Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I giggled at how easily he accepted my excuse, reminding me of the conversation Molly and Dahlia had back when I was first getting to know them. It was amazing how many things could be blamed on pregnancy hormones. And how many ridiculous food requests I could make even before the food cravings had kicked in.
“Did you remember to pick up pickles for my grilled cheese sandwich? And that yummy popcorn with the pink Himalayan salt that I’ve fallen in love with?” I asked.
“Of course, I did, baby,” he confirmed with a grin as he lifted his arm to show me the bag he’d been hiding behind his back. “Got you some chocolate caramels too.”
“Ooh, gimme,” I squealed, reaching out to snag the candy and pop one into my mouth. “Yum.”
“See, munchkin. Daddy did good,” he murmured as he lifted Corinne into the air to nibble at her belly. “And when you get big enough, I’ll bring treats home for you too.”
“I’m sure you will.” I beamed a smile at him. “You’re such a good daddy.”
He flashed me a satisfied smirk. “I sure as fuck hope so since we’re gonna have a bunch of kids.”
“A bunch, huh?”
“Yup.” He set Corinne back on the floor. “That’s what you want, so that’s what I’m gonna give you.”
“Lucky me.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I’m the lucky one, baby.”
He claimed my mouth in a deep kiss, and I whimpered when it was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone.
“No,” I cried as he pulled away to answer.
I couldn’t hear what was said on the other end of the line, but I knew it was serious when every hint of good humor was wiped from his expression. When the call ended, he tucked the phone into his pocket.
“Sorry, baby. Gotta go.” He brushed a quick kiss against my lips before explaining, “Some girl just called the clubhouse. Ice was in an accident.”
“Some girl?” I echoed, my brows drawing together. In all the months Zane and I had been together, I’d never seen Ice with a woman.
“No clue who she was, but it sounds bad.” His lips pressed into a grimace. “Blade’s on his way to meet him at the hospital, and he asked for some help getting Ice’s bike back to the club’s auto shop. I’m gonna meet Wrecker and Wolf there to give them a hand since we’re closer to where it happened.”
I’d been looking forward to a quiet night at home with him, but one of the things I loved most about Zane was his loyalty to the people he cared about. So I pasted a smile on my face and nodded. “I understand. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“You can curl up in our bed and get some rest.” His hand dropped to cup my belly. “You’ve got your hands full enough between taking care of Corinne and giving me another baby.”
“Go.” I patted his butt as he turned, earning me a hot look over his shoulder. One that I was sure he’d make good on when he returned home.
EPILOGUE
WHISKEY
The new apprentice at the shop was a pretty boy, and I had serious doubts about making it through his prospecting period. And he sure as fuck was too good looking to be sitting behind the counter with that shit-eating grin aimed at my wife as soon as we walked in.
“Hey, y’all,” he said in a smooth Southern drawl.
Ellery, of course, smiled politely as she always did. She was too damn nice for her own good.
But this little shit had to know his place.
I took Ellery’s hand, making sure he could see the big ring. I followed that up by putting my other hand on her belly—the one filled with my baby. Then I twirled her around so he could see the property patch on her back.
“Hey, prospect, did you clean my booth?” I barked.
His eyes snapped to mine as he swallowed hard. “Yes, sir. Are you expecting a client?”
“No, I’m going to use it to fuck my wife, now get the hell out.”
Ellery gasped, her body shrinking against mine.
The new kid blinked hard but didn’t say anything as he rushed out of the shop.
I gave him a wave before locking the door, then tugged Ellery along to my station. “Don’t worry, I’ll clean up afterward.”
“Zane,” she hissed but didn’t release my hand or stop me once I got us in the space where I tattooed clients.
“Did you see the way he was looking at you?” I growled.
Ellery rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, no one is looking at my pregnant body, especially not when we already have three kids at home, and I’m wearing your property patch and this.”
She held up her hand, the diamond sparkling between us.
I took her fingers, kissing each one. “I’m looking at this beautiful body, and I know that damn prospect was too. So he needed to know that you’re mine.”