Page 70 of Claimed By the Cowboys
Given that she practically lived in sundresses—much to our extreme pleasure—it was only noticeable if you looked closely, but there was a roundness to her stomach that hadn’t been there before.
Unlike Caroline, who had despised being pregnant and would cover herself in large pullovers or refuse to let us touch her, Piper didn’t hide her bump or shy away from it.
If my hand drifted to her stomach while we were snuggled up together, she didn’t flinch. In fact, she leaned into the touch.
There was something primal about knowing our omega was pregnant with our child and that they were both part of our pack.
“What do you want for dinner?” I asked as we sat in the kitchen, drinking our morning coffee. Well, Piper was drinking tea, and I was having coffee. I had offered to cut down my consumption with her, but she had insisted there was no point in both of us being miserable.
She tilted her head a bit, chewing on her lip as she thought deeply about food.
Cooking was still completely in Piper’s purview, and she ruled the kitchen, but ever since we’d discovered the pregnancy, one of us was always around in case she needed help.
There had been a few nights when the exhaustion or sickness had been too much, so we would attempt to make something or run into town to get takeout from Evelyn’s.
“It’s probably going to be steaks, if you guys feel up to grilling?” she asked. “I would roast a chicken, but there is so much damn beef in this house…”
“And that’s just me.” I smirked, flexing my arms.
Piper rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her tea. “Yes, you, Dakota, are a prime cut of meat.”
My chest puffed up with pride. “That’s what I like to hear! Trust me, we’ll be more than happy to grill—though Montana is convinced I do it wrong. It’s such bullshit because if there is one thing a cowboy can do, it’s grill a goddamned steak.”
Piper grimaced. “I mean this in the nicest way, but I would much rather Clay or Montana do the grilling.”
Ah. Yeah.
The food poisoning.
“I’m convinced that wasn’t me! You can eat a steak straight off the cow!” I defended myself, but Piper merely smiled and shook her head.
I deflated. There was no way I would push the issue. She was pregnant, and her health was most important.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “Daddy Clay can cook the steaks.”
Piper laughed, a sound that warmed me down to my bones as she leaned forward, kissing me on the cheek. “Thank you. Your skills lie elsewhere,” she said suggestively.
“Well, how about we finish these drinks and get a little rest?” I suggested.
Piper nodded, biting her lip. “Rest, yes, that sounds good.”
“Perfect.” I smirked, pulling her in for a hug.
Grabbing her hand, I took the cup of tea from her and placed it on the counter before tugging her toward the back of the house where the pack bedroom was.
It was only when we passed Montana’s empty office that I paused, turning to Piper. “You know, pretty girl, I bet that desk in Montana’s office is pretty darn comfortable… That big desk chair of his…”
Yes, I was being a complete shithead.
No, I didn’t regret it in the slightest.
Piper glanced between the door and me, biting her lip. She was contemplating her options.
“He’ll be mad at you, not me,” she told me in a soft voice.
A bark of laughter escaped me. “Pretty girl, my twin is always mad at me…I just think this could be a fun way to show him what he’s been missing out on, given he’s been working so much.”
Her eyes were glued to the closed office doors. “We would have to be quick. Zeke will be home with Maisie soon.”
