Page 138 of Daddy By Design

Which echoed my own life. That I just had work and a cat—not even a cat right now—and part of me wanted more.

He parked the car, dragging me out of my chaotic thoughts.

I opened the door and was surprised when he got out with me. “You don’t have to go in.”

“I do. We’re in this together.”

I really wasn’t sure what to do with this pro-togetherness version of Nolan. I was so used to him closing off. How long would this last? A week? Nine months?

Ugh.

I was making myself crazy.

I grabbed my purse and slammed the door.

He walked beside me and caught my hand, lacing our fingers. At my frown, he tightened his hold. “You’re not alone in this, Hellcat. Whatever comes, all right?”

“You are so confusing.”

“That makes two of us. You baffle me every damn day.”

“Me?”

“You know, if I was a smart man, I would have run from you the minute we met.”

I tried to twist my hand away.

“You literally vandalized my truck. And you spouted absolutely unhinged things every time we met.” He hauled me in front of him. “But that wild streak of yours was exactly what I needed. I’ve been numb for years, Dahlia. There’s nothing about us that could be called numb.”

“That’s just chemistry.”

“Chemistry only covers this.” He cupped my butt. “I always want to get in this insanely sexy body, and that peach scent of yours makes me crazy. I want it all over me, all the damn time.”

My heart kicked against my breastbone.

“But that was just the start. It’s your mouth and your brain that gets me every time.” He lowered his mouth to mine. His cinnamon scent was faint today, but as usual, it made my mouth water. “Nothing will be boring between us. Ever.” Then he straightened and tangled our fingers again. “You might not believe me about much right now, but you know that’s true.”

“Because we get off on fighting?”

“Everyone has to start somewhere.” He pulled me along with him.

“I don’t know how you’re so calm about this baby thing?”

“Oh, I’m not. I’m terrified I’ll screw something up, but I’m more terrified of letting this kid down. And most of all, letting you down. And I can tell you right now, I’m going to screw up. But I’ll always be there for you.”

The doors of the drugstore opened as we got closer, and he quickly led me down the aisle marked for female products. It always made me laugh that there were just as many contraceptives next to the early pregnancy tests. Was that to make us feel bad about our choices?

The shelves were stocked.

Like seriously stocked.

There had to be a half dozen different kinds. Nolan plucked one of each off the shelf and handed me three and took three. We passed the condoms, and he gave me a half grin. “Don’t need those anymore.”

“What makes you think you’ll be getting me naked?”

His half grin turned into a smirk.

“That is not winning you points.”

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