Oh, damn.I melt into him without even thinking. I forget that my back hurts. Instead, I focus on the feel of him, his warmth, the steady certainty of his touch. My skin buzzes, and heat coils low in my belly, as it always does when he’s close.
When he pulls back, I almost drag him back in again.
The only thing that stops me is that we’re not alone. And I don’t want to traumatize Juno and Theo—and the poor unsuspecting visitors wandering around the gallery.
As always, he has that hint of hunger burning beneath his devotion. I’m pretty sure if we were alone I’d be bent over the desk, my leggings down around my ankles and my husband buried inside me.
I can’t say I’d be mad about it either.
His hand moves to my bump, like it always does these days. It’s like he can’t stop touching me, can’t stop reaching for our baby.
“I’m happy to see you, but why are you here? I’ve still got two hours left.”
He rubs circles over my back, like he can feel the ache that has plagued me all day. “You look tired.”
I raise a brow. “I am tired. I’m four-months-pregnant-tired.” I place my hand over his, stopping his motion. “But I have stuff to finish.”
“You’ve been on your feet too long today. That’s why you’re hurting.” I step back just a fraction so I can look at him properly. He doesn’t blink or look away, which means he’s feeling guilty and trying not to show it.
“How do you know I’ve been on my feet too much?” He opens his mouth and closes it. I narrow my eyes. “Have you been watching me on the cameras?”
He rubs his jaw, wincing just a fraction. “Is there any answer here that’s not going to result in me sleeping on the couch?”
I sigh. “So that’s what you spend your day doing? Stalking me on the security feed?”
He grips my hips, holding me in place as if he’s scared I might pull away. “I’m your husband. I can’t stalk you.”
“So that’s what you do when you’re at work? Just watch me… also at work.”
His thumbs rub circles on my hips. “I worry about you.”
I don’t care that he’s watching me, not really. That’s not new in our relationship. What I care about is the fact he came here and what his expectation is now that he’s standing in front of me.
I fold my arms over my chest. Not as easy as it once was between the growing belly and boobs. “So you’ve come to drag me out of here?”
He freezes. “No. Fuck no. That was the old Jensen, remember? I’ve grown.” He gives me a cocky lift of his lips that makes me swoon a little. I’m only human after all, and my husband is very easy on the eyes. “I’m not here to demand you go home. I trust you know your own limits.”
Okay, that is growth.“So you just dropped in to… What?”
“I came to see if there’s anything I could help with, so you can sit down and take some pressure off your back.” His fingers flex against me. “Use me. Put me to work. I am pretty good at lifting shit.”
And just like that, I melt a little more. I know he’s here for his own sanity, but yeah, it’s sweet that he came to help.
If he saw me on the video feed bent over like a dying whale, I’m not surprised he dropped everything. I probably looked pitiful.
My silence, even though it’s only for a moment, has him stepping into my space, until there isn’t even air between us.
“I’m not trying to control you, Mia. I just saw you were struggling, and I can’t stay sitting at my desk while you’re in pain, sweetheart.”
I’m a sap, because I fall into that headfirst.
“I’m not mad.” He looks relieved. “And you can stay to help me, but I’m making it clear now—I’m not going home. I have so much to do.” I grip his shirt, pulling him in to me. “It’s very hot that you came here to help your poor aching pregnant wife.”
I don’t miss the flicker of relief in his expression. “Taking care of you while you’re carrying my child is the bare minimum you should expect.” He presses a kiss to my shoulder where my sweater has slid a little. “I’m sorry you’re hurting, sweetheart.”
I sigh, leaning into his kiss. “I’m just whining. Ignore me.”
“You’re not whining. You’re growing a whole human while managing a business. You’re doing amazing. You amaze me.”
