“I know, and you have no idea how much that means. But what I’m confused about is why I’m suddenly so emotional. I was just thinking about how happy I am with you guys and how lucky I am. I was thinking about how much my life has changed thanks to the two of you, and about how I might’ve spent the rest of my life being unloved if you hadn’t come along.”
Ryker uses my napkin to wipe away a fresh tear. “And that made you cry?”
Now I can’t help but laugh because the whole thing is so silly. “Like I said, I’m confused. I’m emotional for no reason lately. Up and down. I never know which direction I’m heading in next.”
Only when the room goes silent for a second longer than it should do I notice they’re looking at each other in that special way. Like they’re communicating without words. “What? What aren’t you telling me?”
Ryker’s forehead creases in a frown. “Are you pregnant?”
I laugh—until I stop. Until I start counting. When was my last period? How many weeks has it been?
“Oh, my God,” comes out in the tiniest whisper.
I might be pregnant. In fact, considering that I haven’t bled the past two months, chances are I am. I’ve always been able to look at a calendar and point out exactly when my next cycle will start. I’ve never skipped one, much less two.
A baby. I might be carrying a baby right now. One hand moves over my belly even though it’s way too early to feel anything yet. Still, the thought of there being what will eventually become a baby inside me makes me tremble.
We’ve never talked about kids. I figured we had all the time in the world for that if we ever wanted them.
What if they’re mad at me for getting pregnant so soon? Sure, they played a part in it, but that’s not how all men see it. Like it’s the woman’s job to keep any surprises from happening.
It takes all the strength in me to look at Ryker, then at Hunter. I’m not sure what I expect to see. Disappointment, maybe, probably worry because let’s face it, neither of them are parental.
To my complete surprise, they’re both grinning like a couple of idiots. “A baby. A baby! I can’t believe it!” Hunter stands, pulling me to my feet with him and wrapping me in the warmest, gentlest hug. “Our baby.”
“This is the best news ever.” Ryker strokes my hair and kisses me. “I couldn’t be happier. I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am right now.”
“If it’s a boy, it’s gonna be awesome! We can teach him to play baseball and how to throw a football—”
“We’re not that good at that,” Ryker reminds him with a laugh. “We were sort of busy with other things when we were kids.”
“Then we’ll watch videos and learn how to be better. He can play sports, but he has to pay attention in school, too.”
“What if he turns out to be like us?” Ryker gestures between them. “What do we do then?”
“No way. With her as a mother?” Hunter jerks a thumb at me. “This kid is going to be quality. They’re going to have the best of everything.”
“Time out!” I have to shout over them. “What if it’s a girl?”
I swear to God, if I ever thought getting pregnant would make the two of them turn white as a sheet at the same moment, I would’ve tried to conceive way earlier than this. I stunned them speechless, and I can just about see the wheels turning in their heads as they try to wrap their minds around the thought of having a daughter.
“I’ll fucking kill anybody who puts his hands on her,” Ryker growls, and Hunter grunts in agreement.
I put an arm around both of their waists. “We have plenty of time before we have to worry about that. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, okay?”
“Damn, Sugar, you make me a happy man.” Ryker envelops me in his arms, then surprises me by lifting me off my feet, one arm under my knees and the other around my ribs.
“What are you doing?” I laugh as he marches me to the stairs with Hunter close behind.
“What do you think?” He growls close to my ear. “I need to be inside you. I’m so fucking hot for you right now. Carrying our baby. Making our family whole.”
I settle against him, looking over his shoulder to where Hunter nods in agreement. We reach the bedroom, the room the three of us share, and Ryker lays me across the bed like he’s holding the most precious thing in the world. I feel like a queen, like a treasure. Because of them.
Hunter peels off his shirt while Ryker drops his shorts. There’s hunger in their eyes, and I know it matches what I’m feeling now that they’ve stirred up the dark need I feel for them. Before they’ve even touched me, I can feel their hands, their lips, and their tongues. And I know that as always, they won’t stop until I’m completely satisfied. Until I have everything I need.
The only thing I need is the two of them. Now and always.
* * *