Page 56 of Haden

“Are you okay now?” I ask, squeezing his hand.

“I guess.”

“Can we go home?”

He leans over and kisses my forehead.

Kinsley closes the paper over my stomach and looks at Haden again. “If you have any issues, call me or come in. I’m happy to answer questions. I know it can be scary when your girlfriend is pregnant.”

“Wife,” he replies. “She’ll be my wife before she gets pregnant.” The only thing he doesn’t do is beat his chest with his fists.

Kinsley nods. “Either way. Babies don’t care about formal paperwork.” She smiles warmly again. “I’ll let you get dressed.”

Haden is still frowning with nervous energy after Kinsley leaves the room. He helps me sit up, but I have to grab his hand to get him to look at me. “Haden…”

He forces a smile. “I’m good.”

“Are you?” He’s really and truly flustered.

“Yes.” He inhales deeply. “I just…” He steps in front of me, presses against my knees, and cups my face. “I never knew I could feel this way about someone. I’ve never experienced it. I don’t like you to be in pain or, God forbid, in danger. It’s overwhelming.”

I’m rather emotional today in the first place. His heartfelt expression nearly causes me to sob. “I’m totally healthy, Haden. No one can promise shit will never go wrong, especially when dealing with pregnancies, but let’s not invent problems, okay?”

He leans down and kisses me. “Yeah.” His lips remain parted as if he means to say something else, but then he closes his mouth and grabs my clothes.

I wonder if he was about to tell me he loves me. I don’t blame him for holding back. The doctor’s office is not the most romantic place to say those important words for the first time.

Chapter 21

Haden

* * *

I shake my head as soon as Emilia joins me in the bathroom. I can’t comment on her clothing choice yet because I’m in the middle of brushing my teeth, but I snag her wrist to keep her from escaping until I can rinse and spit.

It’s been four days since I took Emilia to see Kinsley. Six days since I essentially moved into Emilia’s room. A week since I arrived. It seems like a year. That’s how deeply invested I am in this relationship. So deep that when I told Emilia I was going into the city yesterday with a vague story about ordering some lumber, I was lying. I really bought her an engagement ring. I’m going to get on one knee tonight at dinner in front of her entire family.

“What?” she asks, cocking her head to the side as if she doesn’t know what I’m silently reprimanding her for.

I chuckle as I thread our fingers together and lead her back to the closet. My girl really likes to push my buttons with her clothing selections. She enjoys sparring with me, and she likes having her butt spanked. I suspect this is going to forever be our dynamic. She puts sexy clothes on, knowing I will not approve of them, to get a rise out of me, and I physically remove them and choose something else.

When we reach her closet, I wrap an arm around her middle to pin her back to my chest and flip through the hangers. I know I’m being ridiculous. No other man in this house makes his wife dress modestly. But I don’t have to do everything the same as her male relatives.

I’m not Brody, Dallas, Tiago, or Ryder. I’m Haden. And the thought of men ogling my girl makes my skin crawl. It’s not about the people who live here. Those are her sisters, cousins, and brothers. It’s about the numerous men who come and go every day. I’m sure the Wilde men would feel similar to me if their wives were working in the site office and regularly interacted with strangers.

Emilia has amazing fucking tits. Perky and high with the cutest little nipples in a mouth-watering shade of pink. They are often erect because I like to keep her aroused. But they are for me to see. No one else.

I’ve never in my life felt this possessive or controlling with a woman. I’ve never dated a woman who elicited this response in me.

It’s Emilia. And it’s one of the reasons I know for a fact she’s the one. My life partner.

Her ass is fantastic, too, so the tight, form-fitting stretchy jeans she wears allow everyone to see her curves. Not to mention the way I can make out her fucking pussy lips through the material.

No. She will not share her body with anyone but me. It’s not up for discussion. But she doesn’t mind. Her daily rebellion is simply to push me to spank her because what she really enjoys is impact play.

When I pick an acceptable shirt, I look down to find her biting her lips.

“Such a naughty girl. Take those pants off.”