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I shake the negativity from my brain and focus on my breaths instead.
“It’s gonna be ok, baby.” Rex’s massive arms snake across my torso and pull me back into his broader-than-I-remember chest.
“I know,” I whisper, spinning in his embrace to focus on him instead of the visual before me.
He’s bulked up a lot—not that Rex was small in any sense of the word—since he’s been gone.
I’m not fucking complaining.
I guess boredom and a sense of preparedness will do that to a guy.
“Are you ready? You still wanna do this, babe?” Hands to my hips that hold me close when I spin to face him, Rex’s star-crossed gaze bores down into mine, worry creasing his brow.
“I love you, Rexy.” I cage his face between my palms and press a gentle kiss to his lips, the rings there chilled to the touch. “I’m nervous, I won’t lie about that.”
“We don’t have to do this if it’s too much.” I shake my head, my meticulously done curls bouncing around my cheek, the ends tickling the tops of my high cleavage on the one side.
“It’s not too much.” I step back from his warmth to do another once over in the mirror.
I take a moment to admire Rex, all his tatted and pierced glory, in a three-piece suit tailored to fit his huge frame. Wild curls fall around his shoulders in contrast to the classic attire adorning his body, yet somehow coming together to screamthis is me, here I am, Rex Motherfucking Thompson.
“You look so beautiful, babe.” He trails a hand down my arm to grip my wrist and pull me back to him.
“I was admiring you.” I snigger and smooth the lapel of his sport coat down.
This is one of those moments where I’d normally have to adjust his tie even though it doesn’t need it, but Rex refused to wear one. Instead, the pressed silk shirt beneath has the first several buttons undone, displaying his glorious ink for the world to see.
Except tonight … the world is going to have a chance to put a face to the name that’s been streaming since the night Rex proposed to me.
The night a grubby mugger attacked him.
The night I told him ‘no’.
I snicker now at the thought as I run my hands down the front of his torso.
I desperately ache to reach beneath the fabric, feel the steel rings I know are beneath, but I know that if we stand here any longer, Rex is going to undo all of the work I’ve done to get us ready.
I can see it in his eyes.
“I love you, babe. Let’s go.” A gentle peck to my lips that leaves a hint of red behind, Rex intertwines our fingers and leads me out into the hall to find our little group waiting for us.
“Pony up, Princess.” My eyes snap to Fin at the use of the nickname, his attention unexpectedly on Cedar who rolls her eyes and slaps away his outstretched hand.
“I’m not fucking paying you.”
“Then why’d you fucking bet?!” He sputters, his eye roll more obnoxious than hers.
“Bet what?” I ask, smashing the call button to the elevator.
“That you were fucking and wouldn’t be ready in time,” Mac answers as he passes me and piles into the lift. The rest of us follow suit, leaving me to face the closing doors.
“That was earlier,” I say with a wink to my brother, my baby sister hooting somewhere in the elevator behind me.
“It’s bad for the baby.” Rex’s hand jostles mine at his words, his smile unmatched by anyone else in this whole damn building.
“Whatever.” Toby scoffs from somewhere in the back, “You won’t be able to use that excuse once you actually are. No one will believe you.”
I shoot a look at Rex, his knowing smirk plastered to his face as his eyes travel subtly down my body to my belly.
