Page 121 of Mine to Worship

“Yes, he will. Sadly, his nipples are useless,” I groan.

Aubrey throws her head back and laughs while Tara wipes the tears from her eyes.

“So what’s new?” I ask them.

They shrug and Tara says, “Kira’s arrival is the most exciting news.”

“I met with Melanie.” I blurt out and they freeze, their eyes widening as they stare at me.

“And?” Aubrey asks.

“We talked. I think it did us both good.”

“What does it all mean?” she asks.

“This means I am damn happy she is out of the picture, but I wish her all the best, because she deserves it,” I reply.

“You’re a good woman,” Tara says with a nod.

“I want my daughter to value herself more than seeing herself through the lenses of a man’s ideal. I want her to never feel less than, based on the looks or intellect of another woman. To have goals and dreams of her own, and the man or woman she’ll choose will be worthy of her time. To know her worth and never lower her standards.”

“You’re going to be a great mom.” Tara squeezes my hand.

“Thank you,” I manage to say through the lump of emotions.

By the time I reach home, I’m dragging my feet, and my eyes are threatening to give up the good fight. I lean on the wall of the elevator, and when I push myself through the doors, Kian is waiting for me.

“Someone is tired,” he says, scooping me up.

“Blame your daughter,” I pout and he takes my lips into one of those kisses, the ones that say I missed you, I need you, I crave you, the ones that make me weak in my knees. His tongue conquers my mouth, his teeth graze my lips, and he nibbles my neck.

“I missed you,” he whispers.

I will never get tired of hearing him say that.

In the bedroom, he pulls my dress over my head and slides off his shirt. I yank my sneakers off and drop down on the bed.

“Was that an earthquake?”

“You’re playing with fire, husband.”

“Hmm, I love the burn, wife.”

I love his broody side, his fierce side, his loving side. But his playful side, that one melts me quicker then ice under the sun.

He spoons me, his hand over my belly.

“Will you miss this?” I ask.

His sharp features turn soft. “Yes, I will, seeing life growing inside of you is incredible. In the beginning, I couldn’t even comprehend there was a baby growing inside of you. Week after week, month after month, your belly has expanded under my hand. She kicks, as if she already knows who I am…”

“She recognizes your voice.”

“I am her daddy,” he says, pride coloring it.

I entwine our fingers.

“It went by too fast. But now all I want is for her to be here with us, to hold her.”

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