Page 40 of Almost

“Maybe in another life I could, but I love the game, Kiera. I love my team, my coaches, and this year we’re going to make it to play-offs. A life under the microscope is not something I wish for our kids, but we’ll deal with it when it comes to that.”

There’s a splash nearby, probably a fish jumping out of the water, but Kiera lets out a shrill shriek, holding on tightly to me. “I don’t like the ocean.” Her voices wavers, so I take a few steps in toward shore.

“Sharks, or the ocean?” I ask, and she frowns.

“Both,” Kiera answers quickly, chewing her bottom lip as I adjust my grip on her. Her skin is slippery from her tanning oil, making it harder to hold her up, even if she’s lighter because we’re in the water. “When do you want to start having kids?”

“I don’t know. I’m not old yet, but I’m not going to get any younger. Would it be presumptuous of me to say as soon as possible? I know it’s not up to me because it’s your body, though,” I clarify hastily, questioning whether I stuck my foot in my mouth. But Kiera smiles at me, so maybe I said the right thing? I clear my throat before continuing. “What I mean to say is whenever we do get pregnant, I’ll be excited. However, you’re only twenty-five and still in school, so it’s okay if you aren’t ready for kids yet.”

Kiera leans up to kiss me. I hold onto her tightly as she slides her tongue into my mouth, and I’m wondering why I let so many stupid things come out of my mouth when this is the reaction to something thoughtful.

She pulls back, mumbling against my lips. “I want to start trying after the wedding. I went off the pill when we decided we were going to wait until after the wedding. If it’s okay with you, I’d really like to have a baby with you, Sebastian Walker.”

The smile on my face couldn’t be dimmed even if I tried to. “I think that sounds perfect. Besides, we’re going to have so much fun trying,” I promise her, pressing my lips to the spot on her collarbone that makes her squirm.

She lets out a throaty moan that almost convinces me to lose my restraint. Fucking hell, these next few weeks are going to suck. I nip at Kiera’s skin one last time before lifting my head up and lowering her onto her own feet.

“Why’d you put me down?” she asks, and I put a few feet of distance between us.

“Because I love you, and not to continue bringing this up, but you’re driving me crazy with all this talk about babies. Did you by any chance bring a one-piece or something else to wear, because goddamn, you are beautiful.” I splash cold water on my face, trying to calm myself down. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, but I’m so hard it’s painful.

Kiera laughs, seeming completely like herself again. “Maybe for your birthday you can negotiate a blow job.” She playfully winks at me, and this time, I dunk myself under the water.

“That’s not even funny to joke about,” I warn, coming up for air.

“Who says I’m joking?”

I hate my life.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Thalia

ZEUS DOES NOT like Eric. It was funny at first, but after a few days, the whole growling thing is getting old. It doesn’t matter how many times I scold him, if Eric is in the room, Zeus is either growling, or staring him down with thetry me and see how serious I am about staying away from my momlook.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think Sebastian had trained the dog to hate Eric.

He adores Penelope, though, making it so much more frustrating for Eric.

Zeus and I have been thick as thieves the rest of his time here. I had to spend the morning at the gallery, but Penelope came in to cover for me so I could take Zeus for a hike, but I’m wishing we’d gone for a walk instead.

He got into a cocklebur bush, and I’ve spent the last twenty minutes trying to get all of the stickies from his fur. “Oh my god, Bash is going to kill me. I’m so sorry, Zeus,” I mumble under my breath when he whimpers again as I pull one out from behind his ears.

The pitiful look Zeus is giving me, doesn’t instill much confidence that I can get all of these out in time. We onlyhave another ten minutes to spare before we really have to go home, or I’ll be late for when Sebastian is supposed to pick him up from my house. I’d hate to waste his time after a wonderful weekend with his doting fiancée.

The humidity today was terrible and my hair is sticking to my neck and face. I feel disgusting.

Fuck, this would be easier if I had a brush or something to comb his fur out. At least Zeus is letting me pick them off him. This would be so much worse if he were fighting me in the process.

I feel awful pulling one out, taking a chunk of fur with it. “I’m sorry. I promise I’m trying to make this go as quick as possible.”

His tail thumps gently against the ground, and I do my best to get a few more before loading him up into the car, but I know I didn’t get all of them. Maybe if I give Sebastian money to get him groomed, then he won’t be too mad at me?

I didn’t even think about the cockleburs when I brought him out here. Before that, I think he was having a good time, though.

Zeus is panting happily in the passenger seat, sticking his head out the window happily when we pull up to my house. My anxiety instantly spikes because instead of Sebastian’s car, I see Kiera’s. I am not in the mood to deal with her bullshit today.

“What the hell is she doing here? Your stupid dad was supposed to come get you. Sorry, I shouldn’t call him stupid to you, but that’s what he is,” I complain to Zeus, as he leans forward to lick my face. It makes me feel slightly better before grabbing the leash and climbing out of my car at the same time Kiera gets out.

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