Page 98 of Submission

I won’t admit this to Hunter because he would insist that I take pain medication or, worse, go back to the hospital, but I’m still in a lot of pain. I just don’t want to ingest any unnecessary medicine that could affect the baby. I don’t know much about being a good mother, but what I do know is that I need to give this baby the best pregnancy I can, especially since he or she has had such a stressful start.

“Your face seems tight,” he says, always the observant partner.

“I didn’t say I was pain-free. I said it wasn’t unbearable.”

“I think you just need a good meal instead of that bland hospital crap and maybe a little trash tv?” Naomi interjects. “We can watch the new bachelorette hand out roses.”

“Have you told her yet?” Hunter asks me, no doubt, purposely in front of Naomi.

“Told me what?” She frowns.

“Can I speak with you for a minute, Hunter?” I ask with a clipped tone. “Right now.”

“Tell me what?” Naomi demands to know.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell her. “Can you order us some of that good Mexican we had like last time?”

“Uh, okay.”

“Get enough for everyone.”

“Everyone?”

“Here.” Hunter hands Naomi his American Express card. “Use this.”

“I can freakin’ pay for Mexican food,” she practically spits back at him, refusing the card as she walks away.

Once the two of us are inside my bedroom, I push him to sit down on the edge of my bed, and I place my palms firmly on his shoulders.

“We’ve been through hell and back, and I trust you with my life, but what the fuck is going on with you and Naomi?”

“I’m sorry?” He gives a subtle grin as if he’s actually amused by my question.

“Don’t feign ignorance now. You’ve been a jerk toward her since the moment you met. I need to know why.”

"This sounds like a conversation you should be having with her. She’s the one who can’t stand me."

"Since when do you care about people liking you?"

"Sit down, baby." He gently seats me on his lap.

"Don’t flirt with me."

"I’m not flirting." But he obviously is, using that sexy voice of his that can almost persuade me to do anything.

"Your friends are right outside that door. We can't flirt right now."

"Flirt or fuck?"

"Hush." I place a finger on his lips to quiet him.

He kisses it.

"Do you realize this is the first time we’ve been alone together in almost a week?" he asks.

Then he gingerly kisses the bit of skin revealed by my v-neck shirt.

"I’m well aware of that, Hunter, but you’re changing the subject," I say as I find myself wrapping my arms around his neck, snuggling further into his embrace where I feel safe and loved.

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