“Is that a fetish for any pregnant woman or just this one?” She rubbed her hands up and down his bare arms, his shirt short sleeved.
“Just you. It might be a fetish when you’re not pregnant too. That much of one, you might end up pregnant again.”
It was something he kept mentioning, having another baby. She kept reminding him of the sleepless nights and worry and lack of time for anything other than the small person they were bringing into the word, but his response was always the same.I know all that. I saw my parents with Zack and Alex, and Jonny with his three. I’m not letting you have all the burden.And each time he said it, she fell a little bit more into something with him.
“You need to stop the threats. Given what your spawn is doing to my body, you might find your attraction dwindles.”
His hug grew a little tighter. They were still outside the distillery where they were meeting Layla. The summer sun was still working hard, although the eclectic mesh of lights around the factory were on.
“Do you really think I’m not going to love you more for the marks you pick up while you’re growing our baby?”
She froze. He’d never said those words before. They’d been living together and sleeping together, but neither had ever said the L word.
“You love me?” The question was out before she’d thought about it, leaving her vulnerable.
He turned her round in his arms and looked at her as if she was a rare specimen and he wasn’t entirely sure how to handle her.
“Completely.”
“Is it because I’m pregnant?” She felt a mild wave of panic, gripping his hands which were on her expanding waist.
He slowly shook his head. “I knew you’d think that. Some days, when you’re all moody and hormonal and very, very demanding, I love you despite the fact you’re pregnant. Although I’m not sure it would be any different if you weren’t.”
She glared at him. Then laughed. “You’ve never told me you love me before.”
“I have. But you’re always asleep.”
“Why’ve you never said it when I’m awake. It doesn’t count if I’m asleep.” She was torn between wanting to hit him and wanting to kiss him. And possibly something else.
“I wasn’t sure how you’d react. And I was hoping I was showing you how I felt. Clearly I didn’t do the best job.” He looked slightly concerned, making her heart twinge for him.
He had shown her. Little gifts like chocolates, a decaffeinated version of her favourite coffee, surprise treatments at the spa. Even just making her a cup of tea without asking or doing errands she felt too tired to do herself.
Her hands left his and went to his face, cupping his bearded jaw. “I love you Scott Maynard. And not just because you’re my baby’s daddy.”
His grin was huge and she saw the boy she’d adored. Then it changed, his eyes glinting in the same way they had every time he’d been mean to her, poking her with words.
“I knew I would.”
She started to boil.
“Would what?”
“Get you to say it first.”
Keren’s mouth fell open. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “Seriously.”
“Bastard.” She whispered the word, wondering if kneeing the father of your child in the balls was allowed.
Then his smile changed. “But I’ll be the first to say that I’m madly in love with you. I don’t just love you.”
She shook her head. “Scott Maynard.”
“Keren Leigh.” He moved in for a kiss, a slow, tender one that grew deep quickly and was definitely not child friendly.
“So I’m assuming this is the man who had his wicked way with you?”
