Page 43 of Interception

“What can I say, you’ve changed me. Now, let’s go have some fun.”

When we get inside, the place is eerily quiet, but that’s what I wanted. The caterer has put on an amazing spread, and Zee’s eyes light up when she sees all her favorite foods. She grabs a plate and starts filling it.

“Are you going to keep me company and eat some of this?”

“You don’t have to ask me twice. I’m on it, but if I get out of shape, I’m blaming you. You have good reason to eat whatever you like. You’re eating for three now. I’m ducking out on training, so I can spend the day with you.” I give her a conspiratorial wink and pick up a plate. It all smells delicious. I’m going to be working this off for the next week, but it’s worth it to see the grin on Zee’s face.

Without prying eyes around to divert our attention, it’s so relaxing, like taking a hiatus from our normal life. Zee is enjoying herself without worrying about people snapping pictures or pawing at me for autographs. The conversation is flowing, and little by little, I feel like she’s opening up to me. It’s rare that Zee lets her barriers down, but I love getting to know her more. She’s by far the most interesting, witty, and beautiful woman I’ve ever met.

“Ready to step up to bat, pretty lady?”

“Yep.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you. I bet you bat like a girl.”

“You say that like it’s an insult, Danford. Hitting ‘like a girl’ just means that I’m going to embarrass you when I hit a better average than you.”

“Them are fighting words. Do you have a competitive streak?”

“Maybe a little. Besides, you keep telling me that I’ve been bestowed with the hallowed Danford genes, so I guess these little guys are going to give me an edge. I’ll be swinging with the weight of three. You better watch out.”

“Okay, you’re giving me a boner right now talking about my genes being inside you.” I’m not even kidding. It’s this newfound primal boner. Every time I see her with that sexy bump, I just want to ride her until she’s begging me to let her come.

“Everything gives you a boner. I reckon a good steak or the perfect french fries could get a rise out of your cock.”

“Hey, don’t underestimate the power of a well-cooked steak.” I grab a helmet and put it on her head before handing her a bat. “You ready to show me what you’ve got, hot stuff?”

“I’m ready to beat you! Come on, babies, let’s show Daddy what we’re made of.” As the words leave her mouth, I’m overwhelmed by a wave of—I can’t even put it into words. It’s like fireworks are going off throughout my body. Hearing her say ‘daddy’ just warms my heart.

“Big talk. Let’s see it, then.” I flick the switch for the pitching machine and wait. Zee has this serious look on her face, wiggling her ass as she swings the bat a few times, getting herself into position. It’s not until the first ball comes hurtling toward us that I realize this was a really bad idea for a pregnant woman. She hits the ball dead on, sending it soaring. Fuck, she’s good. The second comes, and she takes another swing. Two for two. As the third ball flies toward us, she flinches, dropping the bat and grabbing her stomach. The ball is coming straight for her.

I jump in front of her, shielding her from a seventy-five-mile-per-hour curveball. If I were smart, I wouldn’t have faced forward. The ball smacks me right in the junk and sends me to the ground in agony.

“Are you okay? You grabbed your stomach. What’s wrong?” My words are disjointed, barely above a whisper. Fuck, it stings. I’d rather slam head-on into a monster quarterback any day of the week. Baseball players must have a fucking death wish. A concussion is better than crushed nuts every time.

“Forget about me. Are you all right? That looked like a sore one.” I’m now curled up in a fetal position.

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, you look it.”

“Flip the switch. Turn the machine off before another ball comes flying at you.” I hear it release as if it heard me and wants to put me in my place. I scramble up, moving her out of the way, and reach for the off switch. I get a ball right between the shoulder blades this time. It hurts like a motherfucker, but I’d take it five times over the crotch ball.

Zee starts laughing, her voice echoing in the empty space. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be laughing. Are you okay?” She leans over, bracing her hands on her knees.

“No, I just got a curveball to my meat and two veg. I’m fucking traumatized.”

“Don’t make me laugh. I’m going to pee myself. Your spawn are sitting on my bladder.”

“Cross your legs, or just… stop laughing at my pain.” She actually crosses her legs, her hand reaching out to grab my shoulder to steady herself.

“Oh, man, I’m really sorry. I just can’t stop laughing.” She’s all-out belly laughing at me, a little snort escaping her, which only makes her squeeze her legs together even more.

“I’m glad my excruciating pain amuses you.” She stops mid-laugh and clutches her stomach once more, her face sobering. “Zee. What’s going on? You’re doing that thing again. Are you okay? Are you in pain?”

A wide grin spreads across her face as she lowers to my side and grabs my hand, placing it on her belly. Nothing is happening. “Just wait a…”

Holy shit! What the fuck was that? I can feel something against my palm. “What the hell?”

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