Page 72 of Off-Limits Bad Boy

“See that cluster there?” Kade's voice rumbles low, his breath a warm tickle against my ear. “Orion. The hunter.”

I tilt my head back, following his finger as it traces invisible lines between the glittering points of light. “Tell me his story,” I whisper, already lost in the timbre of his voice.

“I’m not talking to you,” he says playfully, and I can’t hold back a laugh.

Kade shifts, bringing his lips closer to the swell of my belly, hidden beneath the layers of fabric and affection. “He was a warrior,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his words. “Fearless, strong. But his true strength came from his heart. Not unlike someone else I know.”

He presses a soft kiss through the blanket to my stomach, a gesture that sends a flutter through me. “And little one, you should know, your mom is the fiercest warrior I've ever met.”

I laugh, a sound that bubbles up from a place of pure joy, and I rest my hand atop his. “And what about dad? What's his story?”

“Ah, he's just a man who got lucky,” Kade says, as the fierce protectiveness in his eyes I've come to adore leaves me breathless. “Lucky enough to win your mom's heart, anyway.”

“Kade,” I whisper. His gaze moves to mine. “You didn't win my heart. You were always its rightful owner.”

“Emma,” he says. “You can't say things like that and expect a man to be capable of thoughts.”

“So don’t think,” I whisper.

Kade shifts closer, the night air crisp around us. His hand finds its place on my stomach, a gentle pressure that sends my heart racing. The world falls away, just him, me, and the life we've created together.

“Have you told anyone yet?” he whispers, his fingertips tickling me.

I shake my head - it’s still just our secret. I know I should tell my family, but it’s so early. I want to just enjoy this time between us for a little longer before everyone decides they have to step in and take care of me.

“I can't wait to be a dad,” he says, and a mental image of him playing with a chunky little baby fills my mind. I can hear the giggles and see his expression.

The excitement in his tone shines through, wraps around me, and fills me up. I'm lost in this moment, in the intensity of his gaze, in the future we've been building together - just like we promised.

“And I can’t wait to be a mom,” I whisper back.

“Be right back,” Kade says before disappearing inside. I watch him go, wondering what he’s up to now. Turning my attention back to the stars, I smile and think about the little one growing within me. “Orion,” I whisper.

I think I’ll ask Kade if that’s a good name for our baby.

He returns, cradling two glasses filled with a sparkling amber liquid. My stomach does a little flip—not from nausea, but from a sudden worry about what I can and can't have now.

“Here,” he says, handing me one of the glasses. His fingers brush against mine, sending that familiar jolt up my arm.

“Is this...?” I ask, nervous as I study the glass from an arm’s length away.

He arches an eyebrow at me. “Oh, come on. It’s a mocktail.”

I can’t hold back a laugh at that memory, the moment that kicked off this thing between us. “Oh, my gosh, you’re back on that?” I ask, amused that now he has a whole new reason to tease me about working around alcohol.

“What makes you think I ever stopped?” he asks as I take a sip of my drink. It’s fruity and delicious and I smile at him.

It's not just these small gestures, these little moments, that I see the depth of Kade's love—I see them in every joke, every teasing comment, every gentle touch. And I love seeing the bad boy exterior melting away to reveal the man beneath. “What are you thinking about?” he asks, studying me.

“Orion,” I say.

He nods. “I love it.”

And just like that, we’re one step closer to ready for this baby. A baby that is going to be so loved and cherished. A baby that we can show all the love in the world. I can’t wait.

THE END

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