Page 121 of Líadan's Code

“Yes,” I murmur. “Okay. Fuck, I just have crazy butterflies right now.”

“That’s normal,” Brendan says, walking in with some saltine crackers. I know they’re going to ask me to eat something more filling soon. Brendan is buttering me up.

Taking a small bite of a cracker, I nod. My stomach growls, making me chuckle softly. If I’m hungry, hopefully that means I’ll be able to keep food down.

“I know,” I say. “It doesn’t change the crazy rollercoaster I feel as if I’m on though.”

“Let’s focus on what you can control. What are you wearing to this?” Brendan asks, making me sigh as I lay my head on Jordan’s chest. I’m just coming out of my first trimester, waiting for some of the energy that the baby books keep promising will come back.

“I have a long black dress picked out with a high slit up my left leg, and it’s one shouldered. It’s also very low in the back as well,” I explain. I went shopping in Evanston alone one day, since we’re located close to nice boutique clothing stores. They haven’t seen the dress yet.

“So you’re saying it’s the perfect slit to push up and to the side for me to christen the club?” Jordan growls, kissing up my neck.

He’s insatiable. They both are.

“Yes,” I gasp, feeling his cock hardening underneath my ass. “I need to get ready soon, and I can’t wear panties with this dress.”

“When do you ever?” he asks with a smirk. It’s true, they annoy me.

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter. “Ugh, I need to get ready.”

“I’ll bring dinner up to you while you do,” Brendan says. “Please take some crackers with you.”

Not arguing because I am hungry, I snag some crackers.

“Will one of you please keep my phone in case there are any other calls?” I ask, standing.

Jordan raises my phone with a nod. “I really doubt there will be any fires to put out, but I live for this shit. Go relax,” he says.

Knowing he’s right, I hurry through the condo to shower. It’s a two bedroom space, and perfect for what we need. I haven’t bothered to replace anything that was burned in the fire outside of clothes and electronics. Most of it are memories I can’t get back: photos and drawings that I’ve made.

The condo came furnished when we bought it, and thankfully it’s close enough to items that I would have chosen anyway. Once the club is opened and the manager feels comfortable with everything, Jordan, Brendan, and I plan to take a babymoon. Things have been hectic, I want a fucking vacation.

I spend the next half hour showering, getting dressed, and doing my hair and makeup. It’s an important night. I want to look the part of a successful club owner. I’m claiming it, even as I eat my crackers like the little pregnant bad ass that I am.

Rolling my eyes at myself, I stare critically at my reflection as I finish painting my lips a deep purple-red color. My eyes are done in a pretty purple smokey eye, my blush is understated, and my lilac earrings sparkle in the light.

I am clearly rocking my power color today.

My hair is pulled away from my face with my special pins, just in case, while the rest is curled down my back. I look youthful yet in charge, because I refuse to believe that people have to look as if they have a stick up their ass to be taken seriously.

“Lía, I have your food,” Brendan rumbles from the bedroom.

“Coming,” I say, turning away from the mirror. “Do I look alright?”

The dress drapes perfectly over my body, hiding any small amount of baby bump I could possibly have. Brendan places the plate slowly down on the end table as he gazes at me, startling when he has to turn to fix the plate, because it almost ends up toppling over.

He’s rarely stunned, and I chuckle as I watch him try to get ahold of himself.

“Goddamn, warn a man,” he grunts, his eyes back on me. “You look incredible. Are you sure we need to go to this thing?”

Snorting, I roll my eyes because he knows my answer. Walking over to the bed, I pick up the plate and carefully scoop a bite onto my fork. He made chicken and rice exactly the way I like it, without it being overly spicy.

I really hope I get to keep my food down this time.

“You know we do,” Jordan rumbles from the door, taking a step inside so he can see me better. “Fuck me, now I want to stay home too.”

My lips are spread so wide, I know my cheeks will hurt soon from smiling.

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