Page 26 of Forbidden Desires

I roll my eyes. "I didn't say I was trying to get rid of you."

Pete leans in, his gaze steady. "Then tell us what's really going on."

My heart stutters in my chest, and for a second, I think about confessing—about telling them the truth. Morning sickness. The positive test results hidden away. The secret that's been gnawing at me since I first found out.

But fear knots my stomach tighter than the nausea ever could. Not yet. I can't tell them yet.

"I'm fine," I insist, plastering on a smile. "Just give me five minutes, and I'll be good as new."

Pete doesn't look convinced, but he reaches out and squeezes my hand anyway, his thumb brushing gently across my knuckles. "Five minutes," he agrees. "Then we'll feed you."

Dexter straightens, but not before shooting me a look that says 'I'm watching you'. I stick my tongue out at him, and he laughs, the tension in the room easing slightly.

I sip the water slowly, hoping it'll settle my stomach enough to make it through breakfast, raising no more suspicions.

Dexter goes back to flipping pancakes, humming under his breath, and Pete stays close, his knee brushing against mine under the table—like he's anchoring me without even realizing it.

And for the first time in days, I let myself relax. Even with the secret hanging heavy between us, being with them feels... good.

Safe.

"Better?" Dexter asks, sliding my plate of pancakes in front of me again.

I nod, hoping to not make a liar out of myself.

"Now let's take care of you, sunshine."

Pete smirks, setting a fresh mug of coffee on the table. "Whether you want us to or not."

Warmth blooms in my chest as I pick up my fork, the edges of my anxiety softening under their easy care. It's terrifying how quickly these two are slipping into my heart. How right it feels to have them here.

And how much I want to keep them.

I take a small bite of the pancake, praying it stays down. When it does, I carefully take another bite, and then another. Once I've successfully eaten several bites, I look up at the two men in front of me and smile. "This is delicious, thanks."

Pete stares at the cup of coffee on the counter before looking back at me, with a slight frown on his face. "Are you sure you're okay, baby? The old Suzie would have inhaled that coffee by now."

Fuck.

Well, I can't really drink the coffee. And I already feel like crap for keeping the secret to start with.

I force a laugh, hoping it sounds convincing. "Maybe I've evolved? I could be turning into one of those people who enjoy drinking herbal tea now."

Pete raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Herbal tea, huh?"

Dexter gives me a teasing grin as he slides into the seat across from me. "I might join you, have any fun flavors to try?"

I snort, but inside, I feel like a total fraud. They're both trying to make light of things and here I am, keeping the truth locked up tight in my chest. A truth I'm not ready to face myself, let alone tell them.

Pete's gaze lingers on me for a second too long, his sharp eyes filled with quiet curiosity. He's always been observant. The kind of man who notices every little thing about me. How I liked to kick off my socks, once I was cuddled under the blankets, orhow I never ever cried during sad movies, but always ended up bawling after, when no one was around to see. No one but him that is.

I pick up my fork again, stabbing another piece of pancake like it holds all the answers.

"So," I say, trying to steer the conversation to safer territory, "what's the rest of your day look like? Or is this your way of saying you're moving in and cooking for me, forever?"

Dexter winks. "Patience, sunshine. You need to convince us to marry you first."

His joke breaks the tension in the small kitchenette and we all burst into laughter.

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