My gaze narrows on his large, rough hand protectively curled over my pale stomach. “I’m scared,” I whisper.
“Of?”
I rub my thumb over his and he twines our fingers together. “I don’t want to jinx things. It’s still early and I’m so scared of losing…” Don’t say it. Don’t say it. “Of something happening,” I finish.
He lets out a slow breath. Only as his body relaxes underneath mine is it obvious he was worried about my answer. “So, it’s not me.”
“You? No, why would you think that?”
He lifts his hand, like he’s preparing to list a number of reasons. “Ex-con, old enough to—”
“No.” I wrap my fingers around his and bring his hand back to my stomach. “That’s never crossed my mind.”
“Never?” He raises his eyebrows in disbelief.
Frustrated, I sit up and slide out of his lap. “You’re not ‘ex-con’ or ‘older guy’ to me.” I cup his cheek and turn him to face me. “You’re just ‘man I love very much.’”
He tips his head and brushes his lips against my wrist.
“I’m a little embarrassed how soon it happened,” I admit. “I hate people thinking I tried to trap you or that I’m careless or something.” I shrug, feeling silly now that I said that out loud.
“Since it’s my kid, my opinion’s the only one that matters. And I don’t think that at all.”
“Good, glad we cleared that up.” I pop another kiss on his cheek, grab my tea and head to the kitchen.
“What are you doing? I’ll make you breakfast.” Gray follows me.
“I just want toast.”
“You need to eat protein. Let me make you an egg.”
The thought of an egg sends a wave of revulsion rolling through my stomach. “Nope.”
“Peanut butter on the toast at least?” He opens a cabinet and pulls out a glass jar. “It’s that organic, only-peanuts-and-salt-not-in-a-plastic-jar kind you said you prefer.”
Laughing, I take the jar out of his hand and set it on the counter. “You remembered that?”
“It seemed important to you.”
“I read this thing about pesticides and allergies. I just don’t want to eat something that might not be good for junior.” I grab a spoon from the drawer and twist the lid on the peanut butter. When I can’t open it, Gray pries it from my hand, gives it a quick twist and screws off the top.
“And I love that about you.” He slides the jar over to me. “None of that stuff would ever occur to me.”
“I can’t stop thinking about it.” I take a small lick of peanut butter, then spread some on my toast.
“That’s the kind of stuff I was talking about when I said I want you to let me help you.”
I pause and set my spoon down. “You help me with lots of things.”
“Okay. Well, if there’s more I can do, tell me.”
“You’re late!” Emily shouts.
I close the front door and kick off my shoes. “Give me five minutes to change.”
She races over to meet me, thrusting her phone in my face. “How do you know Shelby Morgan?”
Laughing, I grab her phone and check out the photo of Shelby and me. “She’s engaged to one of Gray’s friends.”
Her eyes widen. “By friend, do you mean one of his biker brothers?”
“Yes. Rooster.”
“Rooster.” She raises an eyebrow. “I bet there’s a cock joke in there somewhere.”
“Probably,” I laugh. “He’s a really nice guy, though.”
“Gee, this must be some club if all the guys are so nice.” Her mocking tone prickles over my skin.
“They are…well, to club family.”
“Be prepared.” She snatches her phone away. “Libby’s going to grill you big time. She loves Shelby Morgan.”
“Really?” I don’t know Shelby well enough to ask her for favors. And she’s already done me a huge one. But maybe she wouldn’t mind signing something for Libby. I’ll have to ask next time I see her.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Serena
“Ready for our big day, buttercup?” Gray leans in and kisses my cheek.
“I think so.” I open the front door wider and shout, “Em, I’m going!”
“Okay. Good luck!” she calls out.
I pull the door closed behind me and join Gray outside. “You didn’t have to come to the door to get me.”
He stares at me as if I shook a can of soda in his face and popped the top. “What do you want me to do, sit at the curb and honk the horn like a teenager?”
“Well, you don’t have to be so formal. That’s all I meant.”
He holds the passenger side door open for me and helps me into the truck. “No one’s ever called me formal before.”
I sigh as he closes the door and rounds the truck.
“Are you nervous?” he asks once we’re on the road.
“Honestly, yes.” I smooth my long skirt over my legs. “I’m not a fan of having wands shoved up my vagina.”
Gray chokes. “Is that what we’re doing today?”
“You didn’t read any of the stuff I sent, did you?”