Page 69 of On Thin Ice

ALLY

He was coming home this afternoon, and I was jumpy. It was the best way to describe what was going on in my head. We’d texted daily and video-chatted twice since the road trip started and it felt just, I don’t know—right, I guess.

Ugh. What the hell was I doing?

Getting to know the father of my child so we could all exist together.

I put my head in my hands. I’d told everyone that we were going to act like roommates, but that didn’t stop me from wanting him. I moved one hand to my bump, and a chuckle bubbled forth.

I obviously had a history of wanting him.

My computer pinged with a notification, and I looked up to see an email from my boss. Yes, while I was getting distracted by thoughts about Dom, I was supposed to be working. Not thatI was slacking off or anything. I just managed to spend way too many spare minutes thinking about a certain gorgeous man.

I shook my head and opened up the email. He had notes about my last report, so I pulled up my research and data points and responded. The next two hours flew by as I examined my findings on another case and started to write up my analysis. I got into a rhythm, and before I knew it, my stomach was growling and demanding lunch.

I pushed back my glorious desk chair—seriously, this thing was magical—and headed into the kitchen. I was almost out of a few of my favorite snacks that Dom had stocked for me, so I made a list of what I needed.

His sweetness and consideration still surprised me. Never would I have ever guessed that he would do all that for me. Of course, never would I have guessed that he’d knock me up and we’d be living together, but here we were.

“Phew. No turquoise.”

“Holy shit,” I screeched, turning around to see Dom standing just inside the door. “Oh my god, you startled me.” How had I not heard him coming in?

He dropped his bags and rushed over to me, gripping my arms. “Shit, sorry. Are you okay? Whoa, your heart is racing.”

“Because you scared the hell out of me.”And also because you’re touching me. I kept that last part internal.

He rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “I’m sorry. You okay? The baby?” One of his hands dropped to my belly.

“Um. Yeah. Fine. I’ll be fine.” I stepped out of his hold and immediately missed his touch.

Dammit.

“Now, what did you say when you came in?” I asked.

He quirked a brow. “No turquoise.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I might’ve teasingly texted him that I was going to paint the living room turquoise to add some color to the white walls since he said I could do anything I wanted.

“How about pink and turquoise stripes? It’ll bring the room to life.” I tried to sound nonchalant, but I could hear the wobble in my voice.

He tugged me back into his arms and gave me a hug. “How about something neutral? And are you good now?”

I swallowed hard. It wasn’t like this man never hugged me, but it felt so nice to be touched by him. He’d been doing it a lot more since I’d moved in, and I definitely wasn’t mad about it.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I said. Then, my stomach grumbled again. “I was just making a late lunch. Want anything?”

He released his hold on me and stepped back. “No, I’m good. Movie and takeout tonight?”

“Sure. But don’t you want to go out with the guys?”

He scoffed. “I just spent a week with them nonstop. You’re coming to the game tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Great. I got you a family pass already and you can use my seats or hang out in the family suite.”

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