Unchain My Heart(37)

Ryder peered into the box, curious about what had excited me this much. It was a box full of salted caramel Tim Tams, famous chocolate-coated biscuits from Australia. Laughing, he shook his head. “That should take care of those midnight cravings, huh?”

I kissed him, a big, open-mouthed sloppy kiss. Ryder had been amazing. Even if I woke in the middle of the night and craved something we didn’t have in the house, he’d get on his bike and go out to get me whatever it was. I loved how well he took care of me.

“Ready for your appointment, babe?” he asked as he pulled a T-shirt over his head.

My mouth hung open. “You’re coming with me? I thought you hated hospitals and doctors.”

He grinned. “I want to see the baby on the ultrasound and hear her heartbeat.” He took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles. Then he leaned down, lifted my top and planted kisses on my stomach. “Hear that, Peanut? Today we are taking pictures of you.”

“Okay, I love that you are coming . . . but I was planning on shopping after the appointment,” I said apprehensively, biting my bottom lip as I waited for his reaction.

“About that . . . I was thinking I could take you to lunch and then tag along and help you pick all the nursery stuff.” He gave me a smile that melted my heart. Ryder and shopping did not mix. He’d never put his foot inside a shop if he didn’t need to. But his offer was sincere and I was going to jump at it.

I smiled. “Baby, that’s so sweet. Lunch and shopping. I think it's going to be an awesome day.”

“So come on, Princess, let’s get the day started. Get your purse.” He kissed my cheek then pulled me by the hand toward the door.

Five minutes later, we were driving to the doctor’s office. Ryder didn’t want me on the back of his bike since I’d had morning sickness, and no matter how much I tried to convince him that I was indeed fine now, he didn’t like the idea of exposing us to the elements. So we were in my little sports car, Ryder driving with the same skill he used when handling his bike.

“Been thinking, babe, we are going to need a family car once Peanut is born. A big SUV that has safety features and a shitload of airbags.”

I laughed. “Seriously? The biker wants a safe vehicle?” Ryder was surprising me. I’d never imagined he would be concerned about these issues. We still had months to go before Peanut was born. But I couldn’t suppress a smile—it made me happy that he was thinking long term. And about the wellbeing and safety of our family.

“Yeah, I’ve been researching the safest SUVs. I'm test-driving two next week.”

I gulped. This was moving fast—in a few short months I’d gone from being a daddy’s girl, safely living with my parents, to now becoming a parent myself. With my biker. And talking about being responsible. I chewed my lip as I watched Ryder from under my lashes. Was he going to go the distance with me? Once the baby was there, would he stick around to be a daddy? He had no real role model on which to base his ideas of fatherhood. Would he handle it, or would he run when he saw how much a baby tied a person down?

Ryder’s freedom meant the world to him. He cherished it and thrived on it. It was what made him who he was. When things got too much for him, he’d jump on his bike and do a runner. Now I was basically asking him to stay put—to have permanent responsibilities. Me and Peanut. Could he do it?

Luckily I had my investment portfolio that would take care of me if it ever came to it, but I'd much rather build a life with my man. And women with babies could have a successful career, too. Nobody could take my education away from me.

“Why are you frowning, babe? That’s going to give you wrinkles,” he joked, knowing how anal I was about taking good care of my skin.

Playfully, I swatted his arm. “You never cease to amaze me, Ryder Knox. That is all.” My gut told me that Ryder was in for the long haul—I had to stop doubting that he would always be in my life and start being grateful to have him. My life with him wasn’t going to be the white picket fence or the mansion on the golf estate as I’d always believed it would be, but it would be filled with love and laughter and happiness. And that was so much better. I couldn’t ask for more.

We pulled up at the doctor’s office and Ryder came around the car to help me out. It was getting progressively more difficult to do simple things, even this early in my pregnancy.

“Thanks, honey.” I stood on tiptoes and kissed him. “For everything.”

Strong arms circled my waist, pressing me to his chest, both of us hardly aware of the people around us although we probably got a few incredulous stares. He kissed me hard, and for that moment everything was perfect.