Laughing, Mila looks at me. “I’m not sure I have the energy for that kind of surprise, Kash.”
“Is sex all you think about, Mila? Honestly? I told everyone they were wrong when they said you only wanted me for my body.” I feign hurt.
Rolling her eyes, Mila allows me to lift her in my arms, and I walk us toward the bedroom. The private beach house not only leads right out to the sand and water, but the semi-closed balcony sealed the deal for me. The owner was kind enough to let me adjust my earlier reservation.
Moving the blankets, I lie down, pulling Mila close to my side. She curls into me, getting comfortable. Not feeling close enough to her, I tug our shirts and pants off and pull her body partially over mine. I grab a blanket and cover us, releasing the breath I feel like I’ve been holding for days. From when I realized she was missing, to finding her and then waiting in the hospital. I finally feel like I can breathe, knowing she’s here with me and okay.
Our suitcases lay untouched by the closet, and as I eye my backpack by the wall, I momentarily feel a buzz of nervousness. This weekend has to go perfectly.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Mila
Sitting in a chaise on the balcony, I hold a cup of tea in my hands and stare out at the waves as they crash against each other. I miss being at the beach. Between the kidnapping and the hospital, with people in and out, I just need a minute to myself. Kash is as close as ever, not wanting to leave my side for more than a few minutes. I think the longest he was gone was the day I got out. He disappeared for two hours, saying he had some things to take care of, and he wouldn’t be gone long. He apologized no less than twenty times when he came back.
Resting my hand over my stomach, the doctor’s words echo in my head.“With the dosage of the drug you ingested, there shouldn’t be any harm to the baby. You’re early enough that they should be safe.”
Pregnant.I’m pregnant with Kash’s baby, and honest to God, I don’t know what to do. I truly don’t blame Kash for any of what happened. It’s not his fault that he has a literal crazy ex, but when I think about how close I came to dying, and our baby along with me, its crushing. I didn’t even know I was pregnant when everything was happening, but looking back, I should have guessed. I was tired and emotional all the time, and now, as I stare at the horizon, watching the sun set, I have no idea how the hell I’m going to tell him.
Sure, Kash has expressed interest in having babies and a family with me, but lots of men say things like that. My God, we haven’t even been dating that long—four or five months at best. Putting my head in my hands, I take a deep breath. I guess the pill isn’t as effective as I thought it was given that I’m about ten weeks along. I’ve taken it forever, so I don’t know how it failed me.
Rubbing my hand along my stomach, I smile. I’m not sad about being pregnant. I’ve always wanted a family, and honestly, I was a bitworried after the way my parents struggled. I’m just concerned about Kash’s response to it all. Saying you want kids, and then finding out you’re going to have one, are two completely different things. It’s different when things become real. Kash could decide he actually doesn’t want this, and then I’d be left with a piece of him and a broken heart. As soon as the thought comes into my mind, I push it out.
Kash would never abandon me. The man has a location app on his phone, for crying out loud. I was a bit mad about that when he explained at the hospital that’s how he found me so easily, so I guess I can’t be completely angry. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t even want to think about what could have happened. I probably wouldn’t be here right now.Weprobably wouldn’t be here.
“What are you doing out here, baby?” Kash slides the door closed behind him. Jumping in my seat, I whirl around to look at him.
“You scared me. Don’t do that,” I lightly scold him, then freeze. He walks toward me in his boxer briefs, not bothering to put clothes on in his search. His tattooed chest and thighs are fully on display, and a flash of heat goes through me. His loose hair blows in the evening wind, and he’s wearing his glasses. His eyes light up when they find mine, and I’m suddenly a lot less worried.
Offering me a small smile, he leans down and kisses my head, nudging me lightly to make space. “Sorry. I woke up and saw you were gone and panicked. Don’t do that. You should have woken me up. I don’t like sleeping without you.”
Standing up to move, I tug my shirt down. Kash halts my movements when I stand and he takes my spot on the lounger. He tugs me into his lap, draping my legs across his. He wraps his arms around me with a soft look. His brown eyes are locked on mine. “That’s better.”
As I lay my head against his chest, I debate on when I should tell him about the baby. Should I wait until everything is settled with Bri, or should I do it now? Just rip the Band-Aid off and tell him,Hey, guess who has a bun in the oven? Us.
Listening to the steady thrum of his heart, I smile.
“What’s funny?” Kash interrupts my thoughts. “I can feel your smile against my skin.”
Pulling back to look at him, I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing. Just taking in the moment,” I lie.
His chest rumbles. “Well, I hate to cut this short, but I have dinner planned for us. How long do you need to get ready?”
Thinking it over, I almost ask if we can stay in, but stop when I see the hopeful look on his face. Kash always wears his heart in his expressions. I don’t have it in me to deny him. “Maybe twenty minutes? Is that okay?”
Kissing my lips softly, he pulls back and stands with me in his arms. I loop my arms around his neck and lean up to press my mouth against the side where my tattoo rests. I feel Kash shiver beneath my touch, then giggle when he groans. “Small change of plans. We’re going to be late.”
He seals his lips over mine with a searing kiss. It’s full of heat and promise. Kash opens the door easily, then walks us straight to the bedroom, his mouth never leaving mine. Once inside, he places me gently on the bed and runs his hands up my thighs, pulling my shirt as he goes. Leaning over me, Kash gives me a filthy look right before he takes my lips again.
“We’re going to be very late.”
We end up being almost an hour late, but it was worth it. Since the incident happened, and I got out of the hospital, it’s the first time I’ve felt like myself. I feel like we’re just a normal couple on a trip together, not one who’s hiding from someone trying to kill them.
With his fingers threaded through mine, Kash holds my hand and walks us toward the beach behind the house we’re renting. It’s way too big for both of us, and when I pointed that out to him, he just shrugged. I’ve vacationed here enough with my parents to know it's not cheap. North Carolina has so many beautiful beaches; this one is no exception.
The sun already set a while ago, but it’s a gorgeous evening. The waves crash against each other, the swash hitting the sand. The moon and stars are on full display, and it reminds me of the night we froze during the meteor shower. Kash lays out a large blanket, gesturing for me to sit. Settling in, I inhale the salty air and watch as he unpacks a few pasta dishes.
“I ordered these while you were getting ready. There’s a little Italian place nearby and they remind me a bit of La Stella’s.” Handing me a warm container of pasta, Kash smiles sheepishly. “I had this going a different way, but after our nap, I kind of got sidetracked.”
