Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
The bed dips as he joins me again and I open my eyes, prepared to thank him for rushing my brother off the phone. But Brody is scowling at me. “You’ve been keeping something from me, lamb.”
“I’m not telling you what I got Ryker for his birthday. You’ll have to see it for yourself,” I tease.
Ryker and I have a special bond. He was there for me in the hours after Brody was shot and I’ll forever love him for staying with me. But he doesn’t make my toes curl or my stomach clench with just one look. He doesn’t have that same commanding growl that makes my panties damp. And he definitely doesn’t thrill me with a touch. No, those reactions belong only to my husband.
Brody drops the white box with the pregnancy test between us on the sheets. “You haven’t taken it yet.”
I swallow hard. We’ve never talked about kids. I’ve been on birth control since the first time we’ve been together.
Two months ago, I switched to a different brand in the hopes that it would decrease some of my anxiety. It definitely helped with that.
Now I’m thinking there may have been a gap in our protection, despite my efforts to time everything correctly. “It’s best to take it in the morning and I meant to take it but then I saw the panties and…”
“That’s not why.” His gaze is deep, penetrating. He’s always had the ability to see through me, to lay me bare with a single look. He says I have the same power over him. It’s been helpful as we’ve navigated each other’s trauma responses but for once, I wish he couldn’t read me so easily.
He waits and when I’m still quiet, he asks, “Are you afraid?”
Once again, he’s managed to read me. I’m not sure he understands why I’m hesitant. Having babies with Brody would be a dream come true for me. Yeah, it’s happening earlier than I’d ever thought it would.
Still, we’ve had vastly different childhoods. I grew up feeling loved and secure, knowing I always had two people I could count on. He didn’t have anything close to that. “Do you want kids?”
A soft smile lights up his features. “I’ve thought about starting a family with you a million times. I’ve always wanted to see your belly round with my babies. I’ve imagined what it’d feel like to see you cuddle with our little ones and hear their sweet voices call you mama.”
Relief fills me at his words and tears spring to my eyes. I want that future that he’s painting a picture of. I want us to build a beautiful family together. “So, you’d be OK with this?”
“I’d be over the fuckin’ moon,” he promises.
I prop up on my elbow. Excitement is filling me now that I know he feels the same way. “Can you stay with me while I take it then?”
“I’ll always be with you.” He brushes a kiss across my forehead before he follows me into the bathroom.
Four minutes.
Four minutes is how long it takes us to learn we’re going to be parents. The moment he knows, Brody scoops me into his arms. He presses kisses all over my body before dragging me back to the hotel room bed and making love to me again.
Later as I drift to sleep, I can’t help smiling. My strong warrior became my husband and the father of my children. He protects me passionately and loves me fiercely. I have no doubt that he’ll do the same for our little family.