Page 90 of Worth Risking It

“Hey, little guy,” she whispered, nuzzling it. “Oh, I’m going to love you so hard.”

I was panting, staring in awe at the spot. There was a human being in there. Under that thin tee shirt and layer of skin was a living creature…my future son.

Gently brushing Chastity aside, I set my foot on the floor, bent forward, and laid my cheek on Amanda’s stomach. The baby moved again, and my heart swelled, falling madly in love with him in that instance.

Lifting my lashes, I gazed at my kitten. Cupping her cheek, I pulled her forward and gave a small, tender kiss. My lady and my son. What more could I ask for?

My kitten broke away from my hold and clapped her hands, rising to her feet. “Let’s go upstairs. I bought you some maternity clothes. We’ll have a little bit of a girl’s day, make you feel pretty, and pamper you while he,” she grumbled, throwing her thumb over her shoulder. “Shovels the last of the snow and gets a little more firewood.”

Amanda shook her head, crying again. “You guys are simply amazing. I’m glad you two will be raising my son. You’re going to be a wonderful family.”

Her cheeks blushing, she cast me a glimpse over her shoulder just before standing and leading her up the steps.

What more could I want? That right there, exactly what Amanda stated. I just didn’t think it was possible, and I was terrified of telling Chastity our plans weren’t going to work.

Chapter 37

Chastity Pampinella

Ever since that one afternoon, Wyatt had clocked my period so he could make sure he had at least one hour with me, even if Milo was in town. Had anyone ever told me I would be with a man who was obsessed on going down on me during that time, I would have laughed in their face and then been horrified.

The man was an untamed monster now. Like women when they got close, their cycles synced, it was almost as if somehow, his system knew. Last month, I was doing dishes, and had only been bleeding for a couple hours when he slammed his chest into my back, fisted my hair, and lurched it until my neck was bent as far as it would go.

I can fucking smell you. Upstairs. Now.

Who the hell was I to argue? My fat ass had never climbed those stairs so fast, too impatient to even wait for the elevator. When I’d stumbled into his apartment and gone to his room, he’d already had towels spread over his bed. Afterward, when I asked him how he knew, he admitted he had a calendar on his phone that kept track of my cycle.

Not that I need it. The moment my eyes opened when I woke up this morning, I could sense and smell you all the way up here, he’d said, his voice gruff and raspy as he washed the stain off his face.

Crossing my legs at the dining room table, my elbow on the surface, I tugged at my earring and smiled, gazing at nothing in particular. I should be ashamed of what we did, but I wasn’t. I was proud that my blood fed my man’s soul. Not too many couples could say they had a bond like ours.

Sadness sank in my stomach, my heartbeat slowing. But we weren’t a couple. We were a sordid affair. I was married.

My attention flitted to Milo who was ending his phone call. Married life had been wonderful, so far. If I thought the man was obsessed with me before, it was nothing compared to now that I was his wife. He made sure he dropped that title every chance he got. I was no longer, “Chazzy,” I was referred to as, “his beautiful wife.”

I set my chin on the heel of my palm and watched him, the grief ebbing out and the other love flowing in. How did I do it? How did I freely love two men and so easily switch back and forth between the two lives? There was very little guilt in my daily routine, either, for I knew Milo still had a few lovers. I had pretty much given him the green light in Florida, so long as he used protection.

Did he, though? We’d had that conversation before, I’d been given that promise, only to find him seconds from jizzing inside my so-called best friend.

My lashes batted and my spine straightened. Jennifer. I had forgotten about her. In fact, I hadn’t even heard any of my friends mention her lately. Had she moved back to North Carolina? What happened to her?

“No, no. It’s okay. I understand. I mean, I would have liked to meet her before the baby was born.”

Bristling, I tuned into Milo’s conversation. Was he speaking with Wyatt?

“No problem, buddy. Just let me know when the little whippersnapper’s here and me and Chazz will come out and meet him. All right. See you soon, Wyatt.”

I cleared my throat and picked up my wine glass, taking a sip to hide my excitement. Amanda was five weeks late. Another week, and they were going to induce. Apparently, nature finally kicked in.

He groaned and tucked his phone to the breast pocket of his suit jacket. “Wyatt’s girlfriend is in labor.”

Feigning surprise, I grinned and set the glass down. “Really? That’s so exciting.”

He twisted the corner of his mouth and rolled a shoulder. “Well, maybe not. Apparently, the two aren’t going to make it. That’s why he never bothered to introduce us.”

My brows furrowed, playing my part perfectly. “What? I’ve talked to her a couple times. She never gave me any indication something was wrong.”

“Did he?”