Leo quirks a brow at me. “How do you mean?”
“Because,”—I lay my hand on top of his, keeping it locked in place—“any time you talk to the baby, they’re always more active. They know who their daddy is.”
The smile on Leo’s face does something to my insides. It’s like he doesn’t know the effect he has on me or the baby. This kind, sweet, and gentle man is turning out to be so much more than I ever thought.
Leo is the most intense man in the boardroom, commanding it with an energy that would unnerve me if I didn’t know him. But now that I know this softer side to Leo, it’s all I see. There’s so much goodness in this man. I don’t know how I got so lucky to find him on my first day in the city.
Sure, we would’ve met eventually, but our relationship would be so much different if we hadn’t slept together. What was once the worst thing to happen to me is turning out to be so much more.
Possibly the best thing that’s ever happened in my life.
Chapter Twenty-One
Reagan
“Do you really have to go into the office today?” Leo straightens his tie as his gaze finds mine in the mirror. “It's a Saturday.”
“Only for a few hours. I shouldn't be gone too long,” he promises.
I push the comforter back, getting out of bed. Leo's T-shirt stretches over my bump as I walk over to him. “Why is it that you have to wear a suit and tie when going into the office on a Saturday?”
My hands brush over the wool fabric that strains against his shoulders. He turns, a smile spreading across his handsome face. “I'm still the boss. I didn't get to own one of Australia's largest companies by looking like a slouch in a T-shirt.”
“Are you saying I'm a slouch?” I look down at what I'm wearing.
“You, Reagan, are the furthest thing from a slouch.” Leo's lips gently brush mine, igniting a flurry of butterflies in my belly. “Now, I need to get going if we’re going to spend the afternoon together.”
“You’ll meet me at the beach later?” I wrap my arms around Leo, sinking into his touch.
His fingers brush the hair back from my face. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good. Now get going. Because the sooner you leave, the sooner I get to see you again.” I give him a slap on the ass as he walks out of the room.
Leo turns, piercing me with his stare, before eating up the distance between us. I’ll never get tired of those eyes when he turns them on me. He makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world that matters.
Pulling me into his arms, I let my fingers run over the soft material of his shirt, feeling the definition of muscles he works so hard on. “You better behave, Miss Foster, or I’m going to throw you back into that bed and show you who’s boss.”
“Then maybe I should misbehave to get you to stay home with me today.” I rest my chin on his chest, my eyes staying locked on his. How is it that this man has become so important to me? I’ve never been one to rely on anyone, priding myself on my independence. But somehow, Leo has become someone I depend on. It’s the little things he does that make me feel cared for. It should scare me. But Leo has stepped up for me in every way imaginable.
“As tempting as you are, I need to get going. I’ll see you soon.” He drops another kiss on my lips and is out of the room.
The sun’srays are hot despite the cooler temps. Sydney’s skyline is prominent in the distance from where I sit at this quiet beach. Even though it’s fall, it’s the perfect day for a picnic. It’s been a long few weeks at work, keeping the project on track while slipping out for doctor’s appointments.
Leo and I haven’t had much time together. Aside from a quick lunch here or there, we’ve both been stretched thin to get the project wrapped up before the baby arrives. Wanting to spend the day with just him, I packed up our favorites and took the ferry out to this secluded beach.
Sipping the sparkling water, I check my phone again. Nothing from Leo. He was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago, but it’s still just me and a family crashing through the waves at the other end of the beach.
The dad is chasing his son through the water, happy smiles on their faces. I can hear their laughter from here.
Will it be like that with Leo? Will we get days like this together with our child? Or will Leo’s days be whiled away in an office? I was so worried the last time I came back from the doctor that I really didn’t stop and think about Leo missing the appointment.
He was there that night and the entire next week, waiting on me hand and foot. Chastising me if I lifted a finger to do anything. Before, that amount of overbearingness would drive me up the wall. I cherished being able to do everything on my own.
But with Leo, he never made me feel like I was a burden to him. Now, listening to his phone go to voicemail, I feel like one. Like raising a baby with me might not be what he wants.
I sigh, dropping the phone into my lap. Grabbing a sandwich out of the basket, I try to push my growing anxiety down.
My phone buzzes, and I answer it without glancing at the screen. “Leo? Are you on your way?”
