Page 79 of Single Mom's Secret Diary
I peer back at her and my dad in the kitchen. She’s wagging a finger at him as if lecturing him about how to properly organize a kitchen. But Dad doesn’t seem put out by it. If anything, he’s as entertained by her as I am.
“So…” I start. There’s so much to figure out, and it feels urgent to get as much done as I can before I’m waddling around and miserable. Not that the next few weeks won’t be miserable. Morning sickness is a beast. “They can do tests to determine paternity around when they do the first sonogram. In case you guys want to know?—”
Ryder leans closer and hushes me with a soft, “Shh.”
Well, I know how he feels. Ezra shakes his head, and I peer up at Wyatt’s soft green eyes.
“It won’t change anything so long as you don’t want it to.”
I let out a long sigh and finally relax fully. “Good.”
“I do think we’ll need a bigger house, though,” Ezra says again. “Do you think you’d be up for a little house hunting?”
“You mean before I’m the size of a beached whale and am no longer mobile? I think I can manage. But you guys really?—”
“Stop it.” Ryder squeezes my middle. “You’re not getting rid of us, so stop trying.”
“I’m not?—”
“No. You’re giving us every opportunity to turn tail and run, though. Quit.” His voice is a sweet, honeyed rumble along the shell of my ear.
My insides quiver with the anticipation I’d felt this morning on the way to work—the one that I can barely contain when Iknow I’m going to be the center of their attention, wholly and completely.
“About quitting…”
“I want you back in my lab,” Wyatt says before I can finish my thought. “Without restraints this time. But then again…”
His eyes grow dark, and I know he’s thinking of restraining me in more explicit ways. That sends heat coursing through me, surprisingly batting away the lingering nausea. Which has me thinking… would morning sex combat morning sickness? It’s something we’ll certainly have to try.
The tension between the four of us changes. Their thoughts have turned down the same path mine have. Too bad we’re not at my place where we can lock ourselves in my room for a little play time.
Ezra’s hands slide up the insides of my thighs in inches, squeezing and testing my flesh under my slacks. Ryder’s hand slides up my ribs, under my breast, his breath so hot against the side of my neck. Wyatt traces my bottom lip with his thumb, pulling it down as if he can slip inside me right here.
A door opens and closes behind us, and little footsteps head our way. The way each of them straightens in a jolt has me giggling and grinning at Charlie as he stands at the end of the couch looking at us.
His brows draw downward as he takes the four of us in. I can see the pieces clicking into place behind his brown eyes—so much like his father’s. Charlie holds up his iPad. “Can I show you this cool trick I just figured out?”
“Of course. Come here.” I hold my arms out to him, but he hesitates.
Ezra waves him closer, offering him an opening between us. Charlie takes it, settling against his father instead of in my lap. It brings me more happiness than it does pain. I’ll always want mybaby in my arms, but they look so perfect together. Even when Ezra places an awkward hand on his back.
With the iPad between us, Charlie shows us a new trick jump on one of his racing games, and we all preen over how smart he is. Well, mostly me, but what can I say? I’m a proud momma.
When he’s done, he doesn’t run away, settling in Ezra’s lap more fully.
“We’ve got some news for you,” I say, hoping Charlie won’t be upset about a new baby.
His brow lifts, so much like the look my dad just gave me. He looks between the four of us and offers a simple, “Uh-huh.”
Meeting Ezra’s gaze, I’m silently telling him that his son gets this fromhim.
“You’re going to be a big brother.” Ezra delivers the news softly in a voice I’m far too familiar with. Like he’s prepared for a battle.
Charlie seems unimpressed over this news. “That’s why you were puking in the bathroom. I should have known. You’re never sick.”
Uncontrollable laughter hits me before I’m wiping away happy tears. “Yes. You’re absolutely right. Nothing gets past my baby.”
He grunts. “Since you’re having another one, you’re going to call them baby from now on instead of me, right?”
