Page 72 of Keeping the Single Dad
I stood taller. "I can do that."
"Good." A small smile flickered over Claire's lips, and she returned her gaze to her paperwork. “And frankly, I don’t need the admin that comes with sacking you so...” She waved a dismissive hand and pointed to the door. “Both of you can fuck off out of here and do some laps before I change my mind.”
Epilogue
Lana
Oneyearlater
The white plastic stick sat on the bedside cabinet. Nerves fluttered in my stomach. I’d stopped taking the pill two months ago. We shouldn’t have kept testing, but neither of us could resist.
My teeth gritted with frustration. “I can’t wait. Why does it take so long?”
On the bed, Alex opened his powerful arms to me, and I let him hold me. My head pressed against Alex’s hard chest. I savored the heat of him. The heady scent of massage oil clung to his shirt. We’d snuck in to the physio room earlier today between training sessions. I’d been feral the past couple of weeks. That had to be a good sign. I’d read that pregnancy made you super horny.
He moved away, and I dragged him back. “Cuddling is nice.”
A smile pulled at the corner of his lips. “I do give good cuddles.”
I laughed and melted into his embrace. “You do.”
He held me in his arms. His huge frame like a giant redwood, standing tall and firm. Protecting me. Taking care of me. We stayed like that, our eyes glued to the stick. The longer the seconds ticked by, the less likely it seemed we’d see a line. A pang pulled at my chest. Maybe we’d have better luck next time.
Alex cupped my chin tenderly with his huge warm palm. “Don’t worry about it. We’ve just started trying. It can take time.”
“Patience has never been my strong suit.”
He kissed the tip of my nose. It was weird to think how much I wanted this. I’d spent all this time trying not to get knocked up. Now, there was nothing in the world that would make me happier than being a mum to Alex’s child. This would thrill Brodie, too. We were already a family, but we had so much love to give. There was plenty of room for more members.It wouldn't easy balancing motherhood with playing, but not impossible and especially not with Alex.
“I can’t wait anymore. I’m going to need a distraction.” I climbed on to Alex’s lap and slipped my fingers down to the waistband of his joggers.
He laughed richly, but his expression was lustful. “Again?”
A sharp yap rang in my ears. Brodie’s white Jack Russell jumped up onto the bed next to us. We’d picked him up from the shelter a couple of days ago, and Brodie was still on cloud nine. The problem was that Morris had no concept of personal space and neither Alex nor me had the heart to kick him out of the bedroom.
I shook my head. “Okay, we’re going to have to get Morris out of here.”
Teasing laughter edged his voice. “I thought you were a dog person?”
“Me? No. I’m all about cats.” I smoothed a hand over the little dog’s soft fur and ran his velvety ears between my fingers. “Dogs are so unhygienic. The hair gets everywhere.”
A flash of humor crossed his face. “I don’t think I can get on with a cat person. We’ll fundamentally disagree about everything. I’ve always preferred dogs. A dog only knows about love. They love you unconditionally.”
“Have you ever been loved like that?”
“I have, sweetheart.” He took my palm in both of his large hands. His eyes locked with mine. “That’s how I love you.” He scooped up the dog and kissed the tip of its nose. “I love you the way little Morris loves you, with all my heart, no matter what.”
Warmth filled my chest. “And I love you like a cat. I chose my owner and let him tame me.”
His undiluted laugh rippled through the bedroom. When he laughed he seemed ten years younger. “As long as you’re getting what you want, right?”
“That’s right. Don’t forget it.”
He scooped the little dog up and deposited him in the hallway. Back in the bedroom, he locked the bedroom door.
I crawled across the bed toward him. “You’re so cruel to Morris.”
He pulled me roughly onto his lap to straddle him. “We don’t need an audience for what I’m about to do to you.”
