“I’ll text you when we’re headed home,” I let them know.
Leo salutes me and drives away. Olivia turns to walk toward the hospital entrance, but I grab her hand and pull her back toward me. She turns, her eyes widened in surprise. I push her gently against the trunk of the car and palm the back of her head, massaging her scalp lightly. Hey eyes flutter. She loves it when I do that.
I lean down and capture her mouth with mine. From her small gasp, I know I’ve surprised her. I’m not normally a public display of affection type of guy, but something in my gut tells me she needs it. When she grips the side of my shirt and pulls me closer, I know I’m right. As much as I want to get lost in the heat of her body, I keep my senses about me because Donovan could be watching us right now. Which gives me a sick sort of pleasure.
I have what that fucker wanted. I have what he took by force, but she’s giving it to me willingly. My heart beats heavy against my ribcage as I slowly end our kiss and rest my forehead against hers, desperately wanting to tell her how much I love her.
“You’re mine, Olivia,” I tell her instead. “Forever.”
She doesn’t respond, but her comforting hands move from my sides to my back, rubbing gently along my scars like she wishes she could take them from me. I inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Does she realize how much comfort she brings me?
After Josie, I never thought I’d have a submissive again. I didn’t want one. She broke me in ways that are hard to explain. With Olivia, she has helped heal those parts of me I never thought would be whole again. I step back and smile down at her.
“Come on,dolce ragazza. Maybe she’s had the baby.”
Olivia snorts. “I really doubt that.”
We all settle in the waiting room. Olivia crosses her leg and begins shaking it. I let her be for now, because everyone is a little anxious right now. Bec is pacing and Bailey is biting on the tip of her thumb.
“I wonder how long it will take,” Ansley says. Lincoln has his arm draped over her shoulders. I glance at Olivia out of the corner of my eye.
“I’ve heard it can be within hours or could last two days or more,” Olivia says, surprising me slightly.
Bec stops her pacing and turns to face Connor. “Five years,” she says with no explanation.
He laughs and pulls her onto his lap. All of them are openly affectionate. Even Julian, who is the quietest of the group, is constantly touching Bailey.
“Five years, what?” Bailey asks, a wide smile on her face. Glancing at Olivia, I wonder if that is what’s bothering her. All of her friends are open about their relationships, but they have no idea what’s going on between us.
“Shit,” Bec says, covering her face.
“If I’m not mistaken, Liv just freaked Becca out, so now we can’t have kids for at least five years,” Connor says with a grin. Bec turns to him with surprise and he kisses her. “I told you, you are it for me. Of course I want everyone to know.”
“How’d you know that’s what I was thinking?” she asks.
He huffs. “I always know what you’re thinking.” She and Bailey scoff at the same time. “What?” he asks.
Bailey glances at Bec, who waves at her like she’s giving her permission for something. Bailey crosses her legs and raises her eyebrows at Connor. “If you always know what Bec is thinking, how did you not realize she loved you for years?” I want to tune this out, but Olivia seems invested in this. She obviously wants to know the answer as well, so I watch her.
Her eyes flit to me, but when she sees I’m looking at her, she quickly looks away. I rub my hand along my jaw, thinking about this weird conversation between Connor, Bec, and Bailey. I pride myself on being able to read Olivia and knowing what she’s thinking, or at least pretty close, but she’s also really goodat hiding her emotions and feelings. Something is bothering her today. I’m not sure if it’s the baby or if it’s how everyone’s relationship is so open.
I finally tune back in when Olivia asks. “Who do you think will be next?”
“Next what?” Ansley asks.
“The next to have a baby,” she clarifies. She folds her lips between her teeth like she regrets asking the question.
“Lincoln and I don’t want kids,” Ansley says. Olivia freezes next to me and slowly looks up from her lap.
“After Ansley’s boutique has been open for a year, we’ll start traveling.” Lincoln smiles at Ansley.
She kisses him before turning around, facing everyone else. “I can’t wait.”
“We should travel before having kids,” Bec says to Connor.
“We have five years, apparently,” he deadpans. She laughs. Connor turns to Julian and Bailey. “What about you two?”
They share a look, and Julian shrugs. “We haven’t discussed that yet. I’m not in a hurry, but I’ll be ready when Bailey’s ready.”
