What had she done?
Chapter 20
The car was going slow as they headed to Lamaze class. Glancing at the speedometer, Piper noticed that Erik was doing the speed limit, which was unusual because he always drove fast.
So what was going on?
Looking back at the road, she knew she needed to say something. He was visibly upset and she hated that, but before she could, he said, “I want you to know that I’ve been thinking a lot about what was said last night.”
She looked over at him and nodded. “Me, too.”
He went on: “I understand that I’m not giving you everything you want, and I know it must be hard, but this is all I’ve got right now, Piper. I want to give you more, believe me I do, and I hope you can be patient with me, but if not, I completely understand.”
He paused and took in a deep breath as she said, “Erik—”
“Let me finish, okay?” he said, looking over at her. She nodded as he went on. “I want you to know that you are the only girl that I want. I have been through a lot of females, we both know this, but none of them have done what you do to my heart. I want you to know that my day isn’t complete until I see your face, and I want you to know that it took me twenty-four hours to have the balls to say all this.” Her face broke into a grin as she nodded, her eyes clouding with tears. “I can’t promise you forever, Piper, not yet, but I hope I can soon. Just give me some more time to figure things out.”
Piper nodded as she reached across the console and took his hand in hers, “Some people are worth waiting for, and I believe that you’re one of those people. I am so sorry for the way I acted last night; it’s just been a tough month.”
“I know, baby,” he said, kissing the back of her hand. “I know it’s hard to be with me.”
She smiled over at him and when the car came to a stop, he leaned over and kissed her lips softly. Parting just slightly, he whispered, “Don’t ever question if I want you, either. Believe me, Mrs. Titov, my dick stays hard around you.”
A giggle escaped Piper’s lips as her body caught on fire. “Well, believe me, Mr. Titov, I stay nice and wet waiting for you.”
Closing his eyes, she smiled as he groaned, “You’re killin’ me, Smalls.”
As he pulled himself away to drive, she laughed as her heart beat happily. She loved this man and nothing was ever going to stop her love for him. She knew that they were going to be okay.
She just had to have faith in him.
* * *
Erik was glad he had a chance to talk to Piper. He felt horrible all morning as they seemed to avoid each other before heading out to the Lamaze class. She actually seemed surprised he was still going with her. He told her he would, and he was trying to keep his word.
“This is stupid.”
Erik nodded as he looked over at Lucas.
“I don’t even know why Fallon wanted to come; she’s already had a kid, she obviously knows how to do this,” he said with his arms across his chest. “I mean look at these jokers; they all look scared shitless. Birthing a baby can’t be that hard.”
Erik wondered if he looked like the scared-shitless guys, because he sure felt like one. Dimitri’s due date was around the corner and Erik had no clue what was going to happen. Piper liked watching those birthing shows but once the women started screaming, Erik usually left the room.
“I think we all need this,” Tate said with a shrug. “Audrey will need me, and I want to know what I have to do.”
“Hold her hand and hope she doesn’t rip your head off,” Lucas said with a laugh. “If Shea Adler can do it, we can do it.”
“Shea is a beast, Lucas, you know that. He is the Chuck Norris of baby-making and life; you don’t mess with Shea,” Tate said with an awed look on his face.
“He is not! You know if you weren’t marrying my sister-in-law, I would think you had a bromance with our captain.”
Tate scoffed. “Don’t hate me because he likes me more. I actually respect him.”
“No, you suck up, that’s why he likes you,” Lucas said with a laugh.
Erik chuckled as he shook his head. “This is going to be great.”
Lucas laughed as he nodded. “It sure is. Did you get a look at our instructor? She decided to climb down her tree and come help us out today.”
Erik held in his laughter as he looked across the room, where the midwife stood with Fallon, Audrey, and Piper. She was as tall as him, superskinny and hairy. It was kind of scary but apparently she was the best in the state. Since Erik and the rest of the guys wanted the best for their wives and babies, Mrs. Tree-Hugger would be their instructor.