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“Is what—” She broke off when I snatched her wrist and plucked the test out of her grip.
I studied the little window, seeing two pink lines, and feeling frustrated because I didn’t know what they meant. “Two lines?” I asked as I looked into her blue eyes. I was taken aback by the level of hostility in them. However, before I could address why she was so pissed off, I needed to know. “Does two mean you’re pregnant?”
Marleigh’s shoulders slumped, and she sighed. “Yeah. I mean, I won’t know for certain until I see a doctor. But I missed my period, and my body usually runs like clockwork.”
I swallowed hard, trying to stay calm even though I wanted to shout to the world that my girl was knocked up. And because we didn’t really know for sure, except… “How late are you?”
“Four days,” Marleigh admitted tentatively.
“And you’ve been feeling sick?” I clearly hadn’t done a good job of hiding my excitement when asking that question because Marleigh glared at me.
“You don’t have to be so happy about me being sick,” she groused.
“Fuck, baby,” I sighed as I tried to wrap her up in my arms. “I didn’t mean it to come off that way. I just, I can’t help but be excited and—why won’t you let me hold you?” I growled when she tried to avoid my embrace again.
“You have a lot to do to get ready for the move,” she gritted out. “I’m going to go lie down.”
Back to being concerned, I ignored her protests and swept her into my arms. I stuck the test in my pocket, then carried her to the couch and gently set her down on the cushions. “What do you need? What can I get for you?” I inquired as I crouched down beside her.
Marleigh’s head was down, and her fingers started playing with some of the strings hanging from the bottom of her cutoffs. “Nothing. I…I don’t understand how this happened,” she blurted, throwing her hands in the air.
I laughed but swallowed back my amusement when her stare turned lethal. “Baby,” I said tenderly, pushing some of her hair behind her ear. “We’ve been fucking like rabbits for almost three weeks. And I took you bareback every time. This shouldn’t be that much of a shock to you.” I ended with a soft chuckle.
“Holy cow,” she breathed, making my brow furrow at her stunned expression. “Why didn’t you say anything?” she suddenly shouted. “I didn’t even think. Good grief, Clay. You obviously thought about it at least once. Why would you…?”
“Ah, now she’s getting it,” I remarked with a smirk.
“You”—she gulped—“were trying to get me pregnant?”
“Damn straight,” I confirmed in an unapologetic voice. I’d had a second or two of doubt about my intentions after that first night. Then a day later, we’d had a conversation about the future, and she’d told me how she would love to have a home with a little studio where she could design but still be home with her kids.
I’d asked about school, and she’d shrugged. I would never forget what she had told me.
“If I were to get pregnant tomorrow, I’d make it work. I can take classes on campus just a few days a week and do the rest online. But honestly, these days, it’s less about the degree and more about the craft, so certificates are often just as important as an undergraduate degree.”
I was more than happy to do whatever she needed to help her achieve her dreams, starting with her dream studio—which Wrenley had helped me design so it would be perfect. And I’d put my baby in her belly while I was at it.
“Why…?” She shook her head, then put her face in her hands. “I’m so confused.”
Prying her hands away, I gave her a quick kiss, then scooped her up and took her place on the sofa, cradling her in my arms. “It’s pretty fucking simple, baby,” I informed her teasingly. “We’ve established that you’re mine. And”—I splayed my hand over her flat belly—“I want to have a family with you. So yeah, I’ve been doing my damnedest to knock you up.”
“But I don’t want to have a baby like this,” she whimpered as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
I reared back, blown away by her confession. Had I misread what was between us? No. There was no fucking way I was that wrong about her feelings.
“What do you mean?” I was proud of how calm and neutral I sounded because inside, I was roaring. Frustrated that she was sad and at her cryptic words, which had the potential to bring my world crashing down around me.
“I mean, first of all, we don’t even live in the same house.”
“Yes, we do.” She wasn’t making much sense, so I hoped things would become clearer as we talked through it all.
“Yeah, but you’re moving tomorrow. And it’s not like you’re going to stay here with me. Not when you are so excited for your new place and, um, whoever you plan on living with there.”
“Of course, I’m excited,” I replied, my tone conveying my exacerbation. “When I leave here, you’re coming with me. I’m excited because it’s not one of us moving in with the other, this is a place where we will start fresh and make itourhome.” A cocky smile curved my lips. “And I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve for you. I can’t help being impatient to share them with you.”
Her brows drew together. “Surprises for me at the house?”
“Yeah, baby. I want this to be your dream home, too.”
