“More relaxed now?” His lips grazed the top of her head as he spoke.
“Mmm.”
“Should I take that as a yes?”
“Mm-hmm.”
He chuckled, his hand sliding down the gentle curve of her back to the plump globes of her ass. He gave one a squeeze. “We’d better get you up and out before you fall asleep.”
“Just a few more minutes. I promise not to fall asleep.” She nuzzled her face into his chest. “I’m so comfortable.”
He smacked her ass, water splashing into the air.
She jerked up, nearly clocking him in the chin. “Hey!”
He smirked. “Still comfortable?”
She scowled. Her lips formed a cute little pucker, her brow furrowed, and her eyes glared. “Not anymore.”
“Good. Then let’s get you dried off, and I promise to make you comfortable again.”
“Do you think it’s strange I don’t have morning sickness?” she questioned, out of the blue, after he’d gotten her back in bed and draped, once more, across his chest.
“I don’t really know. I’ve never had a baby before.”
She chuckled, the sound sultry and soothing and pleasant to his ears. Her laugh, in any of its shapes and forms, made him happy because it meant she was happy.
“I haven’t either, but the women on the expectant mothers’ baby forum make it sound awful.”
He tipped his head to the side but still could only see the top of her head. “I didn’t know you joined a forum.”
“Yeah. My doctor recommended it. She’s one of the doctors that runs the Q and A portion.”
“And have you learned anything interesting?”
“I’ve learned that most of the women have either had or have morning sickness, and they all hate it.”
“Then you should feel fortunate you don’t have it.”
She sighed. “I know. I’m just worried something’s wrong with me.”
Nate had never known her to be insecure before. He tapped the back of her head. “Hey. Look at me.”
She got up on an elbow, twisting until she faced him. He tenderly tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “You have nothing to worry about. You saw the ultrasound today. The baby’s perfect. The doctor even confirmed it.”
“What if I’m a horrible mother?”
He brushed a finger down her cheek. “Impossible.”
“What if I want to go back to work once the baby’s born? Would I be a horrible mother then?”
Now they were getting to what was really bothering her. “Sweetheart, tons of women go back to work after having children. That doesn’t make them bad mothers. If you want to go back to work, go back to work. If you don’t, don’t. You’re fortunate enough to be in a financial situation where you have a choice. Not many women do.”
“Well, when you put it that way, it does make me sound whiny and ungrateful.”
“Not at all. I’m just telling you, anything you decide, I’m with you one-hundred percent. Hell, if you want to go back to work, maybe I’ll stay home with the baby.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Is that something you’d want to do?”
He gave a half shrug, his shoulder rubbing against the mattress. “I’ve been in the business a long time. The glamour wore off years ago. I’m not saying I want to retire permanently, but maybe a few years would be nice.”
She traced a finger down his chest, and he caught it in a fist, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. “We have time to decide. It’s not something you need to worry about now. When the time comes, you’ll know what you want to do.” He gave her finger another kiss. “Now, go to sleep, or I’ll be forced to relax you again.”
Her eyes sparked, and a smile lit her face. “Funny. All of a sudden, I’m not sleepy.”
Rolling her onto her back, he captured her wrists, planting them on either side of her head, and gave her a fervent grin. “I was hoping you’d say that.”