Page 23 of Three of a Kind

Getting Libby to bed early isn’t as hard as I expect it to be. I made sure to take her to the park on the way home and let her run until she was content.

It feels like a win-win. She had a blast, and I get a little time to feel like a woman instead of a toddler wrangler.

I’m just swiping on a coat of mascara and about to do my lip gloss when I hear someone knocking on the front door. Luckily, I made sure Libby’s door was closed just for this situation.

My hands tangle through my waves as I give myself a once-over in the mirror.

Well, I’m still seven months pregnant.

Nothing is going to change that, so I get my butt in gear, taking off for the front door.

I stretch up to check the peephole, and Noble’s handsome face greets me. Goodness, he really is gorgeous.

Flattening back on the floor, I open the door.

“Wow.” He smirks, eyeing me from head to toe. “You’re beautiful.” He steps inside, bumping the door closed with his foot, and aims for the counter to drop off the pizza balancing on his hand. “Where’s the shortstack?”

My eyes fly up from examining his ass in those dark jeans. He’s got a nice butt, and that’s such an inappropriate thought that it makes my cheeks burn.

I actually put my kid to bed a half hour early, so this would feel more like a date.

What am I even doing?

My hand flies to my face. “She’s asleep.”

“Do you know how gorgeous you are?” Noble rumbles, swaggering closer. “That dress shows off every single curve you’ve got.” His hands land on my hips, and he ducks his head, nuzzling his cheek to mine. It’s an intimate move that marks me with his pheromones and vice versa. His palm moves over to tease my stomach. “Are you far enough along that you can feel the baby move?”

My heart races.

My pregnancy has been such a heavy secret that it feels strange—but good—to hear him acknowledge the baby.

“I do. I’m not sure anyone else can feel it yet, though.”

His face breaks out into a dazzling smile that makes my knees a little weak. “That just gives me something to look forward to.”

I blink up at him for so long that he chuckles.

“Have you eaten? I brought half meat lovers and half cheese since I thought Libby might be eating with us.”

It’s a little hard to believe he remembers the conversation we had in the hallway one night when I mentioned she only eats cheese pizza. Even then, she mostly picks the cheese off and leaves the crust.

“That was very thoughtful.” I stare up at him under my lashes. “And it smells fantastic. I actually haven’t eaten.”

“Perfect,” he purrs. “Have a seat and pick the movie. I’ll bring everything over.”

My heart races.

He’s very considerate. I’m not sure I deserve his attention, but my instincts won’t let me push him away. Not when care from a potent alpha is exactly what my system craves.

There’s a slight possibility that I pick a scarier movie than I would normally enjoy, but it does make for a solid reason to snuggle up to Noble’s scent.

He smells indescribable. It’s rainy and fresh, with hints of lightning. Kind of electric or dangerous but also wildly appealing. It’s incredible, and my nose is very fond of having him close by.

Unfortunately, I barely make it thirty minutes into the movie before I need a bathroom break.

I walk back into the living room after finishing up, but Noble isn’t on the couch.

My mouth falls open.

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