sighed. “I was kind of hoping the doctor would let me catch her.”
“Stop,” she laughed, pushing against his chest. “Please, go to the kitchen and make me some noodles so I can pee in peace.”
Hawk flipped the switch for the stove burner to off, grabbing the pot and bringing it over to the sink to drain off the boiling water. God, it had been an absolutely wild day. But having Jessie back in his bed–resting–and getting to take care of her was exactly what he needed.
He’d been feeling so fucking restless. Lost. Wanting to help, but not wanting to overstep. Seeing her get so sick in the office was the last straw. She belonged there with him. Her, and the baby.
And it was a conversation he wanted to have with Jessie as soon as possible.
Footsteps fell behind him and Hawk swore under his breath as he turned to watch Jessie walk into the kitchen.
“You shouldn’t have walked out here. I would have carried you if you called.”
Jessie rolled her eyes, her hands landing on her hips as he pulled out the chair for her to sit in.
“I’m not completely incapable of taking care of myself.
Besides, it felt good to stretch my legs.
And I could smell the rosemary… had to come see how it turned out before you tried to feed me dinner in your bed. ”
His shoulder’s relaxed. “I do want you to eat in bed.”
“But I’m out here now.” She shook her head, scooting her chair closer to the table. “Let’s just eat at the table. I don’t want to make a mess of your bed.”
Hawk groaned, and Jessie sat back, her eyes closing a bit as she clearly studied his face.
“What?” she asked.
“Just thinking about how when you’re feeling better, I hope we do make a mess of my bed,” he chuckled as the corner of her mouth turned up.
“Oh.” That was apparently the only response she could give, because she quickly reached for the cup of ginger ale he’d set out for her and brought it to her lips.
“I think you should move in.”
Jessie sputtered and lowered her cup to the table with a thud. “Maybe don’t–” More coughing. Jesus, should he be clapping her on the back? “Don’t throw that out there while I’m trying to swallow.”
“I thought you could tell that’s where I was going.”
He walked to the counter and grabbed the bowl of macaroni with butter.
“No. I wasn’t making the jump from spending time together in your bed to me moving in.
What the heck would I tell my parents? My mom might be okay with me moving in before I got married to someone I’d been dating for a while, but I was a booty-call at best the first time we were together, and after the vow renewal, we were both scratching an itch. ”
Her fork went into the bowl, stabbing at a few pieces of pasta before bringing them up to her mouth.
Hawk watched as she chewed the meal he made for her.
Jessie’s whole body seemed to relax the moment she tasted the food, and fuck if that didn’t make him feel like the world’s best provider. Over some pasta and butter.
Hawk leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as he brought his hands together by his face.
“You’re pregnant with my baby, and I don’t want to play games, Jess. You, me, the baby. Together. Here for now. One day in a house with a big yard. I’ve been thinking about that for a long time.”
She sighed, sitting back in her chair before running her hands over her thighs. Shit. He should have waited until they were on the couch. Then she could have been snuggled in his arms.
“We’ve only been exploring this thing between us for a few days.”
“And? I’ve been thinking about you and me and a cute little house in the country from the first time you came up to my apartment and let me finally have a taste of you.”
Her cheeks flushed the prettiest shade of pink, but his heart fell when she dropped her fork to the table and pushed away the bowl.
“Can you eat any more for dinner?” he asked.
“No. It was delicious, but I don’t think I can manage another bite. My stomach is protesting a bit. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m just happy you felt well enough to try it.
” Hawk stood, taking the bowl off the table before the smell, or look, or something else, flipped her stomach back into spasms. With his free hand, Hawk tipped Jessie’s chin up towards his face.
“Go back to bed. Get comfy. Think about what I said.”
She nodded, but as he made his way to the kitchen, she was still sitting at the table, looking stunned.
Move in.
I don’t want to play games.
I’ve been thinking about that for a long time.
Holy hell in a hand basket, her heart was beating out of her chest. Because Hawk Morgan was about to walk into his room and expect her to have an answer for him. And she wanted to say yes. She wanted it more than anything…
But her family wouldn’t understand. And she had a duty to them. It wasn’t fair to back out of her commitments. They’d been drilled into her from such a young age. Family first. Family always comes first.
Jessie needed a distraction. She flung her arm over the edge of the bed, flailing until her hand landed on the nightstand. After a few more seconds of banging around blindly, she landed on the cool glass of her phone’s screen. Bingo.
Immediately her stomach swooped when she realized Birdie had messaged her.
Ran into your mom earlier. She thanked me for letting you stay at my place so I could watch over you while you have the flu? I told her it was no problem… just checking in that you’re being safe, wherever you actually are staying.
I’m so sorry! I meant to text you earlier and fell asleep. I’m with Hawk. I am sick, but it’s not the flu and I’m just not ready to deal with the family. Can we have coffee in the morning and I’ll fill you in?
God, Jess. I was about to call Colt to come find you!
No! No brothers. Not even Beau. Please!
Are you okay?
Yes. I’ll explain everything. The park at nine? By that tree Beau fell out of the time he was spying on us when you were babysitting me?
Dying laughing at that! Yes, okay. I’ll bring the coffee. See you then.
You’re the best. Thank you!
“Everything okay?” Hawk asked as he walked into the room. Her eyes popped off the screen just in time to see him tug at the bottom of his shirt with one hand, pulling it up over his stomach, and chest, and then over his head. Hawk’s eyes landed on hers and he smirked.
“Like what you see, mama?”
Jessie cleared her throat and nodded. “Yeah, daddy. I do.”
Hawk groaned as he turned to the closet. “Don’t distract me. Are you okay?”
“Don’t distract you?” she cackled. “I’m not the one who walked in here whipping off clothes and flexing all my muscles.”
“Jess…”
“Yes. Everything’s fine. I forgot to tell Birdie I used her as my alibi with my mom earlier. But it all worked out. I just have to meet her for coffee tomorrow morning in the park. I’ll explain everything then.”
“You’re ready to tell someone outside of my family?”
Jessie nodded. “I’m hoping she’ll agree to be my provider during my pregnancy. I won’t have to worry about her spilling the beans to anyone in my family if she’s looking after me and the baby.”
“Is that what you want? You don’t think a doctor would be better? You’ve been so sick, what if there are more complications? Maybe we should think about seeing someone with hospital privileges.”
God, she almost laughed. His concern was adorable. “She practices out of the hospital. That’s fully where I plan on having the baby. And the thought of her delivering the baby makes me feel calm.”
He sat on the edge of the bed. Laying on her side had been the most comfortable position lately, and it allowed for his hand to rest on her hip. “Okay. If you feel more comfortable seeing a midwife, then that’s the route we go.”
“Just like that? You’re on board with me making that call?”
“It’s your body, so yeah. It’s my job to support you, Jess. In whatever way I can.” His fingers started rubbing circles into her tight muscles. “And I could do that better if you were here with me all the time.”
“Smooth,” she sighed. “I promise I’ll think about it, okay?”
“I’ll take it. Now, how about some cuddles and a movie? I’ll even let you pick.”
“You’re going to regret that.” Jessie smiled as Hawk got up and moved to his side of the bed. No. The whole bed was his. She was just a guest there.
But it could be something more. Something permanent.
She rolled to her other side, now in the middle of the bed, waiting for him to get in beside her.
And as soon as he did, Jessie moved so her body was pressed against his.
Her head rested on his shoulder while his arm banded around her back.
She felt grounded, and cozy, and…. safe.
“What are you thinking, Pretty Girl?”
“Pride and Prejudice.” She expected him to huff, or roll his eyes, but Hawk just smiled down at her.
“That sounds good to me. I don’t think I own it…”
“That’s okay. We can log into my account and watch it there.”
His eyebrows climbed up his forehead. “But then you’ll be logged in here.”
She shrugged her shoulders and pressed a kiss to his chest before facing the television. “Sounds like I’m planning on coming back.”