Page 9 of Mountain Man's Forgiveness
She’s having my baby.
As the morning sun beats down on the jogging path, a sensation so new to me, so primal, stirs within my gut. I look into her chocolate-colored eyes and know my mission now is to take care of her and our child at all costs.
The park breeze shifts as I pull out my cell phone, feeling closer to my old self than I have in a while. There’s no time for a second fitness class today. My therapist will just have to understand.
“You’re sending a text right now?” Eva’s words, her incredulous tone, don’t penetrate my severe focus.
I hold my hand up and send my message, the morning air dense with humidity.
Me: Is there a doctor who can see my girl and give her a pregnancy test right now?
Bhodie: Let me see what I can do.
I look up at Eva, humidity wrapping around us like an unwelcome guest, and move an errant strand of hair from her forehead. “I’m securing a doctor’s appointment for today.”
Her expression is equal parts defiant and vulnerable. “I’m not lying, Aiden. I’m pregnant. You don’t have to be involved. I will happily raise this baby on my own.”
“Not going to fucking happen, Eva.” I take a step closer, softening my stance. “I want to make sure everything’s okay with you.”
“Oh.” Worrying her lip, she fidgets with the hem of her shirt. “It’s only been four weeks. I’m already taking prenatal vitamins, and I’ve cut out caffeine and lunchmeat. This is early for a first appointment.”
My tone lets her know there’s no arguing with me. “We’re going to see a doctor.” A group of older women power walk by, their neon visors bobbing as they stare.
Eva clamps her mouth shut, though I get a sassy eye roll, and by damn if my dick doesn’t thicken. What I would give to lift her jean skirt and kiss that pretty pussy, my tongue sliding up her glistening mound as I slowly stroke my cock.
“Aiden!”
“Yep.”
“You’re staring at me.” I lean forward and nip her cute nose.
“Get used to it, Trouble. There’s a lot more where that came from.”
Bhodie got us in with a doctor he highly recommends, so Eva and I are sitting in the exam room, waiting on test results. Fully dressed, my girl’s on the table while I sit in a side chair. I’m damn lucky she’s allowing me to be here.
The fluorescent lights hum overhead, my foot tapping against the tiled floor. “Thank you, Trouble.”
She quirks her head, her legs kicking against the examination table. “For what? Ovulating at the exact time your sperm swam up my fallopian tube?”
“Yes, that.” My chuckle is light. “But also for taking this appointment and includiung me in hearing the results.”
Eva’s cheeks tinge pink, her small dimple popping out on one cheek. “You’re welcome.”
The physician enters the room and logs into the chart, sliding onto the stool near Eva.
“Well, the test is positive, Ms. Mendoza. You are definitely pregnant.” At Eva’s grin, the doc smiles gently. “Is this welcome news?”
Eva glances over at me, eyes bright. “Yes.”
She looks at us kindly. “Congratulations to you both. I’ll give the two of you some time alone. When you’re ready, the nurse will have some prescriptions and samples waiting for you at the counter.”
I walk over to my girl and lean down, my hand caressing her belly, my voice low. “I promise you, little one, I’ll do whatever is in my power so that you and your mom never have to worry about anything.” Standing, I rub my hands together. “Let’s grab your things right after we pick up your prescriptions. You can move in today.”
Eva scoffs, the edges of her eyes tightening. “I’m not moving in with you, Aiden. We’re not in a relationship. We’re not even dating. We had sex one time.” A loud cart rattles down the hallway outside the exam room. “We’ll figure out custody arrangements and all of that, but there is no way we are living together.”
“That’s unaccept—“
Slashing her hand through the air like a chef’s blade, Eva’s voice rises sharply. “It would never work! Be realistic. You live in the middle of nowhere. I want my child to be socialized. I wanthim or her to have friends to run around with and experience the joy of life. You’re grumpy. You’re closed off—”
