Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“They’ll be fine, babe. Besides, nothing short of a nuclear attack is going to dampen my mood. Today, we get to find out more about our baby,” he says. Harrison has always had a way with words. He knows just how to make me melt like butter.
He places a kiss on my forehead just as a knock sounds on the door. “Good afternoon, Gwendolyn. Are you ready to check on your baby?” Dr. Taylor asks as she enters the exam room.
Before I can answer, Harrison turns to face her, extends his hand, and says, “Harrison Drake, father. And yes, we’re definitely ready to see our baby.”
Chapter 9
Harrison
* * *
Dr. Taylor shakes my hand and then turns her attention to Winnie.
“Gwendolyn, congratulations.” She smiles kindly. “How have you been feeling?” she asks, glancing from the computer on the small counter.
“Good. Some mild cramping—” Winnie starts to explain, and I stop her.
“What? You told me you were feeling better?” I knew I should have refused to let her do anything for herself. Not even two days into knowing about this pregnancy and I’m already failing her.
“Hey.” Her voice is soothing as her small hand cups my cheek. “I’m okay. Promise.” Green eyes stare back at me, imploring me to trust her. “As I was saying,” she drops her hand and turns to look at Dr. Taylor, “some mild cramping, but the spotting has stopped,” she says. Immediately, I take a deep breath, releasing some of my tension.
Unable to help myself, I lean in and kiss her temple.
“That’s wonderful news. Some cramping is normal during pregnancy, especially with your first. Says here you are about five weeks along. We’re going to do another transvaginal ultrasound today to make sure everything is still looking good. We’ll run some blood work as well. Your urine sample came back positive.” She laughs. “But we already knew that. Then we’ll use the Doppler and see if we can hear your baby’s heartbeat. Don’t be alarmed if we can’t. It’s still early. Usually, it’s around the ten-to-twelve-week mark when we can start to detect it. We always try though.” She smiles at both of us. “Go ahead and get into your gown, lay the blanket over your lap. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” She stands and leaves the room without another word.
“Uh, Harrison,” Winnie says hesitantly once the door is closed.
She’s nervous. “I’ve had my lips on every inch of your skin. There’s not a single curve I don’t have memorized.” Her eyes turn molten as she bites down on her bottom lip. “When I told you I was going to be here, I meant it. I’m not leaving.” Stepping between her legs, my hands grip the hem of her shirt. “Arms up, baby.” She raises her arms and lets me remove her shirt. Hands under her arms, I lift her from the exam table and set her on her feet. My hands go to the button on her shorts, my eyes never leaving hers. “Step,” I say, once I have her shorts and panties around her ankles. My voice is thick as I battle with my hormones. I’m a randy teenager anytime she’s near. Resting her hands on my shoulders, she steps out.
Unable to help myself, I place my hands on her bare hips and press my lips just above her belly button. I feel her hands in my hair, so I look up to find her watching me. She’s smiling down at me. My heart rate kicks into overdrive. She takes my breath away. I thought I’d lost her, and now here we are. Something passes between us. It’s not anything that I can name, but it’s strong and steady.
Just like us.
I’ll make damn sure of it.
Standing back to my full height, I grab the gown from the table and help her into it. My hands find their way to her flat belly, and it’s surreal that our baby is growing inside her. I can’t seem to stop touching her and can’t wait until she starts to show. The proof of the life we created evident. She takes her place back on the exam table, pulling me out of my thoughts. Reaching for the thin white blanket, I cover her up, but not before tracing her naked thigh with my index finger. She sucks in a breath, and that alone fuels my desire.
Knowing the doctor could walk in any second, I pull away and move to stand next to her, trying like hell to forget about her naked body under the thin material.
“This was a bad idea,” she whispers as my lips connect with her forehead.
“Why’s that?” I ask. I know why it was a bad idea, but I want to hear her say it. I need to hear her say it.
“Because Dr. Taylor is going to come back in here and she’s going to know that I’m turned on.”