“Rule number one,” I said against her hair.
“What?”
“We need pregnancy rules. Rule #1: When she’s carrying my baby, she gets whatever she wants. No arguments. No questions.”
She laughed. “You sure? I could abuse that rule.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Her eyes were wet. “You’re happy?”
“Happy?” Roxie. I’m fucking ecstatic.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I kissed her softly. “You’re giving me everything.”
“We weren’t even trying.”
“I know.”
“It’s only been a year.”
“I know that too.”
“This is crazy.”
“Everything about us has been crazy from the start. Why stop now?”
She laughed again, and this time it was real. Full. Happy.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you too.” I kissed her again. “Both of you.”
Her hand came to rest on her stomach, and something fierce and protective took hold.
Mine.
Both of them.
Mine to keep. Mine to protect. Mine to love.
I didn’t need any rules to remind me of that.
“Come on. Back to bed.”
“Bridger, it’s ten in the morning and we have things to do.”
“Don’t care. You’re pregnant. You need rest.”
“I feel fine now.”
“Don’t forget the new rule.”
She rolled her eyes but let me lead her back to our bedroom. I pulled the oversized t-shirt up over her head and pulled off my clothes as well. I wanted her bare against me. I knew over the coming months her body would change. And I couldn’t wait. Her hips would widen and her full breasts would grow even heavy and denser with pregnancy. I ran my large palms over her, silently promising her body that I would worship every new inch it gained over the next nine months.
I tucked her against me and she looked up at me with those eyes that still got me every time.