Being the center of attention like that just wasn’t…her. It was Dewi’s job to take care of others.
That’s the way Dewi preferred it.
In fact, if Ken wasn’t her mate, she wouldn’t let him do as much for her as he had been lately, but it made him happy.
Thus, she let him.
An ironic cycle she found herself stuck in.
They walked a short distance to a restaurant across the street from the public beach and overlooking the Gulf. It had outside patio dining on its upper floor. While the waiter looked amused when Dewi ordered two large steaks for herself, she somehow managed not to growl at him.
Once they were alone again, Ken smiled and took her hand in his. “I’m proud of you.”
“For what?”
“For not growling at him.”
She felt her cheeks heat. “Guess I thought that kind of loudly, huh?”
“Yeah.” He squeezed her hand. “You’re freaking adorable, babe.”
“No, I’m not. I’m freaking…enormous.”
“You’re not even halfway yet. The doctor said you’re fine.”
“I still feel enormous.” So far, she’d been able to keep wearing her jeans and shorts, as long as she kept them low on her hips.
Another couple of weeks, though, she knew she’d need to either force herself to go shopping for clothes or order some online.
As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, she closed her eyes and drew in a long breath. It was pleasantly cool for a February evening in Florida, and a light breeze carried the scent of the water to her. She found the sound of the waves soothing and peaceful.
When Ken next spoke, he sounded serious. “What’s on your mind?”
“Frickingeverything,” she muttered. “I can’t shut my brain off.”
“That’s what this weekend is about. Have you ever even had a weekend off like this before?”
She opened her eyes to find him staring into hers, concern radiating from him.
“No,” she quietly admitted. “I don’t know how to relax.”
“Frickingduh,” he joked, finally smiling. “Sky’s blue, grass is green, the Gulf is salty.”
“So am I,” she snarked. “Salty, that is.”
He laughed and brought her hand up to his lips, feathering them over her knuckles. “I can think of something else that’s salty,” he whispered.
A frustrating wave of desire washed through her. “If I wasn’t so goddamned hungry right now,” she muttered, “I’d drag you back to our room and fuck your brains out.”
* * * *
Ah, success.
Ken had suspected if he could redirect Dewi’s thoughts onto him that it would take her mind off work for a little while. It all boiled down to his intimate knowledge of Dewi’s two speeds—go, and sleep.
Ken was under no illusions that if he wasn’t her mate, he wouldn’t have any sway with her at all. Saying she was strong-willed and independent was a massive understatement.
He hoped he could keep her distracted all weekend.
