Page 21 of Keeping Skylar
Kaden shifts onto his side, propping his head up with one hand while the other rests lightly on my stomach, tracing soft circles over the fabric of my shirt. His gentle gaze watches me with a look of admiration and affection. “You looked so beautiful tonight, babe. It was hard to keep my eyes off you. I’m such a lucky man.”
My cheeks warm, not from the compliment, but from the intensity of his gaze as it lingers on my shirt-clad torso. “Thank you. You looked pretty sharp yourself.”
“I always try to look my best for you.” He flashes me his panty-dropping smile before quickly changing the topic. “You know what I’ve been thinking about lately?” he says.
“What?” I look at him cautiously.
“I think we should start trying for a baby.”
My eyes widen and my mouth falls ajar in silent shock.Oh, fuck no!
“I think it’s time, you know,” he continues. “We’re both in a really good place in our careers and we’re in our early thirties, so the timing couldn’t be any better, don’t you think?”
“Kaden. I’m not so sure. There are still things we need to sort out financially. I thought we agreed to work on reducing our mortgage, and paying off your car loan before having kids,” I remind him. “And didn’t you say you wanted to do a little more travelling?”
“I know, but that could take a while. Years even. We may only have a small window left before our chances of having children become slim. We’re not getting any younger, Sky. We should at least be trying for a baby now.”
What the fuck is going on? Where is all this coming from? The last time we discussed having children was six years ago whenwe agreed to wait until we were more financially secure. Why is he suddenly interested in starting a family? What the hell happened between him and Lucia that prompted this?
I glance up to meet his stare, noticing the expectation in his eyes as he waits for me to answer. If he had asked me this question a year ago, I would’ve jumped at the idea, without hesitation. But after everything that has happened, the last thing I want to do is have a child with him. Ever.
As the silence stretches between us, he suddenly sits up, his frustration evident in the way his expression hardens. “Why is it such a bad idea to start trying now? Do you not want children, is that it?”
I slowly sit up and gently rest my hand on his forearm. “It’s not that I don’t want a baby, Kaden.”I just don’t want one with you!“We’ve just always stuck to our plans. From the beginning, we agreed that it was best until we had a little more financial freedom before having kids. You’ve always been mindful about money. Having a baby now would lead to extra costs we’re not prepared for, especially with a mortgage and a hefty car loan.”
“If not now, then when?”
“Well, you’ve only got what ... two more years until your Mercedes is paid in full? Why don’t we start trying then?”I’ll be long gone when that happens.
He pauses for a moment, thinking it over, then finally nods. Without another word on the topic, he reaches over to stroke my cheek, his touch tender before he leans in for a kiss.
The kiss deepens when he slowly lowers me onto the mattress. He climbs on top of me, slipping his hand under my shirt, his fingers grazing across my stomach and chest. I gasp when he cups my left breast, squeezing it roughly. I break the kiss and gently guide his hand out from underneath my shirt. He frowns in confusion.
“I can’t tonight, babe. I’m on my period,” I lie.
He lets out a frustrated sigh but nods. “I miss being inside you,” he whispers before planting a warm kiss on my forehead. He rolls over and switches off his lamp. I follow suit, switching off my lamp, then turning onto my side to face away from him.
Seconds later, I feel his arm curl around my stomach, pulling me close against the warmth of his chest. I immediately feel his breath tickling my neck and shoulder. “I love you, baby,” he murmurs softly into my skin.
I offer a silent pat on his arm in response, unable to force the words out.He doesn’t seem to notice—or care—because within minutes, I hear the soft rhythm of his snoring.
Today’s events have left me completely frazzled and on edge. The date, Kaden’s sudden show of affection, and that unexpected conversation about starting a family have all unsettled me in ways I can’t even fathom. I don’t know what game he’s playing, but whatever it is, I’m more determined than ever before to get the hell out of here, and fast.
CHAPTER 10
Skylar
School holidays are over, and it’s the first day of a new term. I’ve gotta admit, I can’t remember ever feeling this relieved to be back at work. Even if it means dealing with Lucia more than I’d like, at least it’ll keep me busy—and out of the house.
I sit behind my desk, watching my teaching assistant—also my husband’s mistress—as she crouches beside a student, discussing the book we’re covering this week. I study her closely, noting every detail of her appearance and movements. She’s dressed in a floral dress, her hair neatly pinned in a bun;she gives off an air of innocence and grace, though I know she’s anything but. It’s almost hard to believe that the bitch is sleeping with my husband.
The conversation with Kaden on Saturday night really shook me. I’ve barely slept since, clinging to the hope that it was just a spur-of-the-moment comment, and that he’s already forgotten about the whole ‘baby’ talk. Maybe he has. Maybe he hasn’t. Only time will tell. But the thing is, time isn’t exactly on my side. I just need the real estate agency to come back with some good news.
My thoughts are quickly interrupted by one of my kindergartners, now standing in front of me. “I’m finished now, Mrs Grant,” Emily says proudly, showing me her drawing of her favourite scene from the book we’re reading.
“That looks wonderful, Emily.” I smile warmly. “Would you like to tell me a little bit about your drawing?”
“I drew Sasha when she beat Tommy in the potato sack race. This is her laughing at Tommy because he was crying like a bigloser,” she clarifies, giving a very dramatic eye roll at the end.
