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The stack ofbabybooks.
I reached over and grabbed the closest, squinting at the cover.
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” Kip said. “Cliché, maybe, but a classic for a reason.”
I looked from him to the book. “You know they turned this into a movie, right?” I waved the book at him.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m aware. I’ll be sure to check that out. After I finish the book, of course. The book is always better than the movie.” He winked.
My body felt warm.
The safe feeling came back.
“Okay,” I said, propping myself up further in order to get out of bed. Kip hurried to help me.
I waved him off. “I’m capable of getting myself out of bed,” I snapped. Though I didn’t punctate my point well with a slight struggle. I had yet to get used to my cast and my newfound center mass.
“Last night didn’t change anything,” I told him when I stood. Then I looked at his torso, still damp. Flashbacks of last night hit me and my pussy.
“Well, we’re fucking now,” I decided on the spot. At first, I thought last night was going to be a one-off—or a three-off, if you wanted to get technical—but I still had eighteen weeks left, and I had the suspicion that my hormones would only get more powerful. Plus, I felt better this morning than I had in recorded memory.
Kip’s mouth stretched upward, but his eyes were a mix of teasing and erotic hunger.
My body responded to the mere look.
“Justfucking,” I said to him, ignoring my lust. I felt especially tender between my legs. In a very good way. “We’re not together or anything.”
His lips stretched wider. “We’re married,” he reminded me.
“We’re not together,” I said firmer this time. “Just sex. And no more sleeping together.”
Feeling somewhat more in control, I walked out of the room and into my own bedroom, closing the door behind me.
* * *
Nora had banned me from working at the bakery, even though I was mostly healed up from the accident. Yeah, I had the cuts and bruises, my ribs vaguely hurt, and I still had the stupid cast on. That was going to be there for a few weeks, at least.
Yet my best friend wouldn’t hear of me coming in as anything other than a customer for at least a week.
I would’ve tried to fight her further on that, except I knew that even if I won with her, I wouldn’t win with Kip. He was being next-level overprotective, and I couldn’t lift anything heavier than a mug these days. Sure, I’d gladly go toe to toe with him, but I knew I couldn’t win on that.
Which made me feel just a little suffocated.
So, I needed therapy.
“What are you doing?”
I looked to where Kip was leaning against the doorjamb. The expression on his face was hard to process. His brows were furrowed into something resembling a frown, but his eyes twinkled with reverence, melancholy, and fondness all mixed into one.
I got the impression that he’d been watching me for a while.
Despite my overall irritation with him, I felt a wave of emotion that almost made me cry and want to run into his arms.
Instead, I shoved a paperback into my tote, along with sunscreen, towels, and my bottle of water. It was an uncharacteristically warm day for this time of year. I was going to make the most of it.
“You’re a smart guy,” I told him. “Or at least I assume you were trained to assess the variables of a situation and come to a conclusion. I’m wearing a swimsuit, I’m packing a beach bag, and there’s an ocean right there.” I pointed out the window. “Use your soldier skills.”
I then hitched the bag on my shoulder and walked toward the doors.
