Page 35 of Bewitched

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Wednesday, April 12

Blake sat on the front step and watched Paige work on the flower beds that lined the front walk. “Honey, why don’t you let me do that? I don’t think you should be bending over.” He watched her slide him a side eye and laugh. He didn’t think his statement warranted that sort of reaction. “What?”

“What did you tell me last night? Roll your mind back and tell me what you said.” Sitting back on her heels, she crossed her arms and waited. “Can’t remember? Let me refresh your memory. ‘Bend over, honey. You’re going to like the way this feels.’ Are you trying to tell me that bending over is okay when we’re naked but not out on the front lawn?”

“Say it louder, honey. I don’t think Mr. Perkins across the street heard. I’m sure he’s real interested to hear what happens in the privacy of our bedroom.” He watched Paige swing her head around, looking for her neighbor across the street.

“Oh, you. He’s not even home.” She returned to digging up weeds.

Over the last five days, he’d discovered that she was a relatively easygoing person. The only thing that seemed to get her fired up was eating. She hadn’t been kidding the other day when she told him that it had become her full-time occupation. For the last two days, she’d been on a baking spree. There were cinnamon rolls, a pie, two cakes and three different types of cookies in the kitchen. Making regular food didn’t seem to hold any appeal, so he’d gone out and grabbed them pizza for dinner. It worked for him. He could live off pizza and dessert without a problem.

Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, he watched her ass wiggle as she moved further down the walkway. She’d been right about what he said last night. He bent her over, drove himself into her welcoming heat, and lost his mind in the process. Paige Bennett was an enthusiastic and vocally expressive lover. Just thinking about it made his body come to life, which was surprising considering they’d already made love twice that day. They were going at each other like a couple of teenagers who’d just discovered sex. The hunger never slaked for him, no matter how many times he’d buried himself in her body. Rubbing his chin, he wondered what it was about this particular woman that had him acting like an out-of-control idiot.

“Blake, what time is it?”

Dragging himself out of his thoughts, he checked his watch. “It’s eleven.”

“I should go in, take a shower, and get ready. I have my doctor’s appointment at one. I’m excited because today is the 3D ultrasound. I’m going to meet my daughter today and see her face, and I can’t wait!”

Standing, he walked over and held out his hand. “You used the wrong pronoun. You are not an I. You are part of a we. It’s our daughter, and we are going to meet her together.”

He helped her up and slid his arms around her waist. “Honey, you may think that you’re in this alone, but you’re not. My nickname on the Teams is Boulder. Do you know why I got it?”

“’Cause you’re built like a boulder.”

“Partly. I’m big, immovable, and stubborn. So don’t think you can get rid of me.”

“Great. I’ve always wanted a big rock in my life.”

Lifting her chin, he smooched her hard and loud. “Glad I could make your dreams come true.”

“Oh, Lordy.” Slipping out of his hold, she started to gather her gardening tools and the bucket that held the weeds.

“You go on in and I’ll clean up,” he said. He got a nice kiss on his cheek before she walked into the house. Today was the day he was going to see his kid’s face for the first time. As far as he was concerned, this day ranked right next to getting his trident. He figured the day she was born would top everything.

***

They were stuck in traffic. Blake glanced over and checked on Paige. She was staring out the window while she twirled her hair. They had plenty of time to make it to the doctor’s office, so he wasn’t concerned. “How are you doing?”

“Good.” Turning in the seat, she faced him. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Why are you not fazed by any of this? A stranger told you that you’re going to be a daddy, and you took the news like it was no big deal. It doesn’t seem normal.”

“Maybe my lack of reaction has to do with the job I have. We are trained to deal with the unexpected. Challenges, figuring stuff out, finding a solution are all part of daily life. We’re in extreme circumstances eighty percent of the time, so finding out I made a baby during the best sex of my life seems like good news. Crazy, life-changing news. But good news.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I came here to see if what I felt in Jordan would hold up in real life, and so far, it has. Honey, you’re a game changer, so maybe it’s not all that surprising. You’ve changed everything for me.”

“So, I’m kind of like a bomb that goes off in the middle of an op. You see it, deal with it, and try not to get blown up in the process.”

“Yes, you’re kind of like a bomb. But in the best possible way.” Patting her leg, he grinned. “The Paige Bennett Bomb. I like the sound of that.”

“That’s not a compliment, in case you were wondering.”

“Honey, in my world, a bomb can kill you, or if you have one and can use it properly, it can save your life. I’m choosing to see this as something that’s going to save my life. This baby is love, happiness, and a blessing. We made one despite using a condom. That means she’s chosen us and we’re lucky.”

“How are we going to save your life and not blow it up?”

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