Page 67 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

“It’s okay,” Jenks says, rubbing my hand. “We can come back anytime you like. I’m pretty sure the staff would be happy to see us again.”

I chuckle softly. “Yeah, no kidding. I think their wages doubled this week.”

“I don’t mind,” Jenks says. “I like making people happy.”

“You really do, don’t you?”

“Yeah. It’s one of the many reasons I never ended up on combat duty. I know Bae never picked me for the hard stuff, but I sure as hell kept my head down, too.”

“Skinny little beanpole like you,” I tease. “Of course the jocks would think you’re useless.”

“I can’t run far or lift weights,” Jenks acknowledges. “But my stamina is unapparelled.”

“It sure is.”

“Want another demonstration?”

“Of course, but from what you said, we should definitely get going.”

“Yeah, we should,” he says defeatedly.

Both of us finish our food, letting the gloomy mood settle around us. Neither of us is happy to be leaving. It’s impossible to ignore that.

I take my time packing all my things before Jenks has attendants come and take our belongings downstairs where his Merc is waiting. As we get in, the valet waves to us with a big smile.

“Please, come back soon, Mr. Holt,” he says eagerly. “We will be most happy to receive you!”

“It will be my pleasure,” Jenks says. “I look forward to it.”

As we pull away from the front of the hotel, I feel a strange sense of vertigo. For a couple of seconds, it’s like I’m falling, even though I’m nestled deep in the bucket seat.

“Are you okay, babe?” Jenks asks, concerned.

“Yeah, fine,” I answer, smiling. “It’s just getting late, that’s all. Past my bedtime.”

“I’ll get you home as quickly as I can and get a fire started in the den.”

“That sounds nice,” I answer a bit absently.

The slight hint I’d been feeling all day slams into me with complete certainty. The sudden tiredness, lingering nausea, sensitivity to alcohol, and now a moment of vertigo—all of that would clue me in if nothing else did.

But I can feel her. I almost know her name.

I’m pregnant with Jenks’s child.

And now that it is not just my heart on the line, I’m terrified all over again.

Chapter 22 - Jenks

It’s extremely late when we get back, and Bae is waiting for us on the front porch. I tell Alisa to go straight inside and I’ll bring in all the bags while she has a rest.

“I won’t say no,” she says. “I need to put my feet up.”

“There’s a fire going in the den,” Bae answers. “And we didn’t wreck up the place, I promise.”

“Kind of you,” she quips, moving past him to go into the house.

Bailey waits for her to go down the hall, then turns to me, a very serious look in his eyes.

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