Page 35 of Teasing a King

She looks at me, a puzzled expression on her face. "Why deprive yourself of something you like just because I can't have it?"

I smile down at her. "When are you going to get it? We're in this together. I meant it."

She stares at me for a few more seconds as if trying to decipher a puzzle. I wonder if she's going to ask me more questions about my motives, but she just holds up the clothes I handed her earlier and says, "Go order the pizza while I change."

I grin. "As you wish."

Chapter Fifteen

Mya

I sit there for several minutes after Van leaves, replaying our conversation in my head. Had he meant what he said? Does he really think I’m beautiful? I know he did, once. The night we’d been together, he’d worshipped my body, telling me over and over how beautiful I was. But now? I’m growing bigger every day. I feel massive, and I know this is only the beginning. I’m nowhere close to as big as I’m going to be by the time I give birth. But Van hadn’t seemed bothered. He’d looked sincere when he’d told me I was beautiful. Just as sincere as he’d been the night of his brother’s wedding.

I’m not sure I agree with his assessment, but I believe he’d meant the words. I find myself smiling as I hug his clothes to my chest. Before I can stop myself, I bury my face in the garments and inhale deeply, hoping for a hint of Van’s scent. Unfortunately, I can only smell the clean scent of detergent. Disappointed, I strip out of the too-tight pants and step into the sweatpants Van brought me. They’re far too large for me, but I pull the drawstring tight and tie it. I need to roll the pants legs to keep from tripping over them, but I manage to make it work. I switch my flowy tank for the oversized t-shirt and risk a glance in the mirror.

I almost laugh at the image. At least I’m no longer struggling to fit into pants that are too small. Instead, I feel almost tiny in Van’s clothes. He’s so much larger than me that his clothes practically swallow me whole. Maybe that had been his plan all along. To make me feel dainty in his too-large clothes. If so, it had worked. I’m no longer upset about my lack of wardrobe or the fact that I’m turning into a whale. I’m growing a person. Of course, I’m going to get big. It makes no sense to get so upset about it. Maybe it’s time to start shopping for maternity clothes. I wonder if Quinn would like to go with me. I smile at my reflection before turning away to head downstairs.

Van is sitting on the couch, remote in hand when I get downstairs. He looks up at me as I enter, lips twitching in a smile.

“I think my clothes are a little big on you,” he says.

I pluck at the front of the shirt, looking at the image of a t-rex trying to clap. “Well, I don’t feel massive anymore,” I say. “I feel a little silly, actually.”

“Why is that?” Van asks, patting the couch beside him.

I make my way over and sit beside him, pulling my legs up under me. “I ruined your dinner plans,” I say. “You were dressed up. You clearly had some place in mind for our dinner.”

Van holds up a hand. “You didn’t ruin anything,” he says. “My only plan for tonight was to spend time with you and get to know you better. We don’t have to go out to a fancy dinner for that.”

My eyes land on a brightly colored bouquet of flowers lying on the coffee table. “You got me flowers?” I say, touched by the gesture.

Van’s gaze follows mine and he nods. “I thought you might like them,” he says. “I didn’t want the only time I bought you flowers to be because I was a jerk.”

I huff out a laugh and shake my head. “They’re beautiful,” I say. “And you weren’t a jerk, exactly. Just a little tactless. Besides, we’re past that, remember?”

Van leans forward to pick up the bouquet and hands it to me. “Regardless,” he says. “These flowers aren’t tainted by a dark past.”

I take the flowers with a smile, dipping my head to smell the blossoms. “Thank you,” I say. “They’re beautiful.”

“So are you,” Van says, catching me off-guard. Before I can form a response, he clears his throat and turns his attention back to the TV. “The pizza will be here in a half hour. I thought maybe we could find something to watch. A movie, maybe?”

I try to hide my own smile. He’s so cute when he’s flustered. Who am I kidding? He’s cute all the time. Except when he’s undeniably sexy. I take in a deep breath and turn my attention to the TV. Van has pulled up a streaming service and is scrolling through the movies listed. I see one of my favorite movies and I point.

“That one!” I shout. “I haven’t watched it in forever.”

Van stops scrolling. “This one?”

I nod. “I hope you like romantic comedies,” I say with a laugh.

Van’s eyes narrow at me. “Joke’s on you, because I love them.” He clicks the button to play the movie. “And I’m man enough to admit it.”

As the opening credits begin to play, I ask him if he’s seen the movie before. When he answers no, I gasp. “Seriously? It’s like ten years old!”

He shrugs. “I don’t watch a lot of movies.”

“Well, you are in for a treat, Mr. King,” I say. “Trust me.”

“Alright, Miss Holmes,” he says. “I’m counting on you. The pressure is on.”