Page 55 of Deadlier Obsessions

“Thank Pretty Boy, ladies, he was a big part of the decision.”

I roll my eyes until Stella begins running her tongue over my neck, her teeth tugging at my ear as she whispers, “Thank you, Sebastian. Just think of all the smut books we can buy, which means more scenes for you to try out with us.”

Fuck. I’m hard as a rock. The best thing about pregnancy, I hear, is some time in the second trimester when they’re horny all the fucking time. I can’t wait.

CHAPTER THIRTY

MAV

At least the stopover the girls want is stateside, so we can put the rest of this insane trip behind us. The next morning, we’re packed and on our way to the airport, with the little plane chartered once more. Our girls don’t have to fly any other way now, and I’ll be honest, taking Gage on a packed flight with strangers would probably be fatal for someone anyway.

Stella is definitely still nervous about flying, but as we clear take-off and she can remove her belt, she heads straight for the damn bathroom again, and I catch Gage’s arm as he stands up to march after her, like he did last time.

“Hold up, you gotta rein in your shit, because you’re edgy as fuck right now. What’s going on with you?”

He points in the direction of the closed bathroom door, which by the way, we’ve been warned has to stay in place this time, or they won’t let us book one of their damn planes again.

“She’s probably throwing up, man. Get your head out of your ass, and remember she’s pregnant, so maybe she’s got that morning sickness thing already. Lucy had it briefly, remember?”

“Lucy still bloody has it,” she suddenly declares, clapping a hand over her mouth, a panicked look in her eyes. Shit. Two puking ladies, and one bathroom. This shit isn’t going to work, right?

The stewardess brings Lucy one of those bags to puke in, and just in time, but then Sebastian curses and calls out for one too. What the fuck?

“He can’t be pregnant too, right?” Gage asks, rolling his eyes at himself. “I mean, I know he can’t be, but why would he be sick too?”

I have no fucking idea, but I’m starting to feel a bit green myself. It’s pretty unpleasant to have to hear people throwing up, and I want to go look after Lucy, but now I’m wondering if there’s another reason for this.

“They all had the eggs for breakfast, right?” Gage nods, rubbing the back of his neck. We’d both had continental breakfasts, because the French are known for their fucking croissants, and I won’t apologise for liking them.

“Maybe we had a lucky escape. Can you go check on Lucy and Pretty Boy, while I check on Stella?”

Gage nods, and actually does as I asked him, without complaint, so I head for the bathroom door, tapping on it lightly.

“Won’t… be long…” Stella gasps out and I check the handle, finding the door unlocked. I pull it open a few inches.

“You okay, baby? Anything I can bring you? Some water?” She shudders, lifting shaky hands to her face.

“Morning sickness so fast? My god, am I going to feel like this for months?”

I grab a small towel and wet it at the faucet, dropping on my knees beside her, carefully dabbing the wet cloth against her face. I have no idea if this fucking helps, but I also have no idea what else to do.

“Not sure it is morning sickness, babe. Lucy and Pretty Boy are both chucking up too.”

She groans, her eyes drifting closed as she rests a hand over her flat stomach.

“I bet it was those fucking eggs. I said they tasted funny, but the other two said they seemed fine. Guess they fucking weren’t, and when I feel better, they’re getting one hell of an ‘I told you so’.” At least she can joke, right?

“Yeah, you tell them, babe. You want that water now?” She nods carefully, catching my hand as I lower the towel.

“Thank you, Mav. It was sweet of you to come and check on me like this, especially if Lucy’s ill too.” I hand her the towel, and lift it to her face, so she’ll keep cooling herself down with it.

“Gage has the other two under control. I’m just realizing what a dick move it was to leave him with two puking lovers, but whatever. I wanted to make sure you were okay because you were alone.”

“You probably don’t realize it, Mav, but you really are a catch, you know? Any woman would be lucky to have you.” Any woman? Any womanwould belucky? What the fuck.

“Well, two women already have me, so everyone else is shit out of luck.” I push up from the floor and lean down to kiss the top of Stella’s head, then I go to fetch water for her and bring a pillow for her to sit on until she feels safe leaving the bathroom. Maybe I am a catch, but her words bother me somehow. It’s almost like she’s distancing herself from me, but that’s crazy, right?

LUCY

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