Page 57 of Strike Zone

Taking a moment to choose his words, he runs his hands through his hair. He does that when he’s uncomfortable. “There are no words. You want the truth? There’s no scenario in which that night would’ve been funny. I was a wreck. I didn’t know what to do or if I’d hurt you. Scared out of my mind would be the understatement of the century.” He physically shakes it off, a shudder running through his entire body. “Basically, I may never have sex again because you traumatized me.”

“Well, if you’re so mentally scarred by it, you won’t miss us having sex. Our new friends-with-no-benefits situation will work out great.” That didn’t sound even slightly convincing.

“Yeah, yeah, southpaw. Easy for you to say. You don’t know what it’s like to fuck you. It’s pretty addictive, and I’m not going to lie…” Now, he turns and holds my gaze as he darts his tongue out to lick his bottom lip. “You taste fucking divine.” Without another word, he runs his hand over the scruff on his jaw before crossing his arms behind his head and focusing his attention back on the television.

“Thanks.”

“You’re wel… come.” It’s more of a question than anything. Oh my God, I’m an idiot. Who says ‘thanks’ after something like that? I’d never confirm to Linc, but he’s not wrong when he said he gave me the best orgasms of my life. I’m not sure I could handle him knowing. His ego would be out of control.

I struggle to keep my eyes open as one episode runs into another. Eventually, I stop fighting it and let myself drift off with the comforting weight of Linc on the bed next to me. There’s something about his presence that soothes me. I don’t want to delve too deep into those feelings because, now more than ever, I need to shut them down before I get my heart broken.

* * *

“Do you know you snore like a trucker? And you drool in your sleep.” His voice is deep and raspy in the morning.

“You told me you were sleeping on the couch. It’s your own fault.”

“I did the first night, then you started begging me for warmth. I know you have heating in this place, but you just love having my brawn in your bed.”

“I didn’t hear you protesting.”

“You didn’t? That explains why you didn’t get naked when I asked last night.”

“You, as a human being, are wrong on so many levels, Linc.”

“You do want to get naked?” He squints his eyes open, flashing me a gorgeous morning smile.”

“I don’t need to. You’re doing it all by yourself. The anaconda’s loose.” He quickly checks himself, the crest of his morning wood peeking out above the waistband of his gray sweats.

“Fuck. Not how you wanted to start your day. Sorry, southpaw.” He adjusts and closes his eyes for a few moments.

“Didn’t your mom ever tell you that when you close your eyes, people can still see you?”

“Ha-ha. I can’t look at you. I need my brain swelling to go down, and you look hot in the morning.”

“I bet.” I’m about to lay into him for flirting with me, but like clockwork, my routine of hugging the toilet bowl first thing in the morning kicks in with a vengeance. I stumble from the bed, holding my stomach as I make a beeline for the bathroom.

Before every muscle in my body contracts, Linc is behind me, wrapping his arms gently around me, holding me together as I bring up nothing but stomach bile. “It’s okay.” I sag into him, letting him take my weight. Lowering us to the floor, he stays at my back, whispering soothing words. “I’m here. You got this, Momma.”

Once I’ve stopped heaving, I slump against the broad lines of his chest. “The anaconda still has rigor mortis. You should really get that seen to or speak to a therapist or something. If hugging a pregnant woman while she vomits doesn’t get rid of a chubby, there’s definitely something going on.”

“Shut up, southpaw. Just let me look after you without questioning me all day long. Can you do that? One day is all I’m asking.”

“Brooke is coming over this morning, and you can’t be here when she arrives. You’re free.” He sweeps my hair off my face with a tenderness I don’t deserve.

“Awesome. Are you going to tell her?”

“Not yet. You and I are just figuring things out, and I want to have a plan of attack when I tell my family.”

“Okay, but the sooner, the better. Anyway, I’m not going to push you right now, and I need to go check on my dog. My neighbor has been watching her, but she doesn’t give her enough love.”

“Why didn’t you bring her here? She’s cute and didn’t seem to hate me when I used to turn up at your place during the… what did you call it last night… the pre-puke days.”

“I didn’t know if you were a dog person. Besides, it’s presumptive to turn up on someone’s doorstep with your dog in tow.”

“I love dogs. And you turned up on my doorstep and started sleeping in my bed. You put a baby in my belly. I think we’re past you being comfortable enough to bring your dog over.”

“Noted. Has it really been that bad having me around?” He moves to help me up, but the cool tile feels good, so I tug him back down, resting my head against his chest.

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