Page 64 of On Thin Ice

“You’re here,” he said into my hair, his breath washing over my ear and making me all tingly.

“And you’re here too,” he said, his hand covering mine on my belly.

My laugh came out strangled. “Uh, we’re kind of a package deal.”

He pulled back. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Um, yeah. It’s nice to see you too.” It sounded wooden in my head. Shit. Making this awkward wasn’t going to help anyone.

“I got everything set up. How many suitcases do you have?” he asked, guiding me toward the baggage carousel.

“Just two. I shipped some stuff that should be here in a day or two.”

“Perfect. I’ll just let the concierge know to bring it up for you if it arrives while I’m gone,” he said.

“Thanks. Oh, the luggage is coming out,” I said, needing to break his hold on me before I tugged him down and planted my lips on his.

Stupid damn hormones.

Yeah, it was good that he was going to be gone for a week.

***

“So, here we are,” he said, leading me into his condo a short while later.

I tried not to think about the last time I’d been here and how spectacularly wrong it’d gone. But he’d been shocked then, and we were in a much better place now.

“Whatever you need to do or change around, go for it. I put your desk out here to give you more space, but we can move it,” he said, gesturing toward the corner.

“Oh, wow.” The desk was perfect, and he’d placed it in front of the huge window that overlooked the park across the street. “Wait. Is that the chair that’s all over social media?”

“It had great reviews. Ergonomic dream and an attached footrest. I want to make sure you’re comfortable,” he said.

I bit back the tears that started to well up. Never had I ever expected him to be this sweet and thoughtful. That wasn’t the Dom I’d known for the last five years. That Dom was a player, the cocky, flirtatious guy who was all about fun. And yeah, he’d been a fun time more than once for me, as evidenced by my current state, but I didn’t know how to handle this version of him.

I wondered how real it was. Was he just doing what he thought he was supposed to do? I hated thinking that way because in the end I wanted him to want to be here, and not just out of obligation.

“There are two new bookcases, too. Should have plenty of room to store all your work stuff.”

“Thank you,” I said, not trusting myself to say more.

“Want to see your room?” he asked, linking his fingers with mine and tugging me down the hall to the first door.

“I already had the basics in here, but I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed for her,” he said, running his thumb across my belly with the hand that wasn’t still intertwined with mine.

Dammit. I was getting way too used to having his hands on me.

“You can paint if you want. Well, not you, because you’re pregnant and all, but we’ll get some of the guys to do it. Orwhatever you want,” he said, looking apprehensive as we walked into the room.

A stupid tear slipped down my cheek. It was just as perfect as the work setup. There was the same bassinet that I had on my registry set up next to a bed that looked like a cloud. My favorite pregnancy pillow was curled on the light gray comforter. The crib was set up against another wall, and two dressers were underneath the windows. One had the changing top with the mattress covered in the sheet I’d also registered for.

“How?” I asked.

“Darcy sent me links. She said you already received some of this stuff during your shower, and it’s back at your apartment. I figured if you wanted it enough to register for it, I wanted you to have it here too.”

I sniffled.

“What’s wrong? Are you crying?” he asked, alarmed. “Shit. Did I do something wrong?”

---