Page 16 of Mine to Worship

Relief eases his sharp features, and he asks, “Hungry?”

“I don’t want to throw up these goodies.” The tap to my tears kicks on, and I start crying. Over a donut.

To make things worse, he pulls me into his chest and caresses my back. I grip his shirt and, sniffling, bury my face in his chest.

“We can try,” he whispers.

Another layer of protection crumbles at his words. He tips my chin up and brings the donut to my lips. I take a small bite and chew it. To my relief, it stays down.

“I love our baby already. It lets me have my donuts.”

He exhales, and he dips his head and kisses my stomach. “Thank you, buddy.”

If he keeps this up, coming clean, keeps talking, it will be impossible for me to push him away.

But I have to be strong. I have to.

Chapter 6

Kian

When she falls asleep, I can finally breathe. The pain won’t bother her anymore, and she won’t challenge me to show her I will stay. We’ll take things slow this time around.

I tiptoe out of the room and stride straight into the doctors’ office. He raises his chin, concern clear in his eyes.

“Is Ellia all right?” he asks.

“Yes, my wife is asleep,” I say under my breath and take a seat.

“Then how can I help you?”

“How can I help her?”

He leans back and crosses his hands. I itch to punch that condescending expression off his face.

“You can’t.”

“But she’s in pain. Why her? And use words I can understand and not medical jargon.”

He nods, ever the professional, the man letting his desire for my woman subside. “She’s suffering from what’s called hyperemesis gravidarum. Usually, nausea and vomiting end after the first trimester, but in her case, it’s likely to keep going for the duration of the pregnancy. There’s a risk of dehydration and weight loss. She has to be monitored.”

“That’s not a problem.”

He studies me, his index fingers pressed together on his pursed lips.

I stand up, button my suit jacket and place my palms on his desk. “I don’t give a shit if you don’t like me. But make sure my wife is taken care of until I can take her home.”

“I am a doctor. That’s implied.”

“Then do your damn job and stop salivating over my woman. Because both her and that baby growing inside her are mine, and I won’t let either of them go.”

I push myself off and when I am at the door, he says, “Did you ask her, too?”

I stop with my hand on the door handle, and glare at him over my shoulder.

“Ellia is mine, and you don’t want to test my patience or how far I will go.”

He gulps, apprehension finally settling in his eyes. I shut the door, tiptoe back into her room, and sink back into the chair.

---