Hard(71)

Finally the walls came down. No hesitations. No excuses. Just me and her and absolute honesty.

“I love you too.”





I smoothed the comforter around us as Zach crashed, the instructions for a tricky mobile still clutched in his hand. The little woodland creatures that belonged over the crib scattered across the room. Defeat never looked so cute.

He tossed an arm over his eyes. “I’ll finish it in the morning. Or I’ll pay someone to do it for me. That fucking mobile is harder to crack than the crib.”

I snuggled against him. “I think it’s great you’re trying to build it all.”

“I can strip and assemble a rifle in a minute. Can’t figure out baby equipment.”

“You love it.”

He couldn’t hide the dimples. “So do you.”

I bit my lip. The folded envelope rested on the nightstand. Inside, a card from my doctor with the results of the day’s sonogram. I managed to ignore it all day, but I cuddled next to Zach, and the baby heard his voice. The little butterfly flutter punted me from the inside. I stared at the sealed card.

“Are you sure you don’t want to know if it’s a girl or boy?” I asked.

“Thought we wanted it to be a surprise?”

I thought a lot of things over the past few months. I thought of how lucky it was that Zach rested beside me. How amazing it felt to have him there for late night ice-cream and soft pretzel runs. How awesome it was that I found a charity that shared my goals.

I was blessed with both a baby and Zach. Our family grew every day, healthy and together.

But sweet Mary and Joseph I wanted to know who the little trooper was kicking in my belly. I couldn’t wait three whole months.

I reached over Zach. He stole my arm and kissed it before I swiped the envelope.

“Nope,” he said. “You ordered me to stop you.”

“I also told you to leave the estate and get out of my life forever.”

He grinned, motioning as if to get out of bed. “A promise is a promise.”

“No!” I giggled, pulling him to me. “Don’t you dare. A girl can change her mind.”

And thank goodness I did.

Zach gave me a scolding glance before he kissed me.

“You wanted.” His lips moved from mine to the delicate angle of my chin. “To keep it.” I bent my head back as he gently sucked at my throat. “A surprise.”

Oh, the things he did to me…most notably the bump in my belly. The baby was nowhere near done cooking, but the swelling excited both of us. Zach’s hand rubbed over my tummy, but his lips and teeth nipped at my teddy for another reason entirely.

I grinned as he tugged the lace away, kissing my dark, satin skin with an unrivaled devotion. I settled into the pillows as he rose over me. After a long day of doctor’s visits and charity work, stopping at the gym to check on the underprivileged, teenaged military hopefuls Zach trained, and then unsuccessfully constructing more equipment than a baby could ever use, I was ready for a little R&R.

Besides, my body became so sensitive since entering the second trimester. I practically trembled so near Zach. My nipples darkened, hardened, and teased. My curves softened, my belly swelled, and the crest between my legs wetted for any attention from my husband-to-be.

Zach knew what I wanted. He drew a nipple into his mouth. He suckled hard just to watch the goose bumps tickle over my skin. Every quick dip of his tongue zipped a spark of pure electricity through me. It clenched me from the inside out. I arched, but my belly knocked into his chin. He grinned.

“Liking that?” he asked.

“Don’t tease.”

“I’m not teasing. I’m savoring.”

I tapped my belly. “Savoring is what got me into this predicament in the first place.”

“I should have done it sooner.”

I laughed as he kissed a path over my tummy. He whispered a gentle word to the baby before edging down lower and lower. I squirmed into the mattress, ready to explode before he even touched me.

Nothing was better than this.

I ran my fingers through his hair, stilling over the few places where the scars of his surgeries still showed through. Zach didn’t like dwelling on the injuries. He quickly distracted me with a single lick to my aching, slickening slit.

I couldn’t move as quickly anymore, but he liked that. Easier for me to stay in one place for him to torment and delight. I groaned as his tongue danced over my most delicate areas, growing more and more sensitive as the days progressed. Every flick and kiss dazzled me with promised pleasure.

I hoped it would always be like this. Us. Together. In love. Enjoying each other’s bodies, relying on each other’s strength, eagerly waiting the start of our family.