Page 49 of Counting His heartbeats

Jawaan's calm timbre while speaking his truth has my breath hitching because I had only recently concluded his self-coping methods. My man is someone who doesn't reveal his burdens to the world, so most will overlook his scars. Yet, I'm grateful that God has allowed me to be the woman Jawaan can be soft, raw, and open with. It's a privilege I will never understand or take lightly or for granted.

"When you are weak, I will be strong," I confidently reassure him.

"You already are, and it's one of the reasons I love you."

"I did want to ask you a question, though."

My heart rate accelerates when Jawaan's golden orbs peer into me while his hand caresses Jalil's back without breaking his stride.

"What's up?"

"How did you take paternity leave before me? Don't you have things to get straight at work?"

A low chuckle escapes Jawaan's mouth, causing my pussy to thump, and I fight the urge not to moan or close my eyes from the sexy sound.

"I'm a boss, which means I don't need anyone to approve my time off. I also have people in place to continue getting work done."

Oh shit! What does Jawaan do for work and how the hell didn't I know before now?

"A boss," I repeat with my brows hiking, unable to ask the question echoing in my mind.

"It's crazy that you've ridden my dick before learning my profession... do better, Tigress." Jawaan smirks.

"I know. I feel so bad." Disconnecting our eyes, I hang and shake my head.

The worst part is that it really doesn't matter to me what Jawaan does, but I will keep that to myself.

"I'm the proud owner of Young's Custom Cyber. The great thing about what I do is I can perform my tasks from anywhere in the world. Cybersecurity is something I appreciate having the knowledge of because sometimes people can get beside themselves in this virtual world we live in."

"Hold on, I've seen your logo on some things at work. Do you handle organizations through the state?"

"I handle any organization with the ability to pay my rates. I would be a fool to turn down money when people depend on me to take care of their households. Until now, I didn't have mouths to feed like my employees, but everybody still has to eat, so we handle whatever comes in unless our plate is full."

"How have you been managing work with us and Jalil?"

Jawaan's smirk has my lips stretching into a bright smile before he responds to the question.

"Proper delegation and open communication. Speaking of which, when are you done with work?"

"Today."

"Good. I want us to take a trip. It'll be our babymoon and a chance for the three of us to bond without interruptions from the outside world."

"W—

Ding. Dong.

Woof. Woof.

The sound of the doorbell causes Cleo to bark while running toward the front door, instantly cutting off what I was about to say. Cleo has been slightly more friendly toward me since I have been staying here. Yet, she has been completely receptive to Jalil and has even been lying near his bassinet every night. It's cute to see Cleo protecting Jalil because I was nervous about how her moody butt would react to him.

"This is why I want us to go away somewhere. We need family time," Jawaan says, pouting while standing with Jalil heading to the door. "Cleo, home."

Laughter bubbles to the surface when I enter the foyer and see Cleo sit on her back legs before her head shifts to me and then the door. I have never seen a dog with so much personality like Cleo.

"Sorry to drop in like this, but we brought food and some things for our grandson," Mom explains, entering the house with Dad on her heels.

"It's not a problem, Mrs. Coates. Come on in. What's in the bags?" Jawaan asks.

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