19
Chapter Nineteen
Sophia
It’s been two weeks since our visit to Austin and we have had Face Time chats with my parents nearly every day. It was awkward at first, but soon the conversations flowed naturally and it felt like old times again. I can tell that they already love Dom almost as much as I do.Almost.
“Dom, I’m almost four months pregnant now,” I begin my argument.
Knowing me as well as he does, he quirks one eyebrow up and dares me, with the playful gleam in his eyes, to continue. “Yes, I’m well aware of your pregnancy status. Your protruding belly is one clue.”
“I’m out of the danger zone now. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health,” I continue making my case.
“That’s not exactly what she said. She said to still be cautious about any changes. You were having cramps when we were at your parents and you didn’t tell me about it until much later. Remember?”
Oh, yes, I do remember that.I was punished for my withholding of important information and it wasn’t a good punishment. Until the doctor cleared me, Dom wouldn’t take a chance on giving me a punishment fuck or even a spanking. What he did punish me with was actually worse. I wasn’t allowed to touch him in any way for a full week-day or night. I couldn’t even snuggle with him in the bed and he made sure I didn’t by putting pillows between us.
“Dominic, I tried to explain that to you. I wasn’t hiding it from you. It just felt like an upset stomach and it’s embarrassing to discuss my gastrointestinal problems with you,” I respectfully retort. “But, I’m okay now.”
He crosses the room with his eyes fixed on mine. The flames in them have me rooted to the floor. His commanding presence has me in awe. He’s only wearing his lounging pants and they hang low on his hips, showing off his perfectly sculpted abs and that damn sexy V that I licked repeatedly last night. He’s already had his workout this morning before I ever woke, so he’s fully awake and alert.
Bending so that his eyes are level with mine, he grabs my cheeks in his hand and holds my face as he speaks. “Sophia, we’ve discussed this. You are to tell me when you have any health problem, regardless of how small it is. It may start small but it can quickly escalate and I’m not taking any chances with your health. After everything we’ve done to each other, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about anything with me.”
Releasing my face, he kisses my lips and walks back to the closet. “Now, what is it you want to ask me?” he calls out.
“It’s time for me to go back into the office and work. I’ve worked from home and kept my hours minimal. I’m able to go back to full time now until the baby is born.”
He steps out of the closet slowly and pins me with his gaze. “Surely you’re joking,” he deadpans, but there’s an icy undertone. “Two break-ins at my office and they haven’t found out who is behind it yet. Harrison and Cortez are actively plotting against us and he has already hurt you once. There have been two attempts on my life. But you want to go into the office to work while you’re pregnant.”
“Dominic, I can’t stay locked away inside the house forever. I love you and I love working. I’d be there with you, Shadow, Tucker, and the building security. The break-ins were at night after everyone had left. There are several other employees there, too. Plus, the office is an hour away from home, so if anything happened here, you wouldn’t be able to get to me in time anyway.”
Drawing his hand across his face, along his jawline until his fingers meet in the middle of his chin, he considers my argument. At least he listens to me and weighs all sides of the equation before making a decision. I can’t very well go against his wishes about work because he will just fire me since Texas is an employment at-will state. My Dom will get his way with me regardless.
“Fine. You can come back to the office–with conditions. You’ll ride with me to work and back home,no exceptions. If I have to go out of town and you can’t go with me, youwillwork from home while I’m gone. You will not goanywherealone except to the bathroom, and I am even considering having Dana escort you in there,” he replies sternly.
Rushing to him, I wrap my arms around his neck and lift up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Thank you! I’ll hurry and get dressed so I can ride in with you today.”
Dominic holds me tightly to him when I try to move away. His slow smile covers his face and his hand goes under my shirt. I roll my eyes, but I am sporting the biggest smile myself. It’s become a daily practice for him to gently rub my stomach and feel our growing baby bump.
“I can’t wait to feel the baby move,” he murmurs to me. “You are so beautiful pregnant, I may have to keep you knocked up all the time. Maybe then you’d quit working.”
I playfully swat his arm as I say, “Oh, stop it! I’m in the office with you! It’s not like I’m looking for another job somewhere else!”
“Don’t even joke about that,” he replies with a serious tone.
I can’t stop the laughter that bubbles up out of my chest. “Dominic, where would I go? And why would I go? I have all the perks I could ever ask for with you!”
“Speaking of perks,” he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, “I think it’s time for our shower.”
“We’re going to be late for work,” I try to object, backing away from him one step at a time. He begins moving slowly and deliberately toward me, stalking me like I’m his prey, and watching me through his brows. The feral look in his eyes is such a turn-on because I know it means he has wild things in mind for me.
“I’m sure your boss will understand,” he quips.
In a split second, he takes off in a sprint toward me and I squeal in laughter as I turn to run from him. He’s already caught me, though, and I’m swept off my feet into his arms. I love our playful times, especially in the midst of all the stress we’ve been under. The times when it’s just Dominic and I are the best because he doesn’t show this playful side to many people.
“You won’t be able to carry me for too much longer.”
“I’ll just work out harder if I have to, babe.”
