Page 243 of The Baby Bargain
Well, she looks like a Goth princess.
Forest's eyes go to her. They flit over her body quickly, like he can't help himself. He clears his throat. Nodshello.
Her eyes stay glued to him.
Fuck, it's so obvious they're into each other. How are they the only people who can't see it?
I wish I could get on my high horse, but I've missed so many things, so many times.
Those thoughts dissolve as Ariel moves closer. Her dark eyes light up as her fingers hit the counter. "Hey."
"You want a drink?" Forest asks.
She shakes her headno thanks.
"You've been skipping them lately." He looks her in the eyes.
They exchange something, some Ballard family thing I don't understand.
"I have a lot of work to do tomorrow." She shrugs off her brother's stare. "School. You remember that?"
He nods, accepting her answer. "You're working Sunday?"
Or maybe not.
She nodsof course. "Yes, I work most weekends. Do you know how many hours it takes to finish a thesis?"
He studies her expression.
She folds her arms over her chest.
Skye breaks up the tension with a smile. "Who wants to pour my Moscow Mule?" She holds up a bottle of ginger liqueur. "Which Ballard makes it best?"
His attention turns to her.
Ariel mouthsthank you.
Forest fixes her drink. Skye pulls him aside, to another conversation, but my shoulders stay at my ear.
"We need to tell him, princess." I press my palms into my thighs. It's the only way to keep them off her.
She glances at her brother—still deep in conversation with Skye—then Holden—practically making out with the cute blonde in his lap. "I'm officially in the second trimester tomorrow."
"Yeah?"
Her smile spreads over her face. "Only a few weeks until we'll know the sex." Her hand goes to her stomach. "I…"
Fuck, I want to touch her.
She looks up at me, her smile goofy. "We will. I promise."
"We should—"
"Can we… um, so I know you want to talk. And talking is really important. But here's the thing." She rises to her tiptoes. Brings her hips to mine. "I need to fuck you." Her fingers skim the waistband of my jeans. "Like right now."
My balls tighten.
"Are you gonna make me beg?" Her voice drops to something low and breathy.
