"Your giant children are the reason I need new pants in the first place."
"Exactly. My responsibility."
She's quiet on the walk to the car, but it's a comfortable silence. I load the bags in the back while she settles into the passenger seat.
"That was actually fun," she says as I start the engine.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She's smiling, small, and genuine. "I haven't done something that normal in a long time. Just... shopping. Like a regular person."
"You are a regular person."
"You know what I mean." She rests her hand on her belly, where the babies are clearly moving. "Everything feels so big and scary and complicated. But today was just... nice."
I reach over and take her free hand. "We can do nice. We're good at nice."
"We really are."
Back at the apartment, Sloane disappears into the bedroom to put away her new clothes. I'm in the kitchen pulling together a snack when she emerges wearing the leggings with pockets and a soft tank top.
"Comfortable?" I ask.
"So comfortable." She moves behind me, her arms wrapping around my waist. "Thank you for today."
"Anytime." I turn in her embrace. "Seriously. We should do more stuff like this."
"I'd like that." She goes up on her toes—not far, given her current center of gravity—and kisses me.
It starts soft. Sweet. A thank you kiss that tastes like happiness.
Then her hands slide under my shirt.
"Sloane—"
"I need you," she says against my mouth. "Right now."
"Right now?"
"Right now." Her fingers work at my belt. "Tucker, please. I'vebeen thinking about this since you called me beautiful in the store."
"You are beautiful?—"
"Less talking. More sex."
I don't need to be told twice.
I lift her onto the kitchen counter, and she immediately wraps her legs around my hips, pulling me closer. Those new leggings hit the floor in record time. My jeans follow.
"Bed?" I manage, even though the counter is right here and she's already reaching for me.
"No time." Her breathing is ragged. "Just—Tucker, please?—"
I slide into her in one smooth motion, and she gasps, her head falling back. I grip the counter on either side of her hips, giving her what she needs—fast, hard, exactly how she wants it. Although, I might like it slow and gentle. Maybe with her cuddling me and falling asleep together, my hands on her stomach.
"Yes," she breathes. "God, yes, just like that?—"
It's quick and desperate, and this is what she needs. She comes first, her whole body tensing around me, my name on her lips. I follow seconds later, burying my face in her neck, breathing her in.
