Page 19 of The Mountain Man's Siren

My brother’s women have become close friends with my lamb. They come over at least a few times a week. I think last time they reorganized the whole place at her direction.

“No, but that would be fun too. The surprise is arriving soon, and you have to remember that I’m pregnant. That means you’re not allowed to be mad at me. That’s in the Constitution somewhere.” She chews on her bottom lip which means despite her joke, she really is nervous about my reaction.

“I’m sure I’ll love it,” I tell her as I finish her leg. I run my fingers along her smooth skin, aching for the release that only comes from being with the woman I love.

She sighs. “Now, you just have to roll my rotund body out of the tub.”

I wrap an arm around her stomach and gently pull her naked body against my bare chest. Fuck, just the skin-to-skin contact makes me want to eat her up. Ten more weeks. “What did I tell you about this?”

She sighs. “I need to speak nicely about my body because it’s amazing and strong.”

I press a kiss to the shell of her ear. “It’s beautiful and these curves make your man fuckin’ horny.”

She sniffs and looks up at me. “All I feel is icky lately.”

“Look at how your skin glows, my sunshine. You are luminous, filled with so much joy. Your body is brilliant. See how it supports both of you? Your powerful heart beats hard every day keeping not just one but two beautiful girls alive. This is the body that brought me to my knees when I first met you and it still does every single day.”

She gives me a watery smile. “That was a pretty good comeback.”

“I love you, my sweet girl.” I press a kiss to the side of her neck. “Now let’s get you out of this cold water and into some clothes.”

In the bedroom, I reach for her oversized t-shirt and her favorite pair of pregnancy jeans, but she shakes her head. “I want the dress in the closet. The green one that you like so much.”

I help her into the clothes, liking that I get to dress her. I love taking care of my woman. The only time I’m not with her these days is when I’m at the support group for veterans. I fuckin’ hate going there. I hate talking about all of it.

But I made a promise to my woman and our unborn child. Their needs will always come before mine and they need a husband and a father who is healthy and whole.

After she’s dressed, Everly does her hair and makeup. I watch her apply lipstick, feeling my pants tighten as I remember months ago when she sucked me off wearing that exact shade. My fingers were tangled in her hair, and she insisted on swallowing every drop of my come.

To distract myself from the arousing memory, I say, “Am I supposed to be wearing a suit?”

She glances over her shoulder at me. “Maybe take off the towel and put on some dry clothes.” She smirks when she sees the way I’ve tented it. “And let me take care of that.”

“Don’t tease me, lamb. There will come a reckoning,” I remind her before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She shivers and I laugh.

I step into the walk-in closet to change. I suspect that her father and uncle are coming to visit. They drive up here every two weeks. They don’t know I was the one who released the reports that set the senator free. I didn’t do it for their thanks. I did it for Everly, so she wouldn’t have to worry about her father. Not that she knows either.

I doubt telling the two men the truth would warm them to me anyway. They both hate me. They blame me because Everly dropped out of school and because the pregnancy has been so hard on her body.

I can’t fault them. I’m having a daughter of my own and even though she’s not here yet, I already want to wrap her up and keep her safe from the big, scary world.

Still, Everly’s father and uncle stay civil with me. The three of us might not like each other but for her sake and the sake of my soon-to-arrive daughter, we hold an uneasy truce.

By the time I’ve changed into blue jeans and a white t-shirt, she’s finished with her hair and makeup. She dabs on perfume as there’s a knock at the door. She pushes to her feet, but I pull her into my arms.

“You’re not supposed to be on your feet unless necessary,” I remind her. It’s one of the things I’ve loved about her pregnancy. It’s the perfect excuse to carry her around all the time.

“Put me down. I need to be down for this,” she says insistently.

I set her on her feet in the foyer and she immediately pauses to check her hair in the mirror. She smooths it down and leansover to adjust my t-shirt that was perfectly fine. Damn, she’s acting nervous about this.

“Now, we’re ready,” she nods and slips her hand into mine. “Remember you promised not to be mad.”

I frown. I’ve never once been mad when her dad and uncle came to visit. I’m glad they’re such a big part of her life.

Opening the door, my breath catches in my throat. Standing in front of us are my parents. It’s the first time I’ve laid eyes on them in years. They visited Mount Bliss a few months ago but Everly was in the hospital at the time. I sent my dad a text, promising I’d catch up with them on their next visit.

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