“Tell me about it. When she decides to kick me in the ribs at two in the morning, I’m wondering if she’s trying to escape already.”
I close my eyes for a moment and take in the fact that Vaughn’s hand is firmly planted against my body to feel the baby we created. Something about this feels promising… and special.
“Does it hurt?” he asks while he stares at my stomach to see the little pops of a foot from inside of me.
“Nah, it’s more of an ow that’s quick and just makes you laugh.”
“I guess we have to think of a name other than baby or she,” he mentions.
Is this happening? Is Vaughn Madden really sitting next to me, touching my body and promising he will be involved?
I hate how buried emotions that aren’t even his doing prevent me from fully believing him, but everything from the last few minutes gives me a little hope.
“A name, packing her hospital bag, installing the car seat, and ensuring the baby stroller is ready are all on my list. I have some stuff stored in my spare room.”
Vaughn can’t tear his eyes away from the spot where she kicked, even though she has stopped moving for a solid minute.
“Wow… so this is really happening.” He blows out another breath.
“You said the hurricane was nothing to worry about; turns out that it was way more than that.” I point to my stomach while his hand moves away to rake through his hair.
The corners of his mouth twist. “Guess so.”
We stare at one another in an intense way that’s filled with a lingering attraction, maybe even heightened because anger and fear tend to fuel it even more.
Vaughn clears his throat before he stands. “I need to head to the training arena.”
“Sure. I’m just doing a few things on my laptop today.”
“Good, you should take it easy. I guess I’ll need to keep an eye on you.”
My eyes bug out as I stand. “Vaughn, I’m an independent woman who won’t tolerate a possessive man.” It comes out a little too bouncy, and in truth, I kind of like it.
He chortles a sound before his smirk returns. “I beg to differ. You will absolutely tolerate it. You don’t have a choice. I mean it, Isla. I’m not going to play a game. My mind is clear that I’m a little wounded from the secret you kept, but I’m choosing to focus on what matters. You’re carrying our baby, and that’s what matters right now.”
I nod gently and roll my lips in response.
His eyes draw a line up and down my body for a once-over before he begins to walk away. “It’s also fucking annoying that even in this situation, this attraction around us doesn’t seem to fade.”
A sly smile hits me. “Tell me about it,” I respond softly in the same casual tone he used.
“Within three days you better be in my house,” he calls out without throwing me a glance.
When he leaves, he is like the breeze that blows through a house on a summer day; chilly at first but then a welcome relief.
Let’s just hope it stays that way.
14
ISLA
What in the world am I doing?
I keep thinking it to myself as I carefully rummage through the box for lighter items to take out and set in the room that most likely will be the nursery in Vaughn’s beautiful modern home. It’s on the side of the lake that gets great morning sun.
Fortunately, he is in his home office for a video call with a scout who is currently in Sweden. I’m kind of grateful that the last few days he has been very busy. Meeting after meeting and strategy planning, which is why we haven’t spoken much. Instead, he sent me the time of when the movers would arrive. In truth, from what I have seen from afar, he seems content with his new role and maybe dare I say more relaxed than he was during his last season of playing hockey… Then he looks at me and a shade of indescribable mixed feelings hits him.
Since the movers placed my stuff upstairs, I’ve been wondering how this situation will all play out. I can’t think clearly as my brain goes in multiple directions.
