“We should probably move before someone really does walk in,” I cajole though I make no effort to disentangle myself from him.
Rex chuckles. “Probably,” he agrees, but he doesn’t move either.
I reluctantly pull away from Rex’s embrace, my legs wobbling as I slide off the desk. The room spins for a moment, and I grip the edge to steady myself.
“You okay?” he asks, concern etching his rugged features.
I nod, offering him a reassuring smile. “Just a little dizzy. It’ll pass.”
We straighten ourselves in comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other like lovestruck teenagers. I smooth down my skirt, wincing slightly at the tear in my panties. Rex notices and gives me a sheepish grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” he says, not sounding sorry at all. “I’ll buy you a new pair.”
“We certainly made a mess of my office,” I remark, crouching down to pick up some of the orders now littering the floor around my desk. I stand, and another wave of dizziness washes over me. I grip the edge of the desk, trying to steady myself. Suddenly, Rex’s arm is there, surrounding me, supporting my weight to keep me from falling.
I let him guide me to the couch. He kneels in front of me, his dark eyes searching my face.
“When’s the last time you ate something?” he asks.
I have to think about it. “Uh...breakfast? Maybe?”
Rex sighs, shaking his head. “Rem, you’ve got to take better care of yourself. Both of you,” he adds, gently touching my belly.
“I know, I know,” I grumble. “I just get caught up in things and forget.”
Rex stands, his imposing frame filling the doorway. “I’m gonna grab you something to eat. Don’t move.”
As he leaves, I lean back against the couch, closing my eyes. The baby gives a particularly strong kick as if agreeing with Rex. I smile despite myself, rubbing the spot.
“Alright, I hear you,” I concur. “We’ll take it easy for a bit.”
I hear the familiar rumble of motorcycles pulling up outside, followed by the jingle of the shop’s bell. Voices drift in from the front. The rough, boisterous tone of one of my club sisters starts to fill the space.
“Yo, Remy! You in here?” Harlow’s voice calls out.
“Office!” I shout back, struggling to push myself up from the couch. By the time she appears in the doorway, I’m on my feet, albeit a bit unsteady.
She takes one look at me and frowns. “Girl, you look like shit. What are you even doing here?”
I roll my eyes. “Nice to see you too. I’m fine, just a little tired.”
Harlow snorts, unconvinced. “Uh-huh. And I’m the Queen of England. Sit your pregnant ass back down before you fall. You’re lucky Linny isn’t here. She’d be ripping you a new asshole for trying to do too much.”
She’s not wrong. Between Rex, Mama, and the Queens, I have not had a second of peace since announcing my pregnancy. Apparently, carrying a baby means I can’t do my job or run the club without constant supervision. A development that has driven me crazy for months.
“Let me guess. You didn’t eat again.”
Before I can argue, Rex returns with a sandwich and a bottle of water. He nods a greeting to Harlow before turning his attention to me.
“Eat,” he commands, pressing the food into my hands.
I glare at both of them but comply, sinking back onto the couch. “What are you doing here anyhow?”
“Tinsley sent me over.”
“To check on me?”
“No, she asked me to swing by and grab some extra bags of candy for the parade float.”