I glanced down at my lap, studying my hips.
Christ. I didn’t think it was, but… I calmly and coolly—hopefully—set the whipped cream far,faraway from me. And the rest of the box of cereal. Pure sugar. I didn’t need all that.
Grigori lost it then, he was laughing so hard.
Daniil’s hand landed on my knee under the table as everyone stared at Grigori like he was deranged. Daniil leaned over the table putting the box of cereal and whip cream back in front of me, giving me a look that clearly stated he didn’t think my ass was that huge. But still, I really didn’t need to eat all that. Er…my gaze got caught on the whip cream. Maybe just a little more wouldn’t hurt.
Grigori bumped Ember in his hilarity, breaking my train of thought…because she was the only one not staring…and she jumped. Literally squeaked, too. Oh, Jesus. She was freaked.
Grigori’s laughter cut off abruptly at her reaction, his face snapping to her. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” Ember squeaked again. “I’m good.”
Grigori’s eyebrows slammed together, and he growled, “What’s wrong? You’ve been jumpy since youfinallycame to bed last night. I don’t even think you slept when you did.”
Ember stuffed her mouth full of pancake, mumbling almost incoherently around her food, “Nothing’s wrong.”
He lifted his hand and took hold of her chin, turning her face to his. She continued to chew calmly, but her hands were shaking next to her plate and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. She stared firmly at his nose—and it flared.
Any conversation that had begun to slowly take place around the table, everyone multitasking with their eavesdropping, abruptly cut off when Grigori shook her chin—head—a little, hissing, “What the fuck is wrong? You’re acting scared shitless.”
Ember’s fingers clenched on her silverware, which did stop the shaking, but pretty much confirmed his statement.
As the seconds passed in silence, little sweat beads broke out of his face. “Are you going back tothem?”
Ember stopped chewing.
Come on Ember. Be smart. See what was in front of you, dammit. The man loves you completely. And I knew why she was scared, too. She was planning on having that talk with him about making babies. That would freak anyone out.
For the first time ever, there was hope in her expression as she swallowed heavily. Her regard relocated from his nose to all over his perspiring, but carefully neutral, face. “No. And don’t ask me that again, please. You should know by now I’m not going back to them.” She glanced up into his eyes, but she quickly dropped them when his eyebrows pulled together. “And you’re right. I didn’t sleep well. It’s making me jumpy.”
Silently, Grigori sucked in a breath and he nodded, running his hand over her jaw to her throat, and back behind her neck. He leaned down and kissed her lips gently, whispering, “I won’t ask again.”
Grigori was missing something. Something big that he couldn’t see from his elevated height. Ember’s eyes were hooded as she kissed him back just as gently, but I could see. Ember was getting ready to take the plunge by the set determination slowly filling her eyes. She cleared her throat, placing her silverware down, and turned in her chair to look directly at Grigori.
He blinked, probably because he saw Ember’s face was serious. Like somebody died, serious.
She took his hand and cleared her throat. “Grigori. You mean the world to me.” The table went silent. “I won’t ever leave you. No matter your answer to what I have to say.”
She licked her lips in a nervous action, but she threw her shoulders back and kept going. “You’re the strongest, most incredible man I’ve ever known. That I ever want to know. You’re all I could ever want in a man.” She smiled softly, and it was timid and sweet, making my heart melt for her.
Her cheeks pinked a little, and she hesitated, her breath hitching. She glanced down at where she held his hand, but she gradually looked back up at him. Her voice was strong when she stated, “I want to have a baby with you. And even though this is a typical girl comment, I’m going to use it because it’s true. I’m not getting any younger, and I would love for us to be parents together.”
Grigori’s face was so damn blank, I wanted to hit him.
She was trying. Really, really trying. Being honest. And she looked so damn hopeful…and sweet.
Ember shut her mouth and waited to hear what he had to say. She was trembling. Yep, she was pretty damn scared. I probably would be too if I had just made that speech in front of everyone.
Grigori breathed evenly for at least thirty seconds, staring into her eyes, and said gradually, in a deep voice, “I’m honored, honey, but I need a little time to figure out if that’s what I want, too. Children are such a huge step and so much responsibility. And, me being a father, I—” he licked his bottom lip, his expression breaking from his careful control, appearing decidedly nervous, “I’m not positive I’m ready for that.” He leaned down, touching the tip of his nose to hers. “But, if I did decide I want children, you would be who I’d choose to have them with. I love you, honey.”
Ember’s cheeks stayed pink, and she nodded. “Okay. I understand you need time.” She cleared her throat, fidgeting with his fingers. “Just…um…think about it, will you?”
Grigori’s lips twitched slightly until it turned into a soft smile. “I have been. Ever since Papa told us they were having triplets, and I realized you wanted more.” He kissed her lips. “Just a little time. That’s all I’m asking for to figure this out.”
Ember’s mouth opened a little in shock, fully realizing Grigori had already been thinking about it. But danced away and a small, secretive smile played on her lips as she murmured softly, “Remember, it could be fun making those babies.”
He grinned full out.
