“So you liked it?”
“Like you even have to ask.” I snorted.
“I do have to ask,” he said, not a trace of humor lurking on his lips. “Because you’re my woman and I need to make sure you’re taken care of.”
My gaze softened and I reached out to cradle his cheek. “That was perfect. And it was everything I didn’t know I wanted, but I did.”
He turned his head and kissed my palm.
“I think I need another shower,” I said. “I’m a bit sticky.”
“You, all wet and soapy? Yeah, I’d enjoy that.” He hoisted himself off the bed. “Seriously, though. You okay?”
I sighed and nodded. “I’m okay. I’ll probably be a bit sore, but I guess that’s just the price I have to pay.”
He leaned down and kissed my lips. “I’ll get the shower going.”
Nodding, I sat for a moment on the bed to get my bearings. Slash was already in the shower when I entered the bathroom. We’d already showered once together—after I’d finished work—so this would just be a quick rinse.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, noting my bright eyes and easy smile. I turned sideways and slid my hand down my body to rest against the gentle swell just above my pubic bone.
“Little acorn,” I murmured.
“You say something?” Slash asked.
“Oh. I was…I was talking to the baby.” I opened the glass door of the shower and stepped onto the warm ceramic tile floor.
“What were you saying?” Slash asked. He rinsed his hair and shook his head before grasping my hips and guiding me under the spray.
“I was calling it a little acorn.” I bit my lip, suddenly feeling vulnerable. “I know the standard is to call it a peanut, but…”
“But?” he prodded.
“My dad used to call me acorn. It’s silly. Never mind.”
“Why’d he call you acorn?” Slash asked, not letting me change the subject.
I reached for the soap and began to make a lather. “One day when I was little, I was feeling like the world was too big and I didn’t know how I was going to find my way in it. Dad picked up an acorn and handed it to me. He pointed to an oak tree and said, ‘How does something so big start from something so small? The package doesn’t matter, does it? The acorn knows it’s supposed to turn into a tree. You’re small now, but one day you won’t be. One day you’ll just know what to do.”
I smiled at him. “I was thinking about getting an acorn tattoo.” I pointed to the spot behind my ear. “Just there.”
“You said you’d never thought about getting a tattoo.”
“I wasn’t ready to tell you what I wanted marked on my body.”
He nodded.
I traced the inked clock heart on his chest. “I wish you’d tell me what they mean.”
“They mean you’ve got to go on living, even when there are times in your life you wish you were dead.”
I flinched. “Slash…”
“I’ve got a past, Brooklyn,” he said tightly. “Please don’t ask me to relive it.”
Chapter43
“My sincerest thanksgoes out to Brooklyn Palmer and her amazing team from Pie in the Sky bakery. Without them we wouldn’t have had such wonderful desserts, and a wedding cake that was not only beautiful, but absolutely delicious.” Imogene smiled as she raised her glass. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Brooklyn.”