Ryder strolled into the kitchen, Kimber right on her heels. “Table is set.”
“Derrick and Uncle Guy are making drinks. Does anyone want one?”
“Martini for me,” Mom said.
“A pink squirrel.” Mrs. Cooke had a fondness for all the excessively sweet drinks, but I think she had more fun surprising us with her drink selections.
“Thea?”
“Nothing for me.”
I got a look from both Ryder and Kimber, suspicion. I had news. At first I just suspected, but it was confirmed. I wouldn’t share until I told Damian. I was a little nervous because though I knew he wanted kids, we hadn’t discussed when. It was a little late now.
Anton entered from the back door. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Cam came in right after him. “The firewood is stacked. You got the chimney cleaned, right?”
“Yes, Cam.”
“If you run out of wood, let me know. I’ll have more dropped off.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “It’s like I’ve never lived on my own before.”
Anton unrolled his sleeves as he stepped up next to Mom and pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Not at all. It’s just love, Rosalie.”
Anton had been distracted since it all went down and I knew he had a score to settle with Federico. It scared me, that part of his life, but he had to do what he had to do and I just hoped I could help him when the time came, just like had helped me.
Mom’s eyes turned bright. I had two brothers and she had three sons, but that list was growing. Razor, yoga man and Mic had been brought into the fold and with Damian’s security team all moving closer to headquarters—Damian claimed it was logistically a good idea, but I knew it was because they were his family in a badass, mercenary kind of way—our makeshift family continued to grow.
Bullet came darting into the kitchen, Matthew right behind him. They both had recently resigned their commissions and were the newest members of Damian’s team. As was his way, Bullet dropped on his butt right next to Mom and me, too disciplined to beg for food but ever hopeful.
“He’s ridiculous. Six months out of the army and he has completely forgotten his manners,” Matthew teased but there was nothing but love in his tone. “Are you still thinking about getting a puppy?” he asked me.
I adored Bullet. We never had pets growing up, but I wanted a dog…so did Damian. “Absolutely.”
“When you’re ready, we’ll talk.”
“I’m so ready.”
“Alright. After dinner.”
“Sounds good.”
“I need to take this boy for a walk before dinner. We’ll be back.”
“Dinner will be ready in about a half an hour,” Mom said.
“I’ll come with you,” Anton offered.
“Me too,” Cam and Anton followed Matthew and Bullet outside.
We were just getting the food on the table when Damian arrived. The sight never grew old, watching him. He was still Damian, conserved his words, preferred the background to being the center of attention but I knew he loved me, as deeply and completely as a person could love. He had just reached my side when I grabbed his hand.
“I have to talk to you.” He let me pull him out of the room and up to my old bedroom. I shut the door and leaned up against it. He had a wicked little grin on his face.
“Miss me?”
“You know I did, but that’s not why I need to talk to you.”
I never knew anyone could stand so perfectly still and yet I knew I had his undivided attention.
“We never talked details, but…”
“But what?”
“I’m pregnant.”
He had no reaction, just stood there like a statue.
“I suspected, but I went to the doctor today to confirm it. Eight weeks. Baby will be born in May sometime.”
Still nothing. I hadn’t really been worried, but now I was beginning to.
“Damian?”
And then he was on me, had me pressed up against the door, the fingers of one hand pulled through my hair as his mouth claimed mine. He lifted my skirt, shifted my panties to the side and pulled his cock out, burying himself inside me like he was possessing as much of me as he could. And then he stilled, like he was committing the moment to memory.
“A baby,” he whispered.
And I knew that was exactly what he was doing, marking the moment. My heart should have burst it was so full.
No words were needed, the moment deeply poignant and then he lifted my leg to get better penetration just as he rocked his hips. I linked my fingers at his neck and pulled him closer. We found our rhythm and when we came, it was together.
He rested his forehead on mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re happy?”