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“Not that kind. Though we can take care of that after you’ve eaten and rested, omega.”
We went inside and he heated up some leftovers while I took a shower and changed into my comfiest clothes and went downstairs. He sat at the table with my plate and his in front of him. “Come sit, Sheppard.”
I wondered if he knew how much it turned me on when he called me by my whole name. Who was I kidding? Almost everything this man did turned me on.
I ate all my food in record time and grabbed a lemon bar that I had baked the day before while I had a burst of energy. “How is work?” I asked, feeling selfish. I felt like all of our conversations revolved around me and the baby and all baby-related things, which was normal, but I wanted to hear about him.
“I closed that big deal this morning,” he said, smiling.
“What? Isn’t it early? I thought you were closing it next week.”
He chuckled while leaning over to kiss me. “Actually, there were some details that had to be handled. The contracts were supposed to be signed two weeks ago. We got an extension, and they were signed this morning.”
“We should be out celebrating,” I said.
“No. You should be going to have a rest. I make and break deals every day, omega.”
A flood of emotion crashed into me without warning, and I raged. “You’re embarrassed about me.” The statement tumbled out of my mouth, without passing through my mind first.
“What?” he almost shouted while his eyes grew big.
“You’re embarrassed because I’ve gotten so fat. We haven’t been out in weeks. That’s why you don’t want to celebrate.”
I knew my outburst was unwarranted but it came barreling out anyway. Tears poured from my eyes and a bit of crying turned into outright sobs. What in the hell was happening to me?
“Omega, come here.”
I shook my head, refusing him but also not wanting to. Hormones were horrible, awful things when they were on the fritz.
“Sheppard, come here.” His voice beckoned me, a light in this tunnel I was trapped in.
I forced my body to stand and he immediately pulled me into his lap. I laid my head on his shoulder and inhaled his scent. After a few moments, the sobs died down, and I took one long breath, letting it all go.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
Despite my size and the fact that inside me was another being, Locke picked me up and carried me to our bed and tucked me in. We said nothing for a while as he lay next to me and ran his fingers through my hair. “Are you ready to talk?” he asked.
“I didn’t mean those things. I know you’re not embarrassed of me. I don’t even know why I said that.”
He pulled me closer and rubbed circles on the outside of my belly. “You’re all over the place lately. It’s okay. I know this all must be so difficult for you. I can’t imagine the range of emotions you’re experiencing.”
This alpha of mine was rock steady, no matter what. “You’re not upset at me? I said some awful things.”
“No. If they were true, I would be upset at myself. If you thought those things, then clearly I wasn’t doing my job as an alpha and assuring you that you were gorgeous and I would never be ashamed of you. You are beautiful, especially rounded like you are. You absolutely glow, Sheppard.”
“Thank you,” I said, already falling asleep. My emotions were more exhausting than this pregnancy.
“For what?”
“For always being my rock.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Locke
I was at the office when I got the call, and I almost didn’t take it, since I didn’t recognize the number. But I did…thank the gods.
“Locke, this is Reggie at the aquatic center.”
