Page 85 of Strike Zone

“No. I’m clearly not a baby person.” He puts some distance between us like the baby’s going to jump out and grab him at any moment. “I’m fine over here while you guys enjoy the miracle of pregnancy.”

When the baby finally settles down, I’m ready to curl up in a ball and go to sleep, but they’re all having some laughs at the end of a long day, so I opt for the couch. Closing my eyes for a few minutes, I listen to them chatting excitedly about their upcoming games and planning a baseball career for my daughter before she even enters the world. It’s cute hearing Linc talk about her, and I’m certain he’s going to be the most amazing dad.

Eventually, the threads of conversation are hard to hold onto, but it’s okay because I’m surrounded by family as I let myself drift off—my sister, my brother-in-law, and Linc. Linc is my family now, and this is our home, together.

* * *

“Come on, southpaw, time for bed.” My eyes flutter open as Linc hoists me into his arms. I’m disorientated. The apartment is quiet, and all the lights are off.

“Where are Brooke and Anders?”

“They went home. You can go back to sleep, I’ve got you.”

“I only shut my eyes for a few minutes. Ten, max.” I nuzzle against his chest as he carries me down the hall to our bedroom.

“That was four hours ago. I tried to bring you to bed earlier, but you kept swatting my hand away any time I tried. Then you mumbled something about the anaconda, and that’s when Brooke and Anders decided it was time to make a sharp exit.”

“I did?” I’m still dazed, my limbs heavy as they hang over Linc’s arms.

“I’m only kidding. You asked me to marry you.”

“Did you say yes?”

“On the proviso that I get to wear the veil.”

“No.” I mumble—obstinate—still in the space between sleep and wakefulness. “I get to be the girl with you. No one else ever noticed I’m a girl. I want the dress and cake and all that good stuff.”

“I’ll remember that, southpaw. Only the best for you.”

He lowers me into bed, tugs off my pants, and strips to his boxers, climbing in behind me, wrapping his arm over my stomach.

“Did I really propose?”

“I’m afraid not. I guess we’ll need to save that for another day.”

“Good. I don’t want to ask you.”

He presses featherlight kisses on my shoulder. “Ever the romantic, southpaw. Can we get through move-in day before you dash my hopes and dreams?”

“I just mean… I want to be asked… not be the one asking.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

“I do.” He continues to trail his lips up my neck, nuzzling me with sensual kisses.

“I love you, Linc.” Desire unfurls deep in my core, brushing sleep aside as an ache is awoken. A need that only he can sate.

“I love you too, Diana. Welcome home, baby.”

I reach my hand behind me, letting it trace the length of his cock. “We need to christen the bed.”

“You’re tired.” His words defy his actions, his tongue darting to the back of my ear, knowing it makes me squirm as he grinds against me. “Besides, we’ve slept in this bed together a million times.”

“But now it’s ours. I want you to fuck me in our bed, Linc.”

Pushing my panties over my hips, he slides them down my legs, shrugging them to the bottom of the bed along with his boxers. His erection grinds against my ass as his fingers dig into my hip, anchoring me in place.

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