Page 85 of Pastel Kisses

“I’ll go with you now.” She carefully shifts off Jaxton’s lap, her hand automatically cradling the underside of her belly like it’s second nature. My heart clenches at the sight. She’s radiant, even exhausted. And watching her carry our baby like this? It’s damn near spiritual.

As she stands, the rest of the guys murmur encouragements, teasing her gently and reminding her to take it easy. She gives them a little roll of her eyes, but I can tell she appreciates their attention. She always does, even when she pretends otherwise.

By the time we make it to the bathroom, I already have the water running. Steam is curling into the air, the scent of lavender and vanilla from the bath salts filling the room. I light a candle on the counter—not for romance, necessarily, but because I know it helps her relax. And she deserves that. Every minute of peace we can give her, she’s earned tenfold.

I help her out of her clothes slowly, carefully, like she’s breakable even though I know she’s anything but. She stands proud and glowing and strong—and I still handle her like she’s the most precious thing I’ve ever held.

When she steps into the tub and sighs, the sound is everything. Relief, comfort, peace. I slip in behind her and pull her gently against my chest, one hand coming to rest over the curve of her belly. She sinks into me like we were made to fit just like this.

“You okay?” I murmur, brushing my lips against her temple.

“Better than okay,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “This is perfect.”

I pick up the sponge and start running it gently over her shoulders and arms, letting her lean into the rhythm of it. Her skin is soft beneath my fingers, warm and damp. I trail the sponge lower, over the swell of her belly, taking my time—partly because I want to savor every second, and partly because I know she needs this.

When I switch to using my hands, massaging gently at the base of her spine and the curve of her hips, she lets out a long, low groan of gratitude that sends heat curling through my chest. She’s always been vocal, and I love that about her. She doesn’t hide what she feels. And I’ll spend the rest of my life giving her reasons to make sounds like that.

“There?” I ask softly when her body melts under my fingers.

“Mmhmm… right there.”

We stay like that for a long time—her leaning back against me, the candlelight flickering over the water, steam rising around us like a soft shield from the rest of the world.

It’s quiet, intimate. Sacred.

And as I kiss the back of her head and whisper that I love her, I mean it with everything I am. Because this? Her, me, and the little heartbeat tucked safely beneath her skin? It’s everything.They’reeverything.

Twenty minutes pass in quiet bliss. Avery rests in the tub between my legs, her back supported against my chest, while warm water laps around us both. Her breathing is soft and steady, her head gently tilted as she floats in a state of near-sleep. I run my fingers slowly over her arms, keeping her grounded, keeping her safe.

Kam steps quietly into the room, not wanting to startle her. His expression softens when he sees her. “Well, if that isn’t the picture of peace,” he says with a quiet chuckle, kneeling beside the tub to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “How’re you feeling, Sunshine?”

Avery hums, barely opening her eyes. “Like I could stay here forever…”

“Don’t tempt me,” Kam replies warmly. “You look good, baby. Relaxed.”

The moment is calm, content… until Kam’s phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, frowning slightly as he checks the screen. The subtle shift in his posture is enough to tell me it’s serious. His brows pinch together.

“It’s the detective,” he mutters, already rising to his feet. He takes a small step away, likely intending to leave the room and take the call privately, as we’ve all done lately—to protect her.

But Avery opens her eyes fully now, her gaze locked on Kam like a laser. “Don’t,” she says, her voice quiet but firm. “Not this time.”

Kam hesitates. She doesn’t look angry—just resolved. Her eyes say everything:I deserve to know.She’s right.

With a slow nod, Kam steps closer and sets the phone gently on the edge of the tub. “Putting it on speaker,” he says, his voice steady as he taps the screen. “Detective Morgan, what’s going on?”

The detective clears his throat. “Still no sightings. No confirmed activity from Sarah yet, but... there was something unusual last night.”

The water shifts in gentle waves as Avery tenses in my arms. I respond immediately, tightening my hold and drawing her closer, anchoring her against my chest like a shield against whatever’s coming.

“What happened?” Kam prompts.

“There were fresh rose petals scattered across both Avery’s and her father’s front porches early this morning. No one on patrol saw anything, but based on the condition of the petals and our last patrols, we estimate it happened just before dawn.”

I feel Avery’s breath catch. She doesn’t speak, just stares at the phone with wide, focused eyes.

“We’ve increased the perimeter at both locations,” the detective continues. “And we’ll keep you informed the moment we get more. I just wanted to keep you in the loop.”

“Thanks for the update,” Kam says, voice tight.

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