Page 153 of Make You Mine

A chill runs down my spine. I gulp. “That’s…”

Devon’s nickname for me. The nickname the guy who hasn’t popped up in months gave me.

Not after Kayden and I finally admitted our feelings for each other, and I promised to keep him on a leash if needed. I joked that he got scared of me when I said that.

“Oh. Shit.” Kayden’s eyes widen. “Don’t tell me that’s…Is that what Devon used to call you?”

I don’t even wonder how he came to that conclusion himself. I nod.

“Then…how about⁠—”

“My wife is good. I am going to be your wife, it’s only fitting.”

“No, you don’t need to compromise. There are plenty of other nicknames.”

“But I am going to be your wife, Kayden,” I insist. “And I promised to love all of you, the good and the bad. Even if Devon was the bad side of you, I still felt drawn to you back then. And if that’s the nickname you came up with now, there must be a reason for it, too. I’m not choosing to avoid the past and the wrongs; I’m choosing to embrace them. And that nickname is part of it. I love it.”

His eyes light up. “And I love you.”

My chest flutters, a million butterflies spreading through it. It’ll never cease to amaze me, the way he makes me feel whenever those three simple words spring free of his lips.

“Talking about love”—he cackles—“we’ve gotten off track again. I was going to fuck you senseless in the confessional.”

“About that…” I bite my bottom lip. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it, my wife?”

I giggle. “We might want to slow down on the hardcore fucking.”

“Too much for you?”

“No. I—I love it.” My cheeks flame.

Kayden’s smirk won’t wipe off his face.

“It’s just that…I think we should be a bit more careful now.”

“Why?”

“My body isn’t what it used to be.” That’s the only way I can think of saying it without actually saying it.

“You’re talking like you’re old.” He scoffs. “Come on, my wife. You can take it. You take me so fucking well. What are you talking about?”

“Well.” I pause, the words at the tip of my tongue, trapped. “I’m not old, but…”

He pulls me closer, running a hand over my face, then my shoulders, to my hips, instinctively landing on my stomach. “You look fine to me.”

As he’s about to trace his hand lower, I stop him, grabbing his hand between mine and leaving it on my belly.

“I’m fine, I’m just…”

His eyes widen, and I feel his hands tensing.

A chill runs down my spine.

“No way. No. Don’t tell me you’re…” He pauses. “Pregnant?”

I nod. “We never used a condom. I never wanted to with you. I wasn’t concerned with the consequences.”