Page 31 of Daigo

"Using my feelings against me. Stop it."

Sighing softly, she closed the distance between them. Even in her heels, she barely reached his shoulders. "I'm not doing that, honestly." She brushed invisible lint from his tuxedo jacket and admired the superb cut.

The pearl-pink shirt was open, revealing his strong throat. "It's just that-" She took a deep breath. "I keep thinking and wondering if you'll get turned off."

A frown touched his brow as he stared at her. "What the hell do you mean?"

"The symptoms are starting." She fingered the pearl buttons on his shirt. "The vomiting, the frequent bladder movements, which will only get worse, and very soon, I'll be fat. Really fat." Lifting her head, she met his gaze. "I know you love me; I do. But I've seen the way women look at you, and I want to shout that you're mine and they should back the hell away."

"Do you see me looking back?"

"No." She sighed again. "I sound foolish and paranoid."

"You do," he agreed.

Seeing the mutinous look on her lovely face, he lifted his hands to frame her cheeks. "You're it for me. Period. You're the love of my life, and that's a one-time deal for me. It doesn't matter if you get as big as six elephants and we have to use a crane to lift you-" He grinned as her expression turned cool.

"My point is that I adore you, Mrs. Nakano. Now, before I change my mind and rip that poor excuse for a dress off your delectable body, I think we should go."

"You poor sucker." Tilting her head up, she brushed her lips on his. "You really love me, don't you?"

"Yeah." Biting her bottom lip, he stepped back to retrieve her ermine jacket. "Shall we?"

*****

The restaurant was crowded, but that was expected for the most romantic day of the year. They had made a reservation, but even so, they would have been accommodated, as Lainey was a personal friend of the family. The décor was fantastic. February had dumped several inches of snow on them, turning the place into a winter wonderland, with the dazzling white gleaming.

They were given a coveted booth in the back on the second floor overlooking the balcony and the gently flowing harbor. An assigned waiter glided forward to take their orders.

"How's your stomach?" Daigo asked solicitously as he unfolded his napkin.

"It seems that the second set of pills the doctors prescribed is doing its job." She pressed a hand to her stomach and prayed that she was not being too optimistic. "Or this is just a lull." Shaking her head, she reached for her water and took a measured sip. She had been learning to eat small portions and make a note of what offended the fetuses.

"I don't want to think about babies or pregnancy symptoms. I just want to enjoy my husband." Sliding the gift from the concealed pocket of her dress, she handed it to him. "Happy Valentine's Day, darling."

"I thought we said no gifts."

They had decided to forgo the entire process and just enjoy each other's company. His wife had had the brilliant idea of using the money they would have spent to provide food for the homeless.

"This doesn't count. Open it," she urged.

He unwrapped the package to reveal an oblong box with a small gold clasp. He opened the clasp and simply stared at the contents.

"I picked it up from an antique shop just the other day." She clasped her hands together nervously as he continued to study the item and said nothing. "I saw it and thought of you. It's not an expensive gift, but-"

"I love it." He lifted his eyes to hers, expression eloquent, and had her sighing in relief.

"It's just a knife, and I know you collect them. It was a little damaged, and I worked on it for a while to get it looking shiny. Do you really like it?"

"I really like it." Closing the box, he reached for her hands and lifted them to his lips. "You're close to perfect."

"I'm not," she said hastily. "I'm messy and moody and loud."

"You're all that and more, and yet you're still perfect. Stop disagreeing with the man who loves you."

"Okay." She grinned. "I want to dance with you after we finish the meal. I want this evening to be special."

"It already is."