Barbara smiled as she pointed at the tiny pulsing shape on the screen. “There’s your little peanut.” A rhythmic whooshing sound suddenly filled the room. “And that’s the heartbeat.”
The faint, rapid flutter filled the room, strong and steady, and I suddenly couldn’t breathe. I stared at the screen, mesmerized by the tiny life we’d created, and a rush of emotion hit me so hard it was almost overwhelming.
“Keegan,” Linden whispered, squeezing my hand tightly. “You okay?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, little dove. Just…damn.” I swallowed hard, my voice hoarse. “That’s our kid.”
“Yeah.” She smiled, her eyes shiny with tears. “That’s our baby.”
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the screen in stunned silence. This woman was carrying my child. It hit me with a force that nearly dropped me to my knees.
“Everything looks perfect,” Barbara murmured. “Healthy heartbeat and right on track for how far along you are.”
I barely heard her, my eyes still locked on the screen. Linden squeezed my hand again, bringing me back. I glanced down at her, my chest tightening at the love and happiness shining in her eyes. And I realized something then that sank deep into my bones.
I’d been flying all my life, but this was the first moment I’d ever felt completely grounded.
Later that evening,I walked into the bathroom, and Linden smirked at me through the reflection as she stood at the mirror, brushing her teeth. When she was done, she grinned widely. “You seemed pretty moved during the rest of the ultrasound.”
I quirked a brow as I walked up behind her, crowding her until she had nowhere to move. Then I caged her in with my hands on the edge of the counter on both sides of her.
“I was happy.”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure I detected some suspicious moisture in your eyes.”
Scoffing, I muttered, “Don’t know what you’re talking about, little dove.”
My expression made it clear that she should stop there and not head in the direction I was sure she was going.
“Your eyes were definitely a little teary back there,” she replied with a giggle.
My chest pressed firmly against her back as I moved my hands to rest low on her belly, still flat but soon-to-be beautifully swollen.
“You think you’re funny, huh?” I growled softly, dipping my head to bite gently at her neck.
Her breath hitched, the toothbrush she was still holding clattering to the sink. “Maybe a little.”
“Hmm.” My fingers slid beneath the edge of her shirt, tracing slow, deliberate circles over her soft skin.
She shivered, then teased, “You know, it doesn’t make you less manly to cry.”
“Careful, little dove,” I growled. “Or I just might need to remind you how manly I can be.”
Her eyes met mine in the mirror, dark and hungry. “Please do.”
I spun her around, my mouth crushing hers as I lifted her onto the bathroom counter. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me close, and my hands roamed every soft, perfect curve. I stripped her slowly, making sure to taste and tease every inch of exposed skin until she was trembling beneath me and begging for more.
“You drive me fucking wild, baby.” I bit lightly at the swell of her breast. “Always so beautiful, and always mine.”
“Yes,” she gasped, arching toward me. “Always yours.”
I took her right there, her legs locked around me as I sank into her, hard and possessive. She screamed my name, the sound echoing off the bathroom walls as I fucked her deep, claiming her all over again until she shattered around me, over and over, pleading for release as I pushed her higher each time.
“Again,” I demanded, growling into her neck as I slammed home. “Scream for me.”
She clenched tight around me as she screamed, dragging me over the edge with her.
Afterward, we lay tangled in bed, her head on my chest, both of us breathing hard. “Manly enough for you?”
