Page 105 of Tempting God

24

Greer

A week passes after Grant’s Brotherhood meeting. Each day I wake up anxious for no apparent reason. Maybe it’s because I’ve grown up around the Brotherhood and know to expect the worst, but no matter what I do, I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is coming our way.

Grant and I are lying in bed, his hand on my naked stomach.

“Come on, little one. Move for Daddy,” he says. “I’ll make sure you have the best nursery in the entire world if you do.”

I shake with laughter.

“Trying to bribe our child?”

He glances at me, not an ounce of remorse on his face. “Whatever works.”

“You heard the doctor. It’s perfectly normal to only feel little flutters at this stage. You’ll be able to feel Baby Carter kick soon.”

We’ve been calling the baby ‘Baby Carter’ so we don’t slip up and let anyone know what we’re having. Let me tell you, the struggle is real.

Grant ignores me and says, “Come on, little one. Give Daddy one big kick and then I’ll let you sleep.”

I gasp when I feel a flutter that is harder than the ones I normally feel.

“What is it?”

“Baby Carter just kicked!”

It happens again. When I press my hand over the spot, I can feel a slight movement, so I grab Grant’s hand. His face falls.

“I don’t feel anything.”

“Just wait.”

His eyes widen. “Is that…”

“Our baby kicking.”

“Holy fuck.” He keeps his hand on my stomach. “This is fucking amazing. Thank you, little one.” His gaze goes to mine. “And thank you, my beautiful wife. I love you.”

“I love you, too, husband.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Now, you should come and thank me the proper way.”

Grant grins. “Oh, really?”

“Yes, sir. In fact, I demand it.”

“Is that my bratty wife coming out to play?”

“It sure is. What are you going to do about it?”

He hesitates and I notice.

“What is it?”

“I don’t want to hurt you or the baby.”

I say, “You won’t hurt us, Grant, but I’d never ask you to do anything that you’re not comfortable with.”

“A compromise, then. We keep it vanilla-ish until Baby Carter is born.”

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