Page 40 of Commander

I was doing the right thing by not getting his hopes up, by not telling him I wanted to make it real. Then why did I feel like shit?

Because it’s not him you’re protecting, it’s you.

At that moment, Jacinta walked in with a tray of shots and set them on a table near me. “Dear God. You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I gave her a weary smile.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nerves.” It wasn’t a complete lie but a believable one.

“Here, take one, but don’t fuck up your lipstick or Walter will kick our asses.”

I took the shot of tequila she handed me and then downed it in one gulp.

“Give me another.”

Just as I reached for more liquid courage, Samina entered my dressing room. She had Mira cocked on her side, while the little angel cooed and played with the necklace on her mother’s neck.

“Woman, you’re pregnant,” Samina said, shifting Mira from one hip to the other. “Do you know the shit the press will say if they get a picture of a very pregnant Senator Camden-George with alcohol?”

“Probably something like my conservative morals have been swayed by marrying a liberal.” Jacinta gave Sam a nonchalant wave and took a seat in an empty chair next to me.

She tugged at the material along her very large belly and then rubbed her stomach. She was gorgeous on a normal day with her long, always well-groomed blond hair, Amazon height, and supermodel features, but pregnant she glowed.

“You make it look so easy.” I leaned over, grabbed a bottle of water, and sucked through the straw Walter had put in it so I wouldn’t ruin my lipstick. Hopefully he wouldn’t make a surprise inspection and find the shot glass on the counter. “In fact, both of you do. I don’t think either of you has complained about nausea or morning sickness.”

“Just you wait. I’ve never seen you do anything without rocking any endeavor. Pregnancy won’t be any different.” Jacinta reached out, plucked the bottle from my fingers, and then took a sip.

“From your lips to God’s ears.”

I had a feeling when my time came I wouldn’t be so lucky.

“Why are we talking about babies? You have to get married first.” Samina pulled her necklace out of Mira’s mouth and handed her a teething ring. “She might be knocked up now. Especially since she’s been secretly going at it with my brother the whole time.”

Well, hell. Let’s tell the world I was boning Ashur.

Bitch.

“Cat got your tongue?” Sam smirked.

Before I could respond, Casey walked in, signaling that it was time for the wedding.

---