Chapter Twenty-Three
“I’m going to call Mama today.”
Elle’s words made Hex freeze. He stopped pouring coffee mid-cup and turned to look at her, still holding both his cup and the pot.
It had been almost a week since he’d moved her in, and from what she’d told him she’d stayed in touch with Mama, letting her know that she was all right, but not yet ready to talk through text, but that was all.
They’d settled into a routine, he got up early, like he usually did, went to the clubhouse, and made sure things were taken care of there.
This morning he’d talked to Wrath. He’d confirmed that turning Switchblade over to the FBI had gone well.
That was one thing off his plate, a possible danger to Elle that he wouldn’t have to worry about any longer.
Today, like usual, by the time he came back she was up, past the worst of the morning sickness that seem to have hit with a vengeance over the last few days and was in the middle of making breakfast. He’d told her she didn’t need to cook for him.
He’d even offered to cook for her, but she told him no, that she enjoyed, so he let her.
He had to admit, if only to himself, he loved seeing her standing in the kitchen wearing one of his shirts.
It made him want to lay her out on the table and have her for breakfast. She might have been in his house for under a week, but already he it was like she’d always been here.
Hex would do nearly anything to keep her here.
After breakfast, she often took her laptop and phone and hung out with him in whichever office he was in. She was getting to know more of his brothers, and he could tell she was feeling more at home on the compound. He was glad.
“Are you sure? I can take you to see her if you’d like.”
Elle shook her head.
“I don’t want to see her. I’ll call. I’m not sure I’ll tell her all of it yet, but I need to actually talk to her, or she’ll figure out where I am and show up at the gate. I’m not ready for that.”
That wasn’t something he would look forward to either, but he’d deal with it if he had to. She was right, it was better that she talked to Mama before that happened.
“And if she insists on seeing you?” he asked. He’d known Mama all his life and had a decent idea how she would react, especially after having been put off for this long.
“Then I’ll insist on meeting somewhere public.” She turned and shot him a satisfied smile. It was a good idea. They both knew Mama wouldn’t start a scene in public.
He finished pouring his coffee and put the pot back on the warmer.
“Want me here when you call her?”
She plated the eggs she’d been cooking, then cracked two more into the skillet before picking up the first plate and handing it to him.
“I wouldn’t turn it down, but I understand if you’ve got something else going on or don’t want to deal with her.”
Hex took the plate and carried it and his coffee to the far side of the bar and set them down before going back to her and wrapping his arms around her middle from behind.
“Sugar, I told you, I’ll do whatever you need. If you want me here, even if I stay silent and I’m just moral support, I’ll be here.” He bent and kissed her neck. “I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
He felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease as she leaned back against him.
“Then I would love to have you here. I planned to call just after we eat, if that’s good with you?”
“That’s fine. And if she insists on seeing you in person, then schedule something for lunch or even dinner. I’ll take you to that too.” What he didn’t tell her was that if they were going out, then he would have a few of his brothers come along, just to make sure nothing happened.
It wasn’t Mama he was worried about, but Cypher had informed him this morning that Michael appeared to have dropped off the map.
If Harry the Horse was still looking for him there was no reason to think he would come after Elle, but there was also no reason to think he wouldn’t either.
Hex would rather err on the side of caution, especially when what was on the line was his woman and his kid.
When her eggs were done, they sat side by side and ate.
“I don’t get why you let your eggs get cold,” she said as she her eggs in small pieces.
“I want to eat with you. I’m not going to eat while you’re still cooking.”
She shook her head and took a bite.
“Stubborn man.”
“Stubborn? Have you looked in the mirror recently?”
She leaned over and bumped her shoulder against his arm.
“We’re not talking about me. Oh. God. If we’re both this stubborn, what are we in for?”
“A wild ride, sugar. A wild ride.” He finished eating, then cleaned up the kitchen just like he did every morning, despite her protests.
He wasn’t going to fall into the habit of her doing everything around the house while he did nothing.
That wasn’t fair to either one of them, plus, he was used to taking care of the place, there was no reason he couldn’t help.
When he finished with the dishes, he turned to find her watching him.
“What are you thinking?” He tilted his head to one side. She didn’t look like she was preparing to deal with Mama. The glint in her eye told him she was thinking about something far more fun. Something he would enjoy as much as she did.
“I was thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea to find a way to unwind a little before I have to make that call.”
Hex shook his head, went to where she still sat at the bar, leaned down, and kissed her.
“Come here,” he said, helping her to slide off the stool. He kissed her again, letting one hand slip up under the t-shirt she wore and found there was nothing underneath. Unable to hold back, he growled into the kiss and lifted her up to sit on the edge of the bar. “Lay back.”
Hex stepped away to grab one of the chairs from the dining room table a few feet away. He placed it where he’d been standing and sat.
“Scoot closer, sugar. I’m about to get my desert.”
“Are you sure?”
“Feet on my shoulders and knees wide. I’ve been dreaming about this all week.”
Elle did as he instructed. He glanced up at her face, apprehension clear, but he also saw anticipation. She wanted this as much as he did.
He started out slow, kissing his way up the inside of one thigh, but stopping at the crease where her thigh met her body and moving to her other leg and starting over.
By the time he reached the crease between her thigh and core, Elle gripped the edge of the counter with both hands, her knuckles turning white.
Hex couldn’t help the satisfied smile that crossed his face as he leaned in and licked up her slit, then circled his tongue around the sensitive button at the top.
Elle cried out. Her back arched and she almost came off the countertop. Hex had to put a gentle but firm hand on her belly to keep her from moving enough to fall off the bar. He waited until she settled and went back to licking and tasting her. If he had his way, he could start every day this way.