"That might be true, but I'm guessing women would also realize when they're about to fall over from dehydration and seek some help."
I scoffed at his assessment. "I'm not dehydrated."
That was probably a lie. I hadn't been able to keep anything down for days. Even water came back up. It was actually pretty damn annoying.
"You most certainly are, and I'm tempted to take you to the hospital to get fluids in you."
"Over my dead body," I hissed back.
"Then be smart and stay here for a bit. Otherwise I'm taking the decision out of your hands."
I hated Maverick in that moment. I wanted the old Maverick back. The one who never challenged my rules. This new Maverick I wanted to strangle and not in a fun sexy kind of way.
"That's blackmail."
"So it is, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep you and our baby safe. Even if it is from yourself."
Our baby. I wasn't sure I would ever get used to that.
CHAPTER NINE
Maverick
Our baby.
Holy shit I was going to be a father.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be saying that. I long ago thought that ship had sailed. But here I was watching Jo sleep in my bed after I carried her upstairs when she passed out on the couch from exhaustion.
No wonder she was tired. Bee had said she had the flu, but clearly it was morning sickness. I didn't know the first thing about pregnancy, but I had heard enough men talk about how their wives were sick in the first trimester to have at least an inkling of what was going on. The rest I would learn through research.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and started looking up pregnancy books. If we were going to be in this together, then I needed to learn as much as I could before Jo pushed me away.
And she would. I had no doubt in my mind that this was going to be an uphill battle these next few months. I thoroughlylooked forward to it because nothing with Jo was ever easy, and more than likely, it sure as hell would be fun.
I finished checking out when Jo started to stir. It took a few seconds of her eyes fluttering open before she was able to speak. "Where am I?"
I chuckled. "I would think you were familiar with my bedroom by now."
Plenty of our sexcapades happened in this room.
"Of course I recognize your room, but why am I here?"
"Because I couldn't possibly let you sleep on my couch when you're carrying my child."
Now that reality had sunk in, I was getting excited about the prospect of becoming a father.
"Do you have to say it like that?"
I tilted my head. "Like what?"
"All possessive. This doesn't change a damn thing between us."
And there it was. The fight that I expected. I had to give her credit. I think this was a record. Usually the fighting only ever occurred after sex. Never before and certainly not after she slept in my bed.
"Well, it certainly changes a little because I fully plan to be an active part in my child's life."
"Stop saying that."
