Page 78 of By the Letter

“If you’re not comfortable sharing the bed, I can sleep on the couch. As you’ve seen, I have no trouble falling asleep there—”

“Absolutely not.” Thunder rolled through me, and it took every ounce of grit not to let it out. “Shira, no, absolutely not. Iwouldn’t have said yes to staying here if I thought for a second you’d try to give up your bed.”

Her eyes swept to the side, and a shuddering breath shook her shoulders. “I wanted to offer it and not presume anything.”

I advanced on her, cupping her belly from below. I found I had the urge to do that more and more often, but tonight, it was a need I could not fight. “Don’t offer me oranyoneanything that would be to your detriment to give away. The mother of my child is not giving up her bed or any creature comforts. And if you thought I would mind sleeping in this bed with you, you haven’t been paying attention.”

Her fingers curled around the top of the footboard, her lashes lowering to brush her cheeks. “Okay, Roman.”

“Okay, Shira.”

Just as I was about to let her go, my right palm received a sharp, distinctive jab. Our eyes collided, both round and wide with surprise.

“Did you feel that?” she whispered, slipping her hand between mine.

“Hell yes, I did,” I whispered in return.

Three more jabs followed—bam, bam, bam. Our boy was on the move and letting us know it.

“Holy shit.” I stared at her, and she stared back. She’d been feeling him fluttering for a couple weeks, but this was the first time I got the privilege of experiencing it too, and dear god was it like magic. “That’s our boy, Goldie.”

She nodded, her lips pressed in a flat line, her eyes shiny. “There he is.”

I couldn’t stop myself from falling to my knees, arms around her, my head against her middle.

“You knew we needed that, huh? Reminding us of everything good and pure we have coming?” I kissed her belly again andagain. “We had a rough night, little boy, but you just made it all better.”

“Rome.” Shira’s fingers slid through my hair. “He settled. I think he likes the sound of your voice.”

I looked up at her, closer to tears than I’d been all night. “You think?”

“Mmmhmm. I do.”

“Christ.” I laid my cheek on her belly and sighed. “This is the best thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.”

She let out a little laugh. “Me too. Without contest.”

I gave my boy another kiss, then climbed to my feet, wrapped my hand around her nape, and pressed my lips to hers. “Let’s get ready for bed.”

This wasn’t how the night was supposed to end. What we’d started in the back of the limo wasn’t going to happen, and while that was disappointing, slipping into bed with Shira wasn’t anything to complain about. She rolled to her side, and I molded my front to her back, cradling her soft ass with my hips. It was easy to curl around her and fit her body in my arms.

It took a few minutes for Shira to relax and let her weight melt into me. When she did, I finally exhaled.

“Thanks for letting Ben and me stay here.”

“I’m glad I could help. I mean, you bought the bed he’s sleeping in. It’s the least I could do.”

With a grin, I tucked my face into her hair. “That’s right. So, I should tell him he’s welcome to stay anytime?”

Her hand slid over mine, where it rested on her belly, light as a feather. “I wouldn’t mind, you know. I didn’t have siblings, but I like yours.”

“Hmm. Even Adrian?”

“I don’tdislike Adrian. I think it’s the other way around.”

“He takes his time warming up. He’ll get there.” I moved my nose back and forth along her silky strands. “It’s not something you need to worry about.”

Her movement was subtle, but I didn’t miss her ass wiggling closer. She might not have meant anything by it, but it was hard to ignore those plush cheeks rocking against my half-hard cock.

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