“If you know the numbers, why do you expect it to happen now?” Esme questions, genuinely confused.
I snort because I’m surrounded by babies. Lifting my hands I respond. “Look around, Esme.”
She laughs and makes fish faces at baby J. “Oh right, these cuties. I would say don’t let this discourage you but I feel there’s more to it.”
Esme always seemed to have a way looking below the surface. Three pairs of eyes are trained on me to await my answer.
My face flushes. “We got married to create a child.”
“What!” they all ask in unison.
“He asked me for an heir after he saved my life.” I wring my hands and look down at my tan nail polish. I hyper focus on the chip at the tip of my forefinger. “I told him I’d only have his baby if we get married.” I feel the sting of tears again. “First, it was about fulfilling my part but now…” I pause to take a breath. “I don’t want to disappoint him.”
“And there it is,” Esme announces.
“Yup!” Karessa and Ainslee agree.
“What?” My question hangs between us as I look around.
Esme passes Jagger to Karessa when he starts fussing.
“Um. Try not to be alarmed. It's a condition a lot of people learn how to navigate,” Esme says with a pat to my thigh. “I’ll get us some drinks.”
“What condition? What are you talking about?” I inquire to Esme’s back.
Ainslee giggles as she switches her baby to her shoulder to burp him. “What she meant to say is, congratulations, you’re in love with your husband.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Imala
My week was brutal and emotionally draining with Wyn missing and my period kicking my ass. Speaking with my sisters and Ainslee helped me admit that I am in love with Wyn. We’ve managed to avoid talking about deep emotions but we weren’t filled with angst. Now, I can understand that my desire to uphold my part of the deal was fueled by my desire to make the man I love happy.
Still, the unknown hurts. What if I’m unable to conceive? Will he still love me? That question always brings tears to my eyes. I’m so in love with Wyn, I hurt my own feelings. He’s a kind man and I can’t imagine him being so callous but he wants to be a dad and that desire could outweigh any feelings he may have of me. Although I was happy to say goodbye to my period, I still find myself far more emotional than I would like.
It’s Sunday afternoon and I feel somewhat better that he’ll be home in the morning. Time with him will get me out of my head. I know the stats and the girls reminded me to be patient but the perfectionist in me is raging. I’ve succeeded at the most mundane things while having yet to accomplish this one big thing.
The rain hasn’t let up all week. My umbrella has stayed ready. Letting it out, I run to the doors of the mansion. Rain drops still find a way to get me wet but I fantasize about the herb bath I plan to draw the moment I make it to our room. A soothing warm bath used to be at the top of my list over my favorite things until I discovered sex. Now, it’s a distant second.
My shoes squeak in the foyer as I maneuver out of them. I hum as I climb the stairs; that bath is calling my name. I collide with a solid chest the moment I clear the landing.
“What the he—" I was prepared to scold Berke for his ninja-like walking but almost cry when I look up into blue-green eyes.
Wyn is the bare-chested culprit this time. Fresh from the shower, his hair is slicked back and glossy but that’s all I see before his lips crash into mine. I moan at the urgent kiss, relieved he missed me as much as I missed him. I lock my hands in his hair and return the heat I’m receiving without hesitation. Fuck that bath. My best stress reliever’s hand just snaked up my dress to squeeze my near bare ass.
My need for him has me willing to climb his body in the hallway.
“I must admit, I didn’t think you two were capable of this much heat.”
We break our kiss to watch Berke take a huge bit of his club sandwich. He leans against the wall chewing as if watching his brother make out with his sister-in-law is the most natural thing to do.
“Go away, Berke,” Wyn grumbles.
“Wow. Is that how you greet your brother?” Berke’s sculpted jaw works to break down the next big bite. “And here I was getting ready to tell you that I’m happy for you. Your sex life looks promising. Thank God you two aren’t in there discussing regulations and schematics of love making.” He shakes his head. “I half-way expected to find a lesson plan or some shit in your room.”
“Why the fuck are you still here?” Wyn wants to know.