Page 123 of Stables

His lips move closer to my ear, the heat of him enveloping me. “Mhmm. And in thosefiveweeks since we’ve been here, I’ve had my mouth, my hand, or my cock in your sweet pussy every day. But the only sign of blood was when I cut you with my zipper.”

Wait.

Five?

Fire works its way up my cheeks. “Has it been that long?”

His palms cup my ass and he snugs me against his hips. “And, as yourdoctor, I know exactly when your last period was.”

It was before I went to the emergency room.

My whole life has changed since then.

The crazy urge to giggle hysterically overtakes me as the raw truth begins to sink in.

No, I need to stay calm. “Maybe it’s just stress? That can affect it?”

His mustache twitches and he squints, making the small crow’s feet at his temples deepen. “Does my girl need some stress relief? I’m here to help.” He finds the spot below my ear and nibbles, tickling his way down my throat. “Because if you’re not already pregnant, we can fix that tonight.”

“Do you think I should take a test? I haven’t been sick. I was puking every day with Paisley.” I wrap my palms over his shoulders, arching my neck so he can keep kissing me. God I could get lost in his mouth on my skin.

“Each one will be different.” He pulls back, glancing at Paisley across the room. “I hope you aren’t nauseous for any of them. Otherwise, we’re setting you up for a miserable few years.” The corner of his lip turns up. “Well, at least until you say you’re done. Ten or twelve?”

My eyes must be wide, because he chuckles, then lifts me off the counter. “We can start with one. We’ll pick up a test at the store on the way to the garden.”

His palm finds my butt in a swat. “You’re gonna have to pick a date soon.”

“For what?” I grab a few extra diapers to put into Paisley’s bag.

He pulls a packet of snacks out of the cupboard and stuffs it into the side pocket. “The wedding.”

Oh.

“Char,” he growls. “You make that face, and it makes me want to stick—” Bending, he scoops Paisley up to his side. “—somethingin it.”

“Where we going?” Paisley looks up at him as he puts her in the car seat.

“We’re going to our old house to get stuff from the garden.” I better grab extra herbs, just in case I need them to settle my belly too.

Her face scrunches and her feet kick out. “No! I don’t want to! That’s where the bad man is.”

Sometimes I forget she barely knows Matt. And all of the interactions she remembers are probably awful.

A shudder passes through me.

Dixon turns in the driver’s seat so he can reach back and hold out his palm. “Hey, princess, I’ll be there to keep you safe.”

“Thank you, daddy.” Her whimpers fade as her tiny fingers encircle one of his.

If I’m not already pregnant, I think that little act just made me so. I swear I love him more every day.

Crap. I nearly forgot. “Dix, I have to check on Ginger.” She’s nearly ready to foal so I’ve been trying to keep a close eye on her.

His head ducks so he can watch me climb out. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“No, I’ll be quick.” Turning on my heel, I jog the hundred yards or so to the side entrance to the stables.

She’s near the back, and I can hear her nickering before I get there.

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