Page 57 of Fateful Exposure

She expected me to leave.

To walk away and protect my public image so I didn't get dragged down with her.

And she wasn't wrong. Ishouldleave. I'd worked so hard to build myself to where I am today, had put in the work and the finances to see myself through school where I'd majored in photography. And when I'd gotten accepted into a fellowship program in London to study with the best of the best, I'd been so fucking proud of myself that I'd called Milo on the phone and cried for over two hours because I couldn't believe that I'd done it.

So, yes. Being here with her, or even being seen with her, was detrimental to my reputation.

But I'd decided long ago that I could live with losing my public image. While I would admit that it was a huge part of who I was, it was notfullyme. I had been the one to work for it, and if the time ever came again when I had to build anew, I would. Because my work spoke for itself.

What I couldn't bring myself to decide, however, was if I could live without Selma. These past few months with her had been some of the best of my life, even when we were at odds. I lived to see her face every day, I lived to taste her, and I fucking lived to love her.

She was everything that was and everything that was to come. She consumed me in her entirety, and I couldn't imagine a life where she wasn't in it. Where she wasn't carrying my child.

So how was I supposed to live without her?

I placed my hand on her stomach, feeling her jolt under my touch. She carried a part of me inside her, a part that I would never get back, nor did I want to. A part of both of us that I already loved before I even saw it.

"It's been eight weeks." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she stared down at the place our skin connected. "I’ll start showing soon."

And then everyone will know that the blogs didn't lie.She didn't say it out loud, but I heard the remainder of the sentence.

Fuck the media, and fuck Alex.

"Have I told you that I'm happy you're carrying my baby?" I said.

Our eyes locked, and she sucked in a shaky breath as if she wanted to protest. Eventually, she swallowed down whatever it was she wanted to say before shaking her head.

"Well, I am," I added before getting to my feet. "And you look beautiful. Come on. Let's get you in the tub."

She stood, letting me guide her toward the inviting, warm water. She got in, sinking down and letting out a moan as the water surrounded her, rising just above her breasts. "Oh, that feels good."

I bit back a smile at the absolute look of pleasure on her face, letting my eyes roam over her lithe form. I could see her dark rosy nipples peeking out from under the water, and my cock stirred in my pants. I mentally scolded it, but it flipped me the bird. Literally.

Adjusting my pants so it wouldn't be visible, I sat on the side of the tub. "Water hot enough?"

She nodded, her eyes hooded. Then, as if she just realized something, her eyes snapped open to me. "Aren't you getting in? There's enough space for two."

I shook my head. "We both know there will be no bathing if I get in, and I want you to enjoy this."

Besides, she was vulnerable right now, and the last thing I wanted to do was take advantage of her. No matter how much I wanted to bury myself inside her.

Clearly not satisfied, she nodded, nonetheless. "Alright."

I rolled my sleeves up my arm. "Turn around and lean back. Let me wash your hair."

She smiled sheepishly and did as I instructed, leaning her head backward to give me access. I grabbed my shampoo bottle from the rack, squirted some creamy liquid into my palms, rubbed them together, and massaged it into her wet hair.

She released a low groan, and the sound traveled straight to my already hard cock, making it strain painfully against my zipper. I hissed, trying to focus on my task. Lather began to foam when Selma let out a high-pitched moan.

"Selma peaches," I growled, working overtime to calm my marauding erection.

"Yeah?" she sighed.

"I'm going to need you to stop distracting me."

"How?" she asked innocently before realization dawned on her. "Oh," she murmured. "Sorry."

I gently massaged her scalp with the tip of my fingers. "All good, baby."

---