“Angel woke me when she bolted for the toilet.” His worried expression was precious. He was desperately in love with Maddy, to the point it made him physically ill when she was sad or sick. Last week during supper, they’d officially announced she was ten weeks pregnant. They couldn’t wait to share the news until the second trimester. Pregnancy in this place would not go unnoticed anyway. “She wasn’t like this with Birdie.”
“Each experience is different,” Tina told him with a smile. She was at the island preparing a platter of waffles.
“I had horrible morning sickness until the third trimester, but that’s common with twins.” I’d spent enough time hugging the porcelain bowl to last ten lifetimes.
Storm’s fork stopped at his lips. “Twins? You don’t think…” He lowered his hand.
I patted his shoulder. “No, I don’t think Maddy is pregnant with twins, but would it be so awful?”
“I don’t know.” He drew into himself. Not good, with him needing to be at his top performance for the meeting.
“Don’t worry, Storm.” I needed to get his mind on something else quickly. “So I’d been meaning to tell you, I’m going to visit my friend later today.” What had I just said? Visit my friend? Jack was the only one I’d visited in the past. Perhaps my subconscious was interfering.
“What friend is this?”
Shoot. I hadn’t expected Storm to question me. I’d only mentioned, “a friend” to get his mind off of his pregnant wife. Now I had to roll with it.
“You know, my friend who works at a day spa. She’s going to pamper me.”May lightning not strike me down for lying.
“I don’t think you should leave the compound until we return from The Cities.” He dug into his breakfast, appearing less anxious.
I put my hands on my hips. “I’ll be back by the evening.”
“Sugar, I don’t know how today will go. It should be fine, but it’s safer if you stay here. Reschedule your spa day and make an appointment for Angel. She could use some pampering. Hell, I bet all the pregnant women in this place would love to go.”
Great. This conversation was going to hell in a handbasket. I didn’t have a friend who worked in a spa. I’d made it up when I’d sneak off to see Jack. What would I do if Storm insisted I take all the pregnant old ladies for some pampering?
I twisted my lips as I watched my nephew shovel food into his mouth. Going to Iowa wasn’t a horrible idea—way to think on your toes, subconscious. I could talk to Jack about Art. He was the only person not connected to anyone at the club, and he was a fantastic listener. Before my feelings had changed for Art, Jack had been helping me get back to living… and sex. But I hadn’t felt more for him than friendship.
“I’ll be fine, Storm. I promise to be back before it gets dark.”
“Are you going somewhere, Sugar?”
“Oh, dear,” Tina whispered from behind me.
I slowly turned around. “Morning, Art. Help yourself.” I jerked my chin toward the food. How dare he question me in front of Storm and Tina? I needed to set this man straight before my house of cards crashed onto my head.
“Thanks.” He grabbed a plate and served himself.
I went to pour him a cup of coffee as I would’ve done for any other Knight. The muscles in my shoulders tensed as I felt his eyes on me. I drew in a shaky breath and carried the steaming mug to the table where Art had sat across from Storm.
“Here you are.” I forced a smile.
“Thanks. So, where did you say you were going today? If it’s the store, could you pick me up some conditioner? I’m out.” Oh, he was a clever one. He ran his fingers through his lustrous hair. It wasn’t short like Storm’s and several others or long like Grizzly’s. Art’s hair was the perfect length for grabbing during sex.
God help me. My stupid mind shouldn’t go there. I couldn’t stop thinking about him wanting to take my virgin hole. Matt wasn’t into anal. Frankly, I’d never considered it until Art had said he wanted it. Now I was intrigued.
Art cleared his throat. “Sugar, did you hear me?”
Storm hiked his brow.
“Check the storage closet upstairs. There should be an extra bottle in it.” I went back to the island. Tina was looking at me with wide eyes.
Terrific. I didn’t need her getting weird now that she knew the truth about Art and me.
“Her friend is going to pamper her today. Whatever that means,” Storm so helpfully said. “I told her to reschedule until we know what Deek’s up to.”
“I agree, Prez. For Sugar’s safety, like the rest of the women, she should stay put.”