“When is your baby going to be born?” I studied her belly. She didn’t have a baby bump like Jaynee and Angel.
“Around Christmas,” she patted her tummy. “A baby is the best present.”
I looked at Mommy. “When will you have a baby?”
“Hopefully by next spring,” Daddy said.
“Abe, don’t tell her that. We can’t predict the future.” Mommy shook her head, but she was smiling.
“Embrace it, baby. It’s happening.” He took her hand.
I giggled at them. They were the best mom and dad ever.
27
Cobra
My entire world was in this kitchen, under my roof and protection. We were at the table eating pancakes Karma had made for Nova’s seventh birthday. The birthday girl hadn’t stopped smiling since she woke up. Later this afternoon, we were going to the farm for a little party. Nova was beyond excited about it. She loved playing at Granddad’s and Grammy M’s house.
When I thought about what could’ve happened to Karma and Nova the night Stein broke into her place, I wanted to kill him all over again.
The fucker had regained consciousness while in the dungeon and told me all kinds of shit about my woman, shit I hadn’t told her about, like loving his cock and other sexual crap. I hadn’t believed a single word out of his mouth. The stupid fuck had made ending his life more painful than I had intended, giving my switchblade a workout. Consequently, it had been the most satisfying slaughter of my life.
The past couple of weeks had been phenomenal. Nova had fully embraced me as her dad. It was like the broken pieces of my soul had miraculously healed. We grew more comfortable with each other and closer every day. I loved that kid more than I ever thought possible.
“I’m going to take a shower.” Karma stood from her chair and kissed my cheek. “Just put your plates in the sink, and I’ll load them into the dishwasher later.”
“Not so fast.” I wrapped my arm around her waist, stopping her before she left.
“What?” She laughed, shooting me a heart-stopping smile.
“I’ll load the dishwasher.” I glided my palm over her thigh, making her tremble. I loved that she wore one of my black T-shirts to bed. Well, in the morning, she put it on before Nova saw her. My woman liked to sleep naked.
“You will? But you don’t know how.”
“I’ll help Daddy do the dishes,” Nova said with a full mouth.
“See? She’ll help me.” I squeezed Karma’s ass, wishing I could carry her to our bedroom and worship her body with my tongue. I never got enough of her.
“You sure are sexy right now, talking about domestic chores. What will you do next to make me love you more than I already do?” She leaned against me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Hmm, Mr. Knight?”
“You know my mission is to put my baby in you. Will that secure my place in your heart?”
“How do you put a baby in her tummy?” Nova tilted her head and stared at me.
“Welp, that’s my cue to leave.” Karma pecked my lips. “Nice going, Daddy.” She giggled, sashaying out of the kitchen.
“Really? You can’t leave me now.”
“Sure I can. You opened the can of worms. Next time, choose your words carefully around our little girl.”
Our little girl, I never got tired of hearing those words.
“And Abe?”
“Yes, baby?”
“You don’t have to do anything to make me love you more than I do. You just have to love me.”